Hey Bean! I was going through some photos and realized I never showed you any of your birthday pictures! So here you go: the good, the bad, and the just plain weird moments on your 18th birthday… This will sort of be like watching a home movie, with me narrating and stuff. 🙂

Here you are, coming out of your dorm. Big Papa was very happy to see you… I fear he looks rather like a zombie here. But nevermind that – he was happy to see you.

(Rawr… chompchompchomp.. I'm so happy that I've found someone to eat… rawr…)

And of course, your baby sister was happy to see you too. You probably remember this photo from Facebook.

And remember when Dad decided to put all of your presents in a giant lawn bag and then ask you where the dumpster was? (I hope you do, bc it was only a couple of weeks ago.)

He thought that was the coolest idea.

Dads.

Birthday lunch at Lazlo's. Didn't you love how your steak was overcooked, and when you politely told Dad you'd handle it yourself, he said, "Okay, sweety," but when the server walked over, he took matters into his own hands and you ended up with another overcooked steak?

Dads.

Sophie loved getting to go up to your dorm room, btw. She especially loved Oliver. RIP, little Olly. 🙁

Here you are with your lawn bag of presents.

I love the skirt Dad picked out for you! Here you are, modeling it.

Tyra would be so proud.

Such talent.

More presents…

Here you are, taking a break to teach Dad the ways of Mac…

Back to presents…

I liked how you ran out to the hallway and yelled to your friends, "We can totally play tonight! I got a volleyball!"

Sophie couldn't resist getting you the cat mask. Dad thought it was a sleep mask, btw.

Dads.

You did tell Sophie you wanted stud earrings… was this what you had in mind?

I suddenly want a hambuger Happy Meal.

Remember when Soph wanted to smell the new lipgloss you got from Meems and Pops? You could have just let her smell the tube, but noooo, you had to make her get that close to smell. (It cracks me up that she's trying not to laugh.)

Remember when Dad excitedly announced to you that you'd be getting eighteen presents? He said,  "You didn't get nothin' good, but you got eighteen!"

I won't even say it, but it starts with a D.

(I loved that super plush blanket, btw.)

Here you are, walking us out to the car…

Happy, happy birthday again! I hope you enjoyed your birthday photos. 🙂

We love you, Bean!

Well aren't you all just so clever, suggesting Sophie get a cat of her own? I had to laugh at the comments on the last post.. yes, my Sophie does think she deserves her own kitten, but she does have a guinea pig named Ruby and a fish named Shamudeedee (don't ask) who would disagree with the majority of you. 😉

Here are a few pictures I took of Bre's room when we were down there the last time…I love her little room! It's so cheery, and it's so Bre!

My dad made her this cool necklace rack…

…complete with these charming little knobs (each one is different)…

I made her this earring frame…

…and these kitties make her crazy!

I thought it was cute how Tilly jumped up on the bed when she heard Bre opening a new bag of food and pouring it into the food jar…

Breanna loves her Tilly Charlotte Sox..

I thought it was funny how Tilly ran underneath Bre when Bre was squatting down to put something away… oh, the fun I have at my oldest daughter's expense!

I bought this little bird for Frieda's room when she came to live with us. Bre decided to take it with her to her apartment, and it sits on a windowsill…

Love that lamp!

I think Bre's room is perfectly cozy. It smells amazing too, bc she has that Huskers Scentsy burner on her nightstand that she got from my sister, Audrey, who is a Scentsy dealer. That was a shameless plug for my sister. 

Bre, I'm so proud of you, and I'm especially proud that your bed was made when I came over. 😉

Heeheeheeheehee…

Bre was heading out to have fun with friends this weekend, and before she left I made her pose for me. I love my girl… she's grown into a beautiful young woman, but I still see my baby girl in there sometimes.

I'm so proud of you, Bre. I hope you have a fantastic first year out on your own.

Like many kids, Sabrina spent her childhood trying out different sports and musical instruments, seeking that certain something that she could excel at and call her own.

I think, after all these years, my girl has finally found her calling.

Earlier in the year, she decided to teach herself to play the guitar, which is something she's always wanted to do. Breanna had gotten a guitar for Christmas several years ago, but had never taken to it. So Sabrina picked it up, logged onto YouTube, and got to work.

Soon she reached a point where she couldn't progress any further without a real teacher's help, so we headed to Guitar Center. She had been in a few times before, and knew right where to go – which was straight to the climate-controlled guitar room to speak with Josh, the manager. He answered all of her questions, no matter how foolish they seemed, and before the day was over she had signed up for 4 lessons and came back the next day to purchase her very first classical guitar. As a matter of fact, she's even named it. Toffee, bc of the color, and Josh, bc he is one of the nicest people we've ever met. Truly!

She had her first lesson today, which was absolutely thrilling for her. And from the sound of things, I think I'm going to love Toffee Josh as much as she does. 🙂