Happy Birthday and Thanksgiving!

Today is my Grandpa Larry's birthday!! There are a lot of things I love about him but here is just a sampling of why he's the best:

1. He's always the first person to come to the door and give me a huge hug...every single time.
2. His beard is my favorite!
3. He knows everything! Ask him any trivia question and he will know the answer.
4. He calls me every year on my birthday to sing the beavers and the bears birthday song-the best birthday song around!
5. He's a Dodger fan, just like me.
6. He has the best hot sauce collection you'll ever see!
7. He keeps a bed ready for me at all times...just in case I decide to move in.
8. He calls me his most beautiful oldest granddaughter. (But that's just to be fair to the others...I'm really his favorite)
9. He once protected me from a crazed cabbage patch doll fan.
10. He loves me a lot.

I love you Grandpa Larry! I hope you have the best birthday ever today! Try not to have too much fun without me!

And there's another Birthday too! Today is my blog's first birthday. I remember staying up until 3 in the morning to get it up in running in time for Thanksgiving because I thought the perfect first post was to start with some of the things I had been grateful for that year. Well, this year was just as amazing as last.

1. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to fulfill a life-long dream and live and work in New York this summer.
2. I am thankful for my wonderful family (especially my parents and grandparents) who encouraged me to go to NY and who continue to love and support me in everything I do.
3. I am thankful for a little sister on a mission who is such an amazing example to me.
4. I am thankful for two little brothers who drive me crazy but can always make me laugh until I cry.
5. I am thankful that this year I met some of the greatest friends I have ever had and could have ever hoped to have.
6. I am thankful for the great friends I have had for years and that we love each other no matter what.
7. I am thankful I have the opportunity to attend such a great university and although I love school more than the average person, I am also thankful this phase of my life is coming to an end.
8. I am thankful this last year has been so packed full of love, adventure, discoveries, good food, good friends, and good memories.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!