Friday's Five - Christmas Ramblings

1) Christmas Treats:

Whether its baking with best friends or family, or just making treats for party,

I absolutely love all the fun Christmas-themed treats.

2) Oh Christmas Tree

Specifically my Christmas tree.

It is my very favorite part of the season.

I will be devastated when the lights stop working.

3) Fancy nails and cake pops

I was feeling adventurous at the nail salon and tried a party nail.

I kind of like it.

Also, this salted caramel cake pop.

So YUM!

Get to your local Starbucks and get one, quick!

4) White Ice Christmas

^^ Michael took this beautiful picture of my parents neighborhood.

Now that we live in a tropical climate, 

it makes me so happy to have a white Christmas.

Especially when the roads are still clear.

Even though it is mostly ice, it is absolutely beautiful Enid.

5) My Old House

This has nothing to do with Christmas, but everything to do with being home for the holidays.

Michael and I were on the west side of town earlier this week,

so I took him by the house that I grew up in.

We lived here from the time I was born until I was going into the 5th grade.

So many memories were made in this house, and on this cul-de-sac.

It looks completely different now, but also still the same.

Johns Family Christmas

Another tradition that we have is taking a family picture each Christmas.

It isn't much, and it usually is a lot more work than its worth,

but it is kind of fun to look back and see our little family through the years.

^^ Christmas 2010

^^ Christmas 2011

^^ Christmas 2012

^^ Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas from the Johns!! 

Hope you have a day full of friends, family, and happiness!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday.

He is one of my favorite people, and the best Dad a girl could have.

I could go on and on about how great he is, but I won't.

Instead, I want to share some pictures that I found today.

All my clients cancelled/no-showed today which gave me plenty of time to search for good pictures for my Dad's Birthday collage.

I found so many photos that show just how great a Dad he has been and still is:

As I was looking, I came across several photos of me, with my Dad off to the side or in the background.

I know (from experience) that my Mom took the photos, which is why Dad is in so many.

But what stood out to me is my Dad's expression in each of the photos.

His smile shows exactly why he is such a great Dad.

There is so much love and happiness in his smile it is almost overwhelming.

Maybe I'm just sick and emotional, and reading into the pictures too much, but I'm so happy I found these today.

I have been incredibly loved by both my parents.

They are perfect examples of Godly parents, and I hope I have the chance to love my kids like they loved me!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

First to Finished

I still don't think that it has really hit me that I am done with school.

Forever.

I will never have to write another paper, take another test, or read for a daily quiz.

I will never have to stress about getting an A.

I am finished!

Okay, maybe its starting to sink in.

With my graduation ceremony coming up this Sunday, I thought I would look back to my very first day of school - preschool.

Crimped side pony, lace socks, suspenders and all.

I was ready.

Little did I know that this was just the first day of 21 loooong years of schooling.

But now I am finished.

And it is a little sad.

I'm sure that sadness will pass quickly though,

and I will spend the weekend celebrating with my family!!

Happy Friday!!

Throwback Thursday - Easter Edition

Just a few of my favorites to get you in the Easter spirit.

Top: One of my very first Easter egg hunts with my Grandma.

I love the entire picture: 

My Grandma's classy ensemble, her surprised face, my happiness at finding an egg, and of course, 

that beautiful aqua-colored car!

Bottom: Me and Ben's last Easter (and picture even) as just me and Ben.

Bailey was born the very next day!

I love the creepy (and dirty-looking) bunny, and the eyeballs on my brother's shoes.

Perfection.

Happy Easter Weekend!

Throw Back Thursday

Remember the time I said Shannon Miller was my idol...

Yep.

That's what I'm talking about.

Leotard - check

Balance beam - check

Totally early 90s hair bun, complete with white scrunchy - CHECK!

In case you can't remember that far, check out this post.

And if you don't know what a scrunchy is...we can no longer be friends and you shouldn't read my blog anymore.