Unexpected Blessings

It's almost been a week since I was blessed with a visit from both of my grandparents. 

How cool is it that Trinity still has a grandparents day?! This day is really special, I loved having all my grandparents at my school and spending the day with them. They all mean so much to me and all have had a special impact on my life. I'm truly blessed to have grown up with all of my grandparents, some of my friends have none! I can't imagine growing up without any of these people. My grandmas also left me with a hefty supply of cookies, yum! Looking forward to spending another grandparents day with them next year!

This past weekend I was part of the 21 Jump Streeters in Trinity's Amazing Race downtown. Let's just get this straight, I don't run, and when I do, I hate it. I had been part of the amazing race before and about died with all the running we did. This year I was very reluctant to sign up but my friends needed a fourth person in order to sign up. I was the fourth person. I was already regretting my decision when we got to our first stop! We went through the race eating some hot dogs, searching for pennies in the sand, finding servals at the lincoln park zoo, bowling, drinking jello, solving clues, and much more, running the way. At the end of the day we were freezing cold, and I felt like I had just run a marathon but we had so many laughs in one day.

It was really fun to see so much of Chicago in one day! 

first stop, lucky strike

cassie was brave enough to eat all the onions and that hot dog.

  

team pic at lincoln park zoo.

just attempting to do a team jumping picture with a stranger for a challenge.

a day finished in a beautiful city.

Birthday Princess

My first little sister was born 18 years ago today! I specifically remember that day Elizabeth was born. It was a blizzard and my dad had to carry David and I up the driveway of my grandparents house before they went to the hospital.

Growing up with Bethie Boo was a challenge. She has a strong head and isn't afraid to say what's on her mind. We didn't always get along but I'm always happy to be able to spend time with her-especially when she gives me her honest opinions when we are shopping. 

Have a very special day, Beefy, love you!

Just to Even Things Out

I have a thing for even numbers or multiples of five. 13? Just not a number that clicks with me.

Last week Milan Andrew rounded out the number of grandkids my Grandpa and Grandma Smits have to a nice round 14. 

I didn't have clinical last Thursday or Friday so I had an exceptionally long weekend home with perfect timing to meet my newest cousin. 

It's incredible how much you can love someone before you even meet them, it's the love of a family and I am blessed to have the family that I do. I spent countless hours with them this weekend; visiting Grandma, playing with L&A, chatting with Lyssie, etc. 

Probably one of my favorite moments was when Adalyn walked in the door to my house and saw me home and said, "Danielle's home! Good! I missed you! Can we play Old Maid?" 

We play Old Maid when I babysit them at my house and sometimes I think they might forget me while I'm away at school, I was so happy to hear that she and Landon remember the time we spend together. 

I was also blessed to be able to hang out with Nathanael and his family quite a bit. My boyfriend and I are both quite competitive and game night got pretty intense. He won't let me live down that he beat me in Skip-bo and I hate every minute of it. I have to get back at him next time! We also had a typical date night which involves us and my brother out for pizza. This time we picked Tony's, never too much cheese.

This is probably the last time I'll be home before the end of the semester. I can hardly believe that a year from now I'll be preparing to graduate, and move on to real life! Scary!

Here's a peek at the most wonderful weekend, because sometimes words aren't enough.

photo credit to rachel. this picture melts my heart. ad is a big sister!

the first picture i ever got of him, looking so big!

family time at Mark and Andreas. L&A even got the boys to play old maid!

precious time with Milan Andrew.

1,2,3...Spring Break

In the middle of March I was able to spend a week in paradise..er...Gulf Shores. 

I have many memories of Alabama from visiting with my family back in high school. There was so much anticipation for this trip with seven other girls. We stayed in a really nice condo with two pools, two hot tubs, and the beach!

The weather was perfect and we spent most of our days laying outside in the sun. After a few initial shin burns and an occasional lobster status burn we transformed into bronze beauties.

It was back to reality for 4 days before heading back home for Easter Break. 

I am so blessed to have such great friends! I am looking forward to living with most of these girls in a house next year!

Here's a few pictures of our adventure.

 

Kathy's parents let us use their van, we were pros at loading and unloading the red rocket!

We also had a sign to celebrate spring break!

 

Justine drove from about 3ish to 7ish, and I was the copilot. There were a few times we thought the van was going to fall apart and a few times we had to start talking really  loud to each other to stay awake. I took a 30 second nap at one point but we made it!

  

The view from our balcony! So Sunny!

Living the dream

walking around at night, getting some ice cream!

the last night :(

 after supper at the hangout

 orange you glad we are friends!? ;)

 never a dull moment with this girl

 

the best days.