I have twenty three years

Twenty-three years. I has them.

While I liked the symmetry of 22, so far I'm digging 23. I'm obviously much more mature than I was at age twenty-two. Probably better looking, and an all around better person. Maddie and Michelle made me feel SUPER SPESH [as in special] on my b-day by throwing me a splendid garden party with some of my best buddies. Michelle cooked a fabulous smorgasbord, and Maddie used her artistic capabilities to ensure proper birthday ambiance. It was the perfect end to a great day. Starting my day off with a dozen roses, and breakfast with my man wasn't too bad either.

Before I continue documenting the delights of my life, I would like to take a moment to discuss the recent addition to our neighborhood. This addition is our new next door neighbor. I have yet to meet him--or bring him freshly baked goods, as all good neighbors should--however I have heard him. Yes, heard. The man is a snorer. A BIG snorer. I'm not sure if it's a condition, habit, or perhaps freedom of choice--but he's definitely perfected the art of the snore. Deep, rumbling, and close to breaking the sound barrier, our neighbor has definitely gotten our attention via his sleeping habits. That said, I can't wait to meet him!

In other news, I went to the BEST WEDDING EVER on July 25. Jessica Caswell and Ryan Bennett. Seriously...one of the better nights of my life [I can only imagine how great it was for them]. The wedding was at Montecito Covenant Church, and the reception was at the Doubletree Hotel on Cabrillo. (HELLO ocean view!) Ryan and Jess are two good friends from Westmont. They have been dating for the past five years. The wedding was such a celebration of their relationship, and commitment to Christ, and each other. The ceremony and language of the vows was beautiful. Everything about the wedding felt so right for them [it's kind of hard to explain]. ANYWAY, enough mushy gushy about my friends, the wedding reception ROCKED. Essentially, the wedding guests were comprised of all my best friends from Santa Barbara and Westmont. We had a happy hour on the balcony of the hotel while we waited for Ryan and Jess to get to the reception. It was absolutely unbelievable up there. So beautiful. I had one minor incident with a seagull and his pervasive desire for my snackies--which eventually ended in a dive bomb that I barely squeaked away from--but other than that, perfection. After they arrived at the wedding, we had a delicious meal of filet mignon. I mean, it was good. Meals like that make me exceedingly glad to be a carnivore.

The real highlight, in my opinion, was the EPICNESS that was the DANCE FLOOR. Oh man, I am definitely having dancing at my wedding; and let me just say, that my friends better be bustin' a move. Part of what makes the dancing so great is audience participation. The wedding guests were a winning group, almost all of them were out there shaking their thangs on the dance floor. The DJ was good too, not one of those cheese ball wedding DJ's that make you lose your appetite for the first red meat you've seen in months [steak is expensive!]. The music was just a delight. Great mix of classics, 80's, country, and then...HIPPITY HOP! Todd and I were out there from the first song to the last, dancing our little booties off. [shoutout by the way, to Todd's supreme dance skillz.] We also got to dance with the bride and groom, which obviously made me feel SO special :). Something about newlyweds makes me feel super honored when they talk to me, let alone bust a move next to me.

So congratulations to Jess and Ryan!! I'm just thrilled for them! Thank you for inviting me to a fabulous wedding!

En Route

Did you know that Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, AZ is America's Friendliest Airport? Me neither. I'm not sure how this claim is going to hold up against other American airports, [DIA has the best smelling bathrooms, BY FAR] but the totally free Wi-Fi is nifty. And the Starbucks located right next to my gate isn't half bad either [if you disregard the marked up prices, of course].

I forgot to set my alarm last night. Good thing I was woken up by my mother's panicked voice, "Sarah you have to get up. Abbey hurt her neck."QUOTE: Kapsie.

It probably took me a good three seconds to register this statement, but that wasn't the quick response time Kapsie was looking for. Bear in mind that it's about 6:30 ante meridian. After about ten seconds I was up in a jiffy. Long story short, it was an exciting morning spent at the chiropracter's office watching the doc tweak Abbey's neck [adjustments, as the he called them] in quick movements that were unexpected and nauseating to witness. But I think they made her feel better, which was really the point of the whole situation. Turns out the silly girl flattened the discs in her neck and decided to pinch a few nerves to boot. Well, THAT should teach her to sleep on her stomach. Ska-DOOOOSH.

Let's see let's see...what else. Well, I've been affirmed yet again that Colorado is one of the best states, if not THE best state,

in the union. This is not said flippantly, it's factual. Just feeling the fresh air fill your lungs is evidence enough of the state's seniority. Sure, people complain about the altitude, but they're pansies. Yes, it takes getting used to, but it is SO WORTH IT! Yesterday I took the beautiful drive up I-70 to Breckenridge with Sandy, Bentley, and Mom to look at the sleigh riding business the Tate's purchased, Two Below Zero. Check out the website, www.dinnersleighrides.com. The biz is located in Frisco, CO, which is about 9 miles West of Breck. What's pretty snazzy about this area of Colorado is that you get to go through the Eisenhower tunnel to get there, which ALWAYS provides a challenge to those following the belief that one must hold one's breath whilst in the heart of a mountain. Two Below is nestled right on the edge of the Dillon Reservoir, with a backdrop of the mountains. Not too shabby.

One thing I've also realized is that adequate protection from the sun must be worn at all times, particularly at higher altitudes. My feet and shoulders have a rather interesting tan line at the present.

Sandy, Kapsie and I had lunch in downtown Breckenridge. Once again, my love for Colorado was confirmed. We ate on the outside patio against a BEAUTIFUL view of the ski resort; we were served by a man with a handlebar

mustache; and I found an authentic shawarma on the menu. For those of you who don't know what this is, sad. For those of you who have experienced the joy of a Doner Kebab, you know my bliss.

Some other highlights of my trip home are getting so see my family, rainbows, and helping my sister plan her wedding! And in one final thought, DEATH TO THE PINE BEATLE!