I am so behind in updates on this blog. Life has never been busier for us, and I have been struggling to keep up on documenting everything. I will have to retroactively blog about our summer later, as well as Ella's ONE YEAR update! But I couldn't not share these beautiful photos that my good friend Roxana took at Ella's birthday party last weekend.
'Cause life should be celebrated!
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Birthday. Show all posts
Ella's First Birthday! Lemon Themed 💛
I am so behind in updates on this blog. Life has never been busier for us, and I have been struggling to keep up on documenting everything. I will have to retroactively blog about our summer later, as well as Ella's ONE YEAR update! But I couldn't not share these beautiful photos that my good friend Roxana took at Ella's birthday party last weekend.
Twenty Seven
Heading out for my Birthday dinner! A grainy iPhone shot, but hey, the sun had already set so I think this is pretty good considering! Love this girl :)
Yesterday was my 27th birthday, and boy was it different! Being a mother has changed every aspect of my life, even in ways I wasn't expecting. For example, Tuesday night I was trying to do a million things at once to utilize the time I had while Ella was napping. I had some brushed that needed soaked and cleaned from finishing painting our bedroom, so I went down stairs to our laundry room that has a big industrial sink. It was taking forever to fill up, so I decided to quickly go run the trash out to the cans and come back. Well, I bet you can guess what happened next. I forgot to come back. If you follow me on Snap chat you saw the aftermath. Oh, sidenote while I am on that, I have Snap chat! I have avoided using it for forever, but my friend talked me into it and I must add, it is way more fun to use now that I have a baby. You can follow me @alyciagrayce but be warned it is all snaps of Ella pretty much. Oh and flooding disasters in my basement. So yeah, back to the story. I came down to a flooded laundry room while after finishing up the dishes and cleaning the kitchen that I had totally forgot about it. Yikes!
I felt like a total idiot, and started lifting up the carpet. It wasn't really tacked down, which was nice because I could easily lift it up and start guiding the water with a mop to the drain in the floor. Thank goodness it is all concrete down there and that drain saved us because I was able to make sure there wasn't any standing water. Some water did spread to the basement room area, but I think I caught my mistake quick enough to cause any real damage. I spent the rest of my night using a Shop-Vac on the carpet and was able to pull up a TON of water. We also got some fans and heaters going and crossed our fingers this wasn't going to cost us. We were a little concerned about mold, so we called to have someone come in the next morning and check it all out. Thankfully our efforts had not been in vain. He said that everything looked great, there wasn't going to be any damage or concern for mold, and to just make sure we kept the fans and heat going on the spots on the carpet. Trevor was so happy he gave the guy a Cafe Rio gift card for coming out, even though it was a free consultation, ha! I think we were both just so happy everything worked out in our favor.
I tell this story because that night I was so mad at myself, feeling like a total idiot. Before, I would have let something like that ruin not only my day but maybe even my week. But as I finished up cleaning I went up stairs to feed and play with my beautiful daughter. She brings me so much joy, and puts everything into perspective. I realized that she was the source of what makes me truly happy and that with her in my life, I don't think I can really have a horrible day. Man being a parents is the coolest. You really don't "get it" until you have your own. Trevor and I were talking about that the other day. You really don't get how much you can love your child, and how much joy they can bring you, until you have your own children.
Ella has been all about her tongue for the last month or so. She cracks me up! This is a grainy picture but you get the idea. It was too good not to share :)
Ella waiting patiently like a big girl for her Daddy to get ready to go! haha
So with the good news that my laundry room mistake wasn't going to cost us anything, I started off my birthday in a great mood. That afternoon Ella and I met up with some friends for lunch down in Provo, and I made sure to visit all my favorite spots. Buffalo Chicken Tacos from 180 Tacos, obviously, and Lisa my old co-worker and good friend was able to meet me for some cookies at Sodalicious. Oh my goodness, I LOVE their cookies. My girl Jalynn told me I needed to try the Nutella Peanut Butter Cookie and I about died. It was one of the best cookies I have ever had, and I don't say that lightly. I decided that calories don't count on your birthday, and didn't even worry about how much I was going to be eating that day. Later that evening Trevor, Ella and I went to Tucanos for dinner, one of my favorite places because I love Pao de Queijo and steak, which is available in abundance at Tucanos. We were way too full for any kind of dessert, so I am planning that later this weekend I will have some of my all time favorite birthday cake (a tradition), angel food cake with whip cream and strawberries!
The BIG 30!
Well Trevor is 30 tomorrow! 30... can you believe it? We can't! It seems like every birthday that Trevor says he feels old, but this is the first one where I would have to agree... it feels weird to be married to a 30 year old, haha! We were practically teenagers when we got married, so getting to this next stage together is a little surreal. 30 will be a big year for Trevor, he is going to become a Dad! And I can't wait to see him step into that role, he will be an amazing father. I couldn't have picked a better man to do this with.
I really wanted to something fun and special for him, so I put together a surprise birthday party. Trevor is one who doesn't like a lot of attention - my total opposite right! ;) haha But I knew it would be something he would be happy I did and appreciate. I invited a bunch of his friends and put together a 40 lap race at a go kart place here in Salt Lake. I had his friend Staton make up some excuse for them to hang out and he brought him to the party where we were all waiting. I honestly don't know how I got away with this because I attempted a surprise party for him in the past and he totally caught me. He was NOT excepting this at all and I am SO happy I got him! The boys had a blast and us girl's who are mostly all pregnant or with little ones (haha) ate pizza and cake while they raced.
Speaking of cake, I felt this was the last year where I could blame our age on doing something so tacky and inappropriate, but I just knew Trevor would get a kick out of one of those "Crap you're old" cakes! Esp. since he has been going on and on about being "old." I didn't have time to make a toilet cake since I work full time and Trevor would have seen me make it, so I just ordered a basic cake and added some "poop" to it myself ;) This was one of those Reese's, Butterfingers mixed cups. It turned out pretty great if I do say so myself hahaha
Super Bowl & Birthday Festivities
I feel like I had an entire weekend of celebrations. Saturday morning I went to brunch with a bunch of girlfriends. We met up at a bakery in down town Salt Lake called Tulie. It is actually right by where I lived when I was in college and it brought back so many memories being down there. It is on the same street I used to drive up to go Trevor's house, which was basically every day :) haha I got the French toast and it was bomb. I have such a sweet friends and I love these ladies to death. Then Saturday night we went and saw a family friend perform as Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast Broadway down town.
Every year my birthday lands around the same time of the Super Bowl. Back when Trevor and I were dating, he put together a huge birthday party/Super Bowl celebration "for me" haha. This has become a tradition, every year, us getting together with friends and enjoying the super bowl that includes a cake for me. It is a good thing I love football, because I don't mind it one bit! I have loved the Super Bowl parties over the years! (2009, 2011, 2013 - didn't take pictures some of the years! Boo on me.) The food is always great, as well as the company! It always seems that Trevor's friend Staton and his wife Billie host the party, they are such good sports to have us all over! I can't imagine the mess that needs cleaned after our get togethers. I also realized after going through the pics that I did an epic fail and only seemed to get pictures of the food? What? haha I need to be better about getting pics of the PEOPLE at the party! I used to be so good at it, but now I get caught up in all the fun and forget to capture those moments sometimes. Which is good, but it is also nice to have to look back on. Oh well.... the food was amazing!
My actual birthday was a pretty typical day. Had some of my birthday cake for breakfast :) Cause why not? Went to work, where my boss bought our whole team lunch for my birthday! After work I went to my favorite gym class (Barre), and then Trevor and I went out to dinner at a steak house (which was heavenly!) followed up with some more of my favorite cake, angel food cake with whip cream and strawberries. Then it was presents and some t.v. watching. A pretty great day if you ask me! Thank you so much for all the birthday texts, calls, and wishes! I have so many great people in my life :)
Every year my birthday lands around the same time of the Super Bowl. Back when Trevor and I were dating, he put together a huge birthday party/Super Bowl celebration "for me" haha. This has become a tradition, every year, us getting together with friends and enjoying the super bowl that includes a cake for me. It is a good thing I love football, because I don't mind it one bit! I have loved the Super Bowl parties over the years! (2009, 2011, 2013 - didn't take pictures some of the years! Boo on me.) The food is always great, as well as the company! It always seems that Trevor's friend Staton and his wife Billie host the party, they are such good sports to have us all over! I can't imagine the mess that needs cleaned after our get togethers. I also realized after going through the pics that I did an epic fail and only seemed to get pictures of the food? What? haha I need to be better about getting pics of the PEOPLE at the party! I used to be so good at it, but now I get caught up in all the fun and forget to capture those moments sometimes. Which is good, but it is also nice to have to look back on. Oh well.... the food was amazing!
Chris and Trevor deep frying some Chimichanga's... they were amazing!
I made my famous, well famous in my household, quesadillas. It is one of my only talents in this life, making incredible quesadillas! haha
Chris and Mirelle's Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers that I look forward to every year!
Trevor spent all afternoon making me this cake! It was scrumptious! It includes, condensed milk, peanut butter, candy bars, whip cream... you get the idea...
My actual birthday was a pretty typical day. Had some of my birthday cake for breakfast :) Cause why not? Went to work, where my boss bought our whole team lunch for my birthday! After work I went to my favorite gym class (Barre), and then Trevor and I went out to dinner at a steak house (which was heavenly!) followed up with some more of my favorite cake, angel food cake with whip cream and strawberries. Then it was presents and some t.v. watching. A pretty great day if you ask me! Thank you so much for all the birthday texts, calls, and wishes! I have so many great people in my life :)
Twenty Six
Just the other day a friend text me a photo of us from seven years ago, we were freshman in college. How on earth was I a freshman in college seven years ago?! It was a picture of me and two of my friends and we were being completely obnoxious and inappropriate and it just brought me back to how I was at eighteen. Oh how old I thought I was, how much I thought I knew. I have grown and changed so much in the last seven years, and thank goodness! :)
I don't know if it is because I am now closer to thirty than I am twenty, but twenty six is my first birthday where I truly feel like I am a grown adult. This birthday and this year already feels so different, so much changed in 2014 and 2015 is really a new chapter in mine and Trevor's life. I am looking forward to what it will all bring. They say that when your birthday lands on a full moon that you will have a great year, I have a feeling that this omen is going to be the real deal!
Disney's Beauty and the Beast - Broadway in Salt Lake City
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Us with Cameron after the show, or should I say "Gaston" - Trevor didn't make it into the shot because he took the picture! |
Even though my Birthday isn't until tomorrow, I feel like my birthday celebrations started off early in the weekend. Saturday morning I had a scrumptious brunch with friends, and then that night I had the pleasure of seeing Disney's Beauty and the Beast Broadway. This was special for a few reasons, first, the first Broadway show I ever saw was Beauty and the Beast. My parents had taken me as a surprise, and I had no idea what we were going to see. I think I must have been around eleven or twelve years old? Since I was a baby my dad has called me Belle, or Alycia Belle. It was used so much in my household that I was convinced that it was apart of my actual name, I would often introduce myself to others as Alycia Belle. So naturally when Disney's Beauty and the Beast came out in movies, I thought this was "my" movie. From then on I was Belle and Beauty and the Beast obsessed. I lived in my Belle swimming suit, had my Belle sleeping bag, and collected everything and anything Beauty and the Beast. I remember my favorite was a mirror that had music and images that would show up when you clicked the button, "Show me the beast!" I am talking countless nights under my covers playing it when I should have been sleeping! haha
To an amazing man...
Happy Birthday Trevor! Today is Trevor's birthday. Twenty nine. He feels old ;) Where do I even begin when it comes to celebrating such an amazing man? Trevor is passionate. He is passionate about anything he does, and because of that, he has accomplished so much. He is one of the smartest people I know, and one of the most talented as well. Yes, if you hadn't caught on, I am going to brag about my husband today. He has accomplished so much this year, and deserves every good thing that has come his way. Handsome, smart, and talented all rolled up into one of the most loyal and genuine people I know. He makes me a better me. I love him more then he will probably ever truly know. I don't know how I got so lucky meeting him, let alone marrying him, but I thank God every day that I did. Happy Birthday Trevor, I LOVE YOU!
San Diego Bay - New Years Eve 2013
Birthday of Love
Since my birthday is at the start of the the most LOVEly month, I figured it would be fun to have my friends over for a little celebration with a valentine's day twist. I had a valentine birthday themed brunch, which was mainly sweets, however, no one was complaining!
I loved having the get together at my place, just relaxing and enjoying each others company. I mean, talking is really what we all do best. So we did, while stuffing our faces with angel food cupcakes, cinnamon roll waffles, all washed down with some hot chocolate of course. Angel food cake with whip cream and strawberrys are my classic birthday cake, and Valentine's Day is probably my favorite holiday, so combining the two was a lot of fun.
twenty five
For those who have been looking for these boots, THEY ARE BACK!
Today I am officially a quarter of a century years old. Halfway done with my twenties, how did that happen so fast? I guess I am now eligible for a quarter life crisis! The funny thing about birthdays is that they change as we get older. They become almost bittersweet, for me they have become a bit nostalgic. I think back on all of the birthdays I have ever had, and looking into one's past can be an emotional thing. Remembering where you were at each age, who your friends were or still are, what you were dealing with. You can see how much you have changed and it can make you smile and cry at the same time.
If you took a snapshot of me on every birthday I have had it would be a pretty good summary of my life. And boy have I had a beautiful one. It has come with some heartaches, like all lives do, but it has been full of so many blessings as well. And the best part? In a lot of ways it has only just begun.
While you are technically an adult at eighteen, I feel like I am just now starting to feel like one. Your early twenties is a funny phase. Your an adult, but your still so young. Your stuck in the in-between. Isn't there some Britney Spears song about this? ;) But really, with Trevor finishing up Law School in the spring, us moving, and everything that follows that... I sense I am beginning a new chapter in life. I feel like I am phasing out of being a "teenager" for good.
A lot of people resent getting older. They don't want to tell you their age, and thrive on staying young. But so many young souls don't get the precious gift of aging, and for that reason alone I will cherish every year I get to be on this beautiful earth. I hope I can always remember this, and that I can relish in my life and blessings.
Being Twenty Five just feels really good, and I can't wait to see what this new year of changes has to offer me, because what I will be doing by my next birthday is a total mystery... and that's incredibly exciting.
that time we blew up a fridge...
On Trevor's birthday we met up with a big group of his friends to blow up a fridge. This may sound like an odd Saturday activity to you, but over here, this is pretty common. Trevor and his friends have always pushed things to the extreme. Que the time Trevor lit his head on fire. So when Trevor told me that he wanted to blow the fridge up that had been sitting by the dumpster of our apartment complex, I wasn't surprised at all.
Once we got the OK from our landlord that we could "PLEASE, get rid of the fridge," we were set. Yet on Saturday before we were about to leave when Trevor informed me that "I" would be the one helping me get the fridge into the back of the Bronco, I was less then enthused. Trevor had spent the whole first half of the day studying at the law library, and was so excited for tonight, so what was a girl to do on her husband's birthday? I helped him. But yes, I complained the whole time. Just picture it, the two of us, trying to shove, literally shove, this fridge into our car. We thought we could fit it with just laying the back seat down, and it was *almost* there, but alas, no fit. So then, my already happy to be helping self, had to help him take it back out, take the seat out, and put it in again. This time it somehow magically fit, just perfectly.
But where to put our backseat? Oh no worries, we just hauled the thing up three flights of stairs and left in front of our apartment door, HA! Our poor neighbors, I am pretty convinced they must hate us. Such a great start to this adventure no?
So we were off, in that clunky, loud, horrible piece of junk Bronco that my husband loves so dearly. I turn over to look at him and what is he wearing? Oh don't worry, just some hideous camo pants and some button tribal crazy print t-shirt! He seemed to be very proud of the ensemble he put together and I informed him I was embarrassed to be seen with him in public. Thing is, Trevor wears what he wants, and I don't believe in "dressing" my husband, so I guess I just have to deal with it :) His friends made comments about his outfit choice for the evening, so maybe after other people say things he will learn on his own! Bah.
After meeting up with everyone at a gas station, we caravaned our way out to the middle of nowhere in the mountains. That is one thing I do love about living in Utah, it is so easy to "get away" and play in the wilderness and the mountains. After some in depth driving around we found a good spot for a bon fire and area to "blow stuff up."
The boys had brought a bunch of their guns and targets and we started off just playing around with that. I actually really love target shooting. Such a great feeling when you hit your target! Lots of ear plugs were used during this part, and the girls mostly huddled together and talked about how crazy the boys are. Finally we decided it was time to blow up the fridge, what we had all been waiting for!
Trevor has a big group of friends that he grew up with in St. George and they have all ended up in Northern Utah. They are now all married, so us wives hang out a lot as well. We are a pretty comfortable gang at this point. Trevor also invited some friends from the law school so I was curious to see their reaction to the whole night. You see, we have done several "gun shooting, ginormous bonfire making, blowing up appliances" nights in the past, but to new comers it can be a very "interesting" night :) One of Trevor's friends from law school offered to be the one to shoot the fridge. You see, we use something called Tannerite to blow stuff up. Tannerite is intended to detonate when shot by a high-velocity firearm cartridge (firearms). So we all backed up (like, REALLY backed up!) and waited for him to hit the bottle full of tannerite that was sitting in the fridge, cameras ready to record. One shot - missed. Second shot - BAM!!!! The back of the fridge flew straight up in the air! Smoke was everywhere, and the boys rushed to go see the damage (oh boys *sigh*)
Needless to say, there was fridge debris everywhere! The boys were very proud of themselves, and the hype lasted about five minutes before they were off to pull out the trailer full of wood pallets to start on fire. Us ladies let the boys be pyros while we built our own nice little fire to chat around. We would occasionally turn around to see their tower of fire get bigger and bigger. At the fire's largest point us girls got a tad concerned, but all was well. These guys, as crazy as they are, are very experienced with this stuff and they had it all managed and controlled. After a few sobe bombs, glass filled containers of gas that you set on a fire and watch make a mushroom explosion, the boys joined us.

the time we blew up the fridge from Alycia Crowley on Vimeo.
We ended the night chatting over the fire and making smores. You know, the typical catch your marshmallow on fire and hurry to blow it out kind of smore making. The stars were beautiful, and once the last of the embers faded away we called it a night and headed our separate ways.
Of course Trevor's tire had gone a little flat through all the driving in the mountains, and my stomach was aching from not really eating a proper dinner - so to the gas station we went to fill the tire up, and of course get cheese and jalapeno corn dogs. Why is it that late night, gross snacks taste the best?
Just when we thought the night was over and we were dragging our worn out selfs up the stairs, there in front of our door stood the back seat to our Bronco to welcome us home! Did we go and put it back in the Bronco? Of course not, we just gave it a pat, walked right on by and I plopped myself in bed. Gave that hardworking, crazy husband of mine a big kiss and told him Happy Birthday one more time before we went to sleep.
I am pretty sure that the evening that Trevor turned 28, was a play by play of the perfect night in his book.
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ALYCIA GRAYCE CROWLEY
Thanks for stopping by! My name is Alycia, and this blog has been such a fun space for me to share everything from the very meaningful, the mundane, and the frivolous stuff that falls inbetween. I guess you could say this is a digital journal of sorts! I believe that life should be enjoyed and celebrated, and invite you to join along in the party! ❤
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