Grandma McDaniel turns 90!

My Nana is on the right, the Birthday girl is on the left!

So thankful for my Grandma!

Heather came to celebrate!

Don't know why she stuck up her finger...maybe she thinks she is number one!

Look at that cake! Wow! Mom did a great job!

Today, my grandmother turned 90 (my Dad's mom)! We have been waiting for this day for a long time now. It seems as though at times she would never be healthy enough to get to this day, but we are so glad she has! What an incredible accomplishment! I have been so blessed to know my grandmothers for so long and become close to them over the years. I have especially enjoyed spending time with them since I have been home, as their assisted living facility is right up the street from our house.

On Sunday, we threw a party for her at the assisted living place where she and my Nana are currently living. My mom made a wonderful cake and we had lots of friends and neighboring residents come down to the executive dining room to celebrate. I can't believe how many cards, presents, and phone calls she received for the past few days. It is so great to know people love her and care about her, even though she is quite a bit of miles away! I think she is such a wonderful person, and I love her deeply. I feel so blessed to be her granddaughter, and I am thankful she has been such a big part of my life.

*On a side note, the night before the party, my mother and I went downstairs to search through boxes of my grandmother's wedding dress. I had heard about the wonderful view she wore for her wedding, and I have been dying to see it! About 3 boxes later, we finally opened the box with the view. We pulled it out, and I couldn't believe it! It is absolutely gorgeous. I definitely want to use it! Hopefully, we can find a dress that will compliment it. I told my grandmother that I have a desire to use it, and she was thrilled! What a wonderful family heirloom to add to the celebration!

Happy Birthday Cooper!

Cooper is precious!

At their condo in Siesta Key-he was giving me rasberries!

Look at that beautiful baby smile! (of course, he is in Disney World for the first time!)

Today is Cooper's 2nd birthday. I can't believe he is already 2! Jessie became pregnant with Cooper very soon after Joe and I first started dating. It seems like yesterday when we were all gathered at the hospital holding precious baby Cooper. He is such a blessing to everyone and has such a great energy about him. I love to watch him and play with him whenever I am in Indiana. I know that Baylor and Cooper love each other very much, and that Jessie and Tom love their boys very much. I am so excited to be their aunt soon! Happy Birthday Cooper!

Anderson Homecoming

I apologize for the following pictures to be so small. I left my camera at home and had to steal them from friends!

My birthday surprise at Real Hacienda. The waiters put a huge sombrero on my head and smeared whipped cream all over my face!

FRIENDS!!!!

Little Red Riding Hood and the Witch from Into the Woods.

Senior year roomates. I miss them so!

All the girls, back together again!

All of the friends waiting for the street fair!

Here are some of the cast from Into the Woods from the Street Fair!

After a wonderful birthday at home, I got up Friday morning and was off to Anderson for the weekend. All of my best friends were in one place, and we all wanted to celebrate together and support those who were in the musical this year. After my long drive, I arrived at Debbie and Leah's adorable apartment at downtown Anderson late at night. I was so happy to be greeted by all of my girls!!! We had a great night catching up and just being together. Anna and I bunked up on the sofa bed, and stayed up until 4am talking (just like freshman days!)

On Saturday, we all went to the street fair located on University Boulevard. This is a huge tradition where most of the social clubs, organizations, and groups put up a table and have goodies to sell or products to pass out. There are always a few favorites-caramel apples, hot apple cider, and elephant ears! It is also the hot spot to see former alumni and current students you knew and loved during your time at AU. After the street fair, me, Leah, Anna, and Anna's boyfriend Nick went to one of our favorite resteraunts in Anderson, Real Hacienda. Its a great mexican resteraunt that have really great prices. We went back to the apartment and decided to rest before getting ready for the musical that night.

Before going to the musical that night, the 4 of us went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. We definitely pigged out! The meal was delicious, but the company was even better. After a yummy dinner, we were off to the show to see our great friends shine. This year, Anderson took on a great challenge. The musical they produced was "Into the Woods" by Steven Soundheim. It is incredibly difficult with complex rhythms, melodies, and characters. However, the cast was fabulous. Everyone was exceptional, and we were so excited to cheer them on from the audience. I was so proud to be their friends!! Everyone did a great job. After the show, everyone came back to the apartment and ate cake to celebrate a job well done.

On Sunday, we all woke up and decided to have lunch before going our separate ways. Since we all love Real Hacidenda, a huge group of us met there once again. We had a great time, and even celebrated my birthday in the process. I am so thankful for wonderful friends. We all had a great weekend, and I am anxious to see them again.

It's My Birthday!

My dad bought a few more Gone with the Wind Collectibles. I'm hoping this collection ends soon...(I've been getting one every holiday since I can remember)

Beautiful flowers Joe Joe sent me. Sunflowers, my favorite!

Most of the gifts I got for my birthday!

Wow...23 years old. I can't believe it is already that time of year! Over the past few years, I feel like my birthday comes and goes so quickly. I had a great day today doing fun events and celebrating with my parents.

I took the day off of work and decided to go shopping at the outlet mall in Grove City. I got alot of really great clothes and items on sale! When we got home, my parents fixed a special dinner and even made pumpkin streusal cheesecake! It was amazing! We opened presents after dinner, and I really loved all of them. I am so thankful for everyone who called, sent a letter, or a gift. I truly felt so special today, even though I was far away from some of the people that I love.

I did alot of thinking back about all of the events that happened while I was 22. Things have changed. I started my senior year in college, did an internship in Disney World, got engaged in Disney World, and graduated college! Looking back, I am so thankful for all the wonderful memories I had while being 22. I can't wait to see what this year of 23 holds!

Happy Birthday Baylor!

He is just the sweetest thing!

Baylor and me racing at the Children's Museum (almost 2 years ago! Wow!)

Happy Birthday Baylor! Today is Baylor's 5th birthday! Joe and I started dating when Baylor had just about turned 2 years old, and now he is 5. Wow, time sure does fly. I can't believe it! He is just the absolute sweetest boy, and I am so thankful for his wonderful, loving, and energetic personality. Baylor is such a joy to be around! It has been so neat to watch him grow and learn over the years. I can't wait to see him continually grow into an amazing man. We love you, Baylor!

A Sneaking Suspicion...

We have a sneaking suspicion as of late at the McDaniel household. After getting back from Maryland a few weekends ago, I was greeted by our bichon, Belle. Just barely one year old, she is always full of energy and jumps to greet anyone once their enter the house. However, this time, once I bent down to pet her and pick her up, she was extremely heavy! Over the past week and a half, we continued to see her get heavier, eat more, and poop all over the house. On top of that, her "chest" is getting larger and well....full. She spent Labor Day weekend at the kennel (we were all out of town)...soo.............

........we are thinking our little bichon is pregnant!!!!!!! Not really the most ideal thing to have right now, but to tell you the truth, I am kind of excited! None of the dogs we have ever owned has had puppies, so this would be the first. I must say, our little promiscuous doggie is going to have puppies before she even turns one. Talk about drama in the doggie world.

I will post pictures of the little one and her progress!

We Have Plates!!!

Our awesome plates!!

The bowls too!

Today, my mom and I decided to take a trip to one of our favorite malls, Ross Park in Pittsburgh. Over the years, this mall has become our favorite stop to shop, since they have added high end stores like Nordstroms, Tiffany, Coach, Burberry, Banana Republic, and etc. Now, we never buy anything in most of these stores, but they are really fun to go into and look around. I needed to return a jacket that I bought in Maryland at H&M, so after I finished we continued to walk around on a busy Saturday afternoon.

While we were shopping we decided to stop in to Macy's and ended up on the home goods floor. My mom really wanted to see what types of china, everyday wear, and appliances we were thinking about putting on our registry. She really liked everything that Joe and I have mentally picked out, and she even had a few more ideas of things that I would have never thought of. While we were looking around, we came across the plates that Joe and I found last week while I was in Maryland. They were on sale, buy one plate and get one free-a great deal! I asked one of the employees how long she thought the plates would be available at Macy's, and she remarked that they might not carry them past this year. Immediately, my mom and I decided that it would be best to buy as much as we could right now, since they were on sale and exactly what Joe and I wanted for our kitchen. So, we bought 8 place settings of the plates, and figured that when we register for other things that we would add 8 more placesettings of regular fiesta wear in blue and red to match the colors in the plates I bought today. My mom was very excited to be the first to give a gift from our registry (which techincally we haven't opened yet, but will soon!). I have to say, I can't believe I'm so excited about a bunch of plates. I guess that is what happens when you turn 23. I can't wait to use them!! Thanks Mom and Dad!!

One Week Away

They are all still unopened!!

About a week ago, I received a huge assortment of packages on the front porch of the house. When I looked outside to see if it was another Ebay purchase for Dad, I saw on each box that they were labeled Megan McDaniel. Immediately, I became very excited! I never get packages! I quickly remember that Joe had informed me a few packages would be coming my way in the form of birthday presents. Then, I immediately became very nervous.

For all of you who know me pretty well, I love surprises. There is something about the feeling of knowing someone thought about putting something together or arranging a special event just for you. However, I have a big problem, because I also love to ruin surprises. I dont know why, I can't help it-it's a disease. It is extremely difficult for me to not look at presents or not to snoop around when I can tell something is up. It's a wonder Joe ever pulled the engagement weekend off without the slighest bit of curiousity from me!

So...my birthday is a week away, and I wanted to prove to everyone that the presents indeed have remained unopened. I'm not gonna ruin it this year. 23 is the big number, and it's my year to prove that I can let a surprise be a surprise!