Twenty-eight

Twenty-eight! It seems like a happy number, does it not? Nice and even. Twenty-seven was a crazy good life changing year. I got pregnant, Brendon graduated, I quit my job, we moved to Temple, and then, duh, had the cutest baby in the world. Twenty-seven was pretty spectactular, but I suspect twenty-eight will be even better. Maybe has something to do with that little smooshy thing in my lap.

I had a wonderful birthday full of good things. I got to go on a run (thank you, Becky!), I'm up to two miles people. Woo. Indiana napped like a champ and was such a happy baby all day. I mean, she usually is, but dang, she was working those charms yesterday. I got to make a real lunch (pasta!), Brendon came home on time from work (!), he spoiled me rotten, we went out for dinner (pasta again!), and we got to watch half a movie when we got home! Oh and there was cake. Cake always means a good day.

Yellow cake with chocolate icing will always hold a special place in my heart. It's been one of my favorites since I was little bitty!

In between the previous picture and the next, Indiana spit up all over the both of us. There's even a photo of it. But it's gross. Funny, but gross. So no sharing on the internet.

Such a good day! OH and we forgot to bust out the birthday crown until we were basically asleep sooo:

For traditions sake. You're welcome.

I'm ready for you 28! I think you're going to be pretty dang amazing.

Happy Birthday Brendon!

Happy Birthday, Dr. Hogan! I'm a day late, but since it's a leap year I get a pass, right?

I felt like a major slacker this year on the birthday game. I love birthdays and I like to make them special, but this year... you know. New baby. I'm a mess. But, I think we still had a good day? I did anyway. ;)

I made Boy Wonder a breakfast taco feast, then we went to the mall in Killeen because I wanted to take him shopping at the Gap for some new pants, and then we get there and the Gap is closed?!? What the heck? That was the only decent clothing store near us and it's gone. Story of our life. So that was a bust. But we did get to nosh on veggie burgers at Red Robin. Brendon always gets burgers on his birthday. When we lived in Denton I think we went to Red Robin for multiple Brendon Birthdays. I want the fancy stuff on my birthday, he wants burgers, fries, and beer.

So after the mostly pointless trip to Killeen, we headed home. I made a deal with Brendon that we could watch whatever he wanted on his birthday (watching movies and Netflix is as crazy as we get lately) so he picked Conspiracy Theory and then we restarted watching the Office. Goodbye what little social life we had. And we set up the breast pump and Brendon gave Indiana her first bottle! She wasn't a fan.

WILDNESS, I tell you. The wildest birthday ever, surely. Well, maybe that one year we went to Black Eyed Pea for my birthday wins the prize...

Oh and of course there was cake! I made a ridiculously large lemon-orange chiffon cake. It was pretty good! Just reeeeeally big. Everyone at the VA, prepare yourself for leftovers. Aaaaand we dressed Indiana up as Stitch, which was dangerously cute. Brendon loves Lilo and Stitch. It's such a random Disney movie, I love that he loves it. I'm certain this is the first of many Disney dress up days for her.

Indiana snoozed through the par-tay. I can't blame her, being 5 weeks old sounds rough.

So happy birthday, Brendon! We sure are glad you were born 28 years ago. I could gush about you for hours, but I think everyone's sick of hearing about how much I adore you and how wonderful you are. (I LOVE YOU SOOooOOoooOOOo MUCH AND YOU ARE THE BEST AT EVERYTHING! THANK YOU FOR EXISTING!) Hurray for another year of life I get to share with you!

Twenty-six

Yesterday was my birthday, y'all! I turned twenty-six! Heading into to those late twenties, how crazy is that?

I had a wonderful day. Really, very, very, wonderful, because of some wonderful people. I had to work, but my sweet coworker had our desk all decorated with birthday goodies (balloons everywhere!) and she had a caffeine free diet coke in my hand before we even turned the lights on. And then my dad surprised me at work with flowers! He drove all the way up to Austin to see me at work. Sweetest thing ever.

My sister and I snuck in a little birthday run (she rocked a 5k! She was all, "ehh I wont be able to run the whole thing", KILLS IT.) and then we hung out at home with Brendon for a bit before it was time to go to dinner. Brendon wouldn't tell me where we were going, but we ended up at Chez Zee (have you been? OMG the dessert!) where a few of our friends and my momma were waiting to surprise me! Sneaky husband of mine. Such a lovely surprise! We ended the night with presents and then we watched Tangled. Because I love Tangled, and my sister had never seen it!

Seriously, such a good birthday. I am really fortunate to have such amazing people in my life who are all so good to me. My family and friends are the greatest and man, that guy I married. He's a good one. He spoils me rotten. My Princess Complex is spiraling out of control.

So far 26 feels just like 25, but I am looking forward to another year of life and the surprises and adventures it will bring! 25 was such a great year, I can only imagine 26 will be as well!

And here are the photos from home. There aren't many, because we have been severely slacking on the photo game lately. Also, I was exhausted. Excuse my sleepy face. And who sits like this?

Julie's signature face. Miley has nothing on this, Julie's been doing it for years. And I leave you with this:

That's a jar of tahini! We'll be making hummus soon.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hogan (and other things)

Great Scott! I haven't blogged in over a month! Completely skipped February. OOPS, blame it on life. BUT FIRST, that very cute husband of mine just had a birthday, so let me love-vomit onto the internet for a bit.

And oh, do I LOVE that man. I am so so thankful that he was born 26 years ago. We've been together since he was 17, so I've been lucky enough to watch him grow into the wonderful and weird human he is today. He's such a good guy, y'all. I mean, the sweetest. And the most patient. And so smart and funny and weird. And he works his butt off everyday and I love to see it pay off for him. Brendon is one of those people that says, okay, I'm going to do that. And even if that is something insanely difficult and seems impossible, he does it. He makes me want to work harder and be better, because that's he does everyday. And he loves me. No matter what. No matter how grumpy or feisty or lazy or sleepy I am, he loves me all the same and makes me feel like a princess. He's my safe place, warm and fuzzy. Not literally. I mean, I guess literally too? Anyway, February 28th is definitely a day to celebrate. Glad you were born Mr. Hogan, you are my favorite.

This little month between our birthdays is the "I'm dating an older man" month. He's 26 now and I'm still a young 25. What an old fart! We celebrated his birthday with donuts, gardening, and veggie burgers. Oh and a movie on the couch. He had recently passed the cold he just got over to me, so I spent his birthday sick. Whomp whomp. We're always sick. Perks of going and going nonstop. But regardless of me feeling funky, it was a good day! For me anyway!

So what went down between my last post and now? Well, February happened. And February was a busy hectic INSANE month for me. LOTS of working. Like, A LOT. But, I got a promotion, woo! And we ran! A LOT. We've been stepping up our running game, which is I think the only new years resolution I've kept. I've got my eye on a half marathon and although we're SO far away from that business, we're running more often and I'm slowly but surely getting stronger. I don't know about faster though. Working on the faster. Distance and speed? Sheesh! One at a time please.

Oh my gosh and the Winter Olympics happened. I was ADDICTED. I watched it almost every night. Like, really, I think I missed two evenings. I LOVE that nonsense. I love how talented all those folks are and the insane things they can accomplish with their bodies. Also, how EXCITED they are! The skiers and snowboarders were my favorite, they were all just so happy! Even if they didn't win! Just thrilled to be there, happy to be doing what they love. The skaters, figure and speed, on the other hand were SO intense. And there was figure skating dramaaaaa of course. Ashley Wagner was robbed I tell you, robbed. But seriously, the Olympics consumed my life for a good two weeks+. I can't wait for them to be back. Four years!!!

The weather has been ridiculous, as Texas winters always are. 80 degrees one day, 30 the next. I guess it's always like this in the winter, but this year just seems abnormally bipolar. And we've had a lot of cold days. A lot of freezing. Which sounds whiny, but this is Texas! We can't handle too much of that!

And as I've resorted to talking about the weather, I think I'll end this post before I ramble off into oblivion. Sorry there aren't more exciting things to report about my month off of blogging. I'll try to do and document more things. Meanwhile, you stay classy, internet.

(And because I find it enjoyable, other birthday crown appearances. I'm hoping that giant thing lasts forever.)

52 weeks of baking: 29 - lemon cheesecake

For my sister's birthday she requested a lemon cheesecake. This was something I'd never made before and very intriguing and potentially quite yummy, so I was on board. I used this recipe, and for the most part it was successful.

Five packages of cream cheese. No biggie.

The texture of this cheesecake is pretty phenomenal. I've never baked a cheesecake in water, but it does wonders for the fluffiness factor. Usually my cheesecakes are fairly dense (which isn't a bad thing), but this baby was all kinds of fluffy. I actually conducted an experiment (because the recipe made enough cheesecake batter to make TWO CHEESECAKES) and I made a second one and did not bake it in water. They are very different consistencies. That water trick sure does work. If you want a fluffy cake, bake it in a big ol' pan of water. But really, I was a little appalled at how much extra the recipe made. The reviews all said it would make a lot, but I mean, two cheesecakes? Unless you're baking for a crowd, half it.

The downfall of this recipe was the crust. The gingersnap crust sounded incredibly delicious, but it baked onto the bottom of the pan and wouldn't budge. So we had crustless cheesecake. Still delish, but I'm sure it would have been better WITH a crust. (EDIT: cheesecake #2 had a successful crust, and it was gooood. The bottom of my first pan has a raised diamond checkered texture to it, the second pan's bottom was flat, so I think that's part of the reason why the crust stuck)

Flavor-wise though, this cheesecake was on point. Lemony, but not overly so, and not overly sweet either. Pretty perfect. Would be a great plain cheesecake without the lemon if you like yours plain jane. Or maybe add whatever flavor you'd like! Key lime anyone?

Like our ghetto candles? That poor "2", I don't think it will last us until we hit thirty.

Hope you had an excellent birthday Jules! Thanks for being born. Love you to death.

Birthday!

Whoohoo Sunday was muh burfday! Twenty-five you guys. Surprise, it feels just like twenty-four. Birthdays are bueno and this one was no exception. My momma and sister came up for brunch, I got to watch a ton of Glee while melting into the couch with Brendon, and then we went to one of my favorite restaurants downtown for dinner! Perfect day.

HA. Sorry Jules, I had to.

Extra super fancy bonus blu-ray edition of the Sound of Music! Came with all kinds of goodies.

My mom is the queen of wrapping. Not only did this bigger-than-me-box have an obscene amount of wrapping paper around it, it contained just this:

Hell yeah, cast iron skillet. This sucker is serious and I could probably end lives with it. Tangled style. It is heavy! Can't wait to use it! Mom, you know me so well.  Also, I am wearing a cat print shirt. Just saying. Preeeetty badass birthday shirt if you ask me.

We had brunch at Red's Porch. I had never been before but it was great! The view was awesome, the food was good, and it was totally affordable. However, the lighting was rough. Mom, you're the only one I got a good shot of.

Chicken and waffles! It's a thing!

That night we went to Eddie V's downtown and grubbed on fantastic seafood. I love that place. And booya, free fancy dessert!

I am a fool and because my glasses didn't match my outfit, I went without for the evening. Seeing clearly is overrated, right? Insta-headache as soon as we left the house. I need contacts, stat. Glasses are annoying and not everything goes with black.

It was a perfect birthday and I am so lucky to have such wonderful people in my life that spoil me rotten. Love y'all to the moon and back.

Half a decade of birthdays

Because it's the birthday week, I decided to roll on back through my photos and check out my last 5 birthdays. Feeling a bit nostalgic since I'm turning 25. Quarter of a century, y'all!

20th birthday, celebrated at Brendon's desk in his crazy little apartment in Denton. I'm definitely wearing Abercrombie, Hollister, and plastic earrings possibly from Claire's. I was in college, okay? Also, t-shirt-vest-hoodie-combo? SHEESH.

21st birthday, celebrated at a bar I can't remember the name of on the square in Denton with my girl Kristy (AHH KRISTY LOOK AT US!). Celebrating being able to drink legally! Woooo, and what's up with those bangs?

22nd birthday, celebrated mostly in our sweet little apartment on Teasley Lane in Denton. Oh and Brendon proposed, setting me up for a life time of birthdays that will never top that one (kidding, although it was fantastic and one of the best days of my little life). Plastic earrings, again. And no mas hair!

23rd birthday, celebrated at home at my momma's in New Braunfels, lookin' like a hot mess. Testing out my rehearsal dinner/fiesta outfit in preparation for the wedding weekend. It was full blown wedding planning madness at that point. Damn that was fun. Someone let me plan your wedding!

24th birthday, celebrated right here at our little home in Austin. Definitely blew my mix-matched candles out on a piece of bread. And I'm wearing the only decent outfit in this post, my absolute favorite dress in the world. Can you wear a birthday dress on more than one birthday? I feel like there's some kind of rule.

How I've grown, eh? Someone needed to step away from the tanning booth. I think I currently look nothing like any of these younger versions of me, but I remember all those days and they were all good days. I've generally kept the stance that I dislike my birthday because it always seemed like a let down, but looking back, I've had some really great birthdays. And they were usually filled with celebrations with really great people. Except that first one, my twentieth. I think Brendon took me to Black Eyed Pea (yes that happened, and  yes, at least one still exists, in Denton, TX of course). I will never let Brendon forget that one, mostly because it is hilarious.

But really, birthdays are good and I think I will like them. 25, be a good one okay?

My momma's birthday

Yesterday we shimmied on down to New Braunfels after work to celebrate my mom's birthday! Although I was completely exhausted (somehow I am sick, AGAIN, that's like the 3rd time this year? Not fair, life), we had a great time with good food and good people. I love my momma and I am so glad she was born! She's the sweetest woman in the world and seriously, the best mom ever. EVER.

We ate at Huisache Grill, which has been one of our go-to spots for celebrations since my teen years. It's super cute and the food never disappoints. Afterwards we had some dessert at 2tarts, which is an incredibly cute (like so cute there was a group of old ladies knitting, even the guests were cute!) little bakery and coffee shop. I wish I had been a little more awake to appreciate it. At that point I was doing good just sitting up. The place was adorable and I wish it had existed in my high school years. I would have totally chilled there.

Excuse the not so great quality of photos. Like I said, I was a zombie. Also, although I am not pictured I swear I was there. And my outfit was really cute I promise! My face, not so much.

Weekend update

PHEW, this past week was a long one. February decided that it was going to go out with style and keep us busy busy busy! Hello March, please be a little calmer! Brendon had a wicked test plus a gazillion other things to do with school this week and I worked waaaay too much. I didn't see Brendon for two days straight aside from a smooch goodbye in the mornings. It was the week that wouldn't end, and unfortunately, it was also Brendon's birthday week. Sorry your birthday week was a hot mess Mr. H, but we made it!

Even though it was a crazy week, we did get to celebrate my favorite husband's day of birth. And the birthday crown made an appearance again! With slightly more character from being stuck in the closet all year. Woo! That night we went out with a bunch of his friends to Trudy's for a few drinks and good Mexican food. It was fun! Pharmacy school kids are alright in my book even if they're too smart for their own good.

I'm a terrible wife/baker and didn't make a cake so he had to make do with blowing his birthday candle out on a strawberry. Lame, but then again, last year I blew my candle out on a slice of bread. But I'm the baker! I had grand plans of making something awesome, but I literally did not have time. Shoot, I barely had time to sleep. But I'll make it up to him soon! Promise!

Friday we had another evening of celebration, because this crazy guy retired!

Cute pic, huh? I especially love his fish belt. After working his butt off for a gazillion years, my daddio has retired! We celebrated with him and some folks from his company at the Vineyards, which happens to be the restaurant/vineyard where we were married! My dad didn't know my siblings, Brendon, and I were coming, so it was fun to surprise him!

It was a fun night full of funny stories (and one very hilarious video) about my dad. Plus we got to hang out with a whole bunch of people a few decades older than us which is always amusing, especially when alcohol is involved. My dad has worked for the same company since I can remember (basically, my whole life), it's so surreal that he wont be any more! But now he'll have lots of time for his projects! He's already started building a barn. Like father like daughter. Except my projects are slightly smaller.

I'm glad we had a couple of fun nights this week, but man I am exhausted. We have been going nonstop! Embarrassing evidence:

This is what your sink looks like when you're ghosts in your own house, eating leftovers, packets of tuna, and sandwiches whenever you happen to have time. Like a couple college kids, no real food for days. I'm ready for us to be back in our usual routine. Whatever that is.