birthday weekend

So, I turned 22 on Friday. 

22 feels so old.

21 is still young and care-free, but 22 is like okay, get over it, time to be a grown-up.

I don't want to be a grown up.

John spoiled me as always.

This was my gift.

 This is what I looked like when I opened it.

Yes.

He put rocks in my gift.

 And an iPod underneath those rocks. It had it wrapped in styrofoam to protect it from the rocks; they were merely a ploy.

Friday night we went to Tucano's with Daniel, Mandy, and Laird.

Laird was late so he missed out on pictures.

 After dinner we went and carved pumpkins.

Something I've been wanting to do for weeks!

Sunday night we had dinner at my parents' house.

This is me conducting the birthday song.

Another great birthday.

Even though I feel super old.

happy birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THIS GIRL!

Mandy and I have been friends for quite some time.

Like, since elementary school.

We've been through a lot, but we've come out on top!

It definitely doesn't hurt that we ended up marrying best friends. It makes it easy to remain friends. :)

Love you girl!

And of course, 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to the one and only.

The Laird Swensen. 

Lairdy has been around for a couple of years now, and is definitely part of the family.

We love him.

Happy birthday to both of you! We can't wait to celebrate this weekend!

welcome home soldier

For class, I needed to shoot a photo story, and one of them needed to be a social issue. 

Seeing as I knew there were some soldiers coming home, I figured war would be an easy one. 

Even though I didn't know anyone there, I got some good pictures.

These are just a few.

How cute is this little boy? I instantly fell in love with him. 

Precious moment. 

Won't lie.

I cried.

It was the most amazing thing to witness.

And I officially decided John is never allowed to join the military.

Sorry Uncle Sam.

October

October is my favorite month.

I love fall.

I love football.

But mostly I love my birthday.