Happy Birthday to ME! #3 + photo attack

I say #3 because it is the 3rd birthday documented on this blog.  Which means, I have had this blog for a little over 3 years!  Woot!  That is a celebration in and of itself.  Anyway,  I will now proceed to tell you about my 21st birthday festivities.  Ahem...

 So!  Usually my birthday falls right during spring break, but unfortunately my birthday fell right on the day that we all got back from spring break.   We just made sure to make the week leading up to it as amazing as possible.  First, my parents and I drove to St. George and just enjoyed the sunshine and a fun time together.  My cute daddy declared in "birthday WEEK" so I was unbelievably spoiled for that whole time.  "YOT21O" dad said.  I didn't want to tell him that you only turn every age once.  Kept that one right to myself, I did. ;)  We slept in, played tennis, went to a spa (well my mom and I did), went on nice walks, watched awesome movies (Oz the Great and Powerful...cute show.  Very entertaining.  I still like Wicked better though.  Also, Have you ever seen Touchback?  SO GOOD!!  I loved it.  The man in it is also very attractive.  That's a plus. :D), ate delicious food and ice cream, and did a lot of SHOPPING!!!!  We didn't get a whole lot pictures because we were too busy relaxing - ha, that's an ironic statement.  Here are just a couple of the lovely gems we picked out:

fun spring pants!

cute poka-dot jacket that is actually a lot more flattering on. :)
Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Anyway, when we got back from St. George, the party planning commenced!  My cute mommy gathered a bunch of things from her stake women's conference, and we were able to use them for decorations for my party.  We even did a little photo booth with props and hats and mustaches!  It was a complete success.  A few pics from the party:

Just some fun decorations - check out those presents!  

YUMMY treats my mom and I had a fun time making together.  Recipes to come, probably.  That strawberry mousse was an absolute hit.  Great for parties.

Games, of course!

The spread for the photo booth - the mustaches and lips were super easy to make.  Templates were online, and I just hot-glued them to shish kabob stick things.

The gumballs were a fun additions.  Who knew they'd make cute decorations?!  

So the pinwheels and big chevron circle things came from the women's conference, but my mom happened to have the exact same wrapping paper that the wheels were made out of, so I just made the little banner flag things out if it.  We'll be able to use them for other celebrations too!

Cute Kayc and Steven

Mom put out paper, sharpies, and a bowl so people could write cute birthday messages to me.  They were so fun to read through after.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people!

Some randoms.  I don't know what Lee and Adam are doing in the back there.  I'm not responsible.

So fun!

Here are a couple from the photo booth - I would highly suggest doing this for a party.  It was so fun!!
The background is just wrapping paper as well!  Just ticky-tacked to the wall.

Needless to say, the party was a complete...party.  Such a blast.  It was kind of a come-and-go-as-you-please party.  People just kinda did whatever they wanted.  Ate, played ping-pong or fooze ball, ate, took pictures, socialized, and ate!
Sunday, a couple guys from my ward came and left a surprise on my car!!  It was so sweet.  Each sticky note has some awesome quote on it.  It must have taken them forever to do!  I still haven't read all of them - it started to rain so I had to hurry and get them off.  Oh.  Chocolates were included.  Need I say more?

Then after church meetings, my family came over and we had a fantastic dinner and ice cream cake.  Everyone told me a reason they love me (a Russon family tradition for everyone's birthday) and my dad and brothers game me a beautiful blessing.  Possibly the best gift I could have gotten.  It's so amazing to me to be able to feel that special power in my home during my time of need...A lot of crazy things are going to be happening for me in the next several months.  Between best friends coming home from and going on missions, finding out about Nauvoo, finding out about the Social Work program, and just making big life-changing decisions in the next while, I wanted a little extra help to just make sure I am constantly doing the Lord's will.  That's really all I want.   I know His plans for me and for others (each of those things I just listed dont only effect me, but they effect people I love dearly as well - friends, family, those who will be taught by Nauvoo cast members, complete strangers etc) will be BEST!  I'm excited for whatever the future holds.  Adventures await us!  Sorry, tangent.  The photo booth was a hit with the little ones as well.  Going through the pictures after, the ones with my nieces and nephews made me smile the very biggest.  I just love them!  The only thing that could have made this better is if a very particular set of people had been there.  T Russons, that means you!!  I missed having my oldest brother and his sweet family there.

Adam got a little excited with his jello...

So this is what it comes to, Uncle Adam?!

bah haha

Oh.  Scott never made it over to the photo booth.  Punk.

Last but not least, Monday night, on my actual birthday, my roommates threw a little party for me.  Flowers, balloons, candy, cupcakes, ice cream, dear friends, singing, and lots of laughing were all included.  Seriously, how have I been so lucky with roommates during my college experience?!  So cute.

So there ya have it!  Guys, I am so incredibly blessed.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who have been a part of my first 21 years of life!  It has been wonderful!  To the memories to come!!