Par-tay!

Saturday was a day for laughing, fun, friends and family. A day for a party. To celebrate one amazing woman. One amazing mom. My mom. Her birthday isn't until tomorrow, but we had one heck of a time yesterday, showering her with love and gifts and hugs.
My mom's 46th year has been a difficult one- in more ways than anyone will ever really understand. And my number one prayer for her 47th? Healing, restoration, true love, and real happiness. Hopefully this quaint party was the start to those things.
I made cute invites that had a rhyme to explain the nights events, and made a few simple, matching decorations :) It was fun! The food included Buffalo Chicken dip and Cucumber roll-ups (recipes found on my Pinterest), a delicious punch, coffee and other yummy treats.
And of course, the famous 'Shoemaker birthday cake'.

My mom has had this birthday cake every year since she was one year old. And that tradition has been the same for all of us kids as well. It's a scrumptious chocolate cake made from scratch (of course) with a "fluffy white frosting" that looks like marshmallow but isn't. Then, the top is drizzled with melted Hershey's bar... OMG. Yum! We definitely had enough to feed all of you... You should've been there!
And her friends. Amazing people! They gave gifts that showed her how loved she is, but most importantly.. They came. They hugged her. They care. I am thankful for those people.















It was a great night- so fun! I love you, Mom! Happiest birthday to you!

Pies the Limit

I've never been big on resolutions. Maybe it's because I somehow know I will most likely fail at them, or maybe because I'm just too lazy. Well this year is going to be different. I am making a resolution. Maybe I'll make more as the year goes by, {who says you can't do that} but for now, just one.

I will make pies. Learn, create, master even. ... Ok maybe not MASTER, but you get the enthusiasm.

And I am excited about this resolution. This goal. I believe in myself! I really believe this is a resolution that I will see carried out. And... I will blog about my pies. Yes, my pies will be delicious, not-so-nutritious and pretty :)

Are you excited?? I bet you want to come eat pie with me now, uh? Well... you can. But I haven't made one yet. I'll open my window and blow the fresh-out-of-the-oven scent in your direction. I promise. It might just come in the form of a blog.

So get your fork and tuck your napkin in to your shirt- this is gonna be good!

Here Comes the Jackpot Question in Advance:

{What did you do on New Year's Eve?}

I had a couple dates- which was very new for me. It's been years, I truly believe, since I've even stayed up to see the ball drop- let alone see it through with friends and family. This year, I did just that. Matt and I had a surprise birthday/New Year's party at our dear family friends', the Iwerks. They have a really big family. Really. Big. So there was tons of food and laughing and memories and catching up. It was fun. Really. Fun.










As you can see in the picture with all the shoes; there were a lot of people there. I loved it. I love large gatherings where you can tell people love each other and love getting together. Thanks! Iwerks' for letting us be a part of the celebration!!

We also spent a small amount of time with a few of my close girlfriends playing a hilarious board game called "What's Yours Like?" A card is picked for everyone except whose turn it is to see. Each card has an item that most people have (i.e. desk, favorite fruit, silverware drawer, etc.) You must give a single clue to what yours is like... and that person tries to guess what's on the card with the fewest amount of clues. Ok. That was a basically the rule book... So hopefully you got it. It was fun :) Lots of laughing there too. And who doesn't want to ring in the new year with laughing?

And the best part of my new year's eve? I didn't have to wonder whose arms would be holding me good and tight when it was exactly twelve o'clock that night :)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!