Happy Birthday to Me!!!

I turned 25 today! A quarter of a century old! I can't believe that I am already 25, but I feel younger which is the important thing! I woke up to a nice surprise of a sunny day! It has been raining for what feels like weeks, so seeing the sun especially on my birthday was great. Unfortunately, the day was spent inside either practicing or taking a nap between practices! In between practices, the mail came and a card from my Aunt Toni and Uncle Dick arrived. Perfect timing!! I couldn't wait until 9 pm here because that was when I was going to FaceTime with my parents. I was also going to get to open the package they sent with gifts from them and my brother's family. This package has been staring at me saying, "Open Me!" since I got it last Friday. Anyways, it was worth the wait. After taking to my parents, I had a mini photo session with my new gifts!

 My lovely friend Layne who I kept me sane while in Montenegro sent me a birthday package too. This one arrived super early because we were used to the snail mail in Montenegro. She totally surprised me with the package by asking my parents and Marina for my address. Thanks Layne!!!! :)

After practice, I went over to Marina's so she could give me my birthday present. She had went to this little bakery and got me a dessert/cake. She put a candle in it, so I got to blow out a candle on my birthday. Marina and Damir got me a headband, some hair clips, and some body lotions. So nice to spend my birthday with one of my best friends!

 Couldn't wait to open my package! So exciting!!!!

 Photo session begins. (I had to take very many pictures just to get the few I posted. My self-timing skills are a little rusty, plus I was trying to get as many things in one picture as possible.) Trying to get a good pose with both my new boots (Thanks Drew and Amanda!!) and my new sweatshirt. Got two goods ones... Thought they were kinda of funny so I posted them both. :)

Still flexible at 25! 

Some of my other gifts: a Nike t-shirt, a pull-over, a new game, some chap stick, Orbitz Sweet Mint Gum (yum!), and two new pairs of earrings.

Happy (early) Halloween! Some Peeps and another Nike t-shirt (in my team's colors!). Can't wait for the Peeps to get a little stale to eat them! May have to share with my teammates because I am sure none of them have ever had them!

Of course the parentals had to put in a few "parent" gifts: a light for my bike so "I don't get hit from behind" as my dad told me and some multivitamins. My parents have been telling me that I need to take these especially with the cold weather coming, and now I have no reason not to take them!

Overall, it was a great first birthday in Europe! My teammates sang to me at practice, and I was able to chat with my parents, brother, sister-in-law, nephews, and niece. A special thanks to everyone who sent me something all the way over here in Finland. I love getting things in the mail...It is so exciting! Here's to another great year! Thanks again!