1. DOG. Yes it is true I now live with a boy. His name is Memphis and he is the new love of my life. He is 2 years old golden retriever. His first "gottcha day" was April 16 2011. He makes me a better person...well I at least walk more.
2. DR. So I took a non advertised trip to the Dominican Republic in June. Not really talked about because 1) it was short 2) it was only in Punta Cana and at an all inclusive resort. If you know anything about my trips to the Dominican Republic before this was a moral dilemma of a trip for me. I celebrated a very special friend's 30th birthday there. Let me tell you it was a blast of a celebration!
3. Thailand. I was blessed with my second trip to Thailand. What an awesome experience. This trip I flew to Bangkok and went north to Chiang Mai and traveled around seeing much of the country and the people. Swam at the boat houses, ate a ton of good stuff, played with tigers, walked around thousand year old ancient kingdoms, ate yummy food, zip-lined through a jungle, ate fresh fruit smoothies, bartered at the open market, took a Thai cooking class, met great missionaries doing great work, got pampered with Thai massages and fancy pedicures. Did I mention I ate great Thai food? Can't wait to visit for a third time!
4. July Family work days. My wonderful parents and grandparent came down to visit for a few days and let me tell you.....my family shows love with great deeds, food, fun, and laughter. My house is looking better on the inside and outside! It was a great Birkey reunion in Wichita/Leon, Kansas
5. Iowa State Fair. This should be an annual tradition for all! I mean who can resist this year's new creation on a stick: Fried butter! Yuck! It was in honor of the 100 year anniversary of the butter cow. I honored the butter cow but cutting through a long line of people and snapping a picture of The Butter Cow and eating it on my iowa corn... not fried on a stick. I did enjoy fried pickles, fried cheese, a pork tenderloin, The Nadas, the double ferris wheel, Casting Crowns and Santus Real concert in the grand stand, Fatty (the 2nd biggest boar), sheep shearing contest, the farrowing barn and all the other animals. Holly and Anne came up to join the festivities for the week-end! I love sharing my Iowa state fair. Next year anyone?
6. Manson. In a small town in Iowa my amazing grandparents keep a home. Jodi and I got to visit for several days but it is never long enough. Spoiled is all we were there. Great great great food. Sewing projects of old fabrics that hold lots of history for the family. Grandma has been working through all her fabric scraps and we made comforters of all different sizes under the instruction of an expert seamstress! Bike rides, Skip Bo, Black 7's, farmer's market, Country Cutter's hair cuts, shucking home grown corn, eating ripe tomatoes, ham and bean soup, wheel of fortune, chocolate malts, popcorn, and devotions. I was blessed.
7. Oklahoma City. 10 hours. 3 meals. 4 awesome friends (one in spirit) Chik fil A. Cuppies and Joe. DSW. Pops. Holly shopping. Feeling stuffed.
8. Washington D.C. A week long visit to the VS house where my sister resided. Many museums. Arlington National Cemetery. The National Cathedral. The Basilica. sister bonding. chinola juice, la banderia, papusas, rollerderby finals, and a D.C United soccer game.
9. Memphis. Erin's graduate graduation. Birkey/Thiessen bonding (minus Justin and Amy). non-pool Hotel stay, Chik fil A, long ceremonies, meeting a special boy named Drew, airhorns, BB Kings. Beal streat. Lorraine hotel. Martin Luther King Jr. Museum. real BBQ. Liam's 3 year old birthday party on a downtown trolley. birthday hats. cupcakes. love.
10. Thanksgiving. Around state fair time everyone made it home to DSM so mom celebrated with a Thanksgiving meal and made it completed with the famous Birkey pumpkin pie. YUMMY!
11. work
