March Madness (ps-this post has nothing to do with basketball :)

We kicked off this spring with some exciting trips to visit close friends and family.  It really has been madness.  At least one of us has been out of town for the past three weekends!  It has been really fun but I am also glad that things are now settling down a little bit.  So, here it goes...

Not pictured is Matt's Denver ski trip with his Dad and the Wilkersons.  It sounded like they had a good time, and thankfully there were no injuries (at least, not to my knowledge)  The last time Matt had been to Steamboat was when we started dating in college--I couldn't help but include that small detail ;)

Next, we headed north for the McCauley reunion.  It was fun to see Topher star as the lead role in "Footloose." We were all amazed by his singing and dance skills!

And for the grande finale...I went home for part of my spring break!  I was able to visit with my sweet friend, Mary, for our traditional breakfast date.  Then, I was headed off to a bridal shower for Jackie (a fellow "CORE" member).  We were all amazed that we managed to get the majority of our friends together for this event, considering we literally live all over the country now.  It was a special time (we missed you, Erin!).

We went with a "mini" theme because, well if you know Jackie, it just made sense.

 Props to the Ostertags for the lovely decor. It matched the colors for the wedding.

 Showing off her bling bling!

 This book was my Dad's contribution to the shower...not surprisng at all.  haha

 The many faces of Jackie. hehe

 "A" for effort, Casey!  Although, we were all impressed that your remembered this bridal shower tradition!

 Somebody said something awkward...as you can see from Mrs. Krauss' face.

 And, some more awkward/hilarious/classic moments...

 Later, we went downtown to celebrate a little bit more with just the girls.  (Yes, this is was all in the same day..I told you that this was the grande finale!)  We had a lovely time together.  Kendra's place was super cute.  We even earned $20 towards Jackie's honeymoon fund...I think it was the fanny pack that won people over (thanks, Mr. O!)

 The rest of my time home was spent with the usual things that I just love.  Pizza night, watching Disney movies with Natalie & Stratton, dropping by Mere and Dad's work with Jimmy Johns...

 A sad part of this trip was saying "goodbye" to my childhood home.  My parents are moving to another home in the area.  It will be a fun change but it was weird cleaning out some of my closets.  I had saved every single paper from middle school through college, and had them all filed in various bins!  Wow.  I finally narrowed down my posessions to this...

hanging files, ballet shoes, old prayer journal, and science textbooks

 It was truely bittersweet (I overuse this word, but it always sums things up so nicely) rummaging through old yearbooks, journals, and pictures.  There are many memories in the old house but I know that they will always stay with our family.  Life is so short anyway...I guess you can't get bogged down with holding on to too much, else you will miss out on all of the fun memories to come!