Tracey Jean

Yesterday was Tracey's 24th birthday. I really should have put this up yesterday, but hey, I guess this is just another day to celebrate. I was going to make a great Top Ten List for her, like the one she made for me, but I realize that the list would pretty much have been identical. So, instead I decided that I would make this list of 24 wonderful, fantastic, amazing things I know and love about Tracey.

1. Tracey loves history more than any sane person should.
2. Tracey dreams about the books she is reading...she becomes a character in the book.
3. Dancing with Tracey is AWESOME!
4. Tracey has the cutest big little puppy.
5. Tracey is the baby of the family.
6. I have been to more concerts with Tracey than anyone else...so don't think that I am the only one who likes concerts for 15 year olds.
   
7. On our list of Top Dreamboats I am pretty sure that James Franco has reached #1. He is a total dreamboat.
   
8. Marathoning TV on dvd is one of her favorite things to do.
9. Tracey is becoming a great cook...she is a quick learner!
10. She says that she is over The Get Up Kids, but I know she is not really.
11. Tracey can talk me into doing ridiculous things.
12. We really do have intense discussions about Harry Potter, Twilight and other children and teen fiction.
13. We had a great weekend in McCall last weekend. Hot springs are AWESOME!
14. Tracey has the most AMAZING sense of direction...always has...even when she was three she was giving me directions.
15. Tracey is totally hip. She has the best fashion sense...and I don't just mean the cool trends...I mean classic. awesome. style. Plus, the cool trends.
    
16. We love the same tv shows - Flight of the Conchords, Arrested Development, The Office, and more.
17. We can be total nerds together and it is totally ok.
18. Tracey loves double chocolate pumpkin cheesecake.
19. Tracey has this amazing way with middle school kids. She is going to be a great teacher very soon!
20. Tracey has BIG plans for the future.
21. Tracey has lived in London and misses it sometimes.
22. But! She will at least be back to visit sometime soon enough.
23. Her birthday was YESTERDAY! Wish her HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
24. I LOVE her very much!

I love you Tracey! I hope that your birthday was great. Thanks for being an amazing friend. You are the greatest!

Stephanie Ann

Tomorrow is a big day. My lovely sister turns the big 3-0. It is not a big day because she turns thirty, the age doesn't make a difference. It is a big day, however, because we (well at least a few of us) get to celebrate having known Stephanie for so long. I am lucky to have known her my entire life! Anyway, I am celebrating by making a top ten list.

Top Ten Things I Love Most About Stephanie (with commentary):

10. She looks like she is twenty. (Ok, this isn't REALLY something you should love someone for. But let me tell you why I think this is great. Stephanie is able to go to things such as...hmm...The Warped Tour and fit it with the 15 year olds easily. I also love that she would go to a concert for 15 year olds in the first place!)

9. She loves her job. (Perhaps not at all times. But Stephanie is so passionate about teaching it gives me hope for not only my future, but the future of all those Lincoln kids.)

8. She has got STYLE! (I'm talking fashion sense here. I remember back in the day when Steph wore the baggy jeans and flannel shirts. Perhaps that style is coming back now, but I know she will never follow that trend again! Stephanie always looks cute, no matter what she is wearing.)

7. She can cook like nobody's business. (For as long as I can remember Steph has been a great cook. Whether it was cooking spaghetti at dad's house or bbq pizza on the grill, it is always good. Thankfully she is helping me learn to cook. Perhaps someday I can be as awesome as she is.)

6. She can pick out a dreamboat miles away. (Boomtown.)

5. I can always look up to her (even when I'm looking down at her.) (My entire childhood I wanted to be like my older sisters. I remember trying to dress like Steph, act like Steph, and pretty much trying anything to be like her. Luckily for me that paid off, since we are pretty much the same, plus or minus a few inches.)

4. Terrible reenactments. (Stephanie is funny. Whether she is being Axl Rose, or a drunk version of mom, she never fails to make me laugh.)

3. That girl got smarts. (Stephanie is smart. We all know it. There is nothing like having a serious conversation with Steph about politics, the economy, or whether or not Snape is good or bad.)

2. Reading. (I know this goes along with Stephanie being smart and all, but I have always wished I could read as fast as her. I remember her in high school and college going through book after book. I have always tried to catch up and beat her. Even though I am getting pretty fast, I don't think I'll ever be able to out read that girl.)

1. She dances like nobody's watchin. (She does. One time we were at a Reel Big Fish concert, this super awesome cute band opened for RBF. We enjoyed to opening band but were looking forward to seeing Reel Big Fish. So to our surprise when the band got on the stage, the opening band (The Surban Legends) decided to join the audience and dance. The point of this story is that they chose to dance WITH Stephanie. That's right, a good four or five of those dreamboat horn players dancing it up with cute little Stephanie. My favorite thing to do with Stephanie is dance. Whether it is in the living room, in the car, or at a concert, it makes me so happy to be at that exact place, dancing with my best friend.)

Stephanie, I hope you have a splendid birthday! I love you. Tracey.

Feel free in the comment area to write your favorite things or special memories of Stephanie.