Family is Forever

My Grandpa is one of the happiest people I know. He always had a smile on his face whenever I was with him. We would always go for lunch at least two times a month with my Grandma. The three of us always had plans to get together, I love spending time with the both of them. He has influenced my life so much. He was constantly giving to others and never asked for anything in return. He loved and cared about my entire family so much. He had so much love in his heart and he never raised his voice. I never saw him angry or upset. He was always simply happy. Everywhere he went he made friends. Everyone loved him! He taught me so much over the years and I am so grateful for all that I learned. He was always so proud of my cousins and I. He would wear all the college shirts he got with pride. He was there for every important moment in my life including lunch at my school in kindergarten to graduations. He was there for my whole family whenever we needed him. He always listened to what we said, no matter how boring it might have been. He loved being with us and we loved being with him. I love spending my time with my Grandpa and Grandma, even if its just sitting on their couch watching who wants to be a millionaire. We would try to guess the right answer as if we were actually on the show. People say I got his driving skills, which is not a good thing and everyone is afraid to drive with us at the wheel. We are alike in so many ways and I absolutely love it. He was a people person. He was a great man and I always looked up to him and I always will. I hope to be the kind of person he was and make him proud always. He will always be the most amazing, admired, kindest, caring, and loved man I know. He truly is the number one Grandpa.

 

5K for Autism!

Last Saturday was the Autism Run and CCEA volunteered to help out! First we helped with the fun run which was a mile long. We stood along the way as to guide the runners. We cheered on them and supported them! There were a bunch of tables set up on the lawn next to the library. Each table had something different. The table CCEA was working was a fun sand art activity for the kids. We had several different color sands and several different plastic shapes. The kids got to pick which shaped they wanted. There were elephants (my favorite animal), lions, dolphins, fish, zebras, suns, and sand castles. Once the kids picked their shape, they got to put whatever color sand they wanted in the shape. They could use multiple colors! All the kids loved it! We actually ran out of shapes! It was a lot of fun and for a great cause! Everyone enjoyed the day! CCEA was very happy to be apart of such a successful day!

Pajama Party!

Last night Caldwell College Education Association, Autism Awareness club, and Psychology club held a pajama party! It was the first event for CCEA and it was very exciting! There were two contests, one for the best pajama and one for silliest slippers. The winners received gift cards to different food places near by. We felt that it was very successful. Many people showed for the party! We had a lot pizza, chips, and other snacks along with soda and water. There were different games to play such as pool, ping pong, guess who, uno, scramble, and other fun board games. We also had people come to take pictures and then put those pictures on pillowcases! That was a huge success! People were taking pictures with their friends to have on a pillowcase. It was such a hit that the people actually ran out of ink! Thankfully that happened at the end of the event so it didn't cause a problem. Overall it was a fun night! It was nice time and people got to socialize with each other and take a break from their schoolwork! It was a fun escape from reality! This Saturday is the 5K Run/Walk for Autism and CCEA is volunteering and working at the sand art table. We are excited to help with that and can't wait to to see how it goes!

Happy Easter!

This weekend I celebrated Easter with my mom's side of the family. I was so excited to see all my cousins because it has been awhile. It is hard to see everyone that much because we all have different schedules. We celebrated Easter on Saturday and Sunday this year. On Saturday we all went to my Aunt Eileen's house to celebrate Easter. She made a delicious homemade meal! We had appetizers and then for dinner we had rack of lamb, steak, vegetables, and spetzels (which a homemade pasta my family makes). It was amazing! Then for dessert we had homemade cheesecake, chocolate layered cake, and cinnamon streusel cupcakes. Everything was delicious! My cousins and I played card games and I won a few times! It was a lot of fun, I love spending time with my family! On Sunday we celebrated it at my Grandparents because my Grandpa couldn't go on Saturday. My mom made pasta and homemade gravy with meatballs and sausages. Everything was just as delicious as the day before! It was a great weekend spent with my whole family!

Spring Time!

Spring is here! The weather is getting warmer and I love it! It is still a little windy, but winter is finally over. With the warmer weather coming, my dad and I will be going hiking! Every year once the weather gets warmer we always go for hikes! We go to different places. I took this picture last year. We hiked through the woods and came upon a waterfall and climbed down alongside it and I saw this view. It is was beautiful! I love going hiking with my dad! It is so peaceful and relaxing, nothing to worry about! And it is great exercise! We always spend the day out in the woods, hiking different trails and by the time we get back home I'm ready for a nap! I always bring my camera when we go because there are so many beautiful things in nature!

I took this picture as well! When we go hiking everything is so quiet and serene. I always have so much fun when we go. Thank god we haven't run into any bears though! I am so happy that the weather is getting nice because I am excited to see where my dad takes me this spring and summer!

My Kinda Party!

Saturday night my friend Ali and I went to see Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean for my birthday! It was the best concert I have ever been to! Ali and I both love country music and Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are two of our favorite singers. The concert was at the Izod center and the place was packed! There were so many people that seats were open behind the stage. It was crazy how many people were there! Ali and I had AMAZING seats! I absolutely love Luke Bryan and when he came on stage everyone went crazy for him! Ali and I know all the words to almost all his songs, and we knew all the words to the songs he performed. His performance was amazing! He interacted with the audience and was so funny! He even had two guys go on stage for a dance off! The entire audience was singing with him! Jason Aldean was just as good! Everyone was standing, singing, and dancing the entire time! The night was perfect! We did not want it to end! I had so much fun and can't wait to see them again!

                                             There is Luke in the background!

                                                               Luke Bryan!

                                                              Jason Aldean!

                                      Most amazing concert! Best night ever!

Birthday Surprises!

Sunday was my birthday! I spent the day with my grandparents and had lunch with them and then had a delicious home cooked dinner with my family! It was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday! Then some of my friends came home from school and surprised me! They walked into my house and screamed happy birthday! I had no idea they were coming! It was so much fun! They came to have cake with my family. My mom made a homemade cake for me, which by the end of the night was basically gone! It was amazing! They all sang happy birthday to me and we spent the night hanging out and catching up! I loved seeing them since we all have been best friends since elementary school. There are ten of us and we have been best friends for as long as I can remember! I was so happy that I got to see them for my birthday! I miss them already! Now I can't wait for summer so we can all be together again! I got to spend the day with my family and friends, I couldn't have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday!