GNO 2009!

Last night, I officially kicked off the new year/semester with my girls at our first Girl's Night Out of the year. We have all been together since Kindergarten (1995) and all graduated together in 2007. Although we keep in pretty close contact and I live with Michelle, we still hardly ever get to spend time together. We've had a few GNOs since we started college, but with our busy schedules, it is hard to get a good-sized group together. I got a text message from Ashton this past week that she sent out to all of us girls requesting a GNO. You see, I'm not exactly the most social person...especially since college has started. I can always come up with an excuse NOT to attend a social event (homework, tired, babysitting, etc.), but I decided to suck it up and go.



So, Saturday night, we met at Colton's around 7:00. For GNOs, we always dress up a bit, and even though I HATE dressing up, it's always worth it. For some silly reason, I ate a little something a few hours before and wasn't too hungry. While everyone else ordered shrimp and steak, I, always having to be the oddball, ordered a cup of potato soup. Even the waiter looked at me strangely. This would not be the last time he'd look at me like that...

We had some great conversations and laughs (mostly at each other's expenses), as always. As I mentioned, I wasn't incredibly hungry, but boy, was I thirsty! For some reason, whenever I go to restaurants, I can drink water like it is going out of style! So, our waiter (who was pretty cute, by the way!) had to make several trips to our table to refill my glass. At least four times. At one point, he suggested that he just leave me a pitcher. :-)

I really wanted a cute group picture of us, so I got my camera out and announced that I was going to have the waiter take our picture. Whoa, what a reaction! For some reason, they acted like I was a crazy person to ask him to do this for us. I still don't understand why. It's taking a simple picture. It's not like I was asking him to perform brain surgery or anything...

So, of course, I got my way and here is the GREAT group picture that the girls WILL appreciate one day! Plus, I don't think the waiter really minded... I mean, my soup only cost a couple of dollars, and I gave him a tip that cost more than my meal!

From left: Ashton, me, Michelle, Kelli, and Katie. BEAUTIFUL!

We then proceeded to Ashton's house to hang out for awhile. I don't know what it is about her house...but I get really excited and hyper when I enter that home. Over the years, I've been known to be drunk off of Mountain Dew (my rebelious days?), sleep on trampolines when it's 40 degrees outside, dress up in coveralls and sing karaoke (especially my famous rendition of Mandy Moore's songs from A Walk to Remember), and start poker chip wars that last for hours. I guess it's a combination of being with the people I'm most comfortable around and lots of sugar! After all, I always bring a cookie cake! (And eat most of it, too...)

This time, we all started by just sitting around in the living room and talking about school and boyfriends (or lack of for mine and Kelli's sake!). A little while later, I had a BRILLIANT idea! We were talking about P.E. back in elementary for some odd reason, and I decided to start a good ole leg-wrestling war!

For those who may not be familiar with leg-wrestling (you have to pronounce it "wrassling" to get the full effect), it's quite simple. Two people lay opposite each other, raise their legs up in unison as the audience counts "1....2...." and then on "3", you lock legs and try to flip the other person! It's amazing...quite the adrenaline rush! The audiences love it! I've always been quite a champion, thanks to my huge calves. (or COWS, as my cousin calls them)

CAUTION: Some of these images show a little "boo-tay"...I hope you can stomach it!

Kelli and I are in position!

That girl flipped me...but only ONCE! (Yes, that's MY toosh...)

Kel and I making a quick recovery...ROUND TWO, BRING IT ON!

Ashton tried her luck, but I flipped that sucker!!



Michelle sure had a blast watching!

A few girls had to leave early, but most of us stayed til about 1 just talking and laughing. I ate way too much cookie cake and had to take a Benadryl to fall asleep.

It was pretty much the best night of the year. I'm so glad I went. For one night, I was able to forget everything and just be myself.