Mommy's little Slugger ...

The reunion weekend I just posted about here was also a special weekend for my family. I was able to co-host a shower for my sister and my future nephew, Ryder.  My sis is a full time manager for a national company which means she is always traveling to work with her reps in the field. I was thrilled she was actually going to be in town the same weekend I was there for my reunion.

My cousin and I had discussed the room decor with my sister and determined a theme: vintage baseball.   Her husband was a catcher in high school and loves the Kansas City Royals....  I then spent a few hours Pinteresting my butt off and narrowed it down to a few ideas. My cousin is an amazing hostess so I knew going into it that this would be a cute shower :) She made the fun invitations ....

... and I finalized the food.  We rolled the turkey and ham so the sandwiches looked like mini-hotdogs.  The picture isn't as cute as they were in person, but you get the idea :)

The end result was perfect! The shower was classy just like my sister wanted :) I happen to be currently obsessed with mason jars so I was thrilled that they went along with our theme. My cousin and her girls tied the twine with the tag on each glass .... Such a cute result....

The cake was beautiful... 

And the decorations were incredible thanks again to my amazing cousin, Jaime.... 

One of my favorite touches was my idea to fill the jars with baseballs... Love how it turned out (thanks to my aunt for collecting all of them!)

 My sister was genuinely excited and impressed with all of the fun touches. I was so blessed to have such amazing family help out with the food and decor ... Especially my cousin Jaime who is über talented in all things "hostess" :)

Can't wait to meet Ryder when we go home for Christmas!

me, my sis, my mom and my niece

a Not-so-Romy-&-Michelle's High School Reunion ...

Sigh ..... here, let me do it again .... SIGH .....

That is how I feel after Reunion Weekend 2012!  Yes folks, I just completed the much anticipated 10 Year High School Reunion.  Not only was I an enthusiastic participant in all the events ... I was on the planning committee for the darn thing!  

After months and months of phone calls, emails, facebooking, stalking, and all out stressing... it finally happened!  And let me just tell you, it was fabulous! :)

FRIDAY:
The weekend started with a sponsored Happy Hour at a local martini lounge in our hometown.  We didn't know how many people would come to this optional event but we reserved two rooms (for free) and hoped for the best.  Well, it was PACKED! So many people came out to have drinks and chit-chat.  I had the first "shift"... which meant we got there at 7pm to make sure people knew which rooms were ours.  By 11:30, my husband and I decided it was about to get weird (drunkies everywhere) and peaced out.

SATURDAY:
Saturday morning, we hosted a school tour.  The school has changed SO much since good old 2002.

My graduating class.... I am front and center because I was a class officer.  Hilarious.

They have high-tech/fancy white boards, lecture halls, and an entire new Freshman Academy.  (The freshmen now have their own building where they spend all their time, except for electives).  Crazy.  Not to mention, they now have an ENTIRE building for Cheer and Pom!  To say I was jealous is a total understatement!  It was incredible!

The new weight room in the basement of the building is now a weight room for all sports.  

I got teary eyed when I saw they still has Todd's plaque on the wall

2 months before the accident

Saturday afternoon, J and I were able to make it to OKC to see a dear friend's new addition to her family... little miss Cora Rose!

Lisa and I have been friends for what seems like forever!  So the fact that she gave birth to Cora while we were in OK, was such a treat!

Lisa's 16 bday!

post giving birth to sweet Cora :)

J and I had also never met her handsome new fiance, Chad.  It was so much fun seeing them together and getting to meet her little girl :)  I spent most of the time trying not to get tears all over Cora.  She is just beautiful!

Saturday night was the main event!  We rented out a facility in OKC... complete with a cash bar and free appetizers... and the most exciting part of the night... a photobooth!  We paid for the photobooth so all the pictures were free for everyone!  It was definitely the highlight of the night.

Layne

Lindsey

Molly

I was in charge of the out-of-towners board ...

... and the playlist!  I got so many compliments on my song selections!  I put hours into that playlist and finally narrowed it down to just over 7 hours of music.  Happy everyone like it :)

I had such a good time with my high school friends and my husband was such a trooper!  I was laughing with a friend from middle school that night that our roles were reversed.  I imagine that he felt similar to how I have felt at the last 5 years of shows.  Trying to be accommodating but also trying to have fun and be social.  He was a trooper for sure!  It was fun to have him really see my "high school life" ... if that makes sense.

J's name-tag

I definitely feel the reunion went the best possible way... and was better than I was expecting.  (Although, I don't recommend eating sushi before a reunion... doesn't really soak up anything if you know what I mean) ...

The past 7 months of planning and stressing were totally worth the amount of fun I had during the events!  Hoping that the rest of my ladies are able to make it to our 20th Reunion.  I sure did miss having them there.

from our Senior Yearbook 2002

Well, cheers to Reunion Weekend 2012!   If I could describe it in one word.... EPIC :)

Birthday Success - the big 2.9.

Wow! Things have been totally crazy in "Meg & J World" ... We just wrapped up my week long birthday celebration. Yes we celebrate for an entire week. It's tradition. I felt a little weird about turning 29.  Last year of the twenties.  Such a weird idea.  30 doesn't seem like that big of a deal but 29 is just flat out... well... WEIRD.

I've mentioned it before but I am a holiday fanatic. I always have been. I was born on 4th of July so I think being thrilled about holidays is just naturally ingrained into my being. And when I say "thrilled" ... I really mean a-totally-obsessive-holiday-loving-freakazoid. For real. 

 My birthday week started the best way possible: watching the Avett Brothers perform in downtown SLC. They are my absolute favorite! 

I may have cried during the show out of complete joy and awe. Maybe. 

 
 Friday, my sweet friend took me to a bday lunch at Squatters. Thanks Charissa!! It was so fun catching up and having girl time. Friday night and Saturday night consisted of watching my husband's band perform.

If you haven't been to his show yet, you are missing out! Such a handsome man I married ;) 

 Sunday, we went to Lagoon like every other Sunday. Roller coasters. Skeeball. Beer. Doesn't get any better than that ;)

Tuesday was my Birthday date night: Benihana and The Red Door! We've gone there every year for each of our birthdays!  And our anniversaries! :) It's tradition.

  J got me my number 1 item on my list ... An iPad. I have been desperately needing one for my work events but never thought I would actually get one!  I am actually blogging from it now. Thank you J! And my parents bought me this much coveted necklace I found on Etsy... #SoonerBornSoonerBred :)

Our good friend (and old roommate) made the drive up from Vegas to spend the holiday with us. And she brought me vegan donuts. (Pun intended) .... I may have gotten all teary about it. Maybe.

It's a long standing tradition in my family to have donuts on the 4th of July.  Every year, my mom would go set up chairs at the parade bright and early to save seats for everyone.  My dad would swing by the donut shop and my sis would swing by Sonic ... we would end up having a donut and Sonic-drink feast while watching the parade.  I'm big on traditions if you can't tell ;)



The 4th-my actual birthday! We started at the Sugarhouse 4th of July Arts Festival and then headed over to Rio Tinto for the Real Salt Lake vs. Seattle Sounders game. We tailgated just like last year.

While tailgating, I got word that my long time friend had gone into labor and had a sweet little 4th of July girl. a Firecracker Baby

I was so blessed to have some of my amazing friends in attendance at the tailgate! It was scorching hot the entire time so I was impressed how long we braved the heat.  And by braved, I of course mean tried not to pass out from heat exhaustion ... my husband kept saying "Open your eyes! Your eyes are closed!" ha.  It was hot!

My sweet friend Jessie even made me Vegan cupcakes :) ... Which were incredible!

 Not to mention, I had my very own Birthday Crunk-Cup.... believe it.

 The fireworks after the game were incredibly beautiful!! I loved how they programmed them to the music! I have always been a little bit in love with fireworks. (as in, I told my husband there is a company that will take your cremated remains and put them in a firework... Morbid. Maybe. But I will go out with a bang!) ;) I may have even cried during the firework show. Maybe. (geez, what's wrong with me - I am such a sap!)

Weeping Willow Fireworks are my favorite!! Unsure of the real name, but whatever :)

 After the fireworks, everyone came back to our house for dessert and sparklers. It was definitely one of my favorite birthdays yet!!

Thanks to the Sanders for this AMAZING wine bottle holder!  I am in love.

Thank you thank you thank you to my husband, my parents and my wonderful friends for making it so special!! I love y'all bunches!! And you are way better to me than I deserve.

Here's to my last year in my twenties... I hope I live it to the fullest and tackle each new adventure with a smile on my face.

 Alright 29... let's do this!