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!

Counting down to the big 2.9.

I have been super MIA.  Today officially started my birthday week! In the process, I have been gearing up for the big 2-9 by having lots of fun :)

This past Sunday, a few friends and I took a little road trip to Grand Junction for the final day of Country Jam!  The show was amazing!  I heard over 80,000 people attended.  I don't doubt it, it was packed! Then last night, we went to Keane with some friends.  It was awesome!  I loved seeing them and was thoroughly impressed!  Tomorrow we are going to see my favorite band... The Avett Brothers!  I can't even tell you how excited I am!  Last time we saw them, it was at the same outdoor venue.... only it was pouring and freezing!  I am thrilled to see them tomorrow in the warm weather :)   Not to mention, they just announced their new album will be released September 11th!  Oh the anticipation.

Friday and Saturday, my husband is playing some shows in SLC.  So it is definitely a jam packed weekend.

With that being said, I seriously can't believe it's almost my birthday!  What?!  Where did the time go? I swear it doesn't feel much like summer... let alone, almost the 4th of July!  Crazy!

Speaking of July ... I haven't mentioned it much but I am on the planning committee for our 10 Year High School Reunion.  I feel in many ways that Facebook has ruined the whole Reunion idea.  We all know exactly what everyone is doing, what they look like, who they married and where they're living.  No Surprises.  No Anticipation.  It makes planning the reunion difficult and anti-climatic.  Don't get me wrong, we are going to have a fabulous time!  But it's just a different thing then it was pre-Facebook. 

It's only a couple weeks away so I spent the last hour scanning photos for the slide show (while also participating in our weekly call).  I can't help but share some here.  I can't believe it's been 10 years! Crazy.

Juniors - Christmas Dance

Juniors - my favorite ladies

Seniors - Cheer & Pom

Cheer Float in Parade

Seniors - Football / Cheer Car-wash

Seniors - Cheer & Pom

Senior Class Officers

My favorite ladies

Senior Skit

Senior Skit

Graduation

Graduation Trip - Cancun

 I think the reunion will also be a good place to honor the 3 friends that have passed away over the years.  I couldn't help but get a little teary at the photos of these 2:

JT - Senior Prom

Todd (on Right) - Football game

Todd, JT and boys at my parents for Christmas Dance Freshman Year

Here is to the next week - My Birthday Week!  And to the upcoming Reunion... it will be epic :)

Coffee Games

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook but I am unsure where she got it.  Either way, I laughed out loud when I read it.   Wish I had the guts to do this :)

Epic :)

E-town: The Emerald City

I tend to brag about Salt Lake.  True Story.  I love it here.... took me a while to go from hate to love, but man-oh-man I adore Salt Lake!  With that being said, I wanted to give my hometown some love.  I saw this video on facebook and seriously got teary-eyed. 

I love my hometown and have enjoyed seeing it grow and mature from the days when my high school was surrounded by sheep farms.  It has blossomed and I love getting to see all the changes each time I visit. 

Over the past 2 years I made friends in Salt Lake who are also Okie transplants.  When someone asks me what town I'm from, they pipe in and say "The Emerald City" ... I was shocked the first time I heard this.  But the people who ask don't even have to get an explanation!  It's as if this was a secret nickname for my town that I never knew!  It was definitely its own little bubble. But I loved that growing up.  

And if you watch really closely, you can see a gymnastics statue behind the Edmond Library.  Fun Fact: That statue is actually my body.  I had to pose for the sculptor back a long time ago.  (It was also one of the first things my mom took J to see when he came to visit... she is a proud momma!) :)

So without further ado....


Relocate Edmond! from Insight Visual Media Productions on Vimeo.

Okie Shower

I have been super MIA, I know.  I have been traveling for work and playing catch up in-between.  But I wanted to take a minute to recap my cousin's baby shower that I helped host earlier this month.  I haven't been to an Oklahoma shower since my sister's 4 years ago so it was fun being able to help out with my cousin's.  Since I have a call in a bit, I am just going to recap with photos.  :)

The dress makes me look like I'm pregnant but I swear I'm not

My Mom :)

My Sis :)

My Cousin J