Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

This turkey turned 30 last month. (pictured here with his 93-year-old grandmother)

30 is a big deal, right? Well deserving of a surprise party.
Knowing that this was a big birthday year, I began my scheming a few months ago.
It required many accomplices (thanks mom, Mally and Stace!) and copious amount of lies.

As the date got closer, my lies got bigger and more ridiculous.
And yet, he still didn't catch on.
So trusting.

Riding to his party without a clue in the world.

The ruse was to go on a normal, run of the mill bike ride and 50 of our family and friends would be stashed at a park along the trail waiting for us to arrive.

It took him a few seconds to realize that everyone was there for him.
He was speechless.

He was showered with gifts only befitting of someone who is turning 30: turkey hat, googly eyes and an adorable Jacob's ladder created by our sweet nieces and nephews.

A huge thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us!

Happy birthday to my now old man!*



*Apparently so old, in fact, that he began receiving retirement/elderly junk mail almost immediately after his birthday. Nothing says 'happy birthday' like a hearing loss brochure. :)

27

I had the most delightful 27th birthday.
In my opinion birthdays should be celebrated with pomp.
A day full of activities and fun.

This year we rented a tandem bike, floated down our local river and ended with dinner at my favorite restaurant.

I took work off like I do every year, even though I was met with some scoffs.
"You take your birthday off every year?!"

I kept thinking, you would too if you celebrated the way I do. :)

A special thank you to my family who took off work and other responsibilities to celebrate with me!

It means the world.

XXOO



P.S. I took the Meyers-Briggs personality assessment a bit ago. I am an ESFJ- and the first line of my assessment said "Guardians of birthdays" and I knew it was right on. Take the assessment here.

26

This year I turned the big 2-6.
I have a strong belief that birthdays are supposed to be a big deal, no matter your age.

There was some speculation on how I would beat last year's birthday, but alas, I could not. While I didn't risk my life jumping out of a plane, I still had an incredible day (who am I kidding. Really, it was like a week. I extend it as long as possible.)

Here is how I spent my personal holiday.

Dinner with Grammy (AKA my birthday twin).
I was my Oma's birthday present 26 years ago.
We celebrated with an awesome dinner and games.

For my actual birthday I wanted to combine all of my favorite things.
First, I wanted some cool, crisp morning mountain air.
We went up American Fork Canyon and hiked Pine Hollow trail.
I am a picky hiker and asked the ranger for one with trees, no pavement (bad on my knees) and great views. This one pretty much fit the bill.
Seriously, Utah, the scenery is killing me. So in love it hurts.

After a sweaty hike (the cool air didn't last too long), we cooled off by floating down Provo River.
I have never floated the river before and we had a good time (and did it another time a couple of weeks later).
I am still shocked we convinced my mom to come. She is probably shocked she committed to coming.
After a minor incident on the river, I'm not sure if she will ever join us again.
But I am happy she came.
She had the coolest tube with a little compartment for snacks.

Word to the wise: go on a Monday afternoon. We had the entire river to ourselves. Incredible.
I wish I had more photos but my disposable camera got dumped in the river and I am still trying to figure out if it can be developed. (No one is being blamed. Cough, Jacob, cough.)

After floating, Jacob and I saw Moonrise Kingdom.
It had the perfect amount of quirk and was hilarious.
One of my favorite movies of the year.

As if we hadn't done enough, we finished it off with dinner at Pizzeria 712, my favorite Utah County restaurant. (The corn pizza made my life. If I think hard enough, I can still taste it.)

Thank you to everyone who joined me in celebrating my birthday!
And thank you to those who sent their birthday wishes. It really means a lot.
xoxo

Momma's Birthday

Summer is a big time for birthdays in my family.
Mom's is smack in the middle and always a good time.

We spent her birthday up the canyon for a BBQ (I think barbecuing was a big theme for our summer).

We spent the time snuggling and playing with nieces and nephews.

Happy (belated) birthday, momma!

Weekend round-up: Birthday week continues

To celebrate the end of my birthday week 

we went on the traditional date: dinner and a movie.

We used a gift card I got for my birthday to eat at Gloria's Little Italy.

A short review: great food. romantic atmosphere. small portions. big price. 

We finally saw Inception.

I am still not sure how I feel about it.

Weird. But good. I think I need a Round 2 to wrap my head around it.

We have been saving movie coupons we got from Christmas  

(thanks John and Caroline!)

While we waited for the movie we stopped by Blickenstaff's 

at Riverwoods, hence, the hats.

On Saturday I took my baby sister driving.

She is driving on the freeway, which explains the face.

I'm still alive so she did well.

Stacie drove us to the Provo Farmer's Market. 

In my opinion, I think the PFM is going a little downhill.

Too many booths selling big bows, and 

then a booth for a politician showed up out of nowhere. 

{Let me shop for produce in peace!}

I love the local food booths selling lunch.

We had amazing tacos for only $1. 

However, beware of the samples.

We sampled what we thought was apricot jam.

Seconds after putting the sample in my mouth, my tongue began to burn.

Apparently, the "apricot" jam was actually chili pepper jam.

Ay caramba.

Blog friends: what did you do to celebrate the end of summer?