Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was nothing short of wonderful. I'm a big fan of birthdays, and I've never been to type to get bummed out at the start of another year. I actually really enjoy getting older, weird, I know. I don't know if I'll always feel that way, but for now I just really feel like life only gets better with every year that goes by. I always wonder what great things the next year will hold. So, as I turned 29 this weekend I was more than happy to usher in the last year of my twenties.

Hank, Henry, Madeline and I spent the weekend down in Mesa at my parents', and had the best time. Friday evening my best friends surprised me with a little dinner party and I drifted off to sleep that night with a full belly and a happy heart. Saturday morning my Mom and I had a great workout, then came home and we all went out to Chandler Fashion Center to shop. I ended up meeting the most adorable reader (hi Sarah!) and she totally made my day. While there Hank also got part one of his birthday present from me, an iPad!  He was so happy and surprised, and it was great to walk into the Apple store and let him know he could go ahead and pick one out. For months I'd been discouraging him from buying one, so he really had no idea. He was beyond happy and jumped around like a little kid. So awesome. Afterward we all went to Green for lunch. The rest of the day was spent relaxing until we headed out to North Scottsdale for Nate's 30th birthday bash at Greasewood Flats. We listened to country music, played horseshoes, and had such a great, low-key night.

Sunday was my actual birthday and it was kind of a dream day for me. To summarize without going into too much detail, it included sleeping in, working out, eating ice cream cake, a trip to Target, swimming and taking lots of photos at the park! My sister also gave us an amazing gift...tickets to see Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj with her. Believe it or not Hank really and truly loves pop music and especially Britney. Yup. So feel free to make fun of him when you see him!

I just feel so thankful for the past few days.  I have a feeling this year is going to be amazing, and I'm excited to see what it has in store for me. This past year has been filled with a lot of personal growth...and is it weird to say that I'm proud of myself? 'Cause I am. I hope I'm just as proud of my 29-year old self at the end of this year.

Here are some photos from the weekend:

My sister's wedding (image heavy)

Yesterday was absolutely perfect. My sister's wedding was a total success, from the dress, to the hair and makeup, the ceremony and reception, the food, the photos, everything. She's so happy, and that's the best thing in the world. The morning started off slowly, and my sister and her best friend Ashley came over to my Mom's to wait for Nikki to arrive with her arsenal of MAC products. I hardly wear any makeup outside of my usual foundation, blush and mascara so it's always really fun to get totally done up for events- lashes, shadow, liner, we did it all. I love it and love wearing it for events like this, but I'm not much of an everyday makeup kinda girl. It was great though having Nikki "prettify" all of us and she did an amazing job. If you are in need of a freelance makeup artist in Arizona, let me know and I can get her your contact info. She's amazing. After makeup Lauren headed over to Cosmo's to get her hair done by our dear friend Rhonda, and that turned out beautifully as well. The rest of the day zoomed on by and before we knew it we were headed over to the wedding venue.

Lauren and Abe got married at The Antique Wedding House in Mesa, AZ. It was the perfect place for the size of their wedding (75 guests), and the people there were incredibly accommodating from the very beginning stages of planning, to throwing a fabulous party last night. Lauren and Abe definitely give it their stamp of approval for anyone looking for an adorable and affordable place to say "I do."

The ceremony was beautiful and there wasn't a dry eye in the audience as Abe and Lauren read their vows. When Hank and I got married we had close to 300 people, and I have to say that I kind of preferred the intimate group that they had in attendance last night. I loved being able to look around and see almost every single person I love. There were faraway friends and family, dear friends from childhood, and you could just feel the happiness that settled right there under those twinkling lights. So, at 5:30pm, Lauren and Abe became husband and wife, and just like that their new life began.

The rest of the evening went by far too quickly, as good times often do. The Best Man and I each toasted the bride and groom, and after eating a delicious dinner we all watched Lauren and Abe's first dance to "I Got You Babe" by Sonny and Cher. Afterward Lauren and my Dad danced to Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" and Abe and his Mom danced to Lucero's "Mom." I cried through both songs for different reasons; my father made me tear up first, and then again when I imagined dancing with Henry one day at his wedding. Talk about emotional!

The whole night was perfect. Everyone was up and having a great time, and I didn't see my sister without a smile on her face the entire night. So much dancing, so many drinks, smiles and laughs, photos and old stories. At the end of the night when Abe and Lauren pulled away in their limo I felt such happiness knowing that my sister did indeed get her dream wedding.

Hank and I got to bed very late after playing designated driver for a certain set of parents that had a bit too much fun (hi Mom and Dad! haha!) and I felt hungover myself when we woke up. Can you get a hangover from straight fun? I think so. The rest of today was spent with our best family friends and our family, eating and hanging out at my parents. The Grants came by after their night at the Marriott, and we all saw them off on their honeymoon to St. Lucia!

I was running around like crazy so I didn't get many photos, but I'll share what I have then post the professional photos when my sister gets them developed! These are a mix of D-SLR, my small Canon, and iPhone pictures. Congratulations again Abe and Lauren!






















 




  
















this morning: