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:

Wonderful weekend/Mother's Day

 

{Mother's Day flowers from Hank and Henry}

Oh, what a weekend! I spent half of it in Phoenix, and half it at home, up here, and every moment was just lovely. On Friday Sarah and I spent some time working on a project with a crew from Samsung (more about this tonight) and had the best time. I can't wait to share!  We ended the night with frozen yogurt and I went back to my parents' with a happy heart and stomach!  I've written about Sarah a million times here, but let me say again how wonderful it is to spend time with her. She's been one of my dearest friends for close to a decade now and I am so appreciative of her. I wish you all knew her, because if you did I know you'd be nodding your head in agreement when I talk about what a good person she is. I love love love her. So yes, Friday was awesome, then Saturday I woke up and had a great early Mother's Day with my mama, sister and Henry. We shopped for a little bit, then ate lunch at Pita Jungle. I typically get the Macro Platter but lately have been into the Mediterranean Chicken Salad, so that's what I got. My Mom got a Greek Salad and my sister got the the Macro...and we all shared a hummus trio of course. Afterward I worked out, and then Henry and I headed back up the mountain home (we live about two hours away). Upon our arrival I was greeted with a huge vase filled with the most beautiful Mother's Day flowers! Hank did good. ;) We went downtown for dinner and ate tamales at Hugo's, then came home and relaxed. I went to bed feeling like it was Christmas Eve due to Mother's Day being the next day! It was my very first one, and Hank went above and beyond to make me feel so special, and all day long I felt like my heart was going to burst from a mix of being so happy, and feeling so thankful.  We started the day with cuddles in bed, and then we had a slow morning filled with a yummy breakfast and lots of lounging. Later in the day we went to the champagne brunch at the Sheraton. It was awesome- I think my favorite were the huge dessert tables, filled with eclairs and cream puffs and tarts and pie and cake...DELICIOUS. I had a taste of everything. The rest of my Mother's Day was spent at home- Hank and I finished a ton of "around the house" projects and we ended the day watching Life as We Know It. My choice of course but "my choice" was the theme of the day, so why not?! The entire experience of actually celebrating Mother's Day was amazing- I woke up to so many sweet texts, tweets and voicemails that I felt like it was my birthday. Being a Mom is the absolute best thing that has ever happened to me, and it was so fun to spend an entire day celebrating that. I already can't wait until next year!

Here are some photos from the weekend:

left-right: Tony filming Ethan in some AZ terrain; Tony/Ethan, part of the Samsung crew; playing tourist for the day; prettiest Suki; Friday night pre-frozen yogurt; Mama, Henry and me; Lauren and Mom at Pita Jungle in Mesa; me in one of my favorite vintage tops; hummus trio- regular, cilantro jalapeno, and roasted red pepper; Aunt Lauren and Henry; my delicious salad; Pandora knows me too well- one of my favorite songs off one of my favorite albums- "Cat Heaven" by Jets to Brazil; dinner at Hugo's; Daddy and baby; tamale plate- so good; Facetiming with my Mom on Mother's Day morning; a new spring hat; Greek yogurt, berries and granola, the best snack ever; spring cleaning and getting dresses picked out for a "Shop My Closet" pop up blog; Henry sleeping in his favorite new position.

and p.s. Have you entered the Paper Mama giveaway yet? It ends tonight! 

Weekend fun (image heavy)

This weekend was really, really wonderful...and incredibly busy!  I spent part of Friday with my sweet Amber Joy, went down to Phoenix and helped my Mom throw a bridal shower for my sister, spent the evening with two of my oldest, bestest friends and our families, got some shopping done for the house, and got in a lot of family time.  I feel accomplished.  And tired!  Here are some photos from the past few days:

Henry and I got a little photobooth crazy ;)

 

 

Later that afternoon Amber came over and we spent the afternoon running errands, eating frozen grapes, and looking through interior design photos. So much fun. Now I just need to find her a Prescott guy to marry so we can both be housewives and live next door to each other and do this everyday.  haha.

 

 That night Hank, Henry and I headed down to Phoenix.  The photo below is from the next morning, as I was Moby-ing while helping my Mom get ready for Lauren's bridal shower.  Henry seriously looves his Moby Wrap and loves spending time in it.  And I absolutely love it too.  It's great to be able to move around freely while keeping him snug as a bug (in a rug?).

Henry and his Great Aunt Pat, Great Grandma, and Grandma!

Lauren! The guest of honor.

a bit of the food table.  My Mom did SUCH a great job with everything on her own, since we live hours away.  She's amazing.  If you're curious about the little sign below, I wrote that so guests would write a little wish for the couple (like "always love unconditionally") on the rocks I provided and place it in the glass container.  It's a really cute keepsake for the bride.

already giving his Dad looks like this- we're in trouble! ;)

below is a quick game my Mom had everyone play- different teams make wedding dresses for the MIL-to-be and the Mother of the bride (Aunt Pat also participated).  It was super silly but a fun little ice breaker.  Afterward I did some trivia on the couple, read a sweet letter from Abe to Lauren out loud, and then quizzed Lauren on some "Abe facts."  All in all it was really fun and went quite well.

the winner of the dress making contest, Abe's mama

Lauren's bffs since elementary school/bridesmaids Kelli and Kristin

Lauren and the two Moms!

opening up her presents

Henry spent the afternoon upstairs entertaining his papa while the shower was going on. So cute.

Later that night we headed over to the Loops to enjoy Autumn's delicious homemade chili and hangout with all of our families.  Here's my little goddaughter Chloe in her new kitchen and apron (from us, from Anthro- I forgot to rip off the tag, oops!).  She loved it.

playing Wits and Wagers- have you ever played this game?  We LOVE board games and somehow hadn't played this one before.  I'm definitely going to go pick up our own from Target this week to add to our collection.  Lately I've really been wanting to start a regular board game night.  Who's in? ;)

We tried to get a photo of the boys but Carter was squirming and Henry was tuckered out.

I love this picture of Shirley and her fiance Nate- they're getting married in the fall and I'm so, so excited to be a bridesmaid. Shirley is one of the most amazing people I've ever known in my life, and I'm just ecstatic to be a part of their big day.  Nate's such a wonderful person too, and hellooo, how adorable will their future offspring be?!  Seriously.

Henry LOVES his Aunt Shirley so much. He went right to sleep and was so comfy.

The next morning my family and I went to IKEA so we could get some odds and ends for our home. Can I tell you how much I love that place?  It's so fun to just walk around and get ideas.

Annnd, after a long, long (fun) weekend we are finally home, safe and sound.  Henry is sleeping peacefully next to me, and I'm going to go ahead and join him in a moment.

Goodnight everyone, I hope you had a wonderful, wonderful weekend. xo