28th Birthday

TWENTY-EIGHT.

Man, that sounds old. Like really old. AM I really 28 years old? Wow. This can't be real. But alas it is. Sometimes I get really bummed that I'm not married and that Matix doesn't have the siblings that he wants so badly and that our life is a little bit crazy. But then sometime I feel really lucky that I am where I am and that I get to do some of the awesome things that I get to do. In the grand scheme of things--these 5 years as a single mama will one day seem like a short period of time. But in the meantime, {let's hope they don't last 5 more} and take full advantage of these simpler times that are filled with fun activities and unforgettable trips...just him & I. These really have been some of the hardest times of my life and also the most rewarding. I've done a lot in my 28 years--and even though sometimes I wish things went my way a little bit more--I'm definitely proud of where I am today. :)

28th Birthday Recap: 

FRIDAY: My birthday weekend started out quite ordinary. A couple parties. A couple friends. BUT it turned out to be so much more. My favorite friend, BC caught a last minute ride from Denver>LV from some friends going to a convention here/and to celebrate my birthday with me! I picked him and a friend up last minute and headed to my friend Tanner's for a hot tub night..where I was SURPRISED my my bestie Brynn who took a GREYHOUND from SLC>LV specifically to spend the weekend with me. I felt so loved and could not stop smiling. We hot tubbed and then headed downtown for late night dancing at Commonwealth. (PS; BC forgot his ID and Matt (my EX) loaned him his ID and it totally worked! Totally Awkward? And totally cool of Matt)

SATURDAY: Saturday night was my big party that Allison helped put together for me! Devin and Brad graciously offered their house and I made the playlist since I was still on a Mashup kick since I had so much fun dancing my butt of in LA the weekend before. (Not everyone enjoyed it, but I sure loved it) I love any excuse to have all my friends come together and dance and catch up! So Fun!

BIRTHDAY (SUNDAY): The morning of my actual birthday I was surprised with breakfast in bed. Toaster Strudels, my favorite. Actually, our favorite. Complete with fristing and artwork. Then was church. Then was cake. Then was an adventure with BC filled with photos. Lots of photos. Then I picked up my friend Scott (who was also in town), went to a game night and called it a night.

POST BIRTHDAY FUN: Lunch with Kelshmell & Dinner with my married friends from high school :) 

 

Matix is SIX.

Completely out of character for him, Matix changed his birthday theme after he made the initial decision at his last birthday party. He had initially chosen to do a jungle theme, but as his birthday approached (like 4 months early) he decided he wanted a laser tag party instead! Usually, once his mind is made up, it's mad up. And that's still mostly the case, he just had a little change of plans. 

Anyways, this laser tag party was very much anticipated but Matix, Matix's friends, Matix's cousins, and me and my friends! It was a hit all around. It was a little more expensive than I normally spend, but not much more. It was totally worth it! We had a private party so we were the only people there! The games were awesome!! I highly recommend Laser Quest if you want to have a laser tag party. So accommodating and so great!

We also had pizza, cake and presents! AND Dylan and Kelli gave Matix his very first pet (at mom's house). A FISH! It's a Beta and we named him Bluey. Matix has been really really great about taking care of him. All I have to do is change the water whenever Matix tells me it's time. In fact, I forgot we had him until this very minute. Hope he's still alive! This is why I don't have pets. haha. Note to self: check on Bluey. 

AND the best part was that Devin (Matix's best friend in the whole world, and my ex bf) came! Matix couldn't have been more excited to hang out with him again! Boyfriend met ex-boyfriend and it was just glorious. JK. It wash't super awkward, maybe a little but whatever. It was Matix's day and I wanted it to be perfect. 

We also brought donuts to Matix's class the Friday before his birthday! (His Birthday was on Sunday) The class loved it but I think Matix loved it the most!!!

Sunday morning we had homemade Cinnamon rolls that my mom bought from a lady, went to Matt's ward and then went to my friend Chaz's college graduation and party. My parents were up in Utah at my cousin Camette's sealing and Emily Jacobsen's homecoming. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATIX!

I can't believe you're six and too cool to smile in pictures. 

LOVE YOU!

The Big 60!

My pops turned SIXTY this year. 

And this is how he feels about it...

Anyways...since it was such a BIG deal we decided to celebrate in the best way possible. A big party with all of his friends and family! We successfully surprised the heck out of him! Tons and tons of people showed up...including my mom's dad. His health has been pretty poor for the last couple years, so he hasn't come down here for a longggg time, but he just couldn't pass up the chance to come down for this! Luckily my step-grandma Signe was willing to drive him all the way down for the weekend (it also happened to by Mother's Day weekend too, so we got to celebrate her as well). We had such a good time, and my dad really enjoyed seeing so many loved ones! 

I was in charge of decorations so I decided to go to my new favorite place, the Kodak Poloroid bar and print off a bunch of old pictures I found in a box and hang them around. They are so neat to have and it was fun to take a little walk down memory lane! :)

Happy Birthday Dad!

 Top Left to Bottom Right: First Baby (Theresa), Mission Farewell with Cousins, Baptizing only son (Brian), Mission Home, Leaving on his mission (The Gulf States), Wedding, Family Picture, (Christmas 1987), Family Picture (1980), Wedding with mission friends, Oldest Daughter's Graduation (Theresa), Wedding, First Daddy-Daughter Dance (Julie), Engagement Picture, Family Picture (1987), Family Picture (1979), Family Picture (1981), Family Picture (1987), Birthday (1994), Hugh School Graduation , Daddy's Girls (1983), Honeymoon in Hawaii, Baja Mexico, Lake Powell, Home with Parents and Grandma, Father of the Bride #3, Grandma Callaway, Grandpa in 2005

Grandma's 80th Birthday

My Grandma Marx is a funny lady. She will talk and talk your ear off about anything and everything, especially the gospel. She has a testimony and she's not afraid to share it. She loves to craft and especially to crochet. You can always find her crocheting something: blankets for the newlyweds or beanies for the newborns.  She also loves Facebook! She is always checkin up on her her grandkids and great grandkids. And a funny thing that I've noticed is that she still comments on my ex-boyfriend's pictures too. It cracks me up. She sure loves her family and she is definitely watching over us! I'm sure it's hard to keep track of the hundreds of us in our ever-growing family--but she does a dang good job at it. She always knows who's where and with who. Just ask grandma and she'll fill you in! 

Happy Birthday Grandma! 

I'm glad we still get to make memories with you! :)

Marx Family + Grandparents

Grandkids + Great Grandparents

Grandma + Matix + Ashley

Cousin Friends: Litany + Jennifer + Ashley 

"A grandmother is like and angel, who takes you under her wing, 

she prays and watched over you and she'd give you anything."

--Author Unknown