My Birthday and the Fourth of July Weekend

My birthday fell on a Tuesday this year, and since Taryn's baby was blessed two days before that on Sunday, Emily and Pete came to stay at our house on Saturday, July 1. That meant that if Brian was going to take me out on a birthday date, it had to be Friday, June 30. We went to dinner and did a little shopping. Kind of lame, but I enjoy shopping with Brian and I never get to do it without kids. 

Meanwhile, I'd been hoping to go to Stadium of Fire. It was a ton of fun when we went before, but every time I mentioned it to Brian, he seemed really disinterested. It worked out though because Emily and Pete were going to be at my house the night of Stadium of Fire. 

On Saturday, July 1, Brian and I worked on our organizing of the garage project. Brian kept saying that he wanted to finish up by around 3 and be showered by the time Emily and Pete arrived around 5. He said he felt so bad about ignoring them when they were here for Cal's wedding, and he wanted to make it up to them. I had decided that I'd rather work a little longer and forgo the shower because hey, they're family right? Emily arrived and then Brian said, "We're going to go get dinner." Oh. I showered. He told me we were going on a date. I was excited to go on a double date with Emily and Pete. And then Brian let me know they weren't coming. I was really, really confused. What about the whole hanging out with Emily and Pete bit?!

Emily and Pete insisted I go, and they were going to stay behind and watch the kiddos for a birthday present. I started wondering what Brian had up his sleeve, especially when he headed south for dinner after we decided to eat at Costa Vida (there's one in American Fork). We were halfway to Provo when it hit me what he was up to. He'd sneakily gotten tickets to Stadium of Fire!! 

 Maybe it's because I share my birthday with my country. Maybe it's because my dad is a Navy Veteran. Maybe it's where I grew up. Whatever it is, I get really choked up at Patriotic events like this. I loved watching the skydivers enter the stadium with the flag, all the military and civic branches bringing in the flags, and seeing the bombs burst into air during the national anthem. I may have cried a lot during that national anthem.

The concert portion was decent. I loved Brian Reagan and the one song that I love from Little Big Town (Boondocks).

 But I loved watching the fireworks set to music about fire and our country. I cried again during some of the songs.

 It was an amazing night, and I was so grateful to Brian for taking me.

The next day, we headed to Ogden for Evelyn's baby blessing, which meant I got to see all of my siblings except for Cal (who was in Hawaii for work, poor soul), and my grandparents.

On July 3, we did some serious garage organizing. Ta-da!  

 My roommate, Tali,  from college also stopped in later that night. It is always good seeing her. She's one of those people that is just so wonderful that you just want to be a better person.

The next day was my birthday! Yay!!!! Brian picked a pink bag without really looking at what it said. I thought it was pretty funny!

We had lunch at Goodwood Barbecue and made a Home Depot run, because that's the way we roll.

 Brian made me a cheesecake for my cake.

 Sparklers in the cake! Yay!

 And we went a LITTLE crazy on fireworks this year, but it was a lot of fun. We invited our next door neighbors to come watch, and they came! It's been harder getting to know them, so we were happy to have them hanging out in our driveway with us for a little while.

All in all, it was a good birthday and a decent Fourth of July.