From Toccoa to Tequila: Birthday Month Highlights

April, or as most of the (ahem) world has come to know it, my birthday month, absolutely wore me out…in the best way possible. The month evolved into a full-blown birthday tour with multiple outfit changes, too much (if that can ever be a thing) Mexican food, questionable decisions involving margaritas, and enough celebrations to make me consider adding “professional birthday celebrator” to my resume. Between a sweet family weekend in Toccoa, the most beautiful Gym Gems party, my MuuMuus and Margaritas fiesta, and all the fun in between, my cup overflowed all month long. I laughed hard, ate well, stayed up too late, and made memories with some of my favorite people. Life has returned back to as normal as it ever is around here, and our bank account is starting to recover—although I am always planning the next party or two—but there’s always the chance to relive it all with a picture parade of some of birthday month’s memorable moments.

I started out my birthday the way I did originally—with my parents! We spent a great family weekend in Toccoa filled with cake, a bevy of gifts followed by a full day of shopping, laughter, and a celebratory brunch.

Next, my most wonderful “Gym Gems’ threw me a beautiful party at Nancy’s house that was just over-the-top. You cannot find a better group of women.

Nancy thought of every single detail and it was to perfection! The banner, the flowers, the tablecloth—I will never forget it.

They even presented me with a special birthday tiara. Don’t you love it when your people just “get” you?

The Mr. and I, enjoying a beautiful afternoon and a cocktail on the actual day of my birth (April 9, if your calendar needs marking).

And a delicious dinner with caviar, steak, and so many things that make a girl feel celebrated. I’m so glad birthday calories don’t count.

Fiesta time! A MuuMuus and Margaritas theme suits me just fine.

I set up a margarita bar with classic margarita base and ginger lime, pineapple jalapeno syrups and other fun mix-ins to add to taste.

Print my face on a stir stick? Why not?

The MuuMuus and Margaritas senoritas—colorful in every way.

Tamaryn, who won the award for “Most Magnificent MuuMuu”—and hers was SO glam!

Our dog, Charlie, dressed to impress as well and then did his best to steal Rebekah’s affections all evening.

Melissa, who was expert level at “Pin the Nacho on Muchacho!” I don’t know if I am impressed, or scared!

Aah, relaxing after such a fantastic fiesta by the firepit with George and Charlie.

I honestly try to dream up reasons we are celebrating to justify this Bloody Mary. She is the Large Marge at Moo and Brew and she is a thing of beauty complete with a cheeseburger slider, cheese curds, fried banana peppers, two bacon wrapped jalapenos, bacon—and a carrot stick, olives, and celery for some veggies. As a Bloody Mary connoisseur, I heartily approve.

It takes at least a week to digest the Large Marge (yet another reason to keep celebrating for the whole month), but when I heard about an extra dirty vodka martini that includes caviar stuffed olives…well, that screams birthday in my opinion.

We made it. I told a friend I am starting to feel my age catching up with me: if April had 31 days, I’m not sure we could have done it. Another birthday month is in the books—filled with family time, loud laughs, late-night chats, raised glasses, and plenty of photo ops (you know I love those). From Toccoa to tequila, every single celebration…some of which I forgot to capture in pictures! reminded me how lucky I am to be surrounded by people who show up for me, love big, and never say no to a theme party.

Thank you to every single person who celebrated with me, mailed gifts or cards, texted me, toasted me, spoiled me, and lovingly tolerated my “birthday month” energy all April long. You all made me feel so celebrated and grateful. We definitely did this birthday right.

Cheers to another trip around the sun, and to always finding reasons to celebrate life a little bigger.

Love y’all. Mean it.