You Say It’s Your Birthday!

Well, here it is again… June 20…I’m another year older! I took the day off work to celebrate with Ryan and had such a fun day in Claremore, OK! We had lunch at the historic Belvidere Mansion, shopped at Horse of Course (my favorite!!), went antiquing, checked out the world’s largest totem pole and then had dinner at The Canebrake in Wagoner, OK with my family.  I felt very blessed! But the party didn’t stop… I took Friday off as well for a much needed “Dancer day”! We had a great ride in the morning – leg yields are much better! – and then I gave him a good grooming, a “hair cut” and a relaxing bath! That evening, Ryan took me out to dinner and I found a big surprise at my table… my best friend, Jen!! She drove in from out of town to surprise me and we got to spend the weekend together, relaxing at the pool, shopping at my favorite “regular” store (Anthropologie – with gift cards from my sweet sisters) and just hanging out! I seriously felt very spoiled!! My husband is pretty amazing and I can’t thank him enough for coordinating all of the birthday festivities and even making us dinner and cupcakes!

But let’s rewind a bit to Thursday evening. My family has a tradition of doing birthday dinners, usually with a theme curated by my creative Mom (can you guess what mine normally is?) and then we open gifts. My parents – and now Ryan – are pretty used to asking me for a list of items I want and getting a list of entirely horse items in return. Well, my new brothers-in-law were not quite as well-informed on this and when I’d open gifts and exclaim “a new bridle! I love it!” or “a surcingle!”, they sat in wonder and confusion as to what these leather items with buckles and rings could possibly be! Each gift required an explanation about what it was used for and why it was exciting. My favorite moment: opening a new bridle bag from my parents. One brother asked, “what in the world is that?” and I replied with ” a bridle bag, of course”. My mom laughed and said, “Oh, I thought that was some sort of thing you could put hay inside of and then attach it to Dancer’s face somehow!” What?! How would that even be possible? Poor Dancer! I’m glad the gifts weren’t tested before they were opened!! After I recovered from laughter, I explained one last time what this gift was for!

Has anyone else ever experienced this? I’m sure I can’t be the only one! haha! Here are some highlights from a great weekend!


Birthday adventures!


Dancer, wearing his new bridle! (Yeah, I took off the flash)


Dancer & I after a great ride!


Jen & I – best friends since we were kids!