What Seems to be a Theme

Bloggies and Bloggarinas--
Most of you know how much I love a good party, yes?  I love going to them and I love throwing them!  Especially if they have a theme.  I know not everyone loves a theme, but well.. I do.  So, with the 2nd annual Cinco de Myra coming up on May 5th-- I got to thinking about all of the theme parties I've hosted in the past.  I thought I'd give you a little rundown starting all the way back in 2004.  Feel free to make complete and total fun of me via your comments or steal some ideas...  Whatever's more your style.  :)

The Year: 2004.  The Occasion:  Mel, Emily, and My's housewarming Party at 907 Winston Place:
I had recently returned from a month long backpacking trek through Europe with Kelly Kirk and Susanna Stringer.  We met friends,  Jake, Jonathan, and Matt ( all pictured below) and they traveled all the way from their home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida to Nashville for the party that started it all... Keggeroke:
*Sidenote-- Kelly couldn't make it because she was [and is] a really big deal in Washington D.C., but Susanna is the blond bombshell pictured below (currently a very big deal in Austin, TX).  Oh-- How I miss those girls!

It consisted of exactly what it sounds like-- a keg (2 of them in fact) and everyone's favorite--- a little Karaoke!  

But the most fun here came in the form of the "prom pics" that Mel, Emily, and I thought we should add to the party -- just for good measure:

What I really love about all these pictures (and all the pictures that follow)--- is the consistency of friends in the cast and crew.  How blessed I am to have such lasting relationships with such awesome people.

Moving right along--- The year: 2007.  The Occasion: Zach D. and Yennie's birthday party.  The theme:  Warm it Up with Zach D. and Yen:  To be clear-- Zach and Yen share a similar birthday, so they'd get together upon occasion for a little joint celebration.  I'm not sure why it always ended up at MY house... but it did and here is what ensued.  Pretty amazing... if I do say so myself.  You either go big or go home, people.  Go big or go home:

 I bedazzled the seat of my pink warm-up pants with my name... and the only pictures I can find of myself are of that....and only that.  I'll spare you the pain of seeing it--- because I'm pretty sure that my momma reads this...  Just know that the pants rocked.  Hard. 

I'm going to leave you all with one final picture that I feel must be included.  I call it
"EPIC Game of Flip-Cup":

It's hard to find the words to summarize the next party as it remains very near and dear to my heart.  The year: 2005, 2006, 2007 AND 2008.  The Occasion: It's flipping HOT in July.  The Theme:  Sip & Slide:

You got it, kids.  Boat drinks and a  couple of oversized slip & slides made for one phenomenal yard party four years in a row.  It started quaintly-- 20 or 30 people showed up in 2005... Our best good friends Grace and Shelly moved in next door in 2006, however.  "The Compound" was born and by the final Sip & Slide party in 2008, there were HUNDREDS of people in attendance.  So many good memories with good friends.  I've pulled pics from all four years and posted them here because they basically all look the same:

My brother would come up and fry catfish for everyone courtesy of my sweet Daddy!

 And the 2nd year of Sip & Slide, my best good friend Laura Frazier happened to be in attendance.

 She met my brother there.. and would you even believe it???-- They got MARRIED a year and half later!

Sometimes I can't even believe it!  So see-- a very special party indeed.

Moving on...

The year: 2008.  The Occasion:  Zach & Yen's birthday party (again).  The Theme: CELEB-brate (come as a celebrity or famous couple).

We rolled out the red carpet and the celebrities came in droves.  Here's a look at just a few:

Yoko & John

Mary and Joseph

Deb & Napoleon

Lorena & John Bobbit 

Priscilla & Elvis

Slash & Brett Michaels

Pamela Anderson

And what's a birthday party without a cake, right?  

I slaved over this all day... and it was so much FUN!  Ha.

Okay--winding down here... sort of... The year: 2010 (May 5th, 2010).  The occasion: Celebration of Mexican Pride and Heritage.  The Theme: Cinco de Myra

Let me just preface the post about this party by stating that it had all the elements needed to be a fantastic time! ... And then--- the flood hit Nashville on May 1 & 2.

I sent out an email canceling the festivities noting that "SINKO de Myra" would no longer be happening because of the damage I'd received due to the flood waters.  A few of my friends convinced me, however, that "the show must go on!"  At least for very select few that I didn't mind having come over to a house with no air conditioning and a yard full of debris...

My band, "The Porch Swingers," still played and we had a pretty good time despite it all.  I'd post a picture of "The Porch Swingers" except I only have two, and I look like a hippopotamus in both of them.  Better luck this year, I guess, as I am planning to host it again, and we are planning to play. If you're reading this, and are in the Nashville area-- mark your calendar.  I'd love for you to stop by!  I'll post more details soon at facebook page near you.

And last but not least--- there is the small matter of my birthday party this year.
The year: 2010.  The Occasion: My 30th Birthday.  The Theme: Thirty Dancing.

It was a stellar way to ring in my thirties. I think I'm done with the birthday celebrations from here on out, but I'll always remember Thirty Dancing.  If I could change one thing about it-- I'd appoint one person as photographer... Most of the pics I have from that night are of me and my family.  Almost the whole gang made it in town for the festivities.  :)

I have to say that my favorite part was the movie "Dirty Dancing" playing on repeat on the flatscreen TV.

I got to dance with my Daddy:

And Brother Brian:

And ended the night with my girls... Exactly where this 30 year old is happiest and should be.

I consider it a privilege to share my world with you all and get to write a little bit... as I have always loved to do.  Thanks for reading!

Yours ever,
Myra