The Macs » Blog

backyard bar-b-que {Joel’s 30th}

I really wanted to do something special for Joel’s 30th.
I thought about trying to surprise him, but I didn’t think I could pull it off.
So, this weekend we celebrated with a backyard bar-b-que.
I was getting really nervous as the week progressed.
We have been having 100+ degree weather here in Kansas.
I was worried that it was going to be too hot…
and there was no way we could fit everyone in our house.
But considering it is August and we live in Kansas, the weather was beautiful.
It cooled down just in time for the party.
And now we have returned to the 100+ degree weather again. Yuck.
Here is a little peek at our backyard party…

The evening was perfect.
It was so fun to celebrate Joel’s birthday with our family and friends.
I think I might have to have a backyard bar-b-que every summer!
(My awesome brother-in-law took all the pictures for me. Thanks James!)
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  • Micah - Wow! You did a great job, Jess! LOVE the decorations! I’m going to have to remember that! Happy 30th, Joel!ReplyCancel

  • Heidi - That was so beautiful. I always enjoyed a backyard barbecue. Love the lemonade in the jars!! How many people did you have? Happy Birthday to Joel.ReplyCancel

  • Emily - looks so fun…especially the ice cream bar! that’s my kind of party 🙂 you made SO many adorable details to make it special, I’m sure he loved it!ReplyCancel

  • Lauren - So fun and special and the pictures are great! I especially love the last one. Nothing beats a good BBQ!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

  • purejoy - everything looked picture perfect! love the lights… the lemonade… heck. even homemade ice cream! and the weather cooperated too.
    what a beautiful memory y’all made. happy 30 years, joel!ReplyCancel

  • Peyton's Pages - That looks like a great party! I love the jars used for lemonade! Super cute!ReplyCancel

  • Rachael - Haha Emily- you would say something about the ice cream bar!! Everything looks so wonderful! I am so glad you had great weather!ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Jess, you are so impressive! It looks like a party out of a magazine! You are a GREAT wife! James did great with the photos!!! Can’t wait to see you this weekend! AndiReplyCancel

  • Lindsay - i’m sorry…is ryan picking his nose in that picture? i laughed out loud in my office when i saw it!ReplyCancel

  • Nancy - Love all of the decor! You could be a party planner! I want to do something like that for my husband’s bday!ReplyCancel

  • I'm Molly - You should totally be a party planner! You’re so crafty and creative (and a great wife too).ReplyCancel

  • Todd and Courtney - You have such a perfect yard for a party like that. I love it. The decorations were awesome too. Happy Birthday to Joel!ReplyCancel

  • eeguiltner - Jess, the party and the pictures look like a spread from Martha Stewart Living! Beautiful!ReplyCancel

  • AshleyAnn - That looks beautifully fun…I love the last shot.ReplyCancel

  • Beki - TheRustedChain - Jess you are so stinking cute!!

    You need to start a new career as a party planner. You could work from home, set your own hours… 😉

    We went to Ikea last week and I thought of you.

    Happy Birthday to Joel!ReplyCancel

  • Stef - this party looks like it was SO fun! I love the relaxed, fun in the sun parties. And the evening time looked perfect as well.
    Happy 30th Joel – enjoy this new decade in your life!ReplyCancel

  • Amanda - it may be questionable whether ryan is picking his nose or not, but MY son on the other hand is quite obviously picking his nose- nice.

    the party was FANTASTIC – you did awesome, every last little detail was perfect – thanks to your sketch I’m sure.

    it was a perfect night.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Love all the details. If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get the lights? I have looked into buying some, but they seem to be really expensive. Happy Birthday to Joel!ReplyCancel

  • L ~ S - I was going to say that it looked perfect!!!ReplyCancel

  • The Veers - looks amazing jess!! sorry we missed it!ReplyCancel

  • Kathryn - How very sweet. Looks like you had a great time.ReplyCancel

  • Anonymous - Your party looks like it should be in a magazine…Awesome decorations, awesome pictures….
    Well Done!ReplyCancel

  • The Wife - That is gorgeous! What an awesome party! I’m going to have to steal some of those ideas for my husbands homecoming (of course, he has to leave first)!

    Happy Birthday Joel!ReplyCancel

  • natalie @ our old southern house - LOVE the pictures! 🙂
    what a great party!ReplyCancel

  • Life With the Crazies - Everything looks so charming! You SHOULD have one every summer! Love the burlap and red… and the corn in the background. I want to be your neighbor 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Brittny - i love the plate with that beautiful burger, watermelon and then three different kinds of chips on it. it looks like it was a great party!!ReplyCancel

  • Marie - SO CUTE!ReplyCancel

  • Nancy Guthrie - Wow. Perfect. Idyllic. Wish I could have been there.ReplyCancel

  • meg duerksen - this is so cool jess! how special. i remember craig’s 30th….way back when.
    it was the biggest party and so much fun.
    and mine was too!
    yay for your thirties.
    they are so much better than your twenties…i promise.
    🙂

    the pictures are fabulous!ReplyCancel

  • Michelle - You really know how to throw a BBQ!!! Everything looked so inviting, and your guests were all so happy. 🙂 Happy (belated) 30th birthday, Joel!ReplyCancel

  • Heather at Blessed Little Nest - everything looks so great! i love the way you decorated for the party. every last detail is perfect.ReplyCancel

  • The Schilling's from Cimarron - AWESOME party! looks like everyone had such a great time! Jason got to go down to see Ralph and hopefully Joel today with a load for the cows….. of course I was jealous….. I told him hopefully he got to see chunky monkey LEvi too! 🙂 I am sure Ruth had something baked for him also….. ahaha we miss you all and think of you always! take care!

    AMIEReplyCancel

  • Lyss - What a cute party!ReplyCancel

  • Savanna - Loved your decorations…and mason jars are just the best, aren’t they! Great job!ReplyCancel

  • Sheila - The pictures are amazing! Love them!ReplyCancel

  • Happiness Is... - I love, love, love the pictures but especially the one of the kids by the tire swing. What a great celebration!ReplyCancel

  • Tricia - Oh my goodness! What fun, and the party looks magical. Oh, and can I say, “Holy burgers, Batman!!”
    Happy Birthday again, Joel!ReplyCancel

  • Erica - Happy Birthday Joel. And Jess you’d make an amazing party planner. What a fun way to celebrate Joel’s big day.ReplyCancel

  • Heather | Cookie Mondays - Oh my gosh, Jess.
    It it PERFECT!!!!! 🙂ReplyCancel

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