we arranged for annie to have her first sleepover.
she couldn't wait.
she ran right into micah's house…we said goodbye and took the 4 oldest on a surprise road trip.
they figured it halfway there.
we found tickets on ebay for a steal and decided this was the year.
the kids are old enough to like it and handle it….but young enough to still want to be with us.
(most of them)
they were PUMPED!
we got there early…had good seats…the top row against the windows so no one could spill beer on us.
loved that.
and no one behind us so we could stand as much as we wanted without bothering anyone.
also able to wait inside if we were cold…which sean was.
walking into the stadium talby said "this is almost as cool as california".
i would love to have that pink hair for a few days….LOVE it! (i'm serious)
can you imagine how much money that couple spends on hair products in a month?!
the music started and talby yelled "mom! this is even better than tv!"
the black peas were the warm-up band.
they were….ummm….not U2?
they finally played "i got a feelin'" at the end so i was happy.
could have done without all the swearing at 10,000 decibels…but whatever…
i sound like i brought my kids or something?! ha.
where is the class black eyed peas? you don't have to swear to be cool….just ask bono.
waiting inside between when the two bands were playing.
we played a lot of hangman…
talby is whispering "say E"
lauren HAD to text her friend!
i don't blame her.
(you see…she doesn't have a cell phone…and we don't have texting…but this was worth the .40 charge)
U2 finally came out!! it was AWESOME.
U2 live could never disappoint.
talby yelled "i can't even hear myself"
and i said "that means you can sing as loud as you want!"
so she did.
and so did i.
and then she yelled "this IS as good as Worlds of FUN!" 
halfway through lauren was dying to go to ground level so craig took her and scott down.
i sent the camera.
lauren got all the rest of these pictures
craig said ground level was….really cool.
i love the cell phones and cameras in everybody's hands.
so much cooler than lighters.
it rocked.
a great surprise.
i hope they remember it forever.
and i hope we didn't permanently damage their hearing.
Messy@Bungalow'56 - They will never forget that their parents were cool enough to bring them to this concert!
jeanne - Great photos and what an incredible evening! Smiles on EVERYONE’S faces!!!!
Jenny - No Way!! We saw them in Norman, OK! Weren’t they amazing???
cre8ivegirl - I love the picture of the all the camera phones in the air! Hilarious. Sign of the times.
Hannah - You are the coolest mom ever. Fact.
Christina - Oh, they will remember it forever!! You two must be some of the coolest parents on the planet. Wow. Do you know that I found out that U2 was in Dallas the day they were here?! I’m still yelling about that, inside my head.
I love that picture of the cell phones and your comment-it’s a fantastic picture statement on the evolution of things as technology changes. Very fun.
I loved reading this post…when you said you had a surprise road trip and I scrolled down to see the tickets I said, out loud, and I’m all by myself, “No way!” What an awesome time.
And the Black Eyed Peas before U2…what is up with that?!
On a totally random and different note, I thought of you today because I went to Ikea and after I posted about it last time I went you happened to visit my blog and comment on that. Isn’t it funny how things get stuck in your head? Anyway, your family is so fun, and you are making great memories!!
Becca Parker - Awesome memories for your kids and you are the cool parents, Bonus!!!
Lucy Buller - cooooooooooooooooool. 🙂 🙂
HomageBlog - They will remember. What a GREAT surprise! ~K
Laura Lynn - Cory and Larissa were there too….so sad you all couldn’t have met up. Your kids would have loved seeing how old the girls were that you used to babysit!!!!
Sara - My husband surprised me with U2 tickets for my birthday. We’re flying to Vegas Friday to see them. “U2 in concert” is on our list of “things to do before we die” so we’re excited to finally be crossing it off our list! You got to go TWICE this year! How awesome you brought the kids.
Christa - Once again, wickedly jealous! U2 at Fedex field in September was spectacular. I would kill to see them again with this stage set up!
Jodi - You are now my favorite blogger even more!! I saw my first U2 concert when I was 14. What a cool thing you and your husband did for your kids! Snow Patrol was the best opening act they had on this tour, or ever for that matter.
Thanks for sharing, glad you got to see them again! I can’t wait for 2010!
amy mumaw - How FUN!!!!! You are the coolest mom!
Niki - OH MY GOSH…I read you all the time but don’t post much. But I had to this time because me and hubs were there too!!! It was our first U2 concert and WOWWWWW! What an awesome thing to take your kids. I totally want to go again and take my oldest!
Dana Banana - You are very cool parents. So NOT the parents we had growing up!
Christina - You are the coolest parents ever. We missed U2 in Atlanta and I really regret it. Muse opened for them here which would have been enjoyable for the most part. Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. I would have wanted to text my friend too. Great pictures as always.
katie - okay, meg, so i read your blog all the time but i don’t think i’ve ever left a comment. today, i had to. this is seriously one of the coolest posts i’ve seen anywhere in a long, long time. i LOVE that you guys did this for your kids. they will never ever forget it. when i was in 7th grade we went to my first concert, garth brooks. to this day it is still my favorite concert ever, and it wasn’t even a surprise! if your kids didn’t think you were cool before, i’m certain they do now. actually, i was reading the post thinking i wish i was one of your kids! 🙂
Amanda - Oh man. That is so awesome. You all look so happy to be there! (I don’t know why nobody would not be happy… Just observing.) I feel like I should touch your hand next time I see you. You breathed the same air as Bono.
Scrappy Girl - How cool! That is so awesome. Bummer on the Black Eyed Peas…I love Boom Boom POW!
Mother Runner - OH! I can hear every song.
Ground level IS better!
and…
YOU ROCK! What super cool parents you are!
colleen - I would have flipped if my parents took me to see a cool band like U2 when I was 12 or 13. I do remember seeing Culture Club with my mom and girlfriend when I was 16 but I don’t know if that is quite the same thing. The cell phone/band photo is awesome. So love U2!
pve - can you tell your kids that my 1st concert was Queen, “We will rock you” –
I was a teenager and that will never be erased from my brain.
pve
sarah - I just love that shot of Lauren smiling and the other kiddos in the background.
It made my heart smile.
Looks like a blast!
Laura Phelps - I am a BEP fan…sorry…we can still be friends though, right?
And how much do I love that it was almost as cool as CA?????????????????
why didn’t you bring Annie?????? (that is a joke, ya know…)
Miranda - Um wow. am thinking i read the blog of the COOLEST MOM EVER. (include dad in that coolest ever compliment too.) 🙂
Diana - Perfectly awesome!
You can’t hear me??? I said…
PERFECTLY AWESOME!!!
You and Craig totally ROCK as parents. So sweet. 🙂
Jaime - You freakin rock.
That’s all I have to say.
Oh, and your kids are cool, too.
susie whyte - such great pictures!!! my friend was at this concert, too, so i’ll have to send her over to check all of them out.
also…got an invite to a wine tasting in november. interested???
tami reed - That is so kewl Ive always wanted to interview U2 they look really cool and down to earth.
Brent - you guys rock. i was totally there in the “inner circle”. i was like 5′ away from Bono!
taylor - i don’t normally comment…. but i’m bored waiting for a genius appointment in the apple store. i read your blog regularly… i would have flipped if i saw your family… i was at the same concert in norman!!! my husband makes fun of me for knowing about random family blogs online… i justify reading yours because we have a goldendoodle like yours and i tell him i read too look for cute pictures of what our pup might turn out like. ANYWAY… U2 was awesome. norman will never be the same 🙂
Anne - Ah! U2’s Zoo TV Tour was the first concert I ever went to! Where can I submit my ballot for your Mother Of The Year nomination?
And I remember when the BEPs were underground-without Fergie- and didn’t cuss. I blame her for everything.
Anna Marie - I bet that was amazing! A good friend of mine was there too. Even a few days later he was still trying to come down from a “U2 high”…ha! I am sure they will always remember that. What cool parents you two are!
Cassie - geez. what’s WRONG with me?
that post seriously made me cry.
sounds like a perfect night!
way to go, mom!
(and i got bright red stipes in my hair this weekend…i think i’m going thru something hormonal!)
Julie - This solidifies it. You are THE COOLEST PARENTS EVER. They will never forget this – what a special moment. Thank you for sharing it!
Jaimie - wow, you are the coolest parents in the world!!!
Suzanne - coolest parents ever! hopefully I can be as cool someday! I love that Talby’s comparison was “as good as Worlds of Fun.” It must have been good 🙂
Heidi Jo the Artist - Thanks for sharing! Now, I’m going to have to check last minute on eBay to see if anyone is selling tickets super cheap in our area for various bands that we love.
That is awesome you took the kiddos too! We have taken the kids to quite a few concerts even though our kids are only ages 6 and 2!? Probably some think we are crazy but we have chosen wisely, going to mainly festivals so we aren’t the only people with kids. I didn’t go to a real concert (besides school band-does that even count!?) until I was an adult, so I guess that is why I’ve wanted to take our kids. We’ve seen Anberlin (one of my favorite bands) 3 times and some of my husband’s students were in awe last week when he told them that and other concerts he’s been to…he’s been to a lot more than me!
Since you’ve lived in Illinois I’m curious if you have ever been to the Cornerstone (http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/) Festival? We’ve gone quite a few times and it is a fun time! So if you do decide to go and buy tickets-here is a 5% off code: CF3541 and that goes for anyone else reading this!
Anyhow, still reading and enjoying your lovely blog! I’m working on a 31 Things to do before I turn 31, I’ll let you know when it is complete so you can read it, loved your list. 😉 Oh and if you decide to go to the Cornerstone Festival and stay there you could cross camping outside in a tent off your list. That is where I learned to camp in a tent and I’ve never looked back…hmmm, well almost, we have a rule now that we have to camp with 2 other groups of people that don’t know each other because of a couple of scary experiences. But I really DO enjoy camping and a festival is a great place to start compared to heavily wooded areas!! Have a great week!
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com
lauren - omg! been reading your blog for awhile. i live in dallas but my son goes to ou. he was walking on campus last night and texted (when you do get it, you won’t know how you lived without it) that he could hear the black eyed peas from the stadium…and you were there! what a small world! i feel like we have something huge in common. my parents took my sister and me to concerts when we were young and i love taking my kids now. as you’ve already figured out, it is great bonding. when they’re teenagers, you need all the bonding you can get.
Heather - That is great! Good memories for your kids. And Lauren’s proof, cool teens CAN survive without cell phones! Who would’ve thunk it?
patti - ok…how cool! you guys get the “cool parents award” (if there is one)
but what really cracked me up was the photos from the floor with all the iPhones and cell phones and cameras up in the air. lol – so funny!!
it used to be that people held lighters up at concerts. wow, i’m old.
Lisa Liddell - Now that is my kind of family outing! Jealous MUCH
Elisa - Love it- haven’t seen U2 in years. What a great surprise!
Meredith - I’m so happy to see Lauren! I haven’t spotted her in months. You all look so beautiful and happy. Well done for seizing the moment, as usual you have set the standard! I would love to take each of your children aside and quietly whisper in their ear “Only five children in the world get to have your parents….and you’re one of them. How awesome is that!.” Meredith xo.
Melanie - How much fun was that?! Your kids will never forget what y’all did for them. That was a great surprise and gift. I think that I saw Lauren smiling too;)
tricia - I have seen so many U2 posts these days. I’m not that big of a U2 fan…but I’m starting to develop concert envy!!
Love the pics…it really does look like an amazing concert.
mel - You are the COOLEST parents. EVER. Wow! U2 is so amazing live. We saw them live (in California, that is where I live) in 2001. It was my husband’s first concert ever. It was so awesome. No Doubt opened up for us at that concert & the No Doubt drummer wasn’t wearing any pants, just a thong!?! What is up with U2 having “interesting” opening acts?
Amy G - How cool!! What a great thing for you guys to do together. Love it!
amy - you and craig get major bonus points for this one.
looked like lauren was actually really smiling in that one pic!
p.s. i think you better ger her a camera for xmas this year. her shots were amazing! 🙂
Ashley Ann - Lauren has a beautiful smile and talent behind the camera. Looks like an unforgettable night, unlike my dinner at Panera that same night!
Sandy - while you’re at it, please adopt me too!!
Liz - Yep. You guys are a super cool family. It was a great concert, I loved it. But didnt the weird space-ship/spider thing throw you off a little? I was like, “Um, does it have chicken pox?”
Sami Melton - Wow! So much fun! Love the pictures!!! Great surprise
Lee Ann - I’ve always thought, but now I know….you ARE the coolest parents ever!!!!!
Lacy Brauner - I know sister can have an attitude, I totally did to at that age..but Id say meg, shes got talent. i guess she gets it from her mama. just a hint, use that as a bonding thing..photography. Your pics are amazing as usual;] but hers were so cool with the lighting and everything! IDk, take a roadie just you and her and the camera, I bet she would be just as great as you! Thanks for sharing. love it as always!
Kelly - You guys are so, so much fun! What a great surprise! Glad you had a great time. Kelly
Jennifer P. - yup–wish you were my mom :)!
Jaclyn - You’re the best mom ever! I want to go to U2. Will you adopt me?
kasey - sounds like a blast..even though my kids Love BEP’s…
xo
Ruth - you guys are too cool… and that photo with the notebook held up is the cutest thing EVER!! (i have to say i saw the title of your post and thought something completely different… ha!)
Beth Ann - That is awesome you got to go! And I bet the kids LOVED it. What a cool surprise.
traci - that is the greatest surprise!! you and craig rock!!! the kids look like they are having the best time!!
Cookin' with Kelly - You did have great seats! I was there too, but we were on the otherside. Great pix. What an experience for your kids!
Notesfromthegrove - That is one KILLER surprise! HOW FUN!
misty - OMGOSH!!! WE WERE THERE!!!!!! It was AWESOME!!!! but please tell Talby that Oklahoma is not as cool as California! just kidding! ;0) Actually, California isn’t as cool as Kansas I believe~ or at least you make it seem so amazing in this blog!
maria - You both are the COOLEST PARENTS!!!
kat - I wish you were MY mom!!! Oh wait, I’m older than you… That is the best surprise ever! They will definitely remember and talk about it for the rest of their lives.
Christy - WOW! I agree, you are the coolest momma EVER! They are coming here this week, I wish I was going. I have never been to a U2 concert, but I hear it is amazing!
Great shots by Lauren! Talby is a doll. She is too funny.
Courtney - I love concerts, and can’t wait to take my kids – unfortunately it’ll be a while still, our oldest (and only at the moment) is just 2. Still, I’m totally looking forward to it!,,,
Hannah - You guys are the coolest parents ever. Hands down.
😀
It looks like you all had a ton of fun!
Summer - What an awesome memory for you and your kids!! So fun!!
Starnes Fam - Super cute. My husband and I have always dreamed of taking little ones to concerts, but I think it’s best to wait as you did. Glad you enjoyed it!
adrienneK - def. not a U2 fan but what cool surprise! oh and btw the peas used to be really good before fergie joined them,they never used foul language,they were all about the peace now it seems only about record sales.:)
TRACI - You are a cool mom for sure but I just dont get all the hoopla over u2 or Bono….I know, Im mostly alone..lol
Julie - okay, what is it about this post that makes me want to cry? Seriously?!…taking your kids to U2?!!! Does not get any better than that. What a treat for the whole family! amazing memories.
Teresa - What a great experience!!! {love the Jayhawk hat!}
elizabeth - What a fantastic thing to do with your kids. And I have to admit that having one of them say that it was ALMOST as cool as California made me smile (I know that was BEFORE the concert, though!).
Wonderful, rockin’ photos, too.
Stephanie - What a great memory for them!
I remember I took my son and his friends to an all-day music festival when they were 14 or 15 – they loved it!!
p.s. OK, I’ll be the one to say it: Lauren doesn’t have a cell phone? Mom!!!!
Crystal - Yay for you guys!! And the bonus is that you got a photo with Lauren smiling!!!! 🙂
Trish - you are so awesome!
i was thinking maybe you should cross two things off of your list by having a fun craft weekend with way cool bloggers! as long as i’m on the list 😉
Kate - U2… you are the coolest mom E-V-E-R! If your kids disagree, I am available for adoption 🙂 Have a great week!