The big 4-0

How do you throw a surprise party for someone who might suspect that a surprise party is in the works? You do it a month ahead of their birthday, that's how. Mike doesn't actually turn 40 until November but last Friday he had the surprise party of his dreams. OK, my dreams really but I know he had a fun time anyway. :) Our kids were in on the surprise and helped me plan it, one friend helped with the invite, another friend hosted the whole party at her beautiful home, many friends helped with the food, one amazingly talented friend made his beautiful cake .... It takes a village to surprise Mike, but we pulled it off. Here are the highlights:

This cake is the creation of my neighbor, Julie Miller. I told her that Mike loves the 'U' and that since he was turning 40 that it should probably have something black on it. This is what she came up with. I was scared to even cut into it but it was worth it. Four layers of chocolate cake with different fillings between each layer. She's a talented woman.

This photo booth was definitely the highlight of the night. Everyone had their pictures taken and then 2 copies of their photos were printed -- one for them to keep, one to paste in Mike's book. The finished product turned out so amazing and we've had so much fun looking through it.

Surprise! :)

People let loose inside the photo booth, we've discovered. :) We have some great pictures!Friends from the neighborhood, friends from high school, friends from work and church, family .... it was such a fun, eclectic group.Mike's sister, Heather, and her husband Jed and baby Thomas with Mike's brother, Ben, and his wife Ashley.Steve & Kris Hacking -- Mike and Steve have been friends since high school. Steve & Kris were the ones who convinced Mike to ask me out. In fact, he called me for that first date from their house.Steve & Joyce Clark, great neighbors.MaryKate Traeden (aka Jennifer Garner -- don't you see it??) and Jon Baker.Grandma White. Her photo booth pictures are some of the funniest ones!Rob & Meggan Gonzalez -- We all tease Mike & Rob about their bro'mance. :)Miss Kate. She also made a photo booth appearance.Barry & Holly Bowen -- we met when we were all newlyweds at the U. We've traveled with them, have kids the same ages and just like them a lot.Krista & Taylor Vriens -- Krista is my Christmas decorator, vacation friend, playgroup buddy ... Neither one of them has any personality, can you tell?? ;}Two of Mike's favorite people (and mine, of course) -- Stephanie Hess and Tina Schwab. They have all worked together with the stake young men & women. These two ladies do great things as a team. Steph is also my exercise partner, carpool counterpart and great friend.Dave & Julie Tate -- Mike and Dave went to high school together and share the exact same birthday. In fact, I think they were born in the same hospital. Dave and Julie had 4 beautiful kids and decided a couple of years ago that they'd have one more ... and she got pregnant with triplets! Numbers 5, 6 and 7. :) What a great family.Aunt Pam & Uncle Verdi with Mike's brother, Nate (you'd never guess it, huh?) and his wife Sarah. Aunt Pam is the zucchini bandet from a few blog-posts ago.The former bishopric. Dave and Bill will always be two of Mike's greatest friends. Funny that they all showed up in navy shirts and khaki pants.Our across-the-street-neighbors, Jason and Wendy Steenblik. Seriously, great neighbors to have.Our other amazing neighbors, Mike & Kim Frame. We love that family.Bishop Pitt and Wendy with Nancy & Carl Wright. We live on such a great street to have all of these funny people as neighbors.And finally, the food .... I was trying to decide what kind of food to have for the party and was thinking along the lines of Paradise Bakery or something. That's my kind of food -- yummy salads and sandwiches. But this party was all about Mike, right? So Costa Vida it was. He loved it.Such a fun, FUN night! Thanks to everyone who came and made Mike's night so fun.

Later that night, Mike said, "How am I going to top that when you turn 40?" It's easy. Take me on a cruise and let me lounge on a beach. That's my kind of celebration....