Two surprises and a birthday

I've been 50 for a whole three days now, and I've decided it's not much different from being 49.  Haha.  I sure have had a wonderful several days.  Last Thursday the 9th,  Kylee asked me to get something for her out of the front hall closet, and when I opened the door, there stood Jessica saying "Surprise!"  I was completely and totally shocked!  She and Brad are living in Houston this summer while he sells security systems for Vivint, so I didn't expect to see her until the end of August.  Kylee had picked her up in SLC when she went down for a doctor appointment that afternoon.  It was so wonderful having her home, knowing we would be able to spend our birthday together on Monday and keep our streak alive of never being away from each other on June 13.  This is the best present she could have given me!

Friday night and Saturday morning I enjoyed spending some time with three of my sisters and Mom.  We  missed having Janet there.  We ate out at Elements, then went to Mom's to look through some old pictures and letters.  Saturday morning we went for a walk along the Logan River trail, ate breakfast at our house, then made some cards and gift tags.  The girls and I then spent another hour making more gift tags. This is what each of us ended up with.  I love having these on hand!

Sunday the 12th, we all (except Kylee who went to Brody's Mom's for dinner- or so I thought. . .) went to Tom and Freda's for dinner.  After dinner I was just relaxing and visiting with everyone, minding my own business, when all of the sudden, Mike was putting a blindfold on me and whisking me off to show me something for my birthday "real quick." Everyone seemed in the dark about what he was doing, and told him to hurry back because we were just getting ready to have dessert. . . After driving around for about 30 minutes (I had no idea where we were going, and Mike wasn't dropping any hints) we finally arrived at our destination.  After he led me from the car and took off the blindfold, I was totally shocked to see this little scene set up in the park near our home (Ky had been here setting up with the Skeens & Petersens help instead of having dinner at Brody's parents.)

 I couldn't believe I had no idea this was happening.  All of Mike's family was there except Sadie, Derek and Isaac, and from my side there was Mom, the Skeens, Von, Caspersons, and Petersens.  Kylee had been planning it all since February, and in the last few days had help from Mike, Jessica and several others.  It was so touching to see all the work and detail she put in to making a fun and memorable surprise for me. Mike was in charge of blowing up 25 balloons and getting helium in the other 25.  He typed up a list of 50 things he loves about me, cut them up, and put one in each of the balloons. It was so fun popping them when the party was over and reading them all.  It was so sweet.  We ate several varieties of cookies, oreo pops, cake and milk. Ky planned two games to see who knew me best- the first one being 25 questions about me with multiple choice answers.  Ann won, with Von, Mom and Mike coming in one point behind.  Then everyone had to guess the age of me in 25 different photos.  Stacie and Mom tied for first. (I don't even think I would have won that one. . .).  It was just such a fun surprise!  I loved it so much.  It was fun to talk about everything Kylee had done to keep it a surprise after we got home that evening. 

 I love how Kylee took charge of the party, standing up on her platform so everyone could hear her.  She put so much time, thought, creativity and effort into this party I just can't get over it. And if that wasn't enough, she also made me this T-shirt quilt, a DVD to music w/ pictures of me and the kids through the years, the birthday banner you see hanging at the party w/ the materials to make one w/ everyone's name on it, and a calendar she made!  I'm thinking next year just a card will be more than enough!

The next day, on my actual birthday, I woke up to see these lovely decorations in the front yard. . . Thanks to my friend Janae for garage sign, and cow and signs (aren't they creative?)  Ky and Jessica did the sign above the door and the balloons.

The girls and I left at 9:00 to drive to SLC to shop a little at the Gateway and have lunch at Thaifoon.  Delicious.  The tom kah gai soup was to die for.  It's my new favorite food.  We dropped Jess off at the airport to fly back to Houston then Ky and I went to the best bakery in SLC called Ruby Snap.  It only sells cookies, and they also are TO DIE FOR! They are way better than any I make- if that tells you anything.  Ky and I met up with Ann in Ogden to do a little shopping, go for a walk along the bulging Ogden River, and eat dinner at Sanora Grill.
 

Home at 8 to finally see the boys and Mike for the day (I did see Cam and Mike in the morning before we left) and open a bunch of awesome presents.  Mike gave me a Garmin Forerunner which is a watch that tells time, distance, pace, heart rate, calories, and has a GPS.  SWEET. I've been wishing for one for awhile. I already mentioned what Ky gave me,  Jess gave me the gift of her- flown in from Houston, and the boys gave me a costa vida gift card and candy.  I also got great gifts from extended family and a few friends.  It was so much fun!  I loved everything about the whole weekend, even if it all means that I have to be 50
now. . . Thanks to everyone who contributed in making this the best birthday!