Happy 50th Birthdays and 30th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Last weekend Kalin, Trevor and I threw a surprise 50th birthday party and 30th anniversary party for my mom and dad. I am a little let down that it is over! It is probably a good thing I am blogging about this a few days later because I had entirely TOO many stories to share Sunday!

They thought they were going to a hockey game with their friends Woody and Rhonda and Trevor and I. Guests were arriving at our house at 6 and my parents were to "pick us up" between 6:30 and 6:45. Well, my dad was being very difficult and wanted to pick us up a little after 6. We had to keep lying to him and tell him I wasn't ready. He was not a happy camper.

When they arrived my dad rang our doorbell about 10 times. He later admitted he was going to chew me out for making them so late to the game :-). When they walked in and saw 50 of their nearest and dearest they were shocked. I truly believe they were surprised. My mom's first thing out of her mouth was "Kalin's here!" Kalin drove to Omaha Friday night and didn't tell them. Then they proceeded to the back of the room greeting all of their friends and family. I could really see the excitement and surprise in their eyes. I loved it.

Our friends from Michigan, the Hartfelders, that we met on a cruise in 1991 came in for the surprise. It was fantstic. According to Kalin, when my dad saw Dave Hartfelder at the back of the room he said, "you're shittin' me." Priceless.

We snacked, looked at the memory book made for them, and outfitted everyone with a made-for-the-occassion koozie. Around 7:30 Ollie the Trolley came (which my dad and mom were surprised about too) and we went on a trip down memory lane: by their old houses (most of them), their high school, where they got married, my dad's company, their hangouts (with a stop for a few beers and a round of shots at Alpine). It was just so amazlingly fun!

Thanks to everyone who atteneded and a special thanks to the Shearers and the Hites who did SO much work the night of the party from picking up after us to refilling the food and coolers. Thanks to my grandpa and grandma for 1. planning the route and being the conductor and 2. for making a bunch of food. Thanks to GG for letting Macy hang out at your place during the par-tay. Thanks to the Hartfelders for making a special trip to Omaha. We hadn't seen them since Trevor's and my wedding in December 2005.

Photos from the par-tay can be viewed here.

PS: Invitations created by the fantabulous Sabrina Ahern.