80's Themed Birthday Shenanigans

We're going back a few weeks - about four...yes FOUR weeks.  We have just been a whirlwind of activity in our house.  The big event after Thanksgiving was our friend Christy's surprise birthday party.  This was a TOUGH surprise to plan.  AND it was even harder keeping her hot OFF the trail!

I even created a FAKE Christmas party invitation.  You see the only way to get her to our house and keep her from thinking it had anything to do with her birthday, we told her we were having a Christmas party.  What she didn't know is that we (her mom, our friends (Christina & Meghan), and I) planned an 80's themed surprise party. 

We all panicked a little that maybe she was putting the pieces together, so I asked her to bring brownies... the idea being that no gets asked to bring something to their own party right? RIGHT!

when she walked in the house, we all yelled 'SURPRISE' and sang happy birthday.  She was VERY surprised thank goodness!  We had an outfit waiting for her to change in to once she arrived and got over the initial shock.  I could have easily posted all 200 photos that were taken but to save you from being bored, I selected only a handful of fun!

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

There were parents and friends, family, some people who were expected, some people who weren't.  It was so much fun and the birthday girl was definitely surprised! Meghan took a video of Christy coming in and being surprised.  She posted it to Instagram but her page is private and I can't figure out a way to download it to share here.  I will spend the rest of the day trying to figure it out - if someone knows how please help! Otherwise I hope you enjoyed the crazy bright party pictures =)

Elaborate Lying for Super Surprises

Hiiiiiiii!!!! =)  Anyone else enjoy their weird split up 4-day week last week?!

I actually liked it...although it was like having 2 Mondays = /

other than that, I really liked how last week was broken up =)

SOOOOO my weekend was AMAZING!

I have had this MASSIVE secret for the past like six weeks...that is also one of the other reasons I have been so absent. I didn't want to accidentally spill the beans!!

My mom, sister, and I managed to throw my dad a suprise party for his 50th birthday!

Now his birthday isn't until the END of July but in order for it to be a surprise, we knew it would need to be earlier.  So we found some invitations we liked and my mom sent them out. The big issue was figuring out a way to get him out and away from the house - we needed a good reason and then something for him to do.

Thankfully we have amazing people in our lives who can entertain him AND keep a secret =) The Husband, brother-in-law, and some friends took Dad out off-shore fishing!!! Thank goodness!! Ok so he was out of the house...oh and our excuse for needing him out/encouraging him to make plans??? Mom was throwing a Pampered Chef party! =)

So now I became part of one of the MOST elaborate lies EVER in my LIFE! No seriously - this is how it goes...

We have to SOMEHOW convince my dad that we had a pampered chef party, so my mom cooks a pampered chef dish at her house so that it smells like she hosted something; so that there are dishes in the sink; AND so that there are leftovers...yeah, we went ALL. OUT!  Meanwhile, at my house, we were decorating and cleaning and prepping for everyone to get there.

The men all get back from fishing, drop my dad off and head to our house. Yes, I had 4 sweaty, sun burnt, mildly smelly men in my house for a second. Everyone showered and changed and waiting (im)patiently for the guest of honor to arrive. My sister and I were REALLY antsy waiting for my mom to bring him over...we ended up accidentally isolating ourselves while waiting! OOPS! We were nervous...looking back - i don't know what we had to be nervous about...maybe because we had worked so hard to keep it a secret for 6-7 weeks and were worried he somehow knew?? Who knows! 

As hard as my sister and I worked, I can't imagine what it was like for my mom...she lived with this secret all locked away while spending every day with my daddy. She busted her BUTT getting contact information, getting out the invitations, setting up a faux pampered chef party, and keeping him from having any idea =) PLUS the catering, the beer, the ideas...sheesh! Mommy - you are so awesome! I do NOT know how you kept the secret!!!!! 

The man had NO. CLUE. that there was a party waiting for him after his full day of off shore fishing....

 

Not everyone made it into the picture =/ OOPS!!!
We were all waiting to shout "surprise!"

 

My sister and I are a bunch of babies - we cried!!! 

 

At the end of it all, EVERYONE was exhausted but he swears he didn't know - didn't have any sort of inkling.  To be honest, even if he did, I hope he would tell us he didn't =) we worked our tails off keeping this secret.  It became especially hard as my dad and I started running together. Something would be said that would make me think about the party; at which point i would become so focused on NOT saying anything about the party that I would just quit talking. 

I am so thankful to those who were involved in getting him out of the house, to those who were able to attend, and to EVERYONE who was able to keep this quiet!! 

And Mommy - seriously, BEST IDEA EVER!!!! He is so lucky to have an amazing wife =) PLUS super awesome kids...just sayin'!

PS: keeping 30 people from eating blow pops from the '50 sucks' thing was ALMOST impossible! Thank goodness there were some left over that I could hand out!!!! 

Have you ever thrown a surprise party?
Was it successful?

It is Ruger's Birthday!!!

Today our little furball is FOUR!!!!

When we got him in August 2008, he was 8 weeks old and weighed 4 lbs

    

Yes - I too wonder how his giant tongue fits in his head!!! =) 

 

Now our little man is pushing 65 lbs! 

He is healthy and strong and happy and most of all

he is absolutely adored by us and our families

I'm definitely spoiling him - already bought him a new bone, some tennis balls, and I broke down and got him a squeaky toy! The Husband is going to LOVE that haha! OH WELL!! It will make our pup happy =) I also have aspirations of making some homemade puppy treats...the weekend is SUPER full though so we will see how it all plays out!

Party it up Buddy!!

Happy Friday y'all!!!

We Gonna Party Like It's Your Birthday

HIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What up Lovelies?! 

Happy Friday the 13th!!! 

More importantly - 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME 

I am so looking forward to the weekend's festivities! Tonight I'm going to dinner with The Husband. 

The card he gave me this morning was so sweet! 

I'm so lucky to be his best friend and wife!

TOMORROW is the PAR-TAYYY!!! So excited! 

Seriously. 

It is going to be AMAZING! 

Here are pictures from the last 5 years of birthday celebrations for your enjoyment =) 

2007

2008

2009

2010

was REALLY low key because the month before was our wedding and honeymoon.

I took a few pictures but you seriously can't tell there is a celebration...

Plus we were STILL. EXHAUSTED.

2011 (Here and Here)

 

I can't wait to share deets next week on our festivities for the weekend!

I CAN tell you that it is going to be so much fun! I am so excited!

Come on 5:00!!!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Where Did My Weekend Go?!

Hey hey!!

I couldn't believe last night when I laid down in bed that my weekend was OVER! I was bummed but my weekend, while FULL, was a LOT of fun!

Friday night, we didn't do anything and The Husband was asleep on the couch by 7:30.  He woke up around 9 and decided we should watch a movie.  We have had one of our Netflix movies since JANUARY.  It was Twilight and he actually sat through the whole movie with me! =) I saw it in theaters right after it came out - to be honest, I thought the movie was atrocious...like almost walked out of the theater terrible.  This go round, it was definitely more tolerable. I just would NOT have cast Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan...I think she is terrible but whatever...I do believe I am like 1 of THREE people who feel this way lol. 

Saturday, we were up bright and early to shop with my mom.  Dad had a presentation to work on, so it was just Mom, The Husband, and I. We had an absolute BLAST.  My parents agreed to re-stock my wardrobe for my birthday so Saturday morning that is what our shopping list was for = YAY birthday! =) I had such an amazing time!! We laughed a LOT and I am getting some amazing items! I can't wait to share.  My mom took the clothes with her to show Dad AND so she could wrap them; yes I LOVE unwrapping gifts =) 

Saturday night was spent at Senor Frogs for a friend's birthday.  

Have you ever been? The two times I have cruised, I have never made a trip into a Senor Frogs. I will tell you that initially I was overwhelmed by the noise and everything that was going on. We had such a great time; lots of laughing, drinks, and dancing =) 

 

Sunday, we tried a new church that both The Husband and I LOVE! We will definitely be going more regularly which makes my heart happy =) 

We spent time with both parents/families and suddenly our day was over! 

 

When we FINALLY got home Sunday evening, we watched Robin Hood with Russell Crowe.  I LOVE him - I think he should ONLY do period movies! I really really enjoyed the movie; I think tonight we will watch Gladiator =) 

Today - I am suffering from a food hangover.  

When I eat a LOT more than I normally do, I feel like I do every want to eat again. 

Yesterday was one of those days. I missed breakfast because we were running late for church.

THEN when we finally ate at The Husband's parent's, I ate way too much, only to repeat the same mistake a mere 3 hours later. 

Hopefully, by this weekend, I will feel more up to eating lol I can't WAIT to celebrate my birthday this coming weekend! 

How was your Easter?

WILW - Birthday Edition

So I saw Miss K over at Love, Lipstick, and Pearls did a birthday wish list today. I thought it would be fun to share some of things on my list this year. My birthday is LITERALLY right around the corner: Tminus 9 days! I'll be sharing some of those things AND playing along with WILW. 

 

I'm Loving the new packaging for Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer Potion.

I really didn't like the tube with the want AT. ALL. It was sort of awkward to use. Thankfully they took a cue from Too Faced and their primer packaging. I fell in love with this BEFORE the Two Faced brand so now that they have switched to a squeeze tube, I'm going back to them.

I'm LOVING the Naked eye shadow sets. 

No I don't have either but after reading tons of blog reviews and seeing the colors ON some lovely ladies, I DEFINITELY would LOVE to own the first edition of the sets. Seriously - LOVE. 

I'm Loving gray shoes! 

 

These are from JCPenney. Before you go hating, I LOVE JCPenney. Everything is affordable and I generally find all sorts of things I want or like. AND these cute little thangs are $22! SCORE! 

I'm Loving this Solia Straightener

I had one for like 6-7 years before it kicked the bucket. it is amazing and I love the heat settings it has. Seriously, this thing is amazing! I wanted one for Christmas and didn't get it. If I don't get one for my birthday, I am buying it myself lol! 

I'm loving these bracelets!

  

I also ADORE the stacked bracelets/watch trend. It is so cute and I love having various accessories =) 

I'm Loving that The Husband and my parents are BOTH taking me on little shopping sprees for my birthday presents! EEEEE!! I'm SO excited! I badly need some new tops, maybe a new pair of dress pants, and a skirt or two =) SO excited! I don't know when I am going on said spree BUT I will be sharing with y'all =) 

I'm Loving my DARLING birthday invitations that were sent out yesterday!! Yes, I'm that girl that sends birthday invitations. It is happy =) and besides, who doesn't LOVE getting happy mail =) I can't wait to show them to ya =) 

I'm LOVING instagram for android!! Come find me =)
lifeaftertheaisle

I'm loving the amazing relationship I have with The Husband and my family.

What are you loving? 

Happy Birthday to my Sister and a Little Random

Today is my baby sister's birthday!! Happy Birthday Little Seeeester!!!

  

  

It has been so much fun growing up with you and watching you become a beautiful woman! I love you so much and I hope your first married birthday is amazing!!

This past week I was home alone! I must say I am pretty proud of myself =) When we lived at the other house, I wouldn't stay overnight by myself.  The Hubster was out of town a lot and I really didn't like staying there alone. I don't know what it was - but I was always creeped out being at that house by myself. I am pleased to announce that I felt so safe while he was hunting in MS. He did get a nice 8 pt but I will spare y'all the picture. It isn't a scary picture, but I don't want to be insensitive =)

He came home on Tuesday night and, for real, it was kind of strange not being in the house alone. I LOVE that he is back and we have our time together and I KNOW It was ONLY a week but it was the first time I had been alone at the house for more than a few hours. On the one hand I felt like it was a while that he was away but then again I can't believe it has already been a week! Does anyone get what I'm saying?! no? Alrighty! Moving on =)

I have come up with some new ideas for the home improvement. gosh that stuff is NEVER ENDING! I'm loving it though! Want to hear the ideas?! OF COURSE you do!!

-closet makeover!!-

The closet is decently sized but the space isn't used well. There is only one rack all the way around it. I was thinking the other morning as I was getting ready for work - there HAS to be a better way! Right now, everything is kinda scrunched together! SOOO we are going to move the one rack UP and add another below it! =) That will give us TONS of room and our clothes won't be all smooshed together! Oh and, we hang ALL our clothes...well almost all. We don't hang our work out clothes or under garments/socks. Everything else gets a hanger =)

-Tile Backsplash-

Yes the kitchen looks wonderful - I agree BUT I really LOVE the way a tile backsplash looks.  I didn't think I cared so much and then my sister and her husband did one in their kitchen! WOW - what a DIFFERENCE that makes! Now I REALLY want one in our kitchen.

-Craft Room-

Yes I know, I know - I STILL have not gotten any closer to being finished with this room. In fact it is actually worse because I have crafted and sewed in it in the past couple weeks. it is sort of a disaster =/ We REALLY need to get that room built so I can FINALLY unpack - then no more ugly boxes stacked any where in the house!

-jewelry storage-

I have outgrown my pretty wall hanging jewelry box. A few years ago when I bought it, I wasn't into jewelry but no I'm finding that i want that extra accessory. SO I no longer have room and find myself throwing it in my makeup drawer in the bathroom when I get home. SO now my makeup drawer is half jewelry and cluttered! =( DISLIKE since previously I had been keeping it pretty organized!  I have found some inspiration/ideas for what to do - I definitely want it to hang - it just helps keeps everything from getting all tangled together.

I think that is all for the moment. I am looking forward to this weekend - tomorrow night we are celebrating my sister's birthday and then going on a date this weekend. I am THRILLED about the date =) I love me some alone time with my Husband!

I hope you have a wonderful almost Friday!
What are your weekend plans???