The Top Eleven Ways to have a Surprise Party.....

You can read all about my love of surprise parties here. We are going to a surprise party tonight, but right now it's raining so hard we can hardly hear each other talk:

Yikes, Missouri!

This past summer's theme seemed to be "Surprise! It's Your Birthday Party!".  Since I went to quite a few of these parties, I'm kind of an expert- you'd really do well to listen to me. So without further ado, here are my Top Eleven ways to have a kick-ass birthday party: 

1. Make sure there is actually someone that wants to throw a surprise birthday party.

In Michele's case, it was her good looking kids that pulled everything together.

2. Beautiful birthday signs are always a hit, and the birthday girl (or boy) can take it home as a memento! Hannah and I made this sign for her mom, Joni. 

3. Don't forget the cake!

 4. Adult refreshments should be abundant:

The birthday hat is optional, but my father-in-law wanted to celebrate 50 in style.

5. It's always fun to tell stories to the birthday honoree. I'm actually telling the story here, not listening, despite my shocked face. It was about Hannah, which is why she's covering her face with horror, and her mom is trying desperately not to laugh at her.

"....and then I said: Hannah! What the hell are you doing?!"

6. Family members should definitely be involved: 

Can you tell they are sisters?

7. Don't forget the cake!!!

8. You should always sing happy birthday: 

9. A happy host or hostess, is the best kind of host:

Hi Carrie! You sure are a great hostess, and your house should be in a magazine!

10. A table full of delicious food makes the mood perfect for good conversations:  

Does this remind anyone else of Da Vinci's "The Last Supper"?

11. And finally, whatever else you do, just DO NOT forget the cake:

Ok. Ok. Ok.  You're right. I know, it's NOT always about the cake, I mean.....

....sometimes it's cupcakes!

Ruffles, Sequins and Bow Ties galore....

The time for me to officially buy every single box of tissues Wal-mart has to offer, is upon us. My smooshy faced baby brother is graduating High School  in TEN days!! How is this possible!? I can't deal with it. Someone medicate me until this is all over, please! To kick start the final downhill slide of his High School career was prom. Andrew had a date (a gorgeous one at that) and everything!

Remember this picture? The one of Andrew and his best friends? The friends he's been best friends with since kindergarten?

and remember this picture of them at Fall Homecoming this year? 

Well they got together for one last 'take a shower and put on nice clothes and don't forget to open the door for your date' time. Of course, they had to make it their own: 

Every year before prom the kids all get together and let their families proudly take their pictures: 

First the boys: 

Now the girls: 

Ok kids, now all together: 

Come on now everybody focus!!  Wait. Wait just a second..... Are you seeing the love I'm seeing in the upper left hand corner?

Awww!

It was important we got a picture of the boys with their moms: 

because these same moms will be red-eyed and snot-nosed for all the graduation pictures coming up!

Richie's grandma and grandpa even snuck in there for a picture: 

Really, can you blame them?

 This is probably the last time they will ever see their grandson in a power blue tuxedo, frilly shirt, & top hat!

But I made sure to get my picture taken with Kali:

Naturally, since all the girls were wearing fabulous dresses, I needed to wear on too.

After we sent all the kids off on the 'party bus,' my parent's and I went to dinner. Just look who we found: 

Obviously my dad wanted a picture of his two favorite children together!

Picture time wasn't over, and we met up with the kids at the prom venue for even MORE pictures: 

Hi Keaton! Hi Phoenix! You look fancy!

 Here is Andrew and his fabulous date: 

Here is me and my date: 

Hi Chris! 

Next we took a picture of Andrew's fan club: 

and then a family picture: 

I know you've seen my and Chris' prom photo a million times, and after looking at handsome Andrew, I'm sure you're wondering: "Man! How are these kids able to take such amazing prom photos?" 

The answer is an easy: "duh"......

My mom and dad!

Prom, 1980 baby!

Prom Sneak Peak....

This last weekend was my little brother, Andrew, senior prom! We were so busy and Chris even got the privilege of chaperoning (he was SO excited....)! I took a ton of pictures for you and will upload them tonight!
In the meantime here is a sneak peak:

These boys have been best friends since kindergarten.  Richie and Carson perfected the "Dumb and Dumber" look.

This was Andrew's beautiful date. They aren't boyfriend and girlfriend, I don't think he has much game...

Every prom needs a party bus!

The family, we clean up nicely don't we?