This year we had several birthday milestones, 35, 50, 65, and 70. Five years ago I had a party here in Colorado to celebrate the September milestones of that year (do the math, subtract 5 from each of the previous numbers, lol) but many people from Kansas were unable to attend. This year, since it was my husband Steve's 50th birthday, I decided to throw him a surprise party in Kansas at his mom and dad's house. The location made it easier for a lot of family back there to attend as only we would need to travel.
I learned that my in-laws and family friends had plans to attend a shoot in eastern Kansas for that weekend. I used that as a means to get us back there for his "birthday weekend". We decided to also attend the shoot, looking forward to great fun. Unbeknownst to Steve, I had a hidden agenda.
I started planning his party in July, getting on people's calendars (harder than you may think with as large of a family as we have), and trying to keep it discreet. My mother in-law is super accommodating when it comes to helping me plan and it was greatly appreciated due to the distance.
Steve's excitement for his birthday weekend was fun to watch since I knew he was only thinking it was going to be a fun Sporting Clays and fishing outing with me, his dad and mom, and two other friends. Our drive to Kansas was uneventful, thank goodness! We hauled our John Deere Gator with us to use during the shoot and my RANRGRL truck did well during the long drive from Colorado.
We arrived on Wednesday late evening and the party was planned for the next day. Steve only thought that his kids and grandkids were coming by to see him on that day because we would be gone Friday through Sunday for the Sporting Clays event.
Thursday, September 24th 2015, party day at the Kansas McHone house!!! Steve's dad kept him occupied while his mom and I ran errands to pick up the cake and other last minute items for the party. We stopped to pick up grandkids Braxton and Grady from daycare at their grandma Marina's house to surprise their Pa, Steve. Those two boys were pretty excited to see Ava and me and Braxton was thrilled to see we were setting up a party for his Pa. I was really hoping to pull off the surprise with no hiccups. The secret was almost exposed when son Wade texted Steve that morning "Happy Birthday Dad!" HAHA Steve's birthday was still two days away and Wade had a momentary brain lapse that confused his dad. It was very funny.
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| I got Braxton's approval, haha |
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| We kept the decorations pretty simple for the old guy, haha |
Braxton will be four next February and he is at that great age of understanding things and getting engaged in things I am doing. I recruited him to help me with some actions and paid him a quarter when he was done. He was pretty cute with excitement. I asked him where he learned to be such a good worker and he replied "my dad taught me". Priceless, and good job Alex and Wade!
Little Grady will be two in December and he is a busy little guy. We interrupted his nap at daycare because we picked them up. All of the running around, playing, and laughing at great-grandma Ava's house wore him out before the party. Pa was still gone with his dad so great-grandma Ava took the opportunity to get Grady to settle down and take a nap. She got the job done and I was fortunate to capture pictures of this sleeping angel. Steve and I do not get to see these grand kids often and I tend to take a LOT of pictures when we get together, can you blame me?
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| Look at this angel! |
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| I stared at him a lot while he was asleep, such a sweet boy |
All snuggled up in a blanket with his head propped on top of a fuzzy bear. Grady took only five minutes to relax and drift off for this nap. He was exhausted and slept through the activity that was abuzz around him. His brother Braxton kept going over to try and wake him so we finally had to shoo him outside to hang out with Pa and great-grandpa Steve who had recently arrived.
Fortunately, daughter Lainie and grandson Jack arrived at that same time and they were able to keep Steve busy outside while the finishing touches were in progress in the house.
Braxton and Jack seemed happy to see each other and played a funny game of chase around the yard. Steve and I miss seeing the interaction of the cousins due to the long distance of our households. The Kansas afternoon weather was delightful and Pa had a great time watching his boys play. I tried to get some good pictures of the moments and was pleased with what I did get.
I love these pictures of Braxton and Jack running around the yard chasing each other; it is fun to watch them play.
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| I adore this picture of Steve and Jack!!! |
Each time the screen door would open I would grab my camera and poise myself to capture his face upon seeing the party setup. I had to wait a very long time; it was amusing and frustrating. I believe we finally had to call everyone in for dinner and he straggled on in with them.
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| Son Cody |
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| Father in-law Steve Sr. |
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| Daughter Lainie and Jack |
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| Mother in-law Ava and Aunt Mary Ann |
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| He is giving me the "what did you do" look.....hahaha! |
Time to gather 'round and party down with the McHone family, it was lots of fun!
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| Uncle Cody hanging Braxton upside down |
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| Jack watching everyone as he eats |
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| Wade feeding his little guy Grady |
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| Sweet Grady |
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| Jack, happy with his party hat! |
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| Go Jack! |
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| Oops, hat's falling off |
Last but not least, time for the birthday cake and celebratory candle lighting. Braxton was right there next to Pa waiting to help him with the fun.
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| This is a great picture!! Happy 50th my love |
The party was a success and I would like to thank my in-laws for letting us use their house for the venue. I believe Steve was surprised and pleased with the kids and grand kids, and all other family members who came to help celebrate his 50th.
The actual "birthday weekend" festivities will have to wait for another blog. It was three days of fun, food, and frustration. Steve, his dad, and family friend Jim Holden shot around 400 Sporting Clays target over the three days; well, they shot "at" them anyway. hahaha
As always, thanks for reading my blog.
Grandma P
