Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Surprise!!

For our 40th anniversary dinner, the kids were in charge.  Needing an outing, they announced they were taking us out to eat.  Fine with us.  They were paying.

We needed a kid friendly venue, and the majority voted for Chuy’s at the Summit.  Mistake.  Big mistake.  The Summit was a zoo on the Monday after Christmas, and it was a two-hour wait at Chuy’s.  No can do with three children age three and under.

Regrouping we headed back east on 280, aiming for Pablo’s at Lee Branch.  Fortunately, since everyone in the entire Birmingham metro area was at the Summit, navigating 280 at 6 p.m. was a breeze.  Pablo’s had our table ready in less than five minutes, and we had a pleasant dinner.  We even found another customer willing to snap a group photo.

Christmas 278

But little did LBeau and I know that the fun was just getting started.  We had taken three cars to accommodate the eight adults and three children in car seats.  By the time LBeau, Mema and I got home, the others were already there and getting the kids in bed.  Or so we thought.

Christmas 025

Surprise!!

Under the direction of Katie, the kids had spent weeks plotting a surprise anniversary party.  Glenda was in charge of the festive decorations on the island, the boys provided beer, and Connie brought wine as well as a delicious spread that Walker called chocolate stuff on crackers (he asked for it for breakfast this morning).

Janice made a delicious appetizer, and Claire spent the afternoon baking a cake at a friend’s house, which she later decorated on the bed in her room upstairs.  It was a complete surprise, and I was blown away.  Afterward all of our friends gathered for a group photo.

Christmas 029Connie and Terry, KBeau and LBeau, Susie and Wayne, Walt and Glenda, Janice and Don

When Claire instructed us to act goofy, Connie whispered, “Make out.”  So we did.

Christmas 031

There are lots of years and lots of happy marriages in that picture.  Thanks everyone.

 

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Congrats! What a great surprise.

kate said...

What a wonderful celebration!! This definitely made me smile.

Anonymous said...

How neat, Kathy! And a wonderful group of friends and thoughtful good-looking children ... perfect surprise!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

Oh how fun! What a wonderful surprise from your kids! Happy Anniversary!

Unknown said...

I think this is one of the best posts you've put on here.

What a great deal!

Expats Again said...

Congratulations! You have wonderful loving children who were able to pull that off as a surprise! I loved the make out photo. It's a keeper!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

How FUN!!! I love surprises and the last one is the BEST photo!!
Congratulations to you Kathy, and wishing you the Best New Year EVER!!

Lou Cinda

nanny said...

What a wonderful surprise....
Happy Anniversary.......
I was sure you would show us the chocolate stuff on crackers...lol...sounds very good to me!
The pictures are soooo good!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a great surprise.
Happy Anniversary!

Tricia said...

What fun! Y'all are just two years ahead of us -- we celebrated our 38th on the 30th, the same day our son got married. Your offspring sound delightful, to have planned such a fun surprise!

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! and Happy New Year! too bad for our Hogs in the sugar bowl.. but great season overall. :)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year Friend! Just checking in with you to see what's up.

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

So wonderful and Happy Anniversary!

LOVE the last photo!

Anonymous said...

thanks for the welcome back! i so agree.. the game was a heartbreak. :( but happy they even made it to a bowl! btw.. Happy Anniversary!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello, kathy..I am just getting caught up on all my Blog-Friends..I didn't know about the surprise Annie-Party! Wow, and then the make-out pic was really hot! I am proud of those DILs for getting that all together..
Take it easy on that knee, OK?
Susie

Sarah said...

Kathy, I'm obviously behind. What a wonderful celebration! Congratulations to you and LBeau.
Wonderful to see a room full of couples who share longevity in a marriage. ~ Sarah

da coach said...

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