Thursday, September 23, 2010

Good to be back in the city

Monday, September 13, 2010

First Day of School: Then and Now

First Day of SchoolFirst Day of School

First Day of SchoolFirst Day of School

Cathie's Surprise Party

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Tough to believe, but my wife turned 40 this month.  To celebrate the big 4-0, I threw her a surprise party, with lots of help from family and friends.  Thanks to my friend Mark, I actually got the planning for this going about 6 weeks prior to the party, and tried to plan it as the kind of party that Cathie would like. I had no idea it would be so much work and there would be so many details to take care of...

On the day of the party, Cathie's parents came down and Cathie's Mom took her out shopping.  They got a late start and left a few minutes before everyone was set to come over and clean.  Cathie's Dad, the kids and I worked to get the house cleaned and everything ready.  Jon, Beth, Dan, Kris, Tiffany and John came down to help get the house clean and then Cathie's friends Jen & Lori came over with the decorations.  The house was spotless (Cathie's version of spotless, not mine) and the decorations were amazing.  The coolest part was the collage of pictures at the top in the shape of "-40-" that they made.
Cathie's 40th Surprise PartyCathie's 40th Surprise Party
Cathie was late, but showed up about 7:35, but I think she was genuinely surprised.  We had about 40 people inside and outside, including family, friends and friends from school.
Cathie's 40th Surprise Party
Jackie and her husband Neale came all the way up from Columbus to celebrate Cathie.
Cathie's 40th Surprise PartyCathie's 40th Surprise Party


Cathie's 40th Surprise PartyCathie's 40th Surprise Party
My brother, "Thanksgiving Dan" showed up much to my sister-in-law Kris's chagrin, and thankfully, "Surprise Party Cathie" didn't show.  We had beer pong in the garage, and Brad even got his "pointy finger" going.
Cathie's 40th Surprise PartyCathie's 40th Surprise Party
The evening was made even better as Tiffany brought her brand new boyfriend, John, along to meet the whole family and gain our blessing.  We approved.
Cathie's 40th Surprise Party

You can see all of the pictures in the Picasa album here.