Surprise!!

This weekend we pulled a BIG one over on my parents!  Their birthday's are a week a part.  Mom's is October 3 and Dad's is October 9, and this year was a big one...the BIG 6-0!  Back in the summer I had the idea to throw them a surprise party.  At the beginning of September I started really trying to plan.  Let me tell you, it is VERY difficult to plan a secret party from 5 hours away!  But I got some help from some of my mom's friends, and the ball started rolling.  I managed to get a location idea from one of her friends, I got guest lists emailed to me from several of her friends, we designed an invitation and got it in the mail a couple of weeks ago, and we got Phillip and Holly in on the surprise.  Perfect!

It's been a long time since Phillip and I were both home at the same time, much less with our spouses.  In fact, Holly and I have never been there at the same time.  Mom was ecstatic all the kids were going to be there!  We spent Saturday being lazy.  We enjoyed the famous El Dorado Spudnuts for breakfast...

 We went for a run and ended up getting wet because the rain started...

We watched the Razorbacks play a pitiful football game...

No picture needed...

The rain stopped so we goofed around outside, including introducing Sara Kate to ping pong...

 

 

Sara Kate also got introduced to the puddle that forms in mom and dad's driveway when it rains, also known as Greer Lake...Phillip and I spent much time as kids running through the puddle and riding our bikes through it with our neighborhood friends...

We lazed around a little bit more before it was time to get ready to go.  Chris, Phillip, and Holly managed to sneak out early while mom and dad were getting dressed to go set up and greet guests. 

Mom, Dad, Sara Kate, and I left a little after 7 and got there a little after 7:15.  And here we go...

SURPRISE!!

Dad was speed walking ahead of mom, who was holding Sara Kate's hand, and I couldn't slow him down so he entered first instead of them coming in together...

 I finally pushed mom through the door...

We got them!  They were surprised!!  SUCCESS!!

 

 

 

 

 

Someone brought this plate for guests to sign, which I thought was very nice.  I don't know who brought it but I'm glad mom and dad have this as a memento.

Of course Chris and I brought a cake with us from the famous Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville.  On our way into town we managed to drop it by the home of one of mom's friends daughters (get all that, ha!) to hide it, and then Holly and I picked it up and took it to the pizza place Saturday afternoon.  I'm sure my dad was glad to see a Rick's cake (his absolute favorite!), and I think it was a hit!

I'm thrilled were able to pull off this party for mom and dad, but more importantly, I'm glad me, Chris, Sara Kate, Phillip, and Holly were able to celebrate this BIG birthday with them.  Happy birthday Mom and Dad!  We all love you!!