A Belated Birthday

I was actually able to plan and pull off a surprise for Jake...well, for the most part. I knew I wanted to do something for Jake to help him celebrate turning into a 'classic' (oh wait, that's car terminology) Being 30 is a good reason to celebrate! About 3 weeks ago I put my plan into action. He would never think a birthday was a good reason to celebrate and was just fine and happy with only the two of us sharing a cake, I couldn't let that be the end of it!
I invited our friends to meet us this past Saturday at a park for a belated Jake is 30 BBQ. It really was more of a reason to get together with some of our friends and enjoy this awesome hot weather. I was so excited that I was able to keep this a secret, until Friday night when Jake got home and told me he had to go in to work the next day - what!? Ahhh - that's not allowed! I had to tell him something was going on at 2:00 and he had to be there. Of course, Jake being Jake couldn't let it drop at that and analyzed every possibility for the rest of the night and pretty much figured it out.
I scrambled to shop and get as much of the prep work done that Friday night so I could go with Jake to work the next morning and just hang out in the area.
My awesome friend Tanya let me hang out at her place (her husband Bryan was working too - how rude!) She helped me finish up all the fruit and vegetable cutting, and even let me fry some onions in her kitchen...I hope the smell didn't linger too long.
I realize Jake would have figured out what was going on anyway since the car wa loaded with a cooler, grill, folding chairs, etc.
I went to pick Jake up and we rushed to the park. It was a rather busy day and we were glad to get a few tables in the shade.
I made Jake do all the grilling work...knew he wouldn't mind. He loves being grill master.
I provided hamburgers, hotdogs, sausages, fruit, vegetables, chips, frog eye salad (if you have to ask then you need to come get some of the leftovers). Our friends brought a few things to throw in and we had a party with way too much food. I don't think anyone went away hungry.
I am so grateful for those who were able to come enjoy this summer day with us. We truly do have the best friends ever, they really are the only reason that CA is an okay place to live.

Claire, Kate, and Eric Thompson

Tiffany and Eric Anderson

Adam and Kevin Low, Sara and Kate Thompson

Kevin is a big fan of watermelon

I truly realized during the BBQ how mild mannered Kaleb is. I had a blanket spread out on the ground. I put down a plate with some food and a few toys. He didn't crawl off that blanket once. For the most part he just sat in the middle munching on a bun or some fruit or holding his toys. It will be interesting to see what personality this next little guy has. I have a feeling he'll be the one to instegate all the trouble "Hey Kaleb, check this out, did you know this does this" or something to that effect. We'll see. I'm excited to watch these brothers grow up together.

Tanya and Bryan Low








Our grill master, don't you love that I made Jake work for his birthday BBQ? I must add, thank you mom and dad Stevens for this grill. It has gotten a lot of well loved use. We haven't once had to use the grill pits provided at parks.
Thank you again to all our friends, those would could make it, and those who were there in spirit. We really are so grateful and blessed to have all of you in our lives. Although Jake had to hurry back to work it was a great day and we both had a lot of fun. We need to get together again real soon, who wants to plan the next party?