surprise party

Remember several months ago, when I was asking for input on how to celebrate Marc's tenure? Well, trips came along, as well as illnesses, and just general busyness. It took me awhile, but I finally did something to properly celebrate this big achievement: I threw him a surprise party last Saturday.


(Incidentally, it was great timing that this came about during the long spell where I had no internet access. Because I was so busy, it kept me from feeling so mad about not being able to get online...) It took me all my spare time on Monday and Tuesday to make the invitations and look up all the addresses I needed. Most of the rest of the week was devoted to cooking. Here was the menu: rolls from Shirley's bakery, barbecued brisket, Green Green Salad, german chocolate cake, chocolate angel food cake, Denise's homemade chocolate chip cookies, and hot citrus punch.


I really didn't know if I would be able to pull off the surprise, but I did it! Marc kept asking about all the food I was making. I told him the cakes were for a neighbor's wedding reception, and the brisket was for the R.S. supper before the broadcast. Yes, I lied to my husband. I had to make up some excuse because I couldn't get all the cooking done while he was away at work. On Friday night, he was starting to get annoyed at all the work I was doing and asked if anyone else in the ward was helping out! I thought he was on to me when he pointed out that the neighbor having a wedding is in catering and so it was pretty strange that I would need to make cakes for them. I covered by acting surprised by it as well. Max and Lucas knew all about it, but never spilled the secret. Lucas even shocked me by whispering about it -- I didn't know he was capable of whispering!

(Jessie made the darling sign)

I got his best friend to invite him over to play video games, with the ruse of going out to lunch afterwards. Then, instead of going to lunch, he brought him to the park. We had the most beautiful weather on Saturday -- sunny, blue skies, and crisp, not too cold -- I had been pretty worried when it rained for most of the week. I was a little bit disappointed by all of the people who couldn't make it (including Jill & Randy), but we still had a pretty good turnout and I know Marc had a good time. I even got to see my cousin Charlotte finally! (She came out about a month ago to start school at BYU.)

Eva loved the balloons, and Grandma was very obliging.

All in all, it turned out to be a great day. It was so nice to have Marc's parents and sister there to chase Eva all over the park; she could not have been happier, and I was free to introduce people to each other, serve food, etc. The only down side was that I got stung by a bee on my finger. The last time I got stung was when I was 18 (in a restaurant in the Poconos). Dang, those little critters can really hurt! We came home and relaxed, and I even took a nap. Words cannot express my relief when it was all over, and this week seems just heavenly without a huge project and a time deadline hanging over me.