Happy 30th Heather!!!

I will start this posting by stating that this is Ryan and this is my first post. This way you wont wonder throughout reading this why it is not as well written as most the other posts on this blog. So please be understanding of my attempt to post and say a few things about my wonderful wife without noticing I am not blessed to be as good as writer as Heather.
Unfortunately for Heather having a birthday in the Christmas season and the crazy schedules that often come with it sometimes her birthday isn’t recognized as much as others. She always does such an amazing job of celebrating everyone else’s b-day and thinking of others, I decided that this year would be different. After all it was the big 30th birthday!
On Wednesday I took the day off of work and we had a good time celebrating her actual birthday with the family. A friend took Zack to a museum and watched him for a while so we could go help Alissa make a gingerbread house at her school. Than this friend watched Alissa, Zack and Brylee so Heather and I could go out for lunch (so Heather could eat her favorite meal – BREAKFAST). We than did some last minute Christmas stuff until Madison and Katelin got home from school. Later that night we opened presents, did the cake/ice cream etc… Heather has wanted Guitar Hero for a very long time it was fun to finally get her this and see her excitement as she opened the present (like a kid on Christmas minus the jumping and screaming). We played the game late into the night and had a blast.

Heather getting help opening present

Setting up Band Hero

Zack rocking out!

The funnest part (at least for me) was still yet to come. I had been working with a friend for a while on planning a surprise party for Heather. Of course I couldn't tell Katelin or Alissa or their tricky mother would certainly get the surprise out of them but we managed to keep the details secret throughout. Things were going really smoothly until a few days before the party, Heather started getting very suspicious of everything and I honestly thought she was on to the big party. So Friday finally came and the plan was being executed perfectly. We dropped the kids off at our friends so we could catch a movie and come back home to play some games before we pick up the kids. As I am pulling up to the house I saw no cars around our house at all, and my immediate thought was did they forget or am I coming home too early. Than Heather saw our cat and said I know I left him in the house when we left. She was now catching on to exactly what was happening. As we came in the door she saw streamers coming down from the door and she kept backing up (lots of attention toward her and big surprises aren’t usually her favorite thing). However, I being the insensitive brute that I am gently guided (pushed) her through the door to a house full of friends, food, decorations etc… We had a great time talking, eating and playing some Band Hero (I found that I may have competition as being the worst singer around…), and just having fun. Unfortunately, the camera battery died immediately upon our arrival so there are not many pictures.

Madi decorating for the party while we were out

Heathers picture right as we walked in

Party Time

I really appreciate all those that helped in celebrating Heather’s big day. I also would like to give a special thanks to those that helped me plan and put this thing together. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to have such a wonderful person as my wife. She is so unselfish, honest, loving, kind, helpful, patient, and thoughtful. She really makes our family function and brings so much happiness to each of us individually and collectively as a family. I treasure her and love all that she is and that she does – truly an amazing person. It was fantastic to have friends to take some time to join in and helping do something for her to hopefully let her know that she is loved and valued. While she really enjoyed the people and games I think she is done with the big surprises for a while.