The Year of the Surprise Party...

We are all turning 30 this year, and we had yet another surprise gathering...


Happy Happy Birthday to my wonderful, amazing and hard-working husband Jonathan!! I knew I wanted to do something special for his 30th. This definitely turned into a full-out party. It was all well worth it... even if my 30 week pregnant swollen feet still have yet to recover. Wow. It was a long night for this mama!

This party was months in the making!! I had some help, thank goodness. My decorator and caterer are so wonderful... and the bartenders were amazing. I had the party at our friend David Fortenberry's, and he was the BIGGEST help. He had kids scrubbing the floors of his garage the day before, had them hand wash and dry all the wine/beer glasses for the event, had them direct vehicles for parking and help the entire night with whatever I needed. A huge thanks to him. He also had a few good ideas along the way like the mist fans which were added at the 11th hour to my rental order. In record breaking heat, I guess you could say these were a hit!;)

Friends, friends and more friends!! I was so excited with the turnout. It was come and go but we had right under 100 throughout the night. Great turnout for Jonathan!! He is loved by many!! And a huge thanks to all his friends who came from afar to attend. He hasn't seen these college friends in quite some time, and I was SO excited they could attend. It was some work to keep this a surprise, but we managed to do it. And they were even able to mingle at my house before being shuttled over to the party that evening. Thanks to Jonathan's family for keeping him occupied that day.

Surprise gift!! So this was exciting, given that I didn't "get" Jonathan anything for his birthday.;) One of his friends called the day of the party saying a gift was being delivered to the house (party). Well, when the XL Big Green Egg arrived I was stunned. I'm not much into BGEs:), but I do know these are very nice. Six of his friends/co-workers all split the cost. Thanks, guys!! VERY nice surprise gift to add to the night!!

And now for the YUMMY menu, compliments of Fran Ginn, The Back Door Cafe in Columbia, MS. She always does an amazing job, and this party was no different! I requested a "cajun" theme, and boy did she deliver!! Delicious!! Fran had these menu cards printed for the serving area... Nobody left hungry!!

        Happy Birthday, Jonathan!    

               Pulled Pork Poboys

           

               Jambalaya with Tasso

               Mamaw’s Smothered Chicken

   

               Seafood Potato Salad

               “Wop” Salad

               French Bread  

               Alligator and Pork Sausage

               Smothered Crawfish and Pork Sausage

               Natchitoches Meat Pies

               Back Door Tomato Sandwiches

               Crawfish Pies

               Boudin Balls

And the cake table...!!! Rather than opting for one big cake, I did five cakes - strawberry, coconut, italian creme, caramel and chocolate. This gave the guests a little variety - as well making the cake table colorful!! I had five baby pictures of Jonathan framed, on top of burlap decor. Did I remember to get a picture of the food, cakes or decor/greenery? No!:( What a busy night!! 

I'm so glad I gave the camera to my friend Maurie Hartel or I'm afraid I wouldn't have snapped a single shot! I handed over the camera right before Jonathan showed up for the "surprise," and she took some great pictures!

The invitation was done by Joanna Keith of Unink Design, LLC. She does a fabulous job!!

I had these cute little huggies made...

Ok, this is hilarious. Jonathan's friend Derek had this made for people to sign. The thinking bubble over Jonathan's head is RIGHT ON.

Had to include this pic of Forrest. He cracks me up!

We had everyone gather by the garage area before Jonathan arrived... this was a good crowd who all got there around 6 pm for the "surprise" at 6:45!! We had a lot come and go throughout the night.

The birthday boy was delivered by JJ (Jonathan Jones) and Paula!! They are the best!!

Jonathan's reaction was just what I expected - total shock and a little smirky grin.;)

I thought it would be ok for C to join us for the "surprise." Daddy was excited to see her!!

Uncle Ben (and Uncle Josh) helped take care of the rascal.

C was showing Uncle Ben some of her dance moves.

And more dance moves...

 

Jonathan and his Mom. His Dad left two days before the party for his annual study abroad trip to London.:( Thanks to Mam-ma for keeping the rascal that day and night!!

Fun times!!

The Duhon Family (less Big D)... C finishes blowing her kiss in the next pic.;)

SO glad all these guys made it in town!! L to R: Eric, Matt, Josh, Derek, Chuck, Chris & Jonathan

Love these girls!! L to R: Brittany, Amanda & Chrissy

Forrest & Maurie

The fun band!!

 

Jonathan's friend/co-worker from Boston made it in town!! John Maestranzi. I LOVE this guy!!

Leah & Josh

What a fun and memorable night!!
Happy Birthday, D!!

18-Month Check-up!!

I have not been too good at posting these days!! Things have been so crazy this summer. Lots and lots of things on the calendar!! The weekend of my birthday (June 15th), Jonathan took me to Natchez to celebrate my 30th. We stayed at Monmouth and toured several other homes. It was soooo relaxing and a lot of fun - except for my ankles and feet getting quite swollen!! The joys of pregnancy in the hot, HOT summer... C stayed with Mam-ma and Papa and went to Jackson to help Aunt Sarah's boyfriend, Ben, move.

This past week Jonathan and I took C to her 18-month check-up. OH MY. It sounded like an exorcism was being conducted in the exam room. She did NOT want to be touched. In fact, by the time she got her shot at the end of the appt (last one for a while - thank goodness), we couldn't tell a difference in the level of screams from before and after the shot! Luckily, our doc did warn us that this check-up is the worst. For some reason, he said 18-months is "that age" for resisting check-ups. Well, she definitely fit the norm then!! And her visit went great!! She passed!;) They asked several developmental questions, etc. She continues to be in excess of the 90th percentile in height and head size and has moved from the 40th to 50th percentile in weight from last check-up!! My sweet lovey is a big girl and I cannot believe how fast she is growing up!:(

Her latest obsessions --- coloring and stickers!! We have stickers EVERYWHERE... and you guessed it - crayon on the walls. 

These are a few pictures from the past week...

 She loves making this face!!!

Daddy was eating a snack with her... Why doesn't she get this happy when Mommy feeds her?! Oh, silly Daddy!! That is an almost demolished strawberry she's eating. She loves fruit!! Some of her faves - strawberries, blueberries and bananas!

Love these two pics!! Rascal!

Cabo!!

We went to Cabo last week for a wedding --- sans kiddos!! What a nice, relaxing getaway. Favorite part? Lying by the pool all day, every day reading... At 24 wks prego I wasn't looking my best but that was of no concern!! We all are already in the planning phase of our next trip. Hmmm, where to go?!

Forrest, Maurie, Justice & Jonathan on the rehearsal dinner cruise. Very nice and great idea!!

Jonathan (Jones) & Jonathan (Duhon) at the reception

JD, Justice, JJ, Paula, Maurie & Forrest at the reception - roof top pool at sister resort

Our resort

 

 Maurie & I trying to keep our hats on for a pic. I look huge... I am.

Forrest, JD & JJ

 

We snagged the gorgeous bride, Sierra, on the dinner cruise for a quick pic. Isn't she stunning!!!?? 

 

 We picked up the rascal this morning at Jonathan's Moms (C's Mam-ma). My Mom had her a few nights then Jonathan's Mom took over. Thanks, Moms!! Anyway, our arrival was sooo cute! Jonathan and I walked in, and she started waving her arms up and down with raised eyebrows and a huge smile. Dr. Duhon was on a trip to China and Japan when we were in Mexico, and he brought back this SUPER CUTE and hilarious outfit and hat for C. Hard to see in pic but the hat has a long, black braid attached, which is over C's shoulder. Our very own China doll!!!

And my Dad was busy using his new iphone apps to play with pictures I sent him! Oh my. He was also gone at the same time as us on a trip to Hawaii. He managed some time to play with his iphone. How funny are these!? I guess I need to retire the blackberry soon.

My Dad used the "crazy hair day" at school pic for this photo manipulation. Hilarious!!

His latest creation...

 

C's First Dentist Appt!!

Cecilia had her first dentist appt this week at ~17 months old. Ok, so this does seem a little early.;) I know!! I'm crazy; I admit it. Wasn't the old recommendation to take them at three yrs old??... anyway - now, it's one. Per my AAP reference book, "Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that all children see a pediatric dentist and establish a 'dental home' by age one." Ok, I'm basically trying to make myself feel a little better about being crazy!!! Did she really need to see one right now? Hmmm, jury's out but oh well now!

Anyway, C did GREAT!! Jonathan's Mom and I took her, and we couldn't believe how good she was!! She brushed her teeth for the dentist, let him brush her teeth, let him look in her mouth with the "baby mirror," as he put it, etc.

Having fun in the waiting room. Yes, she was the youngest kiddo there.;)

Yep - getting into everything before the dentist came in...

Open wide!!

Wait, I get a Winnie the Pooh toothbrush!!? Yippy!!

All those pearly whites are coming in just perfect!!:)

Nurse, hand me my next tool please...

 

Almost done...!! Success!

Beaching it!!

We went to Orange Beach this weekend with the Hartels. Maurie's parents have a condo there - a big thanks to her wonderful parents for letting these two wildcats loose! We tried keeping the crumbs and stains to a minimum!!

Maurie and I were going to leave with the girls Thursday after MDO, but our sitter called that morning and sounded awful. She was sick!! Panic set in, as I frantically text messaged Maurie about our next move... which was - FIND ANOTHER SITTER!! So she and I began calling and texting girls and found someone! W.h.e.w.!! She couldn't leave until Friday morning (pooey!!) but Friday was better than no sitter at all! So, Friday morning we got an early start with the girls and the sitter. The girls were GREAT on the drive. We didn't stop once, and they kept each other entertained. They were too cute. We even ate lunch out when we arrived, and they were STILL good. Shocker! While there, we took them to the beach and pool - then had adult nights out for dinner and breakfast. Oh, how nice that was!! We can't wait to go back with these girls. They kept us smiling the entire time - and we got some much needed adult time in. 

 Raiding the pantry first thing Saturday morning...

The ladies man, Forrest

Trying out their new beach toys before we went down... 

 

Ok, Mommies - we are ready to GO!!

Jonathan & C testing the water...

 

Matching beach babes... 

  

Daddies & daughters... Saturday late afternoon they took the girls down to the pool solo and let us Moms get ready in peace!! Thanks, guys!

The best kiddie pool ever - 1 ft deep and no stairs!! Perfect!

This turtle tastes nummy!!!

Watch out, Mom - I'm about to squirt the back of your head!!

Mommies at dinner...

Btw, I need to switch to the iphone for Instagram!! Am I the only person who still has a blackberry?:( But I LOVE it. Oh, the dilemma.