30th "Birthday Bash"

Bret turned 30 last saturday on the 23rd! He mentioned a few times about having a "bash" for his 30th but we were going to be in Albuquerque the weekend of his birthday so it wasn't going to work out really. So I thought it would be fun to give him a surprise party the week before his b-day. I knew he would love it and have fun. It was however a little stressful trying to plan things and being super careful so he wouldn't find out. I had a lot of help from my friend Amy putting things together.

 Bret started out that morning doing some projects, when he finally finished i said we should go for a drive. We drove to Home Depot and when we got out of the car I walked him to the grills and said "pick one". We ended up going to Lowes and getting one there instead and he is pretty happy with it. Thanks to Bret's g-parents gift card they gave us for christmas and military discounts, it was a pretty good deal. Our friends the Boydens helped us get the grill back to the house so we invited them to grill with us that night (even though they were already planning on it). Justin was already planning on helping me out with getting Bret out of the house. With every thing Bret said it made it easy to keep going with the flow. We "needed" meat to grill so Bret and Justin went to the store to get some. Justin came up with some other little things he "needed" to do to keep Bret out longer. So when they got back the house was decorated and about 5 other families were there to BBQ with us and to celebrate Bret's b-day! Bret was mostly surprised. Just before he walked in he saw some friends that were late walk in. It was close enough though and we had a really fun time. We have gotten to know some great people here! 

                                   

Just after he walked in.

Starting out his new grill! ( the only downside to the day was Bret did not have time to shower but not a big deal)

Some awesome ladies! Amy (on the right) was the one that helped me a lot. (side note: I got to go shopping kid free all day with these two for my b-day. It was so fun!)

You know just some "man talk" around the grill. Bret, Justin, and Brian (aka Sgt. dine who works with Bret, the only other Army guy on base)

Strawberry cheesecake with 30 candles in it! (Making this cheesecake is a whole other long story that involves, me, Amy, and...Lynndon...)

Lighting all the candles.

Taking it out back to Bret so we could sing.

Happy Birthday!

Should have got trick candles or a bigger cake. It was to easy for him to blow them all out.

Lynndon thought Bret needed some help blowing them out.

The Culvers with their youngest.

It couldn't have been a more beautiful day. The weather was about low-mid 80's and got just a little overcast later on but still nice. In this pic we have some Culver's, Boydens, Grays, and Gneitings. 

Taryn with her baby. She helped me make the invites for the party. Her hubby behind her and Justin.

30 year difference :)

Relaxing at the end of our crazy but fun day! Love this guy so much!!!