D's Big 4-0 (+2)

This year was birthdays 40 +2. (Last year was 39+1.)

This year D owns his own business.

Last year, he was still working for Caesar's.

This year he worked all day on his birthday.

Last year, he took his birthday off (first time EVER!).

His birthday was Thursday, so he got a 40th/2nd bday dinner (turnabout deserves fair play!!!)

We just invited a few friends (and a few other friends dropped by too!). We catered from Tutto Fresco (yum!) and I made a few hors d'oeuvres and sausages & peppers (Darren's friend Andy thought that meant that I stuffed them into casings and everything - heehee!)

Appetizers

Grampie & Grammie were out of town but we used their lovely (and large) home. (You know what they say about "the cat" being away.) Grammie has the BEST set up for entertaining: zillions of folding chairs, wood toppers for tables - to make them bigger - enough plates, cups, and silverware to feed an army, plus BOWLS, tongs, supplies... everything! ~ ~ THANKS Mom & Dad!!!!

Lando asking God to bless the dinner and the Birthday Boy!

Dinner time

Birthday Boy starts the buffet

One of the tables

Birthday wishes

The guys

Mmmmmmmmmm... cakes! (and Suezi's cupcakes for Jaxon's 13th!)

Serving cakes

Playing pool

Karaoke (Suez & Shel)

More karaoke (Elle & Em)

Enjoying the serenading

A "thank-you-for-my-party" kiss (maybe it wasn't so terrible after all?)

It was a great evening. Shelly (our official event photographer) summed it up well when she emailed "Last night was a total blast! We really hated leaving... Great friends, great food, great fellowship...great

singing!!!! :-0"

Happy 21st, Sara!

Sara's birthday is Valentine's day. She turned 21 this year. Although she is homesick, being away from her family & friends for her birthday, we were happy to get to celebrate her with a birthday dinner of Grammie's famous spaghetti (Luke's famous quote from YEARS ago : "Grammie, why IS your spaghetti so famous?").

She got a few gifts including a Disneyland Annual Pass - so now she & Jade can go together for a whole year! (Thanks Grampie & Grammie!!!)

♪♫•**•.¸❤¸.•**•♫♪ "Happy Birthday to You" ♪♫•**•.¸❤¸.•**•♫♪

♫♪"Happy Birthday Dear Sara"♪♫

♪♫•**•.¸ "Happy Birthday to You" ¸.•**•♫♪

jade & the birthday girl

"OH! Fake, plastic ice cubes? Thanks!"

Oh No! Say It Isn't So! I (finally) Turned The Big FOUR-O!

Wow!

A beautiful black & white extravaganza!

I wasn't really dreading turning 40... but I WAS kinda dreading the party celebrating it.

The day after Christmas is a tough day to ask people to do something. I didn't want to put my friends out (ESPECIALLY the ones planning it!!!)

So I buried my head in the sand and blissfully carried on my December preparations & celebrations in denial while my amazing husband, friends, and Mom planned away.

I DID have the job of shopping for a red dress & shoes... I secured the dress early... the shoes were a booger and Miss M and I finally found them on my birthday - the day of the party (phew! couldn't have done it without her!!!).

It was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!... Could NOT have been prettier! The black & white, the tulle, the flowers, the lights & lanterns, the apothecary jars filled with treats, the candles, and the CAKE (nore on that later)... It was a real grown-up party (I guess that means I really am a grown-up now that I am 40?).

It was gorgeous and I could've gone home happy after just seeing the decorations... but NO... there was a party to follow. People came and ate and seemed to have a good time. I even had a good time (D said to him, I never even look like I feel or am uncomfortable - I should go into ACTING, for sure!!! :) It was fun though and I felt very loved... again... especially by D, Shel, Suez, & Tyra.

THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And now on to the pictures thanks to official Momarazzi photographer extraordinaire, Shelly!

Me & my LOVE - definitely the "Host with the Most"!!!

Oh Baby!

Me & my party planner sistas - look at their amazing decorating talent!

Me & my personal shopper

The delectable, all edible work of art, by MASTER baker (for love, not money), could-have-her- own-Ace-of-Cakes-show: Tyra

Cake topper - spectacular individually handmade gumpaste flowers & sparkly fondant balls (by Sophia) & fondant rolled by Leon (truly a family affair)

Me & Ty

Mom & Dad

The gorgeous yard - check out the lights & lanterns

Me resting my wimpy feet with Suez & Charmane

Eating tacos (appreciate the all WHITE flowers - with one red rose tucked in - so creative!)

Serving tacos - Mmmmmmm

The toast (look at the beautiful decorations!!!)

B&W toast at a B&W party

Antols

Gurzis

The whole Maslyn clan

Forced family fun (haha)

Tired from a LONG night (& day!!!)

Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!

What a FUN, happy birthday for me!

xo