Dad's 61st Surprise Birthday

This wonderful, sweet, loving man..my dad..turned 61 on Saturday, September 6th. We celebrated with a surprise Mexican fiesta honoring him. Last year on this exact date, September 6, 2007, we did not celebrate his 60th birthday. My mother had a stroke on that very day. I don't even think I told dad happy birthday and certainly didn't recognize that he was entering a new decade. So, this year we went all out and he was totally surprised!! Dad, I hope you had a very special day and know how much we all love you.
My sister and I hosted the party at our family's lake house.

Location: McCoy Lake house~Caddo Lake

Menu:

Beef & Chicken fajitas~Homemade salsa~Seven layer dip~Queso~& all the fixins

Homemade apple pie and ice cream(dad's favorite)

Warning...this post has tons of pictures:

Decorations:

My sister, Tonya, lives in San Antonio and has access to an abundance of cute Mexican decor that is CHEAP. We put flowers on each table with pictures of dad and a sombrero or two. Also, a few maracas thrown in for good measure.

Hot tamales..a party must have. Don't they look adorable in the clear vase???

Fun paper mache flowers wrapped around the silverware & napkinI love the vibrant color scheme.
This is our resident alligator holding mums. The lake house is on Alligator Bayou.

Sweet baby boy waiting on his Poppa to arrive

Dad truly was surprised. This was the first surprise party I've thrown and I'm proud it was a success. The anticipation was fun!!
Chef Dane grilling the fajitas
Ton, our cousin Lacey, & I decked out in our Mexican attire

BaBa & Brooksie headed down to the lake to throw rocks

Dad with his two son-in-laws & grandson

My grandparents, Mimi & Papa, with our lake house neighbors/friends Bob & Beverly, and Dale

Uncle Greg sporting a flower...they truly served many purposes

Aren't they a cute bunch

B needed to help his Poppa open all of the presents.

Labor Day In Llano

We spent the long, holiday weekend with my family at "El Rancho Not So Grande." Our brother in law's, Dane, family has a place on the Llano River in the Hill Country that we love to visit. It is such a relaxing place. Our time there was filled with yummy food, fishing, hanging out in the river, fellowship!! It is so nice to be able to hop in the car and spend a long weekend with our loved ones. Thanks D & T for hosting us, we had a blast!!

Family dinner at the Hilltop Cafe

Brooks' uncle Dale working on counting with him
He looked so cute in his madras shorts and monogrammed polo. I love the simplicity of dressing a little boy.
View from the "watering hole" where we love to hang out..isn't it beautiful



B & B fishing in the river
Maggie Mae(golden) & Rambo(chocolate lab) enjoying the cool river
Tonya & Dane's children..

The fam hanging out at the river My little "river rat", he swims so much while we're there & just wears himself out.

Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head...

Perfect late summer evening to try out our new rain boots!!

Cutie pie
First, I think I'll stand in the puddle
Next, I'll touch the puddle
Now I'm ready, JUMP
Wow, that was really fun..I'm soaked

Anytime we are outside playing, a ball is involved

The boots were still a little big, so he fell a few times. According to B it was great fun and well worth the scrapes that resulted!! Oh how we love our little boy.

First day of pre-school

Meet the teacher

B would rather climb this tree than head inside to meet his teacher..typical boy!!

Official first day..cute backpack & lunch bag
Morning activity on the first day, playdoh.
B was super excited about the racing track in Mrs. Liz's room.

Our little guy has had a great first couple of weeks at school. We love his teacher and really feel like we've chosen a great place for Brooks to spend two days a week. Her class is super structured and full of lots of hands on activities. She sends weekly emails with pictures of things the children have done. I LOVE that!! He attends a music class on Tues. and goes to "treehouse" (a discovery center) on Thurs. Brooks is the youngest in his class by a few months, which has worked out really well b/c he seems to be driven by older children.

Fun birthday surprises...

Hubs and I before our dinner and movie date night
Cute, cute clutch purse and gold polish for fall
Chocolate delight mom made for my b-day dessert...my favorite



I had a really great birthday and just had to show you the fun stuff B got me. He got hints from my sister, but shopped on his own. I thought he did really well and have gotten lots of compliments on the purse. Has your hubby ever surprised you with something fun?

August play date with Grace & Duncan

Pics from our play date at the Discovery Center

We love Nemo right now and are fascinated with all things fish...
An exhibit with balls, my favorite!!

OK Grace, watch these balls escape down the funnel.

Isn't she just adorable???

Another exhibit with golf balls...this place is heaven on earth!!
My little "b"

I need that pesky golf ball...
I'll do anything to retrieve it...
Wow Brooks, how did you get in there??
Future chefs...


B & I had a super fun day with Grace, Flo, Duncan, & Holly. We spent the morning at the Discovery Center and then headed to lunch at Double Dave's. I'm pretty sure our adventure/lunch made Flo wish that her second little one will be another sweet baby girl. It was WILD...hence no pics!! Grace quietly sat in the booth beside her mom. Holly and I wrestled with B & D convincing them to eat or there would be no playtime at the arcade. I wish we had videoed the experience to give you a good chuckle. Then we headed back to our house for naps and a chance for the mommy's to catch up. Thanks girls for coming to see us..let's do it again soon!!