Jeff's Surprise Party

Jeff's birthday was on a Monday this year.  Everyone knows your birthday is probably going to suck if it's at the begining of a work week.  I think I was also sick on his actual birthday / our anniversary.  Luck for him, I had big plans in the works for later that week.

Jeff is a pretty simple guy.  He doesn't like a lot of attention on himself, and birthdays are one of his least favorite holidays.  But I knew I was not going to let something as big as his 30th birthday go by without some kind of celebration.  

I decided to plan a surprise birhtday party with some of Jeff's favorite people at one of Jeff's favorite BBQ places.  Jack Stack on the Plaza.  Click HERE for a link to their Plaza location.  Or you can even have some famouse Kansas City BBQ shipped directly to your house, click HERE.  Who knew?!?!

Anyway getting back to the party.  The day of the party I used the excuse that we should take my brother down to the Plaza and take him for some BBQ, even though my brother is a vegetarian.  I thought for sure Jeff would catch on to that.  Well I was super stressed trying to get all three of us to the restuarant on time.  Of course Jeff was taking his time while I was trying to rush us out the door.  He couldn't find his wallet, then he wanted to stop for gas, and then we went to the wrong location (even though I asked him five times if we were going to the right place).  I'm pretty sure Jeff thought my pregnancy hormones were on overload, when I kept trying to get us to the Plaza as quickly as possible.  Surprise parties sure can be stressful.

Once we got to the restuarant it was all worth it, because Jeff was so surprised and so happy to see all his friends there to celebrate him.  It was perfect! 

 After enjoying a nice relaxing, quiet meal, we headed back to our place for some birthday cake for Jeff.  I made one of his favorite desserts.  It's a dense chocolate cake, topped with a peanut butter mouse. topped with a chocolate ganache.  It's a rather time consuming recipe so I usually only make it on special occasions, but it is always well worth it.

 

 Bella wanted to help Daddy blow out the candles.

 The thing that I noticed most throughout the day was how happy Jeff was.  He was full of smiles, and laughter.  Even though it was his birthday, it was the best gift I could have ever gotten.  I love it that he felt so loved and special.  Who know's maybe I will convert him into being a birthday lover after all.