It was a big birthday year for Kerry this year. I won't mention the exact number but let's just say that people often celebrate this particular birthday with flamingos on the front yard. You'd think that because it was a big birthday that it would have meant a lot of work for me. This might have been true if not for Kerry's best friend Melissa. I think she started planning on July 20th of last year. I was more of a logistics guy for sourcing the local things like food, drink and tables and chairs. (Though true to Kerry form she somehow handled some of those things too.)
I think the hardest part for me was getting the deck re-stained in preparation. It badly needed it and we managed to finish it just a few days beforehand.
Barb and Reg and I took care of getting the tables and chairs ready the day before and doing basic setup. The weather for the weeks leading up to the event were clear and hot but somehow turned the morning of. We were prepared but were lucky enough not to need the cover. The rain stopped in the afternoon and didn't start again till later that night.
Kerry didn't know everything. She knew the event was happening and found out the theme was Hawaiian but after that much of it was a surprise. The extent of the decorations were a surprise to even me. I had no idea Melissa had so much Hawaiian themed merchandise. I guess she's done a few of these before.
The guest list was also a surprise for Kerry with a mix of local friends, colleagues, family and a surprise visit from Julie from Hazelton who flew down and crashed on our couch.
It wouldn't be a party without kids running around getting into trouble. One of the highlights for them were the candy filled squirt guns which were quickly emptied and filled with water. I think they spent about an hour running around with them. There were surprisingly few naughty incidents and I'm glad I purchased the smaller ones. Even when an errant shot did come your way it wasn't enough water to worry about.
Other highlights included.
1) A pinata for the kids. Kennedy took care of that nicely.
2) Prime rib cooked by Reg.
3) Various drink stations including snow cones, margaritas, wine and coolers.
4) A giant cake from Fresh Street farms. (And a second to cover Melissa and Kathy's birthdays.)
5) A limbo contest for the kids. (Another win for Kennedy.)
6) Amazingly decorated cookies from Kathy.
Kerry was thrilled with the whole event.
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