the secret ingredients...

you can have all the right decorations

the perfect home

or party location

the absolute best food and drinks

vintage silverware

but if you don't have family and friends to celebrate it with...

what's really the point?

last weekend my parents helped me throw a surprise party for Bobby's birthday

with some of our closest friends

I had to recruit big help from my parents because Bobby figures out

every.single.thing

that.I.ever.try.to.slide.past.him

even small things

so surprising him is no fun

and I've been known to slip on very small surprises before for him

no joke

so if he saw me cooking up a storm and buying significant extra stock in his favorite drinks

throughout the week

he would know something is up

yes...even though he's not home during the week

he still checks our grocery bill while he's gone

no fun...girls, right?

he would have seen major

red flag

so my parents and I worked together on this

I did the desserts and decor

and my mom cooked the food and bought stock in his favorite drinks as his present from them

we have the best group of friends that made time in their schedule with 1 1/2 weeks notice

to arrive early and not say a word for me...

 we had a lot of fun...

and we didn't overserve a soul...

promise...

seriously promise

it was a good night

but we may end up donating our mini sofa after that night

just kidding

he was just being silly
so please don't get any wrong ideas
just funnies

but I did get a great detailed update on the Real Housewives of BH

since my darn tv decided to not tape it last Thursday
I was in panic mode because it was not available on the internet either

{now you know what I'm addicted to}

but I got a great detailed update from a "just as addicted real housewives girlfriend"

my problem that night was that I thought to take pictures

but then forgot to actually follow through with taking them

 once I get talking

and eating

and having a few drinks

and holding babies

well baby...he's a cutie

and laughing

I completely forget to document

so there isn't too many pictures with everyone together and enjoying themselves

but I did my best

just wish I would have gotten some more of the birthday boy with his friends

but we see them often enough I can make up for that

 I at least got one with all the guys together

I've never been able to surprise Bobby....ever before

so I was pretty proud of myself

however Bobby doesn't like admitting we actually slid one past him

he still won't admit it

so he's the one who will ever really know if he was really surprised or not

he said he had a feeling the day of....

what .ever

but he did say I did a great job of not slipping about anything

a huge step for me

it's hard to keep fun surprises

we wanted home-cooked food for him

because he eats out every meal 6 days a week when he is gone

and he is desperately wanting some good home cooked food

and there is no other person that can do that better than my mom

I'm still amateur at that

in case you are wondering

so we made it country as it could get for him

ball jars for his mixed drinks

homemade rolls made by yours truly

I can bake

chili and all the fixin's as Bobby would say

brats and hotdogs

lots of dips

vegetables for us *normal* people

{chuckle, chuckle}

burlap chair ties and chalkboard signs

pictures hung along our folding door closet with clothespins

all from the past year

lights strung along our living area

I absolutely forgot to use his *Bobby* belt buckle from when he was a kid

*sigh*

but I've found over time that I may be decent at making desserts

go figure

since I like cheese and salty foods better

so are you usually better at cooking things you don't prefer?

or I should say don't like quite as much

just wondering on the general opinion/response of that

don't get me wrong

 I *enjoy* sweets

but I can't whip out regular foods without a recipe

well maybe I can but I just don't like to admit it

or *want to*

so shhhh....

don't tell Bobby that

because that's my excuse when I'm *tired* and need a break from cooking

I can't find my recipe

lol

but yes...I had to make sure I had chocolate cake for him
and a friend whipped up super cute mini white cupcakes in his favorite NFL team colors for the non-chocolate eaters

anyway...

I love our friends

really love them

thank you all

for making it a great night

you all are the secret ingredient to a great evening

I love...love that you all came and celebrated with us

I know it meant a lot to Bobby

since I now know most of you read my blog now

I'll say thank you again

xo