Happy Birthday Dear Sister Susan

Surprise, surprise, surprise! We did it, we surprised Susan with a birthday party for her. We gathered in Joey and Kelly's garage for an after church party. Ten years ago, we did the same thing in the same garage for her 50th birthday. I am not sure Susan will fall for it again in ten years.

The birthday BASH weekend started on Friday evening when Nancy and I took Brookville chicken to the farm for all to enjoy. Then on Saturday noon (while we were watching the Wildcats beat Iowa State) we ate brats and corn on the cob. THEN WE PUT A PORK LOIN ON THE SMOKER AS A DECOY FOR THE EVENING PARTY. You see, Susan thought we were going to eat pork loin and salad at her horse after church! It was a great way to deceive Susan about the impending surprise birthday party that we had expertly planned. Susan really did believe that we were going back to her house after church, instead Nancy and I (with the help of Mick and Colleen) prepared for the party in Joey and Kelly's garage while the rest of the group was in church. Of course, they had worked hard to clean the garage and Kelly had most everything ready for us to put out. Long story short - we surprised Susan when she came to Joey and Kelly's after church. For those of you who do not know, the church is right next door to Joey and Kelly's house and we all go to their house after church. So, thanks to that pork loin that cooked or a very long time on the smoker - it served as a great decoy.

Oh, you might ask, what is with the cowboy hat? One of the party goers, Tom, put his hat on Susan's head right before she opened the door to the garage.

The girls - Anna, Natalie and Hallie

Nancy and Kevin enjoyed quite the spread of food.

Nobody is going to be surprised to hear that a football game broke out in the front yard during the party.

Ah, that is a sweet photo!

While the adults ate and drank, the kids played and played.
Natalie found Garrett's scooter.

Natalie took this photo of her dad John with my camera - with a little help from me.

One last hug before we said goodbye.

Natalie and her daddy John

Brooklyn being Brooklyn

On Sunday we gathered for omelets in a bag for breakfast, then we made home made ice cream. Anna, Garrett and Hallie practiced their team work by raking the grass. They actually worked very hard and cleaned the extra grass.

Kelly made faces at Avery

Joey being Joey

Susan decided she wanted a photo with her grandkids - good luck getting a good one.

Sam needed a nap.

Susan decided she wanted a family photo - good luck getting a good one.

How many kids can Matt get on a four-wheeler?

Another attempt at a photo of Susan with her grandkids

Nancy is the best pooper picker upper west of the Mississippi

We always find time for porch time. Debbie seems to be admiring Kelly's boots.

Anna and Debbie discussed the finer points of hand feeding the horses.

Sam and his daddy Joey

We should all take a little time to sit on the porch. It does a person good - or something like that.

Brooklyn absolutely devoured a piece of corn on the cob.

Brooklyn and her mom Lori.