Surprise!!

     Recently we attended a very festive surprise 50th birthday party for a friend and coworker, Kim.  Her husband and daughter did an awesome job planning and keeping this party a surprise.  Kim really had NO idea, so it was so much fun to see the surprise unfold!

     The theme was the "Fabulous Fifties."  There were old 45 and 33 1/2 records adorning the tables.  In the middle of each of the large records was a "milkshake" made with real shaving cream, fun straws, and colorful carnations (real ones).  Such a great idea!! 

Waiting for the guest of honor

     I captured her as she turned the corner and saw all of us.  Such a great moment!!  She was very touched as her family and good friends from Wisconsin even came for the night.  It was quite a varied crowd with school friends, her "art world" friends (even a really famous one), college friends, and her Big Lake community friends.  Bridget and I agreed that we'd both bring our husbands, so it was fun for them to get the chance to catch up with each other.

Bridget, Kim, Claudia, and Me

Kim, Tom, and Laurel...such a nice family!!

The first thing that Kim did was grab a glass of wine and DOWN it!!

She was so overwhelmed. It was funny to see!

One of her friends adorned her with special accessories; 

I don't think she liked this part too much!! :0)

She was overwhelmed by all of the gag gifts but mostly the thoughtful ones.

A story was told for each of the gag gifts.  

Some gifts were even used as props in her stories.  

Happy 50th birthday, dear friend!!