The (Big) Birthday Boy

This year for Jared's birthday he repeatedly told me that he just wanted to stay home all day Saturday (which is one of his most favorite things to do) and he did not want any surprises.

So I complied. 

Sort of.

Well.. I mean... we did stay home all day Saturday... and then it was just ONE very small surprise... And I KNEW he would have said it wasn't necessary.. but that it would make him happy.

So I talked to my mom and my brother and made a plan.

Sunday evening we drove over to my Mom's house for a family dinner - just like we do EVERY Sunday - but this time instead of getting out and going in... we all stayed in the van while Mom, Roger, Tyler, Emily, and Bryce all backed out and drove off.

And we followed them :)


And, I'm not going to lie to you, there was some major stressing going on in the front seat beside me. Choruses of "I told you not to do anything", "Where are we going? What's in Wooster?", and "I hate surprises" rang out with abundance. 

But the SECOND he saw the sign, I heard "Oh YEA! BOWLING! Awesome." :)

And he was a happy birthday boy....

Bowling shoes for everyone!

Everybody getting all set up and ready

And I told him I wouldn't share this part, but he laughed and said it was ok... so...

 That right there?

 That was some a SERIOUS wipe out on the Birthday Boy's first turn. 

Haha!

But then he got it down! Check out that stellar form! :)

And the boys had so much fun, too. This was their first time ever!

Holden. Lookin' sharp and lovin' it.

Bridger Dean!

He was excited :)

Emily and Bryce watching Mimi and taking notes.. since
she was the best bowler in our group by far.

And another bowling lesson from Mimi.. this time it was about a "sleeper"

Graham and Daddy

I was... not... the best bowler in our group.

Selfie with the handsome birthday boy

Sticker Books with Mimi in between turns

Awww... Tyler and Emily♥ ;)

Lousy bowling skills aside, I was havin' fun!

The big boys, trying out "the slide"

Helping Bryce line it up.
(which, by the way, is his favorite. He just LOVES to be helped. and, ya know, NOT do things completely all on his own. hehe.)

On a side note, MAN I wish I would have gotten a picture when he bolted down the lane and wiped out. Way too funny.

Papa says, "Oops." :)






Pap Pap and Mimi

We had a great first bowling experience all together as a family!




And then we all went to Applebee's for a little birthday dinner.


And a couple gifts.

He was very excited.

Obviously.

Ha. ;)

31 never looked so good♥





And then a few days later it was REALLY his birthday... so we had to celebrate again. Of course!

Treated himself to a new workout.. um.. thing.
(I think it's called a Roman Chair. But don't quote me. It's basically just ab torture.)

Pizza party and a movie for daddy's special day!

And a couple more small gifts.


A book/card made by mommy and the boys... which turned out so cute...

The Front Cover

Holden's page

Bridger's page

Graham's page
(orchestrated my mommy. I mean, I told him WHERE to draw the circle and lines... but he did do it all himself!)

The Back Cover

A few new polo shirts and a Ninja Turtle balloon - because Graham picked it out

And all the boys with Daddy and his birthday cream stick! 

Happy Birthday, Jared! Here's to one more year of being our Super Hero!♥