They Say Its Our Birthdays...

Last night was the big night for our 50th birthday(s) party! It was really the perfect way to usher in our 50th(s)... to be surrounded by our kids, grand-baby, mom, sisters and brothers, nieces, nephews, and many friends who all mean so much to us and have been a part of our lives and our happiness. I loved looking around the room and seeing the faces of those people who are so important to us, mingling and laughing together and meeting new people. Sweet, sweet memories I'll hold in my heart for a long time to come!

As I laid in bed last night, I thought of several more things I could or should have done for the party to prepare a little better, but overall, it went by without a hitch.

We didn't go too overboard on the decorations, but enough to say it was a special day.

With the helium shortage (still can't get my arms around that), I decided to go a different route, and Lindsay and I tied balloons to thin wooden dowels so that they were in an "arrangement" for the table. It ended up being a cute, easy way to make a colorful fun centerpiece without having to try to work with helium.

Okay, this isn't the first time I've used this Happy Birthday Garland. I made it for my mom's 80th birthday party, and the colors end up being perfect for other birthdays, so I reuse it now and again. It was perfect for the colors for our party!

This was a sign that depicted our 50 years of life. It starts with our hospital and baby photos up at the top of the "5", and goes through our childhood and teenage years, and then on the "0", it starts at the top with our wedding announcement, and follows the years as it circles around. I have a gazillion photos of me as a baby and child, but not many of Bob. And I have a gazillion photos of Bob since we've been married, but not many of me (since I'm the one usually snapping photos). But, it all worked out okay and was a fun way to show us through the years and at the same stages of life.

If you didn't know our history, check out our birthday party invitations that my niece Joanna designed for us. It tells our story of being born in the same hospital, four days apart.

These are the cake pedestals before we put the cakes on them.

I know. I should have taken a photo of the little cake garland before we cut into the cake, but we were getting close to the start of the party, and starting to scramble a bit to get everything ready.

And these were the little favors that the guests took as they left.

Bob used his magic laser machine and etched in some subway-style birthday sentiments on the bags. They turned out just exactly the way I imagined!

What a great evening! We didn't take even one photo while the party was going on. We had the camera there, but once 7:00 hit, we didn't have a minute's time to have someone take photos (something I should have arranged with someone before-hand, but oh well). I also didn't have any time to get back into the kitchen to see if the cakes were holding out and if the water tub needed more water bottles in it. Luckily we didn't quite run out of anything, so it was all good!