When Michelle told me the plan for Mike's 40th Birthday bash, she acknowledged this wasn't my usual sort of night out (I'm pretty And before we get to the party fun, I just thought this was funny. Here I am last Wednesday. This is my usual life. Being the wild and crazy girl that I am, I was heading out to go paint Vacation Bible School decorations. I put on my old Periodic Table T-shirt from college. (Remember, I was a chem major). And yes. I really did wear this during college. When I came downstairs Andrew said, "Mama! That's a fancy t-shirt! You should wear that when you get married!" :)
Truth be told, I couldn't bring myself to wear it out of the house, and changed but Dan took a photo and we had a laugh. And then here I am ready to go out for Mike's party. (Might I add, Andrew had nothing to say about this outfit. But tonight as I'm wearing sweats, no make up, hair in a pony and my glasses, he said, "Mama! You look so beautiful it makes me want to marry you!" Go figure!) :)
This is not at all how I usually dress (I shop in stores where most of the patrons have grey hair) and Dan was loving it, so we took a fun photo. I felt really self conscious and silly while taking this photo and hoped that no one drove by as we were doing this, but I think it's a fun photo to have years from now. I was wearing a lot of eye makeup and had a ton of hair spray in my hair ~ if you got too close when hugging me you could have stuck to my head. :) But it was actually really fun to feel like we were headed out for a special night ~ and it really was a special night!
Dan took this close up so we could see my Grandmother's earrings. This is only the second occasion I've had to wear them, I think it's fun to have a little piece of her.
One of the reasons why the evening was so special is because our dear friend, Brandi flew in for the party. Her husband Aaron worked with Mike and Michelle (Michelle actually interviewed Aaron after we introduced them the night before!) We lost Aaron to colon cancer last July, but Brandi came in his honor ~ it wasn't hard at all to picture Aaron there, sitting back and just laughing at everything. I can still hear his laugh! And we missed him...but were so happy to have Brandi there with us. Brandi is quick witted, and speaks her mind, so she fits perfectly in with my family. Not to mention, she has a great eye for decorating, so I put her to good use while she was here! :)
Michelle and Brandi were both bridesmaids in our wedding and we're still friends! :)
Love this photo of Mike and Michelle. We started the night at Lapellah, for dinner. There was a large group of us from various places in Mike's life ranging from co-workers, to family, high school friends.
We then piled into a Hummer Limo and headed out on the town! This limo was something else, and was so much fun!
Cheers! We toasted to Mike's 40th. :)
That's Elizabeth ~ her son is one of Isaiah's best friends, and she is a lovely, fun person. I enjoy visiting with her at birthday parties.
Brandi remarked that Dan and I are her and Aaron's oldest friends. I can't believe that much time has passed. Dan loves Brandi too. She's very capable of holding her own with Dan's teasing.
Our first stop was Kell's ~ an Irish Brew Pub.
That's just plain trouble, right there. :)
The next stop was The Wonder Ballroom/Secret Society. Mike and some of his friends went to a show while the rest of us saw this Johnny Cash Tribute Band. I like Johnny Cash, so this was great, and they were actually pretty good!
It was made even more enjoyable by some Macaroni & Cheese and Frito Pie. Comfort food at it's finest.
The last bar was closed when we made it there, so we piled back in the Limo and since this is how I was seeing things...
It was time to go.
I'm completely kidding. :) I had one cocktail and a half glass of sparkling wine in the Limo. But there were these crazy lights in the Limo it was like a disco tech on wheels! I think Mike had a really great time, and it was nice to meet more of his friends and to have the chance to celebrate him.
We got home at 1:30 in the morning. My nephews stayed the night here with Nana (the kids were SO happy!) And so I peeked in on their sweet sleeping faces and then dropped into bed, to be awoken 5 hours later by a very excited and smiling Matthew! And it was on to Birthday celebration #3!!
