My gift to Jared this year was a party. The reason this was a gift was because it was out of character for me to do anything, let alone a party that I couldn't back out of at the last minute. I now get why it is important to still do something special for spouses, even if we both decide we don't have to do presents. I had the best week planning and preparing for his party...but mostly because I was thinking of him more than usual. Unfortunately having the party also meant that Jared had to take part in the preparations. I tried to prevent the need of him on his birthday, but I was unsuccessful and he was a HUGE help.
Here is a run down of the happenings: 15 guests, 6 children in addition to our 3, all great friends, family, and an EXCELLENT Chef. To tell you the truth, the reason we decided on hosting a party was because we knew we had a great chef that would help me out: Tang. The food was D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!!! And she was very smart in knowing that I wouldn't have time to cook for my own party, so without permission she bought all the food and did A LOT of prep before arriving. Tom did the barbecuing. The only things I can take partial credit for would be the Coconut Lemon Grass Soup (but she had her hands in it a lot) and the Spring Rolls (which is just assembling, and Heather and Liz helped finish that up). Along with those items we had her homemade egg rolls, Lettuce Wraps, 4 dipping sauces, Pad Thai, Panang, Teriyaki Beef Skewers, Saute Chicken Skewers, Coconut Sticky Rice with Mango, and fresh cut melon and grapes. As is the case when we eat at Tangs house, everyone left stuffed to the brim because you just can't stop when the food is SO good.
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| Birthday Hubby with our little Miss. |
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| Me, organizing the game Gift Grab. Bliss in the background, 2 weeks postpartum. |
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| Tang, loving on Bliss's less-than-2-week-old baby. |
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| Tom and Sophia. |
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| Wilson and Lindsey. Lindsey only has 6 weeks left in her pregnancy, but looks like she is just at the start- tiny tummy on a beautiful lady. |
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| Dan, Liz's husband, with his bubba, Karsten. You won't see Liz because she is behind the camera. |
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| Gary, Bliss's husband, interested in the game being played. |
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| Bliss with Malia. |
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| Lindsy's husband, Mike. It took me a while to realize that they are a Lindsy and Michael, just like our Linzi and Michael. |
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| Heather and Ellie. |
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| Lettuce Wraps. |
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| Rambunctious kids. |
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| Bliss and Gary's oldest, Riley. He is such an adorable little man...Malia's age. |
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| Bliss with her newborn, Dashal (not sure on the spelling, but he will go by Dash). |
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| Daddy doing what he does best-having a splendid time on his birthday. |
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| A Delicious Lemon Glazed Cupcake. This didn't quite win over the usual birthday cake, so I am back to the drawing board on how to be creative with his favorite cake. |
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| My favorite arrangement of flowers- this one is a gift to Tang and family for all their help. Jared gave me one for my birthday that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! |
