Best. Birthday. Ever.

I've never had a surprise party before (well except for when I was 13 and the only "Surprise" was that apparently I had no friends because nobody came), but this year my husband pulled off the surprise of a lifetime.  He really did.  He started planning a MONTH ago and succeeded in getting together a bunch of my bestest friends and not letting me have any clue whatsoever about it.

We went to our friends' the Boeshaars for dinner on Friday night.

Only we ALWAYS go to dinner at the Boeshaars so I didn't think anything of it.

And, since we always go there I DIDN'T even BRING my CAMERA!

I know, you can't believe it.

Anyway, it was not just a run of the mill dinner at our friends' house...

(not that there would have been anything wrong with that).

Here I am walking in, and see SuLee's camera in my face

(SuLee took ALL of these photos...thank you, friend!)

I was really and truly surprised.

And look at the success on Chris' face.

He's thinking, "Yes, I did it!"

My dear friend, Maia, came.

from MASSACHUSETTS!

I could not believe it.

I may have teared up a little bit when I saw her.

Still can't believe Maia came!

Our friends the Carrs.

My friend, Shannon, came all the way from Bellingham

and would have won the award for most miles travelled...

except for Maia.

Cousins and my sister!

There were BOYS there too!

My wonderful friends Lorina and Maia.

(And Lorina treated Maia and I to a fabulous pedicure the next morning as well!  Thanks, Lorina!)

The Cake.

Read a funny story about the cake here.

Apparently I take candle blowing very seriously!

Who knew?

And the goofball man who pulled it all off.

Way to go, Chris!

You done good.

(all of these photos were taken by SuLee and edited by me.  and by edited, I mean I ran coffee shop's vintage truffle action).