The Big Birthday Bash

On Friday night, we threw Dennis his big 40th birthday party.  I love him so much and wanted do something special for him.  I did a Tuscan theme for the evening because we have wonderful memories of our trip to Italy together.

To see more about the food and decorations, you can go to my other blog to see my post about it.

We had so many wonderful friends and family come and join us for the celebration.  Dennis was touched, and told everyone of his appreciation and love for them.

We had delicious panini bar.  The choices overwhelmed some folks, but I don't think anyone made a bad sandwich.  We had three panini grills going, and it blew a fuse!  But that is why we invited Cody Dean, our favorite electrician.  Thanks for getting the lights back on, Cody!

Our good friends, the Jorgansens, came all the way down from Riverside for the party.  It was so great to visit with them again!  We really miss those fine people!

A few of the female revelers enjoying themselves.

A party isn't a party without the Risenmays!

It was go fun to visit with the Heads again.

We love these folks!

D.J. and Doug manning the panini grills, having a bit too much fun with a bottle of olive oil.  Extra virgin!  Yeah, baby!

During the festivities, I snuck into the kitchen to make dessert.

Haven't you ever had spaghetti for dessert?  It was actually cupcakes!

Turns out 40 candles was way too many to get lit with a breeze blowing, even with two lighters going!  We gave up.  He just blew out the lighter instead.

A lot of smiles and laughter.

Me and my sis-tas!    Mindy had flown down from Oregon and it was so fun to have her around!  She came a few hours early to help me in the kitchen, and I was SO grateful!  I love my sisters, and love when they are around!

More laughing - a good sign for a hostess.  But those two gals, Denice and Alysa, are always laughing, aren't they?

What a fun night!  We had about 40 guests!

Dennis' buddy Jeff and his gorgeous wife Shea were there, of course.

Our "adopted" grandma, Bev, really enjoyed herself!  And Mom was having a high time as well.

It was an absolutely beautiful evening, as far as the weather goes.  I was so happy about that.  You take your chances having an outdoor party this time of year.  We have misters, but I didn't think they'd be good for the paper lanterns, so I was glad we didn't have to use them.

Of course there would be no 40th birthday - no Dennis for that matter - with out his Mom!  We are so glad she was able to get off work to be here!  She is the sweetest woman anywhere!  We love you, Mom!

Then, after all the guests left, and Dennis went to go pick up the kids, a familiar car drives up.

It was our good friends, the Muchenjes!  They had driven all the way in from Riverside, and were super late because she had just flown in and he had to pick her up at Ontario Airport, there were delays, etc.  But they just had to come anyway, to celebrate Dennis' birthday with us.  We are so glad they did!  So we pulled out the food again, and had another mini-party with these guys.  

It was better, because the boys could visit with them too!  And the hostess got to actually sit and visit, something I didn't have a lot of time for during the party.  We partied hard until after 1 a.m.!

The Muchenje's and the boys watched Dennis open his presents.  Lots of good stuff like reading glasses, denture cream, 

and these very hip racquet balls from Roxanne and Chris with instructions for how to use them on the end of his walker.  What a kick!

Thanks everyone for coming!

Happy Birthday Dennis!  You are worth all the effort!