Surprise party!

Last Friday evening we hosted a surprise birthday party for Jackson.  Now, there are several ways that this could have been a surprise.  First and foremost, it should have come as a surprise since Jackson's birthday was way back on January 29!!  But, we figured that getting this party in within a month of the real date was close enough to count!   :)  Plus, he is pretty hard to surprise!!

The ruse was set when my friend, Donna, planned to come and visit me for the weekend.  I decided to use her visit as a decoy by stating that I was throwing a get together for Donna to meet several of my local friends.  That worked out pretty well.  In fact, when poor Donna ended up having to cancel her visit, we continued with that story, anyway!  (On a side note; Jackson was truly disappointed that Donna WASN'T here for the party!!  Those two are a hoot together!)

Anyway, Brianna had instructions to keep Jackson occupied until 6:30 pm, at which time she was to get him to our house.  Everyone else gathered here at 6:00 pm.  At about 6:30 pm we scrunched together in the dining room so that we could be in a group to shout 'surprise' to Jackson when he walked in.  Pretty soon a car drove up and we all stood quietly, waiting and listening for Jackson and Brianna to come into the house.  It took forever and even Cody started making jokes about what could be taking them so long (to Jeremy's dismay).   :D  ha!!  Turned out, though, that it wasn't Jackson and Brianna, but a few of their friends arriving a little late.  Shortly, Brianna texted that they were on the way and when they walked in the house we all shouted 'SURPRISE'!!  It was wonderful!  Jackson did laugh, however, that he had seen the lights flicker on and off as they drove in.  That had been done to try to get everyone to re-gather in the dining room and be quiet!   :D

I did take video of the pre-surprise parts - both the false alarm and the 'real deal'.  The only problem with the 2nd one was that I got so excited when we yelled surprise that I turned off the video!!  ha!  I got it turned back on again fairly quickly, but you definitely notice my mistake when watching the video.   :)

It was such a fun evening and it was a joy to celebrate Jackson with friends and family.  We really appreciated everyone who could join us and Jackson was pretty overwhelmed, himself.  He said later that evening that he just couldn't get over how many folks had come out to celebrate.  It truly meant the world to him.

Below are several photos (and a video with snippets from the evening) and here is a link to an album full of photos.

Melina and Jonathan blew up a ton of balloons!!!

Melina came to my rescue and decorated the house beautifully.  

So cute!!

waiting (patiently) in the dining room for Jackson's arrival

Megan and Jeff passing the time…  :D

We received a text that they are on their way!

Surprise!!!!  (love Jackson's zombie eyes!)  :)

Cody was so excited!  :)

Liam, Ethan, Victor, Cohen and Cody

Kristina and Deb

Shonda, Jeremy, and Matt

Melina and Matthew

Melina and Adrian

Megan, Jackson, Melina, and Pradip

Megan, Jackson, and Brianna

Mama and Daddy

Brianna, Aaron, Jackson, Jon, and Cody

Pradip, Emma, Nils, and Kristina

Pradip and Adrian

¾ of the band String Theory performed  (Ethan had left already)

Jon, Jackson, Brianna, and Daddy

Kathy, Bill (Master) and Jackson

Brianna, Jeremy, and Shonda

Adrian, Jackson, and Brianna

back row - Jon, Aaron, Nils, Victor, Emma, Adrian, Jackson, Brianna, Pradip
front row - Jonathan, Jeff, Megan, Melina

Adrian, Brinda, Heidi, Tim

Victor brought Jackson some yummy french candy!!  :)

Matthew, Brenda, Anna, Julie, Pradip

Brianna picked out a new outfit (down to the shoes) for Jackson.  :)
(and I have a black music stand coming out of my backside in this photo!!
I am standing in front of it and it sure blends in!

Jackson and Pradip

Brianna and Jackson

Brianna and Jackson

Jackson checking out the birthday messages people wrote for him.