Happy Birthday To You...

My cute hubby turned 24 on September 25th, and I wanted to make his birthday one to remember! The past two years Ryan has spoiled me major on my birthday and so now it was time to turn the tables!

I first had the idea of surprising him by taking him out on Saturday to dinner in Salt Lake and surprising him by having his family meet us there. It turned out that Saturday was the General Relief Society Broadcast and so none of the girls were going to be able to make it. I then had the idea of some sort of a surprise in my head and so I decided to be sneaky and call/text all of his friends to see if they could celebrate Friday night. To my surprise, everyone was open and free and excited to come, AND Ryan never saw my sneaky texts to his friends. I told Ryan that we were going to double with our friends Chris and Adrianne, and that the girls were planning the date this time! At 7:00 on Friday night I got in the car and drove Ryan to Fredricos where all of his friends were waiting in the back banquet room. As we pulled in I realized that some of Ryan's friends cars were parked right in front of the building (SMART) and I noticed Ryan looking at his friend Joe's car, but he never said anything. I was nervous the surprise would be blown. We met Chris and Adrianne, ordered our food, and Ryan went to sit down at a table. I hadn't quite figured out how to somehow suggest that we sit in the back room without it totally being obvious! As Ryan went to sit down in a table one of his friends came out to refill his drink because he didn't know we were there yet. At that point I laughed and told Ryan that we should go sit in the back. He then asked me if I invited other people and I just kept walking. When we walked into the back he saw all of his friends and most of their cute wives and girlfriends all there to celebrate. I actually pulled it off! We all enjoyed yummy Fredrico's food, had some of Ryan's birthday cake (which was a cute golf cake that I bought because I struggle in the creativity department and could only imagine what it would have looked like if I would have attempted to make it.) I then had everyone play a game called "Who knows Ryan best?" I asked everyone 20 questions about Ryan and whoever got the most correct then Ryan had to buy them lunch! It was fun to see who knew what about Ry! I am so happy that Ryan has such great friends, and A LOT of them! (I told him that if he threw me a surprise party, he wouldn't have anyone to invite!) He has groups of friends that differ from who he grew up with, who he served his mission with, who he works with, who he golfs with, who he bikes with, and who he goes to school with. I was a little nervous that it might be awkward throwing all of those different personalities together, but it turned out great. After the party Ryan and I with our friends Mike and Shayna went to the movie 'Moneyball' and it was a great movie! I would recommend it. Friday night was over and I could breathe because the surprise party was over and went well.

Saturday was also a surprise day where I was able to plan everything (which completely stresses me out!) Ryan woke up early and went mountain biking with his buddy Derrick. Ryan's mountain bike was his 'real' birthday present that he bought earlier at the Al's tent sale. He is good at buying his own presents haha. It is such a nice bike and he has really loved it! He said it was an extremely hard trail mainly uphill (which is why I don't mountain bike) but that the leaves were changing for Fall and that it was beautiful! After he got back, (a little later than planned) we took off for Layton. We first stopped and had lunch at Chilis! I then put an address into our navigation system in the car and told him to follow it. He had no clue where we were going! It took us to the Fast Track Speedway in Layton. If you have never been there, you should go at least once. At Fast Track they have FAST go-carts and an indoor track (fast track, get it? ha!) When it was our turn, they put Ryan and I in our own group so we were the only ones on the track. We put on our helmets (yes, it is intense) and were well on our way. Ryan and I were neck and neck the whole race but Ryan edged me out! Even though I lost, I'm glad I held my own! 

After we left Layton, we drove to SLC and went to the Gateway. We then went to the Foot Locker store and bought Ryan some new shoes that he had been wanting. He bought the super light ones that can bend in half because they are so flexible. I have to admit that I'm jealous, they are awesome shoes! After Gateway, it was time for our dinner reservation. Ryan and I enjoyed a lovely and delicious dinner at Benihana's in Salt Lake. Not only is the food insanely good, but the experience is really fun! They brought him ice cream with a candle, sang to him, and took a picture of us together that they printed out and gave to us before we left.

Finally after a fun-filled day, it was time for the main event! The Barnum and Bailey Circus. It was so much fun. I was kind of nervous that it would be more for children and we might think it was lame, but I was so wrong. I was amazed by the elephants. For some reason I thought they might have one elephant there, and when more and more kept coming out, I felt like a little kid! I think Ry's favorite part was the tigers, or lions, or whatever they were. What is the difference anyways? We loved the entertainment and had a great time.

Once the circus was over, we drove to Ryan's house in Kamas to spend the night so we could spend his actual birthday with his cute family. On Sunday we woke up and went to church with the fam. I was able to get a hold of all of his siblings that live close (so all but one) and invited them over for dinner to wish Ry a happy birthday. After church we had a fun afternoon of a delicious dinner and better than "scripture" cake. We then enjoyed each others company and even played UNO! It was a fun-filled family day.

So there you have it, Ryan's 24th party! A good birthday for a GREAT husband, and I slept so good on Sunday night. :)