Surprise!

Last weekend was Grant's birthday. Every birthday of his since we've been married has been pretty crazy. The first year, he was out of town working, so I drove and met him in Bartlesville, OK so that we could celebrate together. I put a little scavenger hunt together for him throughout our hotel room and in the car. We had a nice dinner and played a yard game (one of his birthday presents) in a nearby park. We were content and made it work. The next year, I was just starting my internship and life was crazy. I was seeing my first clients ever and was consumed with new paperwork, homework, clients... I did take him to see Daughtry in concert, which was one of our favorite memories together. Last year, I had just graduated but not yet finished my Master's program, and the last May is one of the craziest months of the program. Needless to say, I had very little energy to plan much. I don't even remember what we did for his birthday...that part of the program is all a blur.
Fast forward to this year...I wanted to do something special for him since I haven't been able to do as much as I wanted before. Last Friday night, I surprised him and took him to Chapada, a newer steakhouse in town. It was pricey and perfect to celebrate his birthday! They come around with meat on skewers and shave it off for you...several types of steak, chicken, pork, even grilled pineapple! And you can have as much as you want! We were stuffed.

And then we got a birthday dessert...I only had two bites.

Afterward, we played mini golf and rode go karts. Sometimes it's nice to feel like a kid again :)

Saturday morning, I sent Grant skeet shooting. He knew that he was going with his dad and brother-in-law, but he didn't know that I had invited a couple of friends along, as well. He was surprised and so excited!

Despite the wind, they all said that they had a really good time! :)

When he got home, I had planned a family cook out at our house so that he could try out his new grill!

Grant and his Papa out on the patio grilling.

Beverly and I setting everything up in the kitchen.

Playing with Grant's party balloons!

I made sure to have his Papa bring over his favorite ice cream cake from Dairy Queen.

Sunday, his actual birthday, I gave him my gifts. His "big" gift was a Shutterfly book of New Zealand that I had made for him. I did the create your own formatting, so it took a long time, but it turned out just how I wanted! I even used our own pictures as the background for each page.

He really appreciated it and now we have a great way to remember our trip together!

It was so nice to be able to celebrate his birthday well. He felt like it was all about him all weekend, which is exactly what I hoped for.

Kitty said "happy birthday," too!

Love, the George family