Jonathan's Birthday

Jonathan turned 31 on April 28th
and Madelyn insisted he have a Basketball Party!!

So we decorated with the colors of his alma mater and of course, favorite basketball team.



We made banners,





penant name tags,



and a special birthday crown just for him.



We had burgers off the grill, sweet potato fries, green and fruit salads, and ROOT BEER.



Maddy made a special "Pin the Basketball to the Hand" game.

We had tons of fun being blindfolded and spun around.

I think the older guests had a harder time finding where to walk while dizzy.

And, Aaron just preferred using the "blindfold" as a taliban hat-thingy.








Evan wanted his basketball for Daddy to say exactly what is printed above.

He loves his Daddy so much.



Jonathan opened some fun gifts: 3D movies, money, and a new basketball!




And he blew out his candles (a few times with the kids) off of a mint-chocolate ice cream cake.




During the day I kept thinking about a certain moment I'd had with Jonathan several years ago. We were both at mutual and had a joint activity that night with both the young men and young women combined. I liked him, but he didn't know this at the time. I remember he'd had a bad day at school and was down, and so at one point in the evening I said something, trying to make him smile, and it actually worked. He laughed and grinned his gorgeous smile. To this day I don't remember what it was I said to make him smile, but I do remember feeling so excited that I had made him happy. That something I had done had made him happy.

And so as I was preparing for his birthday, I just kept thinking how lucky I am to still be the one making him smile. I'm so thankful I am the one who gets to celebrate his birthdays with him, make him dinner, have our children make special birthday crowns and ultimately, make him happy.

I love you with all of my heart Jonathan!

Happy Birthday!!