My dad's 50th Surprise Birthday.... shhhhh!

October 7th my dad turned 50 years old. It is very hard to surprise my dad so I waited a couple days before his birthday to start planning a surprise party.
I decided to have it at one his favorite restaurants in Smithfield, the Robins Nest. Then came the tricky part, how was I going to get him there? Well, I told him that for his birthday I would send him to a quiet meal with Joey (my husband) So I made a fake gift certificate to the restaurant and gave it to him in a birthday card. All week I kept it really low key just mentioning here and there what time Joey may be able to go. Finally on Thursday (the day before) my dad confirmed that he would be able to go, wheewww, that was perfect!

Now getting his friends there was another tricky part. My mom helped with that, she secretly dropped off invitations and made phone calls when my dad wasn't around.

 So at 6:30 our whole family and a few of my dad's friends met at the restaurant and set up.
Just as we were about to walk in my dad called my mom to see where she was! I had been sick so she wasn't technically lying when she said that she was with me helping take care of me :)

While we waited everyone looked at the photos of my dad and laughed and told neat stories, it is always entertaining when my family gets together.

The kids were excited to surprise "Papa"

Joey was supposed to have my dad at the resturant by 7:00. At 7:00 on the dot I got the text "we're hear" and then we waited.... and waited.... and waited.... Finally Joey called me from the bathroom; saying "where are you???? (I didn't really work those details out to much... sorry Joey :). I had sent the waitress to go look for him and she came back and said "Honey, I think he's already sitting down eating!" So a waitress kindly went over to Joey and my dad and told them the table they were at was taken and showed them another place they could eat. :)

 

 He was VERY surprised!

 Hugs from all the grandbabies

 "we tricked you Papa"

 

 The food was great! It was a buffet so everyone was happy

 Joey and my dad finally got that meal.... minus the "quiet part"

 Cake Time!

 Ayden sneaking some more cake

 Now time for presents! Yay!

 $50 for 50, now that's a good deal!

 My dad was really happy to have everyone there

 "Pop" and "Ma" are very dear to him

This is my brother and his family (minus Mallory their oldest daughter)

 My mom and dad, married 31 years!

 My family minus Joey and Ayden 

(there had to skip out early to go to Ayden's very first campout)

The rest of the family managed to skip out without photos, they do that all the time!

 Dad, your like antiques.... you're getting older each year but your value increases every year. I'm glad to have you for a dad and hope you had a wonderful birthday!