The AWESOME party!

This post is very long - lots of pictures. We decided to go with a "Red" theme and not "Over the Hill" since Ray's favorite color is red. Here I am tackling 40 red balloons.

This is the gathering table for all of Ray's paraphernalia.

Johnnie, Katie and Lizzie cleaning up the backyard.

Ray insisted on having his high school picture with a white shirt and tie as the welcome to his party. If you look closely, you'll see we cut the mullet to hang over the shirt.

With the help of Jenna we had a fabulous display - lots of pictures, great signs and some "fun facts". Don't worry - I included them in this post.

All the food we served were some of Ray's favorite foods. The menu was as follows: Wings from Native New Yorker; Celery, Cucumbers and Peppers with Ranch; Chips and Homemade Salsa - courtesy of my brother-in-law Denny; Popcorn; Butterscotch chip Cookies; Reeses Pieces, Dum Dum lollipops and good 'ol ice water.

This was a poster that Katie did from pictures and notes that Maryanne sent. Sorry the picture didn't turn out very good. The pictures are absolutely darling. Katie did a great job. This was also a surprise for Ray. I will take a better picture and post later.

Here are all the "fun facts". Those that came to the party LOVED reading these!

Jenna is amazing. This is one of my favorites.

We had a table for a few games and "wish notes". There were three jars with candy and the kids got to guess how many were in each. Those that guessed right got to take the jar as their prize. Ray also created a "20 AWESOME Questions About Ray" quiz. It was multiple choice and hilarious. Last, we had some red cards for guests to write a "wish note" for his birthday. Here is Lizzie taking the quiz.

Left side are pictures from birth to mission. Right side is when his life really became AWESOME! :) (when I came into the picture)

If we had met in high school would we have gotten together? A popular, macho athlete and a quiet, shy musician??? Makes you wonder...

Doesn't really matter - he's all mine now - forever!

Johnnie was in charge of the popcorn machine. The popcorn was a hit at the party. By the way, Johnnie and Ray have the same "awesome" shirt. Johnnie also wore his shirt at the party.

Awesome and the person that made his party awesome. A huge thanks to Jenna. I could not have pulled off everything we did at the party without her help and talents. She really is awesome.

Kids flocked to the trampoline and the treehouse.

We had a great turn out of family and friends.

Ray's good buddy Dave Darling. I almost put a picture in of Ray kissing Dave's cheek but I held back. This one is good enough.

What is a party without balloons?

Lizzie and her best friend Myah.

What a great looking couple. Awesome and the person that makes him awesome. If you look closely there is a small arrow on his shirt that points directly at me. Can't see it? Well, you must not be awesome. :)

Happy 40th b-day Ray. I love you.

It was a great party.