Darren’s 40th Birthday was the day after we finished Heather’s room remodel.  THis birthday seemed special–like I should do something awesome.  But there’s only so much awesome that can share the same time space.  I asked him what he wanted to do–he didn’t have many ideas.

So I thought about his personality.  He loves to be with people.  If there’s a pot luck at church and I forgot, he sends me home to get food (even if I miss worship) because it seems harder to him to miss fellowship.  He will never miss a wedding, a funereal, a reception, or any gathering with people unless it is completely unavoidable.  So I decided to rent the community center at my parent’s neighborhood (since my kitchen is still a black hole) and invite a few friends for a potluck supper; cake, ice cream and games.

Heidi, Heather and I arrived about an hour early to set up tables and throw up some streamers.

My “sister” Elizabeth and her husband, Brendan, happened to be at my mom’s house down the street so walked up to help.  (They are the couple on the right above.) They had just finished recording a song for their new album and were pretty beat.  You can find out more about their music here. It’s beyond gorgeous!

The couple on the left above are Jared and Melinda Hawley.  They teach archery classes through their organization calledChrist, Bows, Arrows and Youth.  And also have a facebook page.

There’s my Dad and my Sister-in-love, Erica (Who is an amazing flute teacher and runs our youth Christmas Drama at church.)

Here is James and Laura VanBiber.  He was on active duty for 17 days but was able to stop by for a few hours.  Laura graduated last year from interior design school and is very gifted.  It was her brilliant idea to tear down all the walls in our new kitchen remodel (updates on that project coming soon!.)

It was a no gifts party, but my mother made him this cool shirt:

Heidi made him a fun card.

I bought cakes from Costco (which was Darren’s one request–so I wouldn’t be stressed.  Isn’t he the best?!)

We put exactly 40 candles on the cake.  He studied it for a minute to get the right one breath strategy and executed it perfectly.

Here’s my cousin Rachael and her sweet baby, Charlotte.  (Rachael is an awesome family photographer and my accompanist for choir at school.)

The only picture someone else took. Laura, Melinda and I served cake to all the kids first.  They played outside on the community play ground with almost no fighting and the adults just sat around inside and talked and talked.  It was more fun talking than playing games so we skipped that part.

Grant had a good time too :).