Troy Turns 50 (beware this is long)

June 21, 2011 Troy turned 50 years old!

WOW!

About 9 years ago I had planned to save money and take Troy to Florence, Italy for his 50th birthday.  Well, that obviously never happened. I don't do parties, but was thinking it would be fun to surprise Troy with one. Casey calls, "Are you having a party for Troy? If you have one, we will come bring gifts"

That got the ball rolling. Let me give a little run down on what he had been doing first. Troy had been working on helping Misty finish her basement before Roland came home from Iraq, however things got really tense when he suddenly was coming home 2 wks early, so EVERYONE was hustling.

That worked in my favor of planning a surprise party. Sundi designed the invites and we made sure no one put them on the frig for Troy to see. He was down there in UT, in and out of everyone's homes where he could easily see it. My cousin Pam came up for the party (surprise for me) and that made a nice diversion. Friday, the day before, Rich came up with Pam following him and Mom shortly there after. Everyone knew what was going on, but Troy. Everyone I talked too around town would ask about the "party" I was giving Troy. Troy was clueless. I wasn't sure how the "surprise" part was going to play out, but Troy asked Rich if he would like to go for a drive.  By the time they returned everyone had arrived at the house. PERFECT!

I was grateful for good weather so I could extend out to the patio.  Blue and I worked hard

to get the yard as perfect as are yard can be. It felt good to have everyone outside enjoying

the "yard". Rich helped me get a few tables and chairs from the church. The cultural hall
 was all set up for Stake Conference and I was not sure about taking the chairs.
Rich, "They won't even notice"

back left to right; Seth, Jessica, Hyrum, Sundi, Brigham, Wind, mom, Pam, Kaleb, Victoria (Troy & Rich very behind), Daphne, Misty, Christy, Roland, Blue. Seated at table; Robert, Julie, Tabitha, Desiree, Casey, Dallin. In front; Rush, Natilie, NeCole, Sidney, Jason, McKinna, Kathy. Casey, Brenda, Lilly, James had left.

I was very grateful for all the family coming to celebrate Troy and his 50 years of life.

The birthday boy!

 Sundi came up with the design of the cake. I made 4 9x13 cakes, froze them, stacked them,

2 batches of butter vanilla frosting (same recipe I used for cake decorating in 4-H in CA when I was younger), fondant stars and edible paper "50". Sundi cut the 50 out, it looked great. Everyone loved
the taste of the cake and ate just about all of it.

 It took 3 people; Brenda, Casey and Wind to light all 50 candles fast enough before 

they started burning out, so Troy could 

blow them out.  It took him 3 breaths. I was a little worried about the beard catching on fire.

 Rich was kind enough to scoop everyone ice cream, thank you Rich.

Let the Games Begin!
Roland had just arrived home from Iraq a few days before, it was good to see him home safe.

 It started with a pioneer game of  "Stick Pull"

Who can pull their opponent off the ground and over.

 Then Blue brought out two 1 sq. ft boards and a rope. Each person stood on a board

holding the end of the rope.  They would tug on the rope until one stepped off their board.

 Next was "Jumping over the rope". After each round the rope was raised higher.

 Sundi and Christy held the rope. Jessica did a runners high hurtle style over the rope.

 Next was the "How Low Can You Go"

 Then the "Chicken Fights" started.

Even the dogs, Zeus and Milo II got in on the excitement.

 Next was "Sumo Wrestling"

A garden hose was dragged out to make the fighting circle.

 By now everyone had gone inside, but the guys just kept going.

When they finally called it quits and had their share of horse play,

they had bloody knuckles, ears, cuts and scratches.

 Milo II is big but just a baby and fell asleep. Everyone got in on assembling the fire

pit that Troy got.

 The party was a success. I think Troy was pleased, it's hard to tell sometimes.

I'm sure he isn't excited about turning 50, but who is.
Troy, you are an "old" man and I am right behind you.
I can say I have loved every 26+ years we've been together.
We have been through a lot, endured a lot, loved a lot, learned a lot together.
There is no better way than "together".
I love you.