SURPRISE!!

The idea for a surprise party hit me last October. I had to get Janelle's 30th Birthday right. Why?

The "I'm Pathetic" Reasons:

• Our first year of marriage, I was thinking her birthday was June 5. She went through her entire birthday on June 3 without a single person wishing her Happy Birthday.
• There has been more than one birthday where, although I remembered her birthday, I didn't have a gift on her birthday.

The "because it's Janelle" reasons:

• The words "surprise" and "love" are nearly synonymous for Janelle.
• Since officially transitioning to "stay at home mom" role, she has placed a high value at being around people.

So, we set it all up, inviting some of the most meaningful people to Janelle. Dan and Katie Weiss helped me set the trap by "inviting" us to go out to eat. Neal and Leslie Yoder "volunteered" to babysit. So, we drove up to the Dewart Lake, walked into the Yoder's to drop the baby off, and about 30 people jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE"!

She had no clue! It was awesome! Family and friends letting one awesome lady, wife, mom, and mentor know that she is very special. All kinds of



As an added bonus, everyone took a moment to write Janelle a note, stick it in a balloon, and blow it up. When we got home, I gave Janelle the balloons to pop and read the notes. Very special and meaningful for her.

Other photos on the night:


Janelle and her two best gal-pals... Katie and Mindy

(pretty awesome shot by me, I might add)

One happy family...