Let the party begin!

So when Mark asked me what I wanted to do for my 40th birthday, we went back and forth b/t taking a trip (alone, sans kids) or having a party. Since we don't get to see some of our old friends on a regular basis, we decided to have a small gathering at the house. Since we all have small kids, we ended up having a casual family-friendly BBQ. Here are the G-rated photos from the party:

Mark setting up the waterslide for the kids. See how happy he looks? This was not the same look he had when we had to get this 50 ton wet slide back in the truck. Lesson learned, pay the extra 50 bucks to have them set it up and pick it up!

Katie and Emma getting ready to take the first slide of the day. Emma had her suit on at 7:30 that morning, and she and Kaylie (our neighbor's granddaughter) stayed in the slide for about 3 hours before the party even began:

Emma and Kaylie:

Since I organized the party, I asked Mark to do one thing; "you have to get the cake" Well, long story, short (there were some snags, shall we say with getting a cake), here is the final product. I was most impressed, and actually shed a tear when I saw it:

Emma enjoying the slide. Notice, bathing suit #2:

Baby Sarah Jacobsen just couldn't handle the festivities:

My family enjoys visiting with our neighbors, Norman and Phyllis:

... the caption on this one reads "... gosh, I love this slide!"

My family: Brother in law, Richard, my sister Kim and my dad, Francis.

Some of my high school friends' kids resting from the slide:

Some of the Denham Springs coaching crew enjoying some visiting with each other:

Me looking oh so cool with my birthday present (notice part of Andy's face as he is so jealous of my new toy!)

Mark and I hanging out with old friend, Brad Paisley. (He was delivering a personal birthday message to me.)

I was so glad to see Mrs. Rauls again; here we are visiting with Carrine.

All the kids enjoying the waterslide. This ended up being a great idea for the party:

Mark and his felony cake (long story):

The only candles I could find in the house were the ones of the age I wish I still was!

Kim helps to light the cake before we sing "Happy Birthday, you old fart!"

Blowing out the candles with my new "sippy cup"

One of the best parts about having this party was getting to visit with 2 of my friends from high school that I never get to see. Here I am with friends Stephanie and Shawn. I think their kids had the best time on the waterslide:

... and last, but not least. The next morning, I realized that I never took the baked beans out of the oven! I will be buying a new pyrex dish with my birthday money b/c I chunked the whole thing!

Thanks to everyone who came and helped (especially Kim and Richard). I think everyone had a great time. See ya'll at 50!