Happy 60th Birthday Dad!

Everyone thinks their Dad is #1, but I know my dad is, and that is why I needed to work alongside my mom to help plan a spectacular 60th Surprise Birthday for him.  We knew we wanted a slick venue and found Crevier Classic Car Museum in Costa Mesa to be the perfect place.  With a vintage men's club feel and antique and classic cars to die for, it was the ultimate for a car lover's dream!

When the 100 close friends and family arrived, they were asked to sign a "birthday wish" on the poker chips I created.  It was a great way to look back and read the funny quip or sentimental thought each person had for my dad. 

My mom wanted an interactive night full of food, gambling and a dessert bar.  24 Carrots catered a Mashed Potato Martini Bar and delicious passed Hors d' oeurves, High Roller Casino Rentals provided Craps, Black Jack and Let it Ride for an exciting evening and Visions Entertainment topped the night with great music from the 50's to today!

My mom provided pictures from babyhood to present of my dad.  I enlarged them to 20"x30" poster size and mounted them on foam board.  They made for great decorations and some fun laughs too!

My dad's Karate family including his students, peers, and instructors.

A gratuitous family picture!  Rare not to have the 6 grandkids with us, but made for a fun night!

This is what 40 years of marriage looks like!

 A quick shot of my mom and I enjoying the success of the evening.

A classic next to a classic!

It was amazing seeing my dad come into a room full of new friends, his high school buddy, people he's known over 30 years, and family who adore him.  The best part about it was he was SURPRISED!  I congratulate my dad on his 60 years, a man who has been through it all and lived to see this day. 

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Photography:  Brad Peters Photography

Favors:  Beau Coup

Cake:  Cucamonga Cakery

Glassware and Printables:  Every Little Detail Event Planning and Design

Candy:  Groovy Candies and Candy Warehouse

Linens:  Baker Party Rentals

Caterer and Chairs:  24 Carrots

Casino Rentals:  High Roller Casino

DJ:  Visions Entertainment

Venue:  Crevier Classic Cars

Happy 60th Birthday Grandpa!

While planning my dad's surprise 60th birthday, my boys wanted to know if they got to go to Grandpa's party too.  Ummm...NO!  Five grandsons (ages 8, 4, 4, 2, and 1) running around casino tables and expensive antique and modern cars....yeah right!  They were totally bummed and wanted to know if they got to celebrate Grandpa's birthday.  Well what the heck, might as well add another party to the weekend and we celebrated with a barbeque at Grandpa Cliff's house the day after the surprise party (pictures to come soon!). 

My sister and I sat down with the boys and they had to come up with the menu and desserts.  They also hand-made a special critter to make our BBQ a little more authentic.

Hot dogs were the kids choice and we added hamburgers for Grandpa and the dads.

 All 5 kids agreed that Grandpa would really want watermelon...I don't even think he got one bite!

My oldest, Ray, asked, "What's that white dip that Grandpa really likes with chips?"  Good choice!  French Onion Dip IS my dad's favorite.

Knowing I would have candy left over from the Dessert Table the night before, I steered the kids in that direction.  Then of course my youngest, Clarke, who doesn't like candy says, "I think Grandpa really wants pretzels."  (See Clarke's Cars Celebration!)

Home made brownies and chocolate chip cookies were a must!  Our family has had this chocolate chip cookie recipe since the 1930's and it's THE best!  I made the brownies into bite-sized pops and covered half of them with chocolate.  Yummy!

Super cute printables by Pink Pickle Studios (completely overlooked by the boys...but not my mom!) Thanks for noticing mom!

I added pictures of the boys with my dad to the backdrop.  My dad loved this!

AHHH!  Ants!  Too cute to be real!

Grandpa Cliff and his boys!

All the boys, including Grandpa Cliff, had a great day full of laughs, food and swimming.  The kids were so proud of "their" party and super excited to celebrate Grandpa's 60th Birthday.

Printables by Pink Pickle Studios

Red and White Checked paper by Sarah O Chic

Cupcake/Dessert Tower by Ceramic Services

Ants made of Model Magic