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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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May 31, 2012

Turning 40 in style…my surprise birthday party!

Surprising me is not easy.  I am suspicious by nature. It’s just hard to get one over on me. My friends know this…so imagine my surprise (heheh) when I discovered that instead of going out to a nice quiet dinner for my 40th birthday, that I was to be honored with a fabulously amazing party!! Courtesy of my equally fabulously amazing friends.

These are my besties…Robin and Tammi, my girls, my BF’s forever and ever… and they were good. really good.  Rumor has it they had been conniving and scheming for months to pull this off



…and I here it was all worth it just to get photos of me looking like this…


and making faces like this…

Seriously! Is this what I look like when I’m surprised?! 


No wonder Bama Boy avoids surprising me too often. 😉 


It was so wonderful to see so many of my favorite people there..


My girlfriends threw the party as only Pinterest loving girls can do!

Every detail was perfect.  From the framed 40th signs… 

To the hand stamped napkins…


To the framed chalkboard.  Every detail was perfect!

Of course the best part was spending time with friends…..


and family….

Bama Boy, my “Mom-in-love” and the girl (three generations!)


My dear friend Brian so graciously opened up his lovely home to host the party…and it couldn’t have been a more perfect setting.  From backyard swinging…

Bama Boy and my girl

to a pick up game of football

Every moment of this evening is captured in my heart… 

As twilight settled Brian built a bonfire… 


and we toasted the night…

Indulged in some birthday cake…

and ushered in a gorgeous spring evening…


with my friend Randy generously capturing every detail so that I will always have it to remember! (Thank you Randy!) and…


thank you my dearest sweet friends for honoring my birthday in such a special way...it’s a night I will always remember….

and I cherish you both! 


I love you all! More than you could ever know….CHEERS to you for throwing such a fabulous party!



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50 Comments Filed Under: Adult Party Ideas, Celebrations, Family, Good Thoughts, Parties

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Comments

  1. No(dot dot)el says

    May 30, 2012 at 6:38 PM

    Ahh, this is so awesome. Every detail SO PERFECT. Girl you are loved! Love your friend with the 3 wine glasses all different colors 🙂

    Reply
  2. Michelle Paige says

    May 30, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    What a great way to celebrate! Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  3. Kristi says

    May 30, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    Happy, happy birthday! (And thanks for reminding me that I need to start planning a surprise birthday party soon!)

    Reply
  4. Brook says

    May 30, 2012 at 7:30 PM

    Happy Birthday! What an awesome party! I think you looked darling when you were surprised. Cheers!

    Reply
  5. Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest says

    May 30, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    Hurray!

    What an AWESOME party!

    What fun, love it – you look so happy!

    Happy birthday and many healthy and happy ones to come, Heather!

    Reply
  6. Daune | Cottage in the Oaks says

    May 30, 2012 at 7:35 PM

    Happy Birthday! So glad it was amazing!

    Reply
  7. Poppy says

    May 30, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    Wow! What a wonderful party this is! Every detail is picture perfect. You are so cherished and loved!Happy Birthday, Heather and many more to come:)Hugs,Poppy

    Reply
  8. Ceekay-Thinkin of Home/Doublewide Decor says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:17 PM

    Happy Birthday….it looks like it was perfect party!

    Reply
  9. CAS says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Happy Birthday, Heather! What a great party! You are one lucky “40 year old” to have so many wonderful friends — kind of takes the sting out of getting older, doesn’t it?
    CAS

    Reply
  10. The French Hutch says

    May 30, 2012 at 8:53 PM

    Oh Wow Heather, those BFF sure pulled one over on you! What a wonderful birthday party with your friends and family to help celebrate. Looks like a lovely time was had by all. Thanks for sharing your party, I feel like I was there!
    Happy Birthday……..

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

    Reply
  11. Shelia says

    May 30, 2012 at 9:23 PM

    Happy Birthday, darling! Oh, what a wonderful surprise birthday party. Looks like a wonderful beautiful time. You have a beautiful family and your daughter looks just like her daddy! 🙂 You, my dear, are just gorgeous and you do not look 40!
    You are a sweetie,
    Shelia 😉

    Reply
  12. Judy says

    May 30, 2012 at 9:43 PM

    Happy birthday Heather!! What an awesome surprise. Your friends did such a great job. My husband threw me a 39th surprise party knowing there was no way he could surprise me if he did it at 40. Lol

    Reply
  13. Janette - The2Seasons says

    May 30, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    What a great lookin’ party and a great lookin’ group of friends you have. Congrats on turning 40. We will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this week-end which means you were born the year we were married. Ummmmm, I’m feeling old.

    Reply
  14. Anna says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:08 PM

    How awesome, I love a good surprise! It looks like it was a really fun party. 🙂

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

    Reply
  15. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:32 PM

    What a great party, Heather! Your friends did a great job. Love all the details and that smile on your face in every picture says it all!

    Reply
  16. Rosemary@villabarnes says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:47 PM

    Happy Birthday, Heather. Looks like your surprise party was a blast.

    Reply
  17. NanaDiana says

    May 30, 2012 at 10:50 PM

    Oh what a WONDERFUL, Wonderful surprise! I loved every moment of it- your friends did a grand job. I guess my invitation got lost in the mail?;>) xo Diana

    Reply
  18. Paula says

    May 30, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    What great friends you have! So glad you had a wonderful 40th birthday!

    Reply
  19. reFresh reStyle says

    May 31, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    Happy Birthday! What a wonderful surprise! You love marvelous, even when you’re surprised!

    Reply
  20. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    May 31, 2012 at 12:41 AM

    What a wonderful party and wonderful friends!! Happy Birthday Heather!

    Reply
  21. Dixie Delights says

    May 31, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Happiest of birthdays to you! It looks like a remarkable and memorable evening. You’re a lucky gal 🙂

    Reply
  22. Princess Kate says

    May 31, 2012 at 12:49 AM

    Such a great memory to have of your 40th. Glad you were surprised. Everyone needs a good surprise every now and then. Happy belated birthday.

    Reply
  23. classic • casual • home says

    May 31, 2012 at 1:07 AM

    Fabulous party! Happy birthday!

    Reply
  24. Martha says

    May 31, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    Birthday Blessings! Sounds like a wonderful surprise party!

    Reply
  25. Kelly says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:10 AM

    I think this has been an exciting month for you! Happy Birthday! You are almost officially middle aged now. Yikes! Did I say that? Yes, I did. Sorry. I’m older than you, so you’re still more youthful than me! Looks like your friends did a great job with the decorations and making your big day a fun one.

    Reply
  26. Ange says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    Happy Birthday! What a fun surprise party, wonderful details and great setting, I love it! You look beautiful, love the shirt and your hair! Looking forward to seeing you in a few short weeks! WOO HOO!

    Reply
  27. Sherry @ No Minimalist Here says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    Heather, What great friends you have! I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

    Reply
  28. Kim says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    What a beautiful and special birthday! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
  29. Gina says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:56 AM

    What a sweet surprise! I think the pictures of you are great and tell such a happy story. Happy Birthday!!

    Reply
  30. Sheila says

    May 31, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Awww, now that was WAY better than just a nice dinner out. So sweet and what a lovely bunch of people you have in your life. 40 is soooo much better when you are loved and cherished. Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  31. Creative Mrs.Smith says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:21 PM

    What a beautiful way to celebrate a birthday! How full your heart must be to have such wonderful people in your life.
    Happy Birthday!!!!

    Reply
  32. Linda@Coastal Charm says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:46 PM

    Heather,
    First…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Second…what a wonderful party that they had for you…sounds like you have some awesome friends.

    Blessings,
    Linda

    Reply
  33. Sue says

    May 31, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    What a great surprise! Looks like you had a wonderful time! Happy 40th Birthday, Heather!

    Reply
  34. Kate says

    May 31, 2012 at 3:41 PM

    Happy 40th Heather!!

    What a beautiful celebration of love for you!

    Warm wishes
    Kate @ Salvage Dior

    Reply
  35. Laurel Stephens says

    May 31, 2012 at 4:08 PM

    What wonderful friends and a wonderful party. Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  36. Eclectically Vintage says

    May 31, 2012 at 4:15 PM

    Heather
    What fun – your friends rock! And the details – I want them to be my friends!

    I can’t wait to turn 40 (again)!
    Kelly

    Reply
  37. Cynthia says

    May 31, 2012 at 5:10 PM

    Happy birthday!! What a wonderful party it seems like everyone had a great time. It looks like fun!!!

    Cynthia

    Reply
  38. Nicole says

    May 31, 2012 at 5:21 PM

    Happy Birthday!! This looks amazingly fun!! I hope you had a great time and treasure those friendships they don’t come easy.

    Reply
  39. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    May 31, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    Happy Birthday….it is so wonderful to have such great family and friends who care about you so much to give you such a spectacular party…every detail is amazing…may you treasure those moments for many,many years to come!

    Reply
  40. Maria Elena says

    May 31, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    Love, love this post! Happy birthday, Heather! What a blessing to have such wonderful people in your life! You look beautiful!

    Reply
  41. Heather's Blog-o-rama says

    May 31, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    Hi Heather,

    Happy, Happy Birthday to you 🙂 🙂 You look fabulous and your friends did a beautiful job with all the decorations 😉 🙂 What a gift 😉 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂

    Reply
  42. Teresa says

    May 31, 2012 at 7:16 PM

    What a great time you had. You gave me some ideas for my mom’s 80th b=day next month. Happy Birthday heather.

    Reply
  43. Catie @ Catie's Corner says

    May 31, 2012 at 7:17 PM

    Heather, it looks like soo much fun! You’re very blessed to be surrounded such an amazing circle of people. : )

    Reply
  44. ~Tablescapes By Diane~ says

    May 31, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    Hi Lovely Lady.
    What a wonderful party and wonderful friends!! Happy Birthday Heather!
    XXOO Diane

    Reply
  45. Melody says

    May 31, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    Happy Birthday Heather! You look fabulous! Praying for a wonderful year for you!
    Melody
    One Chatty Chic

    Reply
  46. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    May 31, 2012 at 7:54 PM

    What a wonderful party. Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  47. Anonymous says

    June 1, 2012 at 2:16 AM

    Sure wish we could have been at your party. Happy, happy birthday with a wish for a great year ahead to our wonderful daughter!

    Mom and Dad

    Reply
  48. Gabby says

    June 3, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    How fabulous!!! And your face is just priceless, lol! Happy belated birthday!

    Gabby

    Reply
  49. Louise (Elsie May and Bertha) says

    June 4, 2012 at 8:11 AM

    You certainly look fabulous at 40! I’m glad you had a wonderful birthday. May you have many, many more.

    Reply
  50. RaNaeLuvsEwes says

    June 5, 2012 at 1:43 AM

    Happy Belated birthday your celebration looks dreamy and filled with love

    Reply

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