Bryan's & Peter's Surprise 60th Birthday Party...

Both Bryan and Peter turned 60 in 2013, so we decided that a surprise birthday party was in order!  We had visited The Woodlands, a historic home and grounds in Gordonton.  We had been there with Peter and John in 2010, and had picked up a packet of information on having an event there.  When Lee went to New Zealand in 2012, he, Jo and John made reservations for the surprise party and the ball was rolling!

Valarie created the invitations, which we e-mailed out to everyone.  And then the fun began!

We gathered pictures of the two of them from early childhood through today.  We all had a lot of fun taking trips down "memory lane" with that!  Jo and John were instrumental in helping us with final preparations before the party.  John copied and printed pictures, Jo made and decorated the cake and we made final arrangements with the Woodlands.

RSVP's came in via e-mail and we worked very hard to not slip up and ruin the surprise!  It was a struggle and several times we almost let the cat out of the bag!

But, finally the day came, and when we got to the Woodlands Bryan and Peter were greeted by a large group of family and friends, all shouting "surprise"!  They were totally surprised, since it wasn't near either of their birthdays!  A successful party and lots of fun!  Happy 60th, you guys!!

The official invitation - thanks, Val! 

Coaxing Bryan into the party!

Yes, they were surprised! 

Lisa, our party planner at the Woodlands, helped us steer Bryan and Peter to the right place.

Jo's beautiful cake! 

Some of the decorations 

Pictures from the past! 

In the beginning..... in 1974 Lee visited Fiji and met Bryan and Neil there.  They traveled around together during that trip and later that year Lee visited them in New Zealand.  The rest is history!

Both Lee and Bryan had lost touch with Neil (on the right) and hadn't seen him since the mid-80's.  But we were able to locate him and he was there to add to the surprise!

Lots of food! 

Party-goers 

Bryan and friends 

Jo, Peter and Pat

Lighting the candles on the birthday cake 

A few words from Bryan and Peter 

And then the cutting of the cake!  Thank you, Jo! 

Peter, his Mum, Verna, Zoe (Bryan's Mum) and Bryan 

Verna, Peter, Bryan, Peter's niece Maree from Auckland, his sister, Denise, came from Australia, and his niece Hannah from Auckland

Friends from Auckland enjoying the beautiful weather! 

David, Deane, Peter and Tony

Peter hiding in the balloons

The party is over!  But a great time was had by all 

Heading home

It was so much fun to put this party together!  A huge thank you to everyone who helped keep it a surprise and a special thank you to John and Jo for all your help.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Happy 60th, Bryan and Peter!!