Todd's Big Day

We arrived in Portland on Thursday night but weren't surprising Ryan's big brother Todd until Friday evening. While we were in our hotel and otherwise enjoying Portland, Todd had some other surprises.

Surprise #1: Thursday evening, he went to the airport to pick up a friend..turns out it was his mom, Donna!

Surprise #2: Middle brother Mark rings the doorbell mid-afternoon Friday. Mark had also flown in from New Hampshire. Right now, Todd is probably thinking..."OK, guys. Who is next?"

So, Ryan calls Todd (from downtown Portland) to say Happy Birthday. He also adds that he knows Mom and Mark made the trip but he just wasn't able to right now with the work schedule but lets him know we will be out in May/June.

Now Ryan and I are so ready for Surprise #3 to meet Todd at Jake's Restaurant (also located in the Governor Hotel, where we stayed). We left a card with the maitre d' and described what Todd and Mark looked like. He agreed to give him the card before they entered. The card was from us and stated we were sad we could not be there but we arranged for a round of drinks on us...then when you flipped the card over, it said "... or you could join us at our table!". Good ideas don't always come to fruition as Ryan and I watch Mark and Todd waltz in and the maitre d' run after them with the card! Oh well, the minor detail wasn't important... Ryan ran up and gave his big brother a hug.Here are the three brothers at the Governor after the surprise: Mark, Todd and Ryan.

And, we are not done yet... Surprise #4: Cathy and Donna were back at the house arranging the food and gathering the friends for a surprise party! As we head back to the house, I was texting Cathy with our whereabouts so they would all be prepared. So, we all walk in to a relatively dark and quiet house and see Cathy and Donna greeting us with some yummy hors d'oeuvres and wine. Todd walks in.... and hidden in his office you hear...."Surprise!!!!" ...about 25 friends jump out and gather around.

Here is Todd with his friends after the surprise.

We had such a great time at his party! Kudos to Cathy for pulling all of this off - including arranging for us all to surprise Todd by flying in from across the country, arranging the food, friends, etc... A truly great time had by all! Happy 40th, Todd!