That's right!  Believe it or not, Russ CAN be quite the GRUMPY old man!  And, boy, did I see that last night!  As you already saw, we celebrated Russ's Dirty Thirty birthday party on Thursday night with his side of the family.  Last night, we were to celebrate with my side of the family in such a way as only Smiths could do!

I came home from work to find Russ ironing his nice khaki pants for our nice dinner at Mesquite Chophouse.  I ran in, got my clothes out, and told Russ he needed to open one of his gifts before getting ready.  He was very excited to do so (see above picture).

When he opened his gift, he mumbled something like, "Wh-wh-what is this?"  I grinned from ear to ear and told him it was his attire for the evening.

This is where the mood quickly changed.

Fake smile

Apparently, I have learned something new about my dear, sweet, perfect hubby.  He does NOT like to be the center of attention.  He looked at me and asked where my outfit was.  I informed him that I was not 30.  He was.  I spent the next 45 minutes getting myself ready, trying to calm Russ down, trying to talk him into wearing the outfit, assuring him that I would not make him do anything that wasn't good for him, and texting the rest of the group explaining what the drama was.  Russ, meanwhile, sat in the living room like this...

I guess he thought if he looked straight ahead and didn't put his socks and shoes on, it would all just go away.  Wrong!

I, honestly, didn't think we were going to make it.  I just knew he was going to refuse and go back to ironing the khakis never to look at the "old man" outfit again.  He was, without a doubt, a GRUMPY old man!  I just kept thinking about how excited I had been about this party and how badly I felt for putting Russ through this.  But, I was BOUND AND DETERMINED to NOT spoil the rest of the surprise.  I sat across from him - knee to knee - looking him in the eye and started my speech..."Okay.  Here's the deal.  I promise to NEVER do this to you again.  I have learned my lesson.  But, please just participate this one last time."  He just stared at me and told me he was looking forward to a nice dinner at this nice restaurant.  Bless his heart!  I kept telling him, "I really think you will regret not dressing up when you get there."  That's the most I would reveal.  I'm a huge SURPRISE person.  But, I was very afraid this wouldn't work out.  And I was nearly devastated over the whole ordeal.  As I was trying to explain to the family why we weren't there yet, Kristin texted me..."Megan.  Just put him in the car!"  So, I grabbed my purse and said, "Let's go!"  Eventually, he reluctantly and sluggishly put on his socks and shoes and moped out the door sighing and grumbling about how he would never do this to me on my birthday.  I kept telling him how much I would have loved it, and I really think he will be fine.  "Trust me."

It was a very silent ride to Mesquite Chophouse.  When we pulled into the parking lot, Russ was sitting about as low as one can sit in the passenger side.  I was a nervous wreck, shaking, and on the verge of tears.  I'll admit that I was praying he really would have a good time and be pleased at the effort I put into planning this evening.  We parked, and he just sat there.  I continued with my actions: grabbing gifts from the back seat, holding camera in one hand, locking the doors and grabbing my purse with the other, popping the trunk to get the cane out that I was, at this point, terrified to show him.  I offered to carry his hat and hid his cane.  I told him he could put his glasses in his pocket.  Whew!  I was exhausted!

Are you feeling sorry for him?!?!  DON'T!!!  Inside, our private room was before we even got to the hostess table.  He was never in any harm, and I couldn't wait to see his reaction when he saw this...

Russ's 30th GRUMPY Old Man party!

When we walked in, I told him he was DEFINITELY in the mood for a GRUMPY old man party!  His smile became real instead of fake, he put his hat and glasses on, grabbed his cane, and began to pose.  What caused his change of mood, you may ask?

Probably the fact that EVERYONE was dressed up!  We were dressed up for him to celebrate his OLD grumpy 30 years of life!  I pulled my hat and tie from my purse and put it on while tears began to fill my eyes.  Whew!  It's hard work being married to a grumpy old man!

Ms. Linda, Charlie, and Jamie

Dustin and Daddy

My mother!  Oh my!

Kristin and Lee

Yep!  He would have regretted wearing those ironed khakis!  Ha!

We all stood around laughing hysterically as we told them exactly what it took to get Russ to his own party.  We doubled over laughing at everyone's outfit.  I should tell you that my family did not have to go out and buy a single thing to dress up for this party.  Nope!  Everything came out of their closets!  Yes, that's the kind of family I have!  Crazy fun!  I think Dustin was a very important piece to the puzzle of the men getting ready.  His closet is certainly one of a kind!

Ms. Linda, Jamie, Kristin, and Lee (I'm lovin' Lee's hat!  Ha!)

Mama, Daddy, Maw Maw, and Dustin (Please notice Maw Maw has on a PEARL TIE...also out of Dustin's closet!)

It didn't take long for Russ to get back into character.  It wasn't anything different, really.  He was just dressed better for his "old man ways."  I think it's safe to say he had a BLAST!  It was worth every pitiful pre-party moment.

I pulled out the mustaches while we waited on our food.  I thought it was time to lighten up our party as much as possible!  Ha!  The waitress said that everyone in the restaurant was trying to see what was going on and why we were dressed up.  I might add that it was very crowded!  Russ was literally dying when we pulled up!  Ha!

After our delicious dinner of incredible meats, sides, salads, and more...it was time for dessert!  Once again, I grabbed some Sugarees cupcakes from the store.  This time - red velvet.  Very good!  I topped them off with mustache toppers I made from felt and toothpicks.  Very cute! 

A typical Dustin moment

Monkey see, monkey do!

This time, Russ actually let us sing "Happy Birthday" to him!  So, we did.  He made his wish and blew out his candle.

Make a wish, Babe!

After dessert and a few more laughs, it was time for gifts!  Kristin was very detailed as she wrapped his gift in newspaper.  The funny part was that Russ was actually reading it as he opened it.  Then, Charlie asked for a section he spotted that looked interesting. 

[Sigh]  Yes, I really am married to an old man.  And, apparently, so is Jamie!  Ha!

So interested in the article.

Kristin, Lee, and Dustin got Russ some great boots for their upcoming snowmobiling trip to Montana.  Russ loves them!  He put them on immediately to show them off.  Apparently, his inhibitions had left him by this point!

Thanks Kristin, Lee, and Dustin!

Man, there's nothing more attractive than a grumpy old man wearing snow boots!  Just look at that hot mess...

We all enjoyed watching Russ open his gifts.  He loves them all and can't wait to spend the money and wear the boots.  But, I'm pretty sure he's most excited about using the necessities I found for him.  Haha!

Yes, it was one fun Grumpy Old Man party!  Maybe Russ will trust me a little more next time.  Wait...I told him I would never do this to him again, didn't I?  Well, I think he would agree that it wasn't so bad.  Maybe I can sneak something fun in sometime...like in 10 years.  Hmmmm....

Group picture

So there ya go, Russ.  Happy 30th birthday from us all!  I hope it was everything you dreamed of...and MORE!  I'm pretty sure it was more of the "MORE" than what you actually dreamed of.  Ha!

Such a loved son-in-law!

But, like I always tell you, to be sure of the Smith love...you've gotta see just how far we will go to embarrass you!  I think it's safe to say WE LOVE YOU!

I still absolutely love Maw Maw's pearl tie!  Hilarious!

Russ should also understand that he may never live this down.  The traumatic events that led us to this fabulous party will forever be engrained in the Smith party history.  After all, it's not a family gathering until someone has a meltdown!

Russ and Kristin

And there's no better family to deal with a meltdown than ours!  We've been there.  Many times.  Meltdown averted here!  Whew!

The original grumpy old man and his wife!  Complete with the booty bump!  Ha!

So, the party began to wind down and the guests grabbed their root beer party favors.  Some grabbed more than one...

Lee...the next grumpy old man in our group.

Sisters

Charlie and Jamie...Thanks for helping set up!  I couldn't have done it without you!

As we walked to our car, I looked at Russ with a smile.  He smiled back and took one deep breath.  It was a fun night.  He thanked me for the night.  As we drove home, I asked him if he still wanted me to hold to my promise to never do this to him again.  He smiled, hesitated, and told me to just know that he's putting his trust in me.  I've certainly learned more of what I will and will not risk!  Ha!  But, I don't think I'll keep my promise this time.  We'll just have to wait and see...

Grumpy Old Man pushed over the edge!

Home Sweet Home!

Farley wanted in on the action too.

Thank you to EVERYONE who came out to make Russ's birthday one to remember!  It was certainly that!  We had a blast, and I hope everyone else did too!  Happy birthday, Babe!  We love you!

Dirty Thirty

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday, dear Russ!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Today marks THIRTY wonderful years since Dr. Russ's birth!  I remember so well the days when 30 sounded so old!  Not anymore!  I still have a hard time thinking of us as adults...much less "old."  Ha!  In honor of Russ's big 3-0, I had a few surprises for him.  He was on call last night, so I had a little time alone to deck the house in birthday fun!

We invited Russ's side of the family to come up for supper at Windy City.  I thought I'd spice it up a little and throw Russ a "Dirty Thirty Construction Party!"

It started so small...with a construction birthday hat...and snowballed into a full out decorated construction birthday party!  If there's anything I love more than a fun themed party, it's details!  The more little details I found, the more excited I became!  These rubber ducky construction workers are my favorites!  Ha!

The birthday boy aka "Dirty Boy" had his own special hard hat, vest, and dump truck cupcake holder!  His cupcake even had an orange cone candle!  Details matter.

I saw this cute idea somewhere and made my own construction twist.  Everyone thought it was dirt cake, so I quickly informed them that it was in fact potting soil.  Please don't eat!  Ha!

And, since I had an extra bowl (they came in sets of 2), I made a second little display for the Dirty Thirty party...

Instead of birthday cake, we had chocolate cupcakes out of the massive yellow dump truck centerpiece.  The idea was for it to look like dirt in the dump truck.  I was encouraged to make dirt cake, but I'm just not that good yet.  I picked up some Sugarees cupcakes from the store before the party.

We were SO glad Russ's family was able to come.  We missed Jimmy's family, but we didn't forget about them!  We sent party favors home.  Everyone kept talking about how much Sam would have loved all the construction toys.

Jenny and Grace

Will and Elle

Seth

Russ's parents and Jeff met at our apartment, so Russ drove them to the restaurant.  Jenny and the kids helped me get the decorations just perfect for the big reveal.  Russ was overwhelmed, to say the least!

I'm pretty sure we embarrassed him a great deal!  Ha!  He didn't really talk until 30 minutes later.  I think he warmed up to the idea eventually.  I mean, he IS 30.  He needs to learn that people will be making fun of him from here on out.  You know, since he's so old! 

One thing I know...payback is coming!  He just kept saying, "I'm gonna get you back."  His "birthday suit" may have been the straw that broke the camel's back!  He was so cute though!  Such a good sport!

I love my dirty thirty birthday boy!

The old man and his younger woman

Russ's parents

Grace and Russ

Jenny and Jeff

We had a great time visiting and eating yummy food.  Grace had fun playing with all the decorations and party favors!  Ha!  I think she ended up taking all 12 hard hats home.

Grace

 I managed to find a few people who weren't "too cool" to wear their child-size hard hats!  For the record, I didn't know they were child-size until they came in YESTERDAY!  Too late by then!

Will, Elle, and Jenny

 We all enjoyed our meal, and we were ready for dessert!  There's nothing like a good Sugarees cupcake!  Russ informed us that we were NOT to sing "Happy Birthday," so we just lit the candle and took a picture.  He made a wish and blew it out.  I wonder what he wished for...

The dirty boy and his cupcake

My birthday card

 Russ is the baby of his family...by 12 years!  I guess it's safe to say that all the Johnson babies are officially adults!  It really was such a delight to see everyone and have them over to our apartment afterward to visit and sing "Happy Birthday."  Russ was very surprised and felt so loved!

Thank you everyone for traveling the distance to make this 30th birthday one to remember!  Happy birthday, Babe!  Here's to 30 more!