While the guys were away...they made many memories and lived to tell about them, thankfully!  By "guys" I mean...Russ, my dad, my brother, and my brother-in-law.  They took a guy trip to Montana....snowmobiling!  They have had this trip planned for a while, and they have been counting down.  They left last Wednesday at 4:30 in the morning.  They raced to get to the terminal before missing the plane only to find out their flight was delayed nearly two hours because of severe weather in Denver.  Once they boarded and landed that plane, they had 9 minutes to race to their next flight headed to Bozeman, Montana.  The excitement didn't stop!  Apparently, this plane was small, the ride was "WILD" (according to the texts we received), passengers were throwing up, the whole plane was stinky, the landing was rough...landing on one wheel at first, but they landed!  Whew!  They landed, kissed the ground, and looked out to see this...

Beautiful scenery!  Their accommodations were a couple of hours from the airport, so they rented a car and headed out.  As I understand it, the car ride was pretty eventful too.  Ha!  I'm not sure of any specifics.  I'm sure they are sworn to secrecy about many things, but I'll tell you what I know.

Russ in front of the huge mounds of snow...that's a LOT of snow!

After playing in the snow, the guys went back to their hotel rooms to make snow cream.  We were quite impressed!

Lee making snow cream

Dustin eating his snow cream...in his awesome pj's!

The next morning, the guys put on their snow gear that was rated for -22 degree weather.  I was quite sure that Russ didn't pack warm enough, but I was wrong.  The boys were just fine with a base layer, pajama pants, a t-shirt, and their snow suit.  Of course, they all had a helmet and...yes...a fanny pack!  Ha!

My Montana man!

Once they were suited up, it was time to grab a snowmobile and explore the mountains.  On their first day on the trails, they were accompanied by a guide.  I was thankful for this.  Their guide showed them how to get out of 4 foot snow when stuck also.  This was quite the ordeal as Lee apparently got stuck up to his chest in snow, while Russ was stuck in the snow on his snowmobile.  I'm sure my brother was laughing as he tried to help the two in-laws.  And, my dad?  He stayed on his snowmobile.  Such support!  Ha!

The scenery was awesome...

Buffalo were everywhere!  In fact, Russ got a video of them passing their snowmobiles during their ride.  Literally passing right by them!  Like reach out and touch them close!  We learned after their safe return that buffalo are actually the number one killer of humans...in front of bears even.  Lovely.

The trails were pretty good.  Some icy.  Some passes only 4 feet wide.  But, do you think this group would stick to trails alone?  NO WAY!

I was texting every day reminding them all to take pictures.  Thankfully, their guide took some group pictures on their first day...  And was able to tell them about all the things they saw...

Firehole Falls in West Yellowstone

Russ in front of a hot spring

"The Dream Team" in front of a mudpot

Old Faithful

Blue Star Spring at Old Faithful

Russ said their guide was wonderful.  He said that when he goes back, which they all said they were going to do, he would request Josh.  I'm wondering if their next trip will include us girls.  Hmmm.

Lee and Dustin with the guide, Josh

After their first day with a guide, they were on their own.  So, the last two days were "play days" full of fun, excitement, and death-defying tricks!  I only know a few things about this time...one of those facts is that the snowmobiles reached a top speed of 95 mph on this trip. 

Daddy landing in the soft snow

It also seems the boys took time to stop along the way and play in the snow...faceplanting, jumping backwards off the snowmobiles, turning back flips off the snowmobiles, and of course making snow angels!

Montana Snow Angel

Russ buried in snow...

There were spots in the snow where it wasn't packed as tightly.  So, if you were to stand or walk on your feet...you could end up falling into the snow like Lee here.  The ideal way to get from one place to another in this snow was to crawl, roll, or scoot.  We saw lots of army crawls in the pictures we received throughout the week.

Lee in the waist high snow.  We don't have a picture of the chest high snow he fell into the first day!  Ha!

I would be remiss to not mention the fact that Russ fell into a TREE one day!  Yes.  I'm sure I have the facts mixed up, but as I understand it, Russ saw a small tip of greenery sticking out from the ground.  He attempted to ride up next to it.  His snowmobile was then buried in the loosely packed snow around what turned out to be a tree.  The next 30-45 minutes was spent digging him out.  Oh dear!

Dustin in deep thought

Thankfully, Russ took his smaller camera that was able to fit in his fanny pack.  It wasn't very easy to stop, dig it out, take off gloves, and pose in this 1 degree weather (yes, one day the temperature was 1 degree...that's not even mentioning the wind chill!).  So, I'm thankful for the pictures we have!

The Three Amigos - Lee, Russ, and Dustin

Russ...looking like an astronaut on the moon!  Ha!

There were videos of the boys pretending to figure skate on the ice, tackling each other in the snow, trying to kill each other with boulders of snow, and just being boys.  I can only imagine what REALLY happened on this trip!

Look at those Montana men!  Cutest ones I've ever seen!

Their last day was a blizzard!  I think this is what they referred to as a "white out."  Apparently they couldn't see but a few feet in front of them.  Which, driving through a forest of trees on a mountain at unmentionable speeds, was probably not the safest thing!  But, I'm sure it was fun!

The best pictures of the week were the ones that showed Daddy's true sentiments...

Accompanied with a text that read, "Rough day."  Ha!

I just found this one on Russ's camera.  Ha!  I think it was after the last day.

I'm sure the boys were very sad to leave West Yellowstone and the fun filled days they had.  They finished up their trip with a final supper of buffalo pot roast and cornbread before heading back to the hotel to pack.  It appeared as though they were going to be snowed in.  What made them think that?  Well, take a look at their windows...

They finally talked to enough people to try an alternate route out of town.  They drove through the scenery as they left this fun paradise of sorts...

Montana mountains and elk

With an uneventful flight back, they were back home safe and sound before midnight.  Quite the guy trip for sure!

Grumpy Old Man

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!