Big Klob Turns 30

Well, the big day finally arrived. Ryan is officially 30 too! It was an awesome weekend! Mark and Alissa came to spend the weekend with us to make Ryan's birthday special. We talk all the time about how lucky we are to have met two such wonderful people. They are so kind and so thoughtful. This experience would not have been the same without them. We are so blessed to have made two such awesome friends. Ryan was so excited that they were coming for his birthday. He went to town on the school bus early that Friday morning to run some errands and meet Mark and Alissa. I was drinking my coffee and went out to see if Ryan had left at and I saw this. Cutest thing ever! At this point, I am 100% sure Ryan loves Lucky more than me. This picture is just further proof.

Ryan returned home with Mark and Alissa to begin the big 30th celebration. Mark and Alissa bought Ryan steaks, potatoes, salad with homemade croutons, ice cream, cookies, whiskey, beer and wine. (Sidenote: who else but my husband requests all three of his favorite drinks-beer, whiskey and wine) on his birthday as opposed to sticking with just one?!) We sat down to a birthday dinner that looked like it came straight from Outback Steakhouse.  Ceasar salad, garlic bread, baked potatoes...oh dear. Mark is the most amazing cook. I am still reeling that we actually ate a STEAK dinner in Tonga!!! It was soooooo good. But the worst part was poor Mark was suffering from dehydration. We had the bright idea to hike 6 km to the next village over that day to get some exercise. We went to chat with some people and see our principal. We wanted to work up a big appetite to make our feast even more rewarding. The weather is getting warmer here and the heat really sneaks up on you. After doing ALL the cooking, Mark had to drink rehydration salts and eat crackers while we feasted. How sad is that?!! It made for a night I shall never forget.

 

Ryan got what he told me later was "The most kick ass birthday present ever!" For awhile now, Ryan has been convinced that his life in Tonga will only be complete with a straw cowboy hat. Every store we go into, he finds one and tries to persuade me to buy it for him. I tell him to grow up we are not buying him a stupid cowboy hat. When Coop appeared with one for his birthday... I thought his happy burst was going to kill us all :) I am not sure what normal adult goes ballistic for a cowboy hat on your 30th birthday, but then Ryan has never been normal. You all know. 

All in all, Ryan's 30th birthday was a wonderful time to just be with the people we love, eat ourselves stupid, and talk about life in Tonga. We could not have asked for more.