Two good gifts and some backyard time

The last two weekends have brought a much needed reprieve from parties. After the wild birthday-packed month of April, it was refreshing to spend time barbecuing and hanging out in the backyard. Fortunately, we had one adorable pup to keep us company on Mother's Day weekend. Adam and his brother bought this puppy as a present for Deb, my mother-in-law, and the surprise was one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

Adam and Grant spent an hour chasing the pup around my parents' yard, waiting for Deb to arrive. 

 The little guy was tuckered out in no time!

This past weekend, we experienced a glorious heat wave in Chicago. We spent two 90 degree days lounging in the kiddie pool.

 Adam's 30th birthday is next week, but once I bought him his birthday present, I couldn't wait more than a day to give it to him. He has always wanted an old Sportster, so I picked up this '74 bobber in Wisconsin and surprised him with it on Friday night. Needless to say, every time we weren't in the kiddie pool, we were cruising around town on this beast.

No room for passengers here!

AJ's Going Away Funeral

My best friend moved out of my house and left for Milwaukee this Saturday. I figured we should throw one last theme party before he left, so I hosted a backyard funeral for him on Friday night. 

Ben, my coworker, built the coffin, and AJ's vintage casket stand (which he uses as a coffee table) came in handy for the base. The funeral flowers were picked up from a funeral home after the morning ceremonies were complete, so they were completely free! 

 I set up a slideshow of photos of AJ on a projector behind the casket, and I made sure to include as many embarrassing photos as possible.

 All the guests wore black, of course, but the crowd favorite rode in on a tandem bike wearing a spandex skeleton suit.

Jeremiah, AJ's roomate, read a hilarious eulogy while AJ sat in the casket. Afterwards, the house residents lined up for a 21 gun salute. The seven of us fired off three shots each from our nerf guns, in honor of the epic nerf battles we've enjoyed together. The party continued until 4am, and ended with as much crying as a real funeral.

Jerry's Casablanca Party

One of my best friends turned 30 this weekend, and his girlfriend Bre planned an amazing Casablanca themed surprise party for him. She rented out Iwan Reis, a gorgeous BYOB cigar bar downtown, and the dark, masculine space worked perfectly with the theme.

 I was supposed to make the desserts, but I had a busy week and felt completely lethargic, so I went to Bittersweet bakery and picked up a variety of chocolate treats.

 Bre made the Rick's Cafe sign behind the bar, and I loved how it set the mood for photos.

 The birthday boy completely looked the part- we brought his jacket, bow tie, and hat to the bar so he could change into them after the surprise.

My favorite men- my husband, my father, my best friend, and my brother... and they are all devastatingly handsome!