Surprise, Surprise

Ty turned 25 last week!

In the span of ten days, I came up with two crazy ideas:

1. Throw Tyler a surprise birthday party at his parents' house

2. Buy him a fishing kayak (also a surprise!)

Neither of these ideas would have made it past the brainstorming phase if it hadn't been for Ty's mom! She grabbed onto my ideas and ran with them! Thanks, Mamacita!

This post is about idea number 2.

Originally I had wanted to have the kayak at the house when he arrived for the surprise party. I found a used kayak - the exact model I had researched and chosen! - with all the fishing bells and whistles (read: rod holders, anchor, etc.) about an hour and a half from home. In order to accommodate all our various schedules, we loaded Ty up in the wagon and told him he had to take us to pick up his early birthday present. Heh, heh. Trailer park, cash deal? Let's just say we felt safer with him along. 

But first! Dinner, handed to us by CFA's cutest employee!

Here she is!

Ty was so funny when we arrived at the owner's home. He still had no idea what we were purchasing, though his best guess was saddle bags for his motorcycle. He was utterly surprised. He looked it over and approved it, so he loaded it up on our wagon and we drove on home. About twenty minutes down the road, his face lit up and he erupted in a sincere, "Thank you so much, guys!" He's a processor. I knew if he liked it when he saw it, he'd fall in love with it even more as time went on. (In fact, he's out enjoying the kayak right now, for the second time today!)

When we arrived home, he looked over every inch of the boat. This is his, "Really? You need a picture of me in the kayak in the garage" face. (Why yes, yes, I do.)

In action! Wish I had some of his bass pictures, too!

Brooklyn and I have enjoyed sitting on the shore while Ty is on the water. Brooklyn swims, too!

This lake backs up to our favorite dog park. Win, win!

(Except for me, maybe, since I was covered in mud...)

When I decided to climb a tree (you know, just to make it the quintessential Florida day!), Someone tried to join me!

Happy birthday, Tyler!

Glad you are still (this very minute!) loving your gift!