John's 50th Birthday Party

HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY, JOHN
My little brother, John, turned 50. Imagine that. He has aged well, filling his life with fun, hilarity, and a hunger for learning and experiencing new things. Winnie started planning his party months and months ago. Our main task was: Do Not Let John Discover the Party. This was no easy task.
I called John to tell him that I was going to be in Long Beach in the middle of August. That was a true statement. I just did not tell him that I was going to be there for his surprise birthday party. Winnie feigned backaches a few days prior to the party and told John to go take a hike (with Dana on the day of the party). I told Dana that he could just be very late to start his hike with John.
True to Montoya fashion not one person was on time. Not one. Not even me. Dana was supposed to have gotten John to the park by 11:30. Had he been on time, he would have been surprised, alright, because no one was there yet. Jazz was the first one there. She was soon followed by the others. We all quickly decorated the gazebo. Winnie called Dana and told that we were ready.
John and Dana walked toward the pond and as they came over a knoll we all jumped up at said “SURPRISE! ! !” John saw me and said, “You lied.” Then he looked at Sara and said, “You lied.” It turns out that many of us did what was necessary to keep John in the dark.

To everyone’s delight, John climbed a tree to the top and the nephews, Anthony & Joseph, tried to throw water on Tree Top John. Later, John wrestled Anthony to the ground. Then he suffered the teasing that a 50 year old could pin down a 19 year old.
The food was great, the party was fun. The helium balloons soon became water balloons.

We all had a great time. Wish you had been there.