We Never Should Have Dressed Like This in the First Place

On Saturday, we celebrated Ryan's 40th birthday with an 80's bash at our house, where we unashamedly committed the era's full range of fashion crimes: side pony tails, lace gloves with the fingers cut off, leggings and leg warmers, shoulder pads, pink hair, make up for guys, florescent colors, animal prints, chunky jewelry, multiple plastic bracelets, too much make-up, big hair. Our teased bangs alone were responsible for widening the hole in the ozone layer.

Josh and Kendra, from our Friday night community group. They look really good, considering they were, like, four, in the 80's.


Uncle Soko and Jan. Nice wig!


Me, looking much cooler than I did during the real 80's. Sad, but true.


Simpson and Lori-Ann. No, he doesn't wear eyeliner every day. Not even when he's leading worship. Although we'd love to see that.


Alyssa,
Annika, Amalia
Irina, Paige, Avi, Sophie.
Alas, "The Breakfast Club" will never mean as much to them.

Ryan lost much love because of his non-costume: a loud Hawaiian shirt and mismatched shorts. In his defense, that really is what he wore back then. You gotta give him credit for consistency, right? He had planned on getting an 80's 'do, but was defeated by his regular haircutter's lack of English. Also, his hair was too short for our friend Susan's flowbie.

In Ryan's honor, we watched a photo montage his parents put together, showing Ryan from babyhood til now, including his very funny peroxided bangs phase. DeShannon brought PacMan, the Yuen's brought Rock Band for the Wii, and everyone brought goodies. Our lovely ACC friends sent a birthday DVD and called us on Skype, and Darcy and Cris sent two dozen H&H bagels. Yum!

Oddly enough, we don't have a photo of the Birthday Boy on his actual birthday (probably 'cause he was behind the camera all night), but here is one taken a few days later:

(Note the prominence of the bug spray. When you get old you worry about stuff like that.)

So thank you to everyone who helped Ryan have a Happy Birthday! We are truly blessed to have such family and friends, both old and new, and it was great to see so many people, in person or by video, on his big day. Next year's theme: Battle of the Hair Bands. Mark your calendars, and start stockpiling your Aqua Net . . .