We've had a few well earned recovery days since Frankapalooza and hells bells was it ever a rip roarin' good time! We celebrated at the lovely Loews Hotel at Lake Las Vegas. I absolutely love that little oasis in the desert. As soon as I turn my car onto their main road I feel like I'm on vacation in a remote, luxurious village. It is downright heavenly!
Loews Hotel Main Entrance
A view from the bridge
Our business allows us to work with Loews quite frequently. Frank in particular has become pretty good chums with some of their staff and they definitely take to spoiling us a little bit when we visit. They usually leave us little surprises in our rooms upon check-in. Fruit and nut plates, cheese selections sometimes even a couple of beers. This time chocolate covered strawberries and four fruit kabobs with chocolate drizzle for the kids awaited us on the desk of one of the rooms. I just love these guys! The Suite was not quite ready for us so we quickly changed into our suits and hit the pool.
Frankie the fish
Emmy looking contemplative. What did come first? The chicken, or the egg?
Three of my favorite ladies, Alaina, Katy and Jenn joined us with their kiddos and we took advantage of a gorgeous afternoon. A couple of Mango Mojitos and Shirley Temples later we were growing hungry and decided to head upstairs for some pasta salad, mac-n-cheese and PB&J's. When we finally made it up to the Presidential Suite we found it decked out in black balloons, curly ribbon and crepe paper. Man these guys really went all out this time! There was a sad looking bouquet on the credenza wrapped in a big black bow. The flowers were limp and the vase bone dry. It took us awhile to realize that the dead flowers were all a part of the master plan to deck the halls with old fart paraphernalia. Clever little devils they are!
We spent Friday evening at the hotel and woke early to prepare for the big day. Frank's sister, Beve, was in town and I was so thankful to have her there! It was on her 'Bucket List' this year to spend the day with each of her siblings on their birthdays. I love this idea by the way! And I think its important to mention that there are nine of them in the family so this is no small feat! In typical Lowery fashion she was extremely helpful and quickly became my right hand gal running errands, making CD's for our guests, charming our kids and filling our bellies.
Number 7 and number 2 of 9.
As the party drew nearer we kicked it into high gear and made our way to the pool. Similar to visiting eight siblings in one year, preparing four kids for a day at the pool is no walk in the park. A U-haul perhaps would have made things easier as well as six more arms capable of applying sunscreen, keeping a toddler away from the pool edge and chasing water toys down the hotel hallway. Look at all the gear just one little pumpkin wears!
We rented a few cabanas and beefed them up with some of Emmy's carnival birthday party decorations. What 40 year old man doesn't love a little tulle garland and primary colored balloons to spruce up his party? Thanks to Alex, our BBE (Best Babysitter Ever) and the kids we had quality signage hanging in the cabanas too! Aren't we classy? Truthfully I made ZERO decorations for this party (even though it's sort of my 'thing') because our surroundings were visually satisfying on their own and didn't need my intervention. But the cabanas had to stand out in the event that guests were arriving while we were out paddling on the lake! Don't you think this just screams "40 year old males birthday party?"
Given that Frank is such an active, outdoor enthusiast I really wanted Frankapalooza to be a little adventurous. So we suckered our guests into trying one of our new favorite hobbies and, with the help of Kathy from Paddle to the Core, gave Stand Up Paddle boarding lessons. I'm pretty sure that everyone who tried it loved it; Even when the wind picked up and a few found themselves swimming with the fish! By the way if you're in the market for a $400 pair of prescription Oakley sunglasses our buddy Bob lost his at the bottom of the lake. I guess that means they're up for grabs! :)
Best shot of the day! Look at 'em go!
Smoking Frank as usual! (Actually he put my in my place once we hit the wind.)
Emmy and I just about to head out!
Our kids loved being in the 'driver's seat!'
When we weren't on the lake, all the Frankapalooza roadies were scattered around the pool deck swimming, sunning, chatting, water sliding, and enjoying drinks from the pool bar. Should you ever venture out this-a-way, the Mango Mojito I mentioned earlier is to die for. Un-be-lievable! Of course the pro roadies already knew that from the day before. Sometimes it pays to do a little research!
Paul takes relaxation to a whole new level!
My baby girl and I digging our toes in the sand
Frank double fisting: Beer and presents
The afternoon flew by and before I was ready it was time to transfer the party upstairs to the Presidential Suite. Without the promise of amazing food (and free beer) it would have been really hard to rally the troops and pull everyone away from the pool. It was such a gorgeous day to be outside.
But with one whiff of the 9th floor and I knew I had them reeled in hook, line and sinker. The Macaroni and Cheese bar was an absolute hit! Picture an adult twist on a childhood classic: Four cheese penne pasta bubbling in a dutch oven and dished out into martini glasses. What made it fun was the add ins: sauteed shitake mushrooms, roasted red peppers, fresh cut scallions, crispy bacon, roasted tomatoes (my fave) and shredded parmesan. Super fun presentation, super easy to recreate. I'm totally stealing this concept and using it sometime in the future. We also had Crispy Chicken and Bacon Sliders with Waffle buns (yes, they were just as ridiculously tasty as they sound), little Hamburger Sliders and Ceasar Salad. I don't think there was an empty stomach in the house.
That, my friends, is sin on a platter
The birthday boy carb loading
Loews graciously offered the Club Lounge just across the hall from the Suite which we used to serve food. It's a great little space with gorgeous views that allowed for plenty of additional seating. About an hour into the evening the air went out in the Lounge but was on full blast in the Suite, where the beer was, to keep the cakes from melting. We all experienced our own versions of menopausal hot flashes walking between the two to fill our plates or quench our thirst. Thanks to the Mechanic who pushed and pulled a few strings and switches to save the day! If only it were that easy for our menopausal friends!
Diana and Rex belly up to the Macaroni bar
Frank received a ginormous bottle of Jack from a buddy and it was mysteriously tanked by nights end. Wonders never cease...
You can run, bike and swim...but you can't hide from 40!
Layers Bakery created this amazing cake with a measly "Things Frank Likes" list I emailed over a few days before. I couldn't believe how well they pulled the Frankapalooza party theme, hiking, poker, triathlon, soccer and Irish pride together so cohesively! More importantly it tasted even better than it looked! One Chocolate/Chocolate Mousse, one Vanilla/Strawberries-n-Creme Mousse and one Vanilla/Cookies-n-Creme Mousse. Ridiculous.
Music was going, drinks were flowing, the crowd was growing and Frank was blowing...CANDLES!
I'm sure Martha Stewart would cringe at my lack of party etiquette, however I decided not to inquire as to WWMD (What Would Martha Do?) and I sent out Evites against her better judgement. I'm so glad I did! Each invitee was asked to name their favorite top 40 song in the last 40 years and from that we now have a seriously sweet music mix! It was a collaborative effort between Beve and I to burn this playlist onto a two disk CD set, Sean Mahoney of Mahoney Galloway Design to whip up a sweet Frankapalooza cover and Katy Mason, from whom we stole the idea to give as gifts to our guests in the first place. Howdayalikethemapples Martha?!
Frankapalooza: Old Guys Rule Tour 2011
I'm so thankful for our trusty BBE's Alex and Taylor for spending a full 24 hours with us and allowing our kiddos to celebrate Frankapalooza too! It was such a blessing to know they were in loving, capable hands and we could really relax and enjoy the festivities without keeping our eyes glued to their little bodies. We love our BBE's. They were superb even when our extreme extrovert, Kellen, inexplicably wanted nothing to do with anyone but mom, dad and Tuesday Date Night sitter Rex, whom he affectionately calls 'Suck.'
How cute are these girls?!
A highlight was walking into the Master where they were hanging out after the kiddos went to sleep and catching them in the act of recreating Britney Spears' 'Hit My Baby One More Time' music video! Like any mature couple faced with this situation would do Frank and I acted swiftly; I dog piled the girls to join in on the sing along and Frank farted loudly in the background and wafted it in their general direction. Yep. That's what it's like to babysit for the Lowery's. If only I had their faces on camera when we waltzed through that door! Oh wait, I do! You're gonna love it! Click here to see it!
I'm very appreciative to my great friend Katy for coordinating the super fun menu, picking up and delivering the cake, and taking my countless phone calls to help me turn a million ideas into a doozy of a party. You, my friend, are a bright spot in my life and I'm so grateful for our friendship! Plus you have amazing taste in clothing! It's comical how often we end up doing this:
Black shirt. Check. White linen pants. Check. Super cute shoes. Check. We got the memo.
MAJOR props to our photographer and friend Jayne Furman for capturing the entire event on camera! Jayne is creative, dependable, hilarious and a fantastic sports photographer. I knew she'd snag tons of awesome candids throughout the day. It was the best investment I made into Frankapalooza hands down! Here are a few more faves of the day:
I so dig this girl!
Looks like T-R-O-U-B-L-E to me!
A gaggle of Lowerys
40 looks pretty darn good on my guy eh?
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