This Ain't My First Rodeo!

Theme

This picture said it all!

I found this online and thought 'Heck Yeah'!
This is Chuck!  Cowboy, Patriotic Stars & Stripes!  Perfect!

This day was a pretty big birthday for my Chuck. The girls and I wanted to surprise him with an almost kids party! The party wasn't a surprise just the decor and theme. 

It was just for our immediate family because that in itself is quite the 'Brady Bunch'. We have lots of grandchildren combined so when you get them together you'd better make it fun for them so all can enjoy, or you'll spend most of your time lassoing them and putting them in a corral. 

Today I'm sharing the very simple 'Cowboy Themed Birthday Party'. Join me won't you.

A Little Background for Theme

Chuck has a habit of saying things he has picked up over the years.  Sayings from people like his dad and others.  We have been privy to many of them 'over and over and over again'...I say laughingly. 

When we would go to functions such as a police retirement parties others would say, "We need to get Chuck to write a book of his sayings".  They loved them and when running into them they would each say a different one that he had used while working with them. Although he rode a Harley not a Horse the theme still suits him!

Today's Birthday Theme was "This Ain't My First Rodeo"!  The girls and I have heard many some could be used and some maybe not! lol. Carly thought of this one that he says so often and I thought what a great idea!  She needs to be a party planner because she is so good at it!

NEXT UP SIGNS TO BE POSTED ON THE DOORS

I thought he would make for a wonderful sign for one of the Bathrooms

(It doesn't hurt that they are good to look at.  I love cowboys!)

This was used for one of the others

I used this on one of the Bedrooms

This sign was posted on my Craft Room Door!

Boot Hill:  These two signs meant business and were posted on our Master Bedroom

This sign was placed on the Linen Closet

These had to be included you see Chuck and I have been on a marathon of watching Gunsmoke!

I love it as well so these had to be included in the 'Cowboy Theme'.

Added plus peace officer relates to Chuck as well!

This along with Matt and Festus were posted on the Laundry Room Door

I just stuck this one on the Dining Room Mirror!

THE FOOD

Plain and simple with that many children it had to be that way.  I'll tell you although simple it was more than any of us could eat!  It was delicious as well.  You see I have a habit of over doing and this was one time when I set my mind to 'Simple'. It doesn't matter if you have two things as long as they are delicious!

Why not use some real life, honest to goodness cowboys!  This is Mr. Wheeler's Family Photo complete with his Dad and Uncle.  I love this and love him!

MENU

BEVERAGE STATION

Look at the size of this thing!

Everything Rustic and set up together
Catie manned the Watering Hole
while Carly manned the Chuckwagon

Filled with cold drinks and plenty of ice.  It has a convenient tray beneath and paper towel holder plus bottle opener which is very convenient!  Homemade Lemonade in new Beverage Dispenser complete with Chalkboard Sign and Chalk.  Tin Bucket for stand or to be used as an  ice bucket.  I purchased the Beverage Dispenser and the Cart at Sam's Wholesale.  I really like them and with that crowd they were life savers! It is really sturdy because it held quite a lot of weight! 

My Score EXCELLENT!

BEVERAGES

Water, Assorted Juices, Sweet Tea, Coke, Homemade Lemonade aka Sarsaparilla, CapriSun, no coffee too hot!

DOUG'S DELICIOUS HOT DOGS 

served with Homemade Chili, Canned Chili [for those that love the can taste, ha ha.],
fresh garden onions chopped finely, relish, Homemade Cole Slaw.

pic found online

LITTLE SAUSAGES  'Little Doggies' IN SPECIAL SAUCE

"Rabbit Food" that's what my daddy used to call salad and fresh vegetables.

EXTREMELY LARGE VEGETABLE TRAY

with fresh out of the garden veggies!

There were bags and bags of veggies in the fridge to refill the rustic Coca Cola Tray

 HOMEMADE RANCH DIP

made with fresh buttermilk and fresh herbs and seasonings!

SALSA 

CHEESE, CRACKERS, ASSORTMENT OF CHIPS AND CONDIMENTS

COWBOY RANCH BEANS

I love that big pot on right.  It is smaller at bottom than top has a pouring spout and a handle to hang even from an outdoor fire. Perfect for cowboy beans.

'TRAIL MIX'

'CHICKEN SCRATCH'

aka Chex Mix

'FEED CORN'

aka Popcorn

'COWPIES'

Delicious Homemade Brownies that were cut into large circles!

'HAYSTACKS'

Carly made with Chinese Noodles covered in Chocolate!

Delicious!

'LASSOS'

aka Twizzlers in a tin or grey bucket

CHOCOLATE & VANILLA ICE CREAM

[the little cups that make less mess]

FRUIT FROZEN AND FRESH

served with

HOMEMADE FRUIT DIP

The

BIRTHDAY CAKE

You know I had to put that cowboy on his cake!

I'll share another few pictures from the party a little later
I think the kids young and old had lots of fun.
Happy Birthday to My Cowboy and may you have lots more rodeos!