Cheers to another 50 years!

Last Saturday will definitely go down in history as one of the most incredible and meaningful celebrations in our family. The boys and I threw mom a "surprise" 50th birthday bash, complete with great friends and family, yummy food, a bonfire, and fireworks! We managed to keep the party a secret until just two days before, but mom still had no idea who was coming or just what we had in store!

Along with our family, her closest friends and coworkers joined us to celebrate. Mom was surprised again and again as the guests continued to arrive. Jimmy was the head chef and prepared a delicious low country shrimp boil; fresh oysters were also on the menu! Old family pictures of mom adorned the tables and guests took the time to share some of their most fond (and funny) memories of mom. We toasted, we visited, we celebrated, we enjoyed. And yes, mom had her own personal fireworks display, conveniently timed at the end of the "Happy Birthday" song (thanks to Melanie and Larry)!!!

There's no one around Mashonda, but she's smiling awfully big... must be the good food!

And look at Tony boy slurping down a yummy oyster! (a true DeVane)

Lala and her little party animal!

Mom's favorite pig pickin' cake! It wasn't very pretty, but man was it good!

By far the most precious moment of the night.

Mom opening her framed picture of the boys and me. According to her, it was "all she ever wanted". She cried.

We are so blessed to have a mother as loving and generous as ours. We wanted to celebrate her in a big way this year, and I hope we got our point across!