Chris turns 40

Chris turned 40 on January 15th, 2013.  I organized a surprise bowling party for him earlier in January.  It was a lot of fun!  Most of his high school friends made the trip up north to celebrate with him, as well as our family and neighbors.  I had to lie to him and tell him we were going to a charity bowling event.  We had a ton of fun!  I had an awesome bowling pin/ball cake made and totally forgot to bring it out during the party - oops! Here are some photos (warning - some may be a little inappropriate - but totally "Chris").

Alissa & Chris (Jen's siblings) await Chris' arrival

Neighbor's Amanda, Julie and Julie

Alissa chats it up with Julie Mertins

Neighbors Ralph, Greg, and Chad talk to Jen's dad Jerry

Typical gift for Chris Mertins

Chris, Jerry and Laura (Chris' fiance)

Our friends gather as we are parking and ready to enter

Matt, Jean, Amy, Bob and Mark - college and HS friends of Chris

Random photo ... Chris loves Tacos/Burritos????

Chris enters the bar and doesn't get carded ... I, on the other hand, was stopped to show my ID as we enter for the surprise

Chris realizes that we went to a "surprise" party for him and not a charity bowling event

Chris takes time to greet everyone and is excited to party it up (Laura and Cathy - Jen's mom)

Neighbors and family drink before bowling - bad combo???

Chris says hello to his sister Karen

The party in the bar wraps up

The party in the bar

Chris, Andy, Matt and Chris

Jen bowls

Laura bowls

Laura's satisfied with her shot

Jerry practices ... he is the PRO at the party

Julie S. turns around for the camera and so she doesn't have to watch Ralph's rear end as he bowls

Chris takes his turn bowling and Jen B too

Jerry has strategy as he bowls ... the rest of us have fun

Bob laughs it up as he is not that good

Keith is ready ... ball in hand

Greg, Amy, Chris, Mark, Matt and Chris have a shot to celebrate

Down it goes!

RMHS buddies - Bob, Chris, Pat, Andy and Matt

The ISU crowd - Matt, Vickie, Chris, Amy, Matt and Andy

The Mertins family - Tim, Chris and Karen

Tim and Karen are envious of Chris (the baby) only turning 40

Neighbor photo - wild and crazy bunch:
Keith, Jen B., Julie F., Ralph, Jen, Chad (blue balls), Julie S., Greg, Amanda, and Chris (blank in a box)

More shots for the crowd - Bob, Greg, Chad, Chris, Karen, Amy, Tim, Matt and Julie M.

And the night slowly comes to an end ...

It's been awhile . . .

2013 has been a CRAAAAZY year for the Mertins family.  Our year started with Chris turning 40 and then a week later ... he ended up in the hospital for 10 days. Chris has battled diverticulitis for 6 years and this year it got the best of him.  For all that know Chris - you know how stubborn he is.  The MD that met us in the ER at the end of January told him that he was septic and needed to be operated on immediately.  Chris said he wanted to wait it out and try to heal on his own then have surgery in April.  To the doctor's surprise (mine too), Chris did it.  In late April, Chris had a bowel reconstruction and has a clear bill of health now.  This has been a crazy year so far.  I am ready to update this blog with pictures of the fun times that have transpired since January.

Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers.  We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family & friends around us.