Album: Mom’s 80th Party

We had such a good time getting together to celebrate Mom’s birthday.  The party actually lasted a week as folks arrived from Alaska and Florida.  Click “Read More” below to see lots more Party Pics!

I made separate pages of photos of family gatherings before the party and the after party at the shed.  Photos by Dottie, Grace and Linda….anyone with more photos please forward to me and I will add them to the galleries.

Even though the birthday party was not a surprise there were still some great surprises for Mom.  Aunt Betty organized a fundraising table where everyone could donate something toward a trip to Greece for Mom and her sister Bobbie.  Also, the grandkids organized the gift of a tree that was planted in her yard.  The tree had lots of significance because Mom and Dad had planted a tree for each grandkid and they have loved watching their trees grow over the years.  Dan put together a sweet slideshow of photos and another surprise was a very customized memory book that Erin and Grace made using photos and place on each page for everyone to write Mom a note.

This note is from Mom:

“I really don’t have the words to express how wonderful you all made me feel at my 80th birthday party. Even tho not every one was able to be there, I still felt your presence.  I am so fortunate.  And at this point feel quite spoiled.  Everything was perfect.  The tree got planted the next day. (for those who couldn’t make it, the grandchildren purchased and planted a Cleveland pear tree in the front yard for me, to keep company with the trees all around the house that Gene and I planted for each one of them as they were born).  The scrapbook that Grace and her girls created is the center piece of my coffee table.  Betty Cope orchestrated  a trip to Greece.  And she had an antique Grecian-like urn for the collection.  Over at the Shed, after the party, there were two bonfires, and lots of stories being told  What a perfect day and night.  I thank everyone for helping to launch me into my 80s which might just end up being the best decade of my life.  I thank you all , and especially my children and grandchildren and Betty for putting it all together.

Some photos from the Pre-Party Party at Mom’s house:

Photos from the Post-Party Party at the Shed

Photos of the Birthday Tree getting planted at the house on Westhill

November 22, 2010 Linda