Grandma's 90th Birthday

My grandmother turned 90 and the family had a surprise party for her. P.K. had to work so the kids and I drove up to Indiana for a quick trip. It was so much fun.

The party was held in the fellowship hall at the church. By "the church" all family members would know that meant the church where Grandma is a member at and can been seen from her house. She was told that her kids and their spouses were going to have a Christmas dinner the Saturday before Christmas and would be renting the fellowship hall at the church. That was the day before her actual birthday.

Here is the fellowship hall set up before the party. The color blue we used was hard to find. It is darker than baby blue. My cousin's wife made a comment that she now calls that shade of blue Stoneberger blue because so many family members have it in their homes. Then I realized it is a throw back from the 80's. Think country blue and stenciled geese.

Aunt Diane made the cake and it was good. I should have had two pieces at the party because at the end Aunt Diane told Grandma that was her cake and she could even freeze the leftovers. After that, Grandma was not sharing.

Gabriel, Hannah, Lydia, Bethanie, Amaya, Aaron

Because Grandma didn't know the grandkids and great grandkids were going to be there we all hid in the gym that is just off the fellowship hall. I took it all in. It was so nice to see all the cousins and together. Only two couldn't make it and all but 4 of the 18 great grandkids were there. As we were hiding out in the gym, my cousin Eric said, "We sure have multiplied." Then as the little kids lined up, the comment was made that we could tell they are in elementary school because they all lined up so easily. Gabey isn't in school yet. I guess he just followed the crowd. Too cute.

Once Grandma was inside and seated we all processed out singing Happy Birthday. Aaron and my nephew Riely had on separate occasions voiced concern over sneaking up on an old lady and yelling "Surprise!" Neither of them thought it was a good idea. We made this big semicircle around her and then stood and stared at her for what seemed a very long time.

I don't know when the last time was that I was together with so much of the extended family in the same place. It was kind of funny to watch everyone grab their cameras and run if they thought it was a good photo op. I am guilty.

The great grandsons...Gabriel, Aaron, Riely, Justin, Darian, Jason.

The great grandaughters...Hannah, Amaya, Rachel, Alexis, Hailey, Bethanie and Lydia .

Grandma and me. My uncle sent me this picture. We must have been looking at another camera. It really was like having paparazzi with so many.

Grandma with her kids...Mary, Ann, Dan, Dennis.

Grandma and my cousin Crystal's kids...Amaya, Alexis, Gabriel and Darian. Gabriel has the cutest chubby cheeks ever. He knows when he sees me I am going to want to "get them."

Grandma with my kids...Hannah, Aaron and Rachel. Now that I am looking at the pictures, maybe I should have had them dress up a bit. But I knew they would be running around the gym.

Crystal got some really good shots that are classic Grandma.

Here she is blowing out her candles. Not so out of the ordinary, but...

this shot is classic. Grandma couldn't blow the candles out so she just licked her fingers and pinched them out.

I don't remember exactly what she said to crack herself up, but that is why she is laughing in this picture. She often gets herself tickled by something she says or does.

Notice the kid in the window. The gym is on the other side of that window. Some of the kids stayed in there to play while Grandma was opening presents. I don't know how long he was there, but eventually I looked up and saw Aaron making funny faces at everyone. I had to take a picture before I made him get down.

Grandma enjoyed the party and was happy with all of her gifts which were basically things like hard candy, slippers, a robe, etc. What do you really need at 90? When I went to her house the next day she told me about all the things she received. And I was warned that she did not want to share her cake!