Grammy's 60th

Last week was my mom's 60th birthday. My little sister Ann came up with a great idea for her birthday after talking to her one day when she said how much she missed her sisters. Ann decided we should have a party for her and surprise her by getting her sisters here. I thought, "Yes, that is a great idea, but it will be hard to get everyone here." That wasn't good enough for Ann. She was determined and really wouldn't take no for an answer. She got on the phone and called all our aunts and uncles, worked with them and didn't rest until it was all set! My mom has 4 sisters and 2 brothers. In the end, 3 of the 4 sisters were here (the 4th had a grandbaby due that weekend, but knowing that she would miss the party, she came down for Julia's wedding), and my mom's baby brother and his wife. Coincently, her baby brother's birthday was also this weekend. He was the 15th adn my mom was the 17th. She always told us growing up that he was her birthday present because he came home from the hospital on her birthday.

It was a great night and my mom had such a great time. She was so surprised! We told her we were taking her to the movie so to meet at Jill's house. Here is a video of her coming in. She figured something was going on, but as you can see from this video, she never expected to see her family. Her reaction was better than we could have hoped for. It was so cute! (of course, she is such a cute/sweet person, her reaction could be nothing less)

Here is everyone lined up before she got there.

Julia, Tatiana, Sergi, Vladimir

Julane, Aunt Edie, Dan, Aunt Mary, Aunt Sharren, Avery (holding her grandma's hand)

Aunt Mary, Aunt Edie, Mom, Aunt Sharren, Aunt Julane and Uncle Dan

Jill set up a big table in her backyard. She strung lights like a canopy to add to the atmosphere. It looked beautiful!

Tracey and Emma (so glad they were willing to spend a big part of their vacation helping us get ready for this party!)

Dave and A

Vasa, Tracey, Emma, Brent, Terri, Vladimir, Tatiana

Vasa, Tracey and Emma

We had this GORGEOUS sunset to enjoy during dinner.

The 2 birthday kids! My aunts did a program for them, so here they are listening

Aunts Mary, Edie and Sharren giving the program

As always, Lily found A and just had to give her a hug!

Dan, Julane and I lighting the bonfire that was my mom's birthday cake.

For her birthday, we were able to get all the kids together for a Grandkids picture. She really loved it. We had all the kids line up side by side and it ended up being 4 feet long! And to think, only 1/2 of her kids have even had kids! Can you imagine what this picture will look like in 5...10 years? She said that she had just put up her old picture (that only had about 1/2 the kids) and had been thinking how much she would just love a new picture, but didn't think it would happen.

More presents:

Each present she got made her cry. Mariana snapped this beautiful one of her. :) This was present was from my aunt Julee. It was some Willow Creek figurines that said, "Sister's by Heart."

Dan got a present too to open. :)

Tatiana and Vladimir

Dessert: Vladimir, Tatiana, Olea

And, after dessert, as with all good parties in my famlies, we cranked up the tunes and danced around like a bunch of idiots, having the time of our lives!!!

Julia's dad really had fun dancing the whole time.

Dee really got into the spirit of it all too!

L taught us all her dance to Firework, from her school talent show.

Julia's dress was downstairs at Jill's house, so we made her put it on (wasn't too hard to convince her :) )

She and her dad danced again like at her wedding. I was so glad we were able to do this again! This was actually the last night we were able to see Julia's family since the went home the next Monday. It was just wonderful to see them share that one last time.

Not to be outdone but Julia's dressing up, Beth and Jill dressed up too. Unfortunately, I didn't get Jill, who was wearing her Sr. Prom Dress. Beth went and got Scott's old HS football jersey. She really is the life of the party when we are dancing. (The face is all part of her glorious show--she started giving dancing/attitude lessons to L and Anna that night.)

Tracey dancing with Anna (me behind them).

Lily had fun dancing too.

Actually, she just really loved having me lift her up so she could grab the lights.

All in all, it was an absolutely wonderful night. My mom was so surprised and just loved every minute of it. As we were cleaning up and going in the house, my mom was shaking a little bit. My dad offered her his coat, thinking she was cold. She just looked at him with a huge smile and said, "I'm not cold. I'm just so embarrassed, I'm shaking!" By embarrassed, she meant that she isn't use to the attention and focus being on her, but, really, she was just so happy by everything. It was a wonderful night for all of us, but I really think it was especially for her. It was just what we wanted her to have!