Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad's birthday was back in August. It was a milestone birthdate for him, ending in -0, I will let you try to guess which it might be. We had been trying to plan a birthday party for him for quite a while but were having trouble coming up with a date for us all to be together. We finally were able to be together last weekend for his birthday.

We planned a Hawaiian/tropical/luau themed party and attempted to keep it a surprise from my Dad. I guess at some point my Mom and sister and brother-in-law were talking on the phone and Dad picked up the phone to talk to them. He overheard them talking about the party. He didn't know when it would be but then began picking up on things Mom was doing or saying. One example, he may have thought it a little strange that my brother Tim flew in from Baltimore for a short weekend because "he found cheap tickets".

The day of the party Dad, Chad and Justin drove to Toledo where they met up with my brother Ben and went golfing. It was a little chilley and rainy but I think they still had fun. By the time they came back to my parents Tric, Tim, Mom and I had begun decorating and preparing for the party. So that is when he knew for sure. Dad and Chad then went out to make the home made ice cream. (for his own party! I know, horrible)

We had invited each of Dad & Mom's siblings & spouses to the party. Everyone was able to come except one! Pretty good turn out. We encouraged them to dress in their favorite tropical shirt. For the meal we had pulled pork sandwichs, baked beans, potato salad, chips, fruits and veggies and punch, followed by cake and ice cream. For entertainment, Tric came up with an idea for trivia questions about Dad. We had fun discussing the answers to the questions. Pictures of Dad through the years were also displayed. We also had time for catching up with everyone. It is always so good to spend time with family!!

Here are some pictures of the shin dig...

Cousins Carson and Abby playing on the stairs
Chad, Mary, Elaine, Fred & Justin

My brothers Tim & Ben, Dad and niece Maddie looking at pictures of Dad

Carson modeling his tropical shirt (garage sale 50 cents - love it!)

Art, Donna, Elaine, Levi, Lynn & LaVon deep in thought trying to answer the trivia questions

Andrew with my Mom

Dad opening a few tropical themed gifts - mostly jokes because Dad doesn't really like the items he received - fresh pineapple & coconut, tropical snack mix, dried pineapples. Of course the grandkids aren't far away when gift opening happens.

Ben & Tric (they look a lot a like here!)

Mom & Dad with the birthday cake. Dad's favorite-white cake with raspberry filling. (If you haven't guessed how old Dad is, this might be a clue.)

Tric, Mom, Dad, me & Kristy after the party in our grass skirts and leis.

So we didn't pull off the surprise - kind of hard to when it is at your own house - but I think it was a fun party anyways. Thanks everyone for coming!!