A special birthday surprise for my 65th birthday

I was really surprised when all my kids gathered in Portland to give me a special birthday party for my 65th birthday.  I was so touched and honored.  They had planned a special day to surprise me, and no one had informed me of it in advance.  We met in Washington Park and had fun and shot photos of the family, and that evening Chris had reserved a room in a restaurant in Old Town Portland for us to have pizza and Joe's special homemade (my mother's recipe) banana cake.  Everyone gave me gifts, but the most special one was a book the Joe and Griselda had put together of pictures and memories the boys had come up with.  Each of them had written a tribute in there to me and their Dad, and that was most meaningful to me.  I was so touched by the family's love for each other and their thoughtfulness to me.  Nathan doesn't have a car, and Joe goes back and forth toAstoria to get him so they can be together, and Chris and Joe have outings together with Milo and Sofia and Evelyn.  Steve and Sandie go out of their way to drive up and see their siblings.  These things mean a lot to a mother, and I am grateful for such a good family.  This was one of the most special days of my life.

Check out these beautiful pictures of Chris and his family.  Chris is the man behind the camera, too.  He took the pictures in Washington park, has lots of photography equipment, and gets the bug from his grandpa.  Chris has a beautiful family.

Here are some pictures of Joe and his family.  Joe is the least photogenic one of the family, though he is perhaps the handsomest son of all.  He looks sick in every picture he takes!  Sorry Joe)  So we have a few bad pictures of Joe here, who is a super guy, and his beautiful family.

Steve and Sandie had five hours to travel to our event, but arrived late because one of the children threw up in the car.  It was a tough trip.  But they arrived happy and their family was so sweet they made me cry.  How I love those little grandchildren!

We took a very nice picture with Nathan, who Spearhead and planned this whole event.  We really appreciate him in our family.  He is definately our social chairman!

All the brothers are together.
As usual they are horsing around a little!

A WEEKEND IN ASHLAND TO MEET MY NEW GRANDSON

I flew to Ashland OR to meet my new grandson, Samuel Vernon, a beautiful baby shown here in his blessing outfit, as he was blessed on Sunday.

When I got in we went for pizza and salads.  Then they introduced me to their new house, a craftsman style in a new neighborhood full of that style home.  It was a beautiful home.  We cozied up to the fireplace and watched Mama Mia, to which the kids knew all the lyrics.  Seth fell asleep against me humming the lyrics, and Emily was correcting what bad language there was in the musical with the correct word.  (there wasn't much, thank goodness).  Sammy wasn't used to me yet, so Evan helped me hold him.

SOME PICTURES AND THOUGHTS ON MY WEEKEND IN ASHLAND

I was so impressed with Evan, who is 8.  He loves to take care of the baby, and he knows how to carry him comfortably, how to rock him and comfort him when he is crying.  He holds the baby for long periods of time and never gets tired of holding him.  What's more, he can be trusted to be responsible.  Sandie is very blessed to have such a good son as Evan.  He is a really wonderful boy,  and I am so proud of him!!!

We spent a pleasant afternoon on a walk and swinging in the park.  The weather was beautiful: in the 60's.  

Seth loves Star Wars and plays long imaginary games with this weapon that he gladly posed for me with.  I forgot what he called it, but it is the most important toy in his possession, and he can do all kinds of holds with it (he reminds me of some kind of martial arts expert with a big stick!)  He and Emily carry on long pretend fantasies simultaneously----she talking about Mommies, Daddies, princes and princesses, he talking about Star War characters and warriors, with constant dialogues going on.