Monday, August 13, 2007

The Big 5-0

Well, Dad has made it to the top of the hill - hmm, I wonder what is on the other side. The celebration was terrific, but not without stress. I was sure your dad had figured out what was going on and was just playing along. Happily, he really was surprised!
Grandpa, Uncle Carl and Aunt, Julie, Adrienne; Uncle David and his family; Aunt Ruth, Rajae and Wade; Aunt Becky; Ron Mortensen and his wife; Peggy Dargy and two of her kids; Aunt VerRona with Anna; and Kerry Mortensen were all there to celebrate with Orson, Dad and me. We planned it at Grandpa's house in Mesa so that Dad could go to a surprise party for one of his friends for his childhood in Lehi. We arrived at Grandpa's about 5:30 and he and Orson were waiting for us in the driveway. Grandpa invited us in to visit "where it was cooler". When they all said "SURPRISE!" Dad's first reaction was one of confusion because they had the lights off and all he could see were a bunch of little kids and Uncle Carl standing across the room with his head lamp on taking pictures. Then as he looked around and saw everyone he started to smile. We had Sanoran beef, salad and cake for dinner, but the best part was the sharing of stories about when they were all kids. We laughed and ate until about 9pm and the Mortensen's went home. Grandpa's family had a slumber party at his house that night - it was fun to be together again. Aunt Ruth said it was first time we had been together just for fun since Grandma died. Dad and I talked about doing a family reunion next year just to get everybody together - we really need it!

4 comments:

Brooke said...

Sure makes me miss Arizona. I am glad that so many people were able to show up.

If he can make sure he lets us know what's on the other side of that hill, so we can be prepared!!

Lindsey said...

Welcome Janny to the world of blogging (because I have room to talk-my extent of blogging is the little entry I made earlier). Mom said she added to the blog, so maybe this was mom going under the alias of Janny- VERY SNEAKY!!
I am with Brooke in the missing of AZ.

Brooke said...

Yeah I think it was mom, not so much Janny! But not so good at being sneaky huh?

Read between the lines and there is no mention of either mom or janalie. And why not say Dad instead of your dad. . .

Sneaky Sneaky!!

katherine said...

Happy Birthday Uncle Wayne! Hope your suprise B-day for turning the big 5-0 was GRAND!