Eat cake we did! Happy 90th Birthday Mom! We went to Chicago this weekend to celebrate and gather as a huge family and lots of friends to honor my Mom's special day. Not only cake was consumed but every food imaginable from chicken to cotton candy!
The tables were set.
The jumpie house ready...what, you don't think 90 year olds enjoy a good time jumping?
Popcorn, snowcones, and cotton candy machine all ready.
Tributes.
The best candy bar birthday card made for Mom by Donna..it was a big hit. Mom couldn't wait to show it to everyone and read it. Thanks so much Donna!
Cousins meeting up after a few years apart. Picking up where they left off without missing a beat. (lft to rt...Jack, Craig, Bill)
All four of my brothers coming in from all over the map...well, Wisconsin, Georgia, and Florida! (from lft to rt..Ricky..the youngest, Jimmy #3, Greg #2, Phil #1...that's brother birth order, not ranking!)
Lots of twirling! My niece's daughter, Ella..or as we call her "Ella Bean".
We know that silly face...Jack!
Chubbs had to make friends with everyone.
Let's not forget our guest of honor....Mom!
You're never to old to eat cotton candy...
Or cake!
After you blow out the candles of course.
Open up presents...like a letter from the Pope and a special Rosary blessed by Him. That was very special to Mom.
Lots of photos from Mom's life and the bouquets with pictures of her children (6), Grandchildren (16), and Great-Grandchilren (31..with 32nd one due in Sep!)
You might wonder why I put this photo in. My brother got my Mom an apple tree for her birthday. A strange gift? Not at all. We always had apple trees. Over the years they died due to storms and such. My Mom makes the most delicious apple pie and what we call "apple slices"...it's like pie only made in an 11x16 sheet pan. Anyway, Rick thought this all out and picked out a Jonathon apple tree for a few reasons. First, Jonathons are great for cooking. Second, my Sister's youngest son, Jonothan, was killed in a car accident when he was 18 (in 2004). So, to include him in Mom's celebration and to honor her baking skills and to replace the trees that were gone, he planted this tree. The tree in the pic is leaning against the outdoor oven waiting to be planted. When I looked at this shot, the sun was shining down right on it and it's encircled by a pink light. Camera and lighting tricks....maybe...or maybe not. Perfect gift. The weekend was perfect from the weather, to the guests, to the family, to wonderful feeling of gathering and celebrating. Every day is a gift and to have lived a life full of good days, sad days, incredible days, life changing days, and just plain ordinary days that make up an extraordinary life is amazing. I have never won a lottery and probably never will. But I did win the lottery of an awesome family...for that I'll always be grateful. Love you Mom!
This was a long post so I'll leave with the thank you gifts for the guests...
13 comments:
Hi, dear YaYa!
Happy birthday to your dear, lovely mother! She looks as young and fit as ever and, based on the evidence presented in this post, she had an extraordinary birthday celebration thanks to you and her loving family and friends like Donna. The slate filled with 1926 stats, prices and trivia is an excellent reminder those simpler times early in the 20th century. It was a wonderful idea as was Donna's candy bar card. The Jonathon apple tree was an especially thoughtful gift filled with meaning and significance. I was happy to see that Chubbs went along for the ride and got acquainted with lots of new people. You are right, YaYa. You did win the lottery by being born into such a wonderful, close knit, loving family. You gave your mother a splendid 90th birthday and I know it filled her heart with joy. Thank you for sharing her very special day with us, dear friend, and enjoy the rest of your week!
Happy birthday to your mother!! She looks so happy in these pictures. Cotton candy has that effect on people LOL :)
Your mom looks Great! How lucky you are to still have your mom. It looks like a wonderful celebration and what a thoughtful gift of that tree.
cathy
Dang! Would y'all consider adopting Jilda and me? I loved visiting with your mom and family.
R
I'm glad you never get to old for cotton candy (or candy floss as we call it)! Happy birthday to your Mom.
I've said it before; I'll say it again. Your mom is one beautiful lady and looks great for being 90 years old! It looked like a wonderful celebration of her life with so many having fun and being together. I choked up about the apple tree and Jonathon; what a wonderful thoughtful gift from your brother!
betty
What a terrific party!
Great present getting rosaries from the Pope.
Happy Birthday to your Momma. She looks fabulous and like I have said before - your family throws the best parties!
Happy Birthday to your Mom. She is gorgeous and she raised very loving children and is blesses with awesome grand children. God Bless her and the whole family. Amen.
Happy birthday to your mom!! This was the best 90th bday party ever!! I loved everything about it. What a blessing for all of you.
Super fuN. I t is awesome she is doing so well.
Many happy returns to your beautiful Mom - looks like a great party!
What a fun party, and your mom looks terrific! We intend to do the same for our mom next year, when she turns 90. I love a meaningful gift like that apple tree. Sounds like there was a lot of sweetness in the air that day.
=)
Sue
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