Birthday celebration cont. . . .

After we had dinner the grandchildren put on a little program that was wonderful!  This was the program with a couple of changes.

Andrew was the MC who came out each time to announce the next performance.  We were never quite sure who created the uniform or I should say costume.  It was a pair of gym shorts draped over one shoulder.  I thought he look a bit like Ceaser!  Not sure that is what the creator had in mind.

Abby and Lexi did magic tricks.  They were hard to record, obviously.  Next was Mallory playing one of my favorite hymns on her flute.  She played the primary song, “A Child’s Prayer”.  I actually gave her two choices before that but she didn’t know either one of them.  Jamie looked at them and said she had never heard of them either!  So I was instructed to pick a ‘regular’ hymn.  My favorite hymn is “O Home Beloved”  Every time I sing it or read the words I think of my mother, my home in Provo, the beautiful mountains that surround us and my Heavenly Home.  The other song is “The Wintry Day Descending to it’s Close.”  It reminds me of prayer and how important my communication and faith in my Father in Heaven is to me.  Ever since I was little the church hymns have always played an important role in teaching me the gospel and bringing me closer to my Father In Heaven.  Music has always been such an integral part of my life and always will be.

River sang a song in Chinese.  He has a good little voice.

The Cutler’s build a pyramid with Tucker lifting Mr. Boston to the top.  They then sang a song – I believe it was Happy Birthday.

Then Emmi, Maddie and Abby laid on the floor with blankets over the top of them and Lexi, Taylor and Jordyn Lyn sat on their tummy’s pulled their legs up and pretended they were doing Yoga Exercises.  It was really very funny.

Grayson did a dance.  So after the dance I caught his great smile!

Then, last on the program was Jordyn Lyn, Mallory, Hayley and Peyton singing “Que Sera Sera”.  Now that was certainly from my Era.  I totally remember Doris Day making that song famous.  I believe it came from the movie, “The Man Who Knew Too Much”.  Great movie.  And yes, I shed a tear. Wouldn’t you if you had four beautiful granddaughters singing a song to you?

Last on the agenda was a surprise from Tucker.  He had a puzzle of BYU and Utah.  He had all the family that were Utah fans go to one table and all the fans that were BYU go to the kitchen table.  We were given the get ready and start and we were to put the puzzle together and see who could win being the fastest.  Well, I’m proud to announce the BYU, yet again, conquered!  Yes, we won the puzzle contest.  Greg stole one of our pieces but we got it back in time.  The funny thing was that Jaden came over by our table and so we all accused him of taking the piece when in reality it was his dad.  So sorry Jaden for falsely accusing you, but you do have a reputation for being a tease.

I had teased Annie a few week prior to my birthday that I wanted a cake of the Salt Lake Temple.  She is so creative and makes such fun cakes that I just had to throw that out there.  I didn’t think she would ever do it but she rose to the occasion.  I did get a temple cake.  70 years, Faith, Family, Service.  Thank you Annie, it did touch my heart!  If you look closely you will see some gold at the top of the middle spire.  That is supposed to be Angel Moroni.  Nice touch and very creative.  She also made strawberry pies that are always a hit with all the family.  There was one incident that I must report.  There were candles at the top of the cake.  As I bent down to blow them out, Jeffry H. smashed my face into the cake.  It was all in fun and I gave him a swift kick in the seat of his pants!  Just like old times.

It was a wonderful day topped off with some games and an evening that last until about midnight.  Below are some random pictures of the family.  THANKS to my posterity for all you work in making my 70th birthday a fun and very memorable one.  I wish all the family could have been there but I did get a call from Derek wishing me a happy birthday.  I might add here that when Derek and I were saying “goodbye” to each other I said, “Now I know you are keeping track of where the missionaries are and reading your Book of Mormon every night, right?”  He laughed and said, “Mom, if that will make you sleep better at night then the answer is yes, 100%.”  How I love that boy!

I received some wonderful gifts and lots of hugs and loves.  I want you all to know how very much I love each one of you and am so grateful for the posterity that Neal and I have to enjoy. 

A fun birthday party

When Neal and I arrived home from our meetings we found Jamie, Tucker and the girls busy decorating the house.  Everything was in pink.  Huge pink decorations hanging from the ceiling along with banners and 100’s of pictures hanging on the walls.  In between all the decorating festivities there had to be some random pictures and always one of the girls needed their hair done. 

I love these three girls and miss them incredible when they are gone.  Every year when they come for a visit we try to convince them how wonderful it would be if they were to move back to Utah.  We usually have them convinced by the time they they are ready to head home.  Maybe it is the long ride back home that helps convince them otherwise.

Everyone came at 3:00 p.m. and the celebration officially began.  Neal gave a beautiful blessing on the food and on our family after which we all enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner.  There always seems to be a time when you will find two or more family members sitting by each other with their phones out.  Usually playing games.  I also love that we all want our picture taken with family members.  And sometimes you get a surprise guest in your picture!

Neal gave the usual instructions on how dinner would be served, the prayer was said and the eating frenzy began.  The children are always taken care of first. 

And now I have to get to work.  I will do some more blogging this evening. 

70 Years!

Who would have ever thought!  I NEVER thought of myself as a 70 year old!  Nope, never crossed my mind.  Interesting how age just kind of creeps up on you.  I think my first realization that I was in the ‘older’ generation was when mother died and I became aware that I was that next and ‘older’ generation.  There wasn’t anyone in front of me – I was next in line.  Well, I have some thoughts about being 70 and my journey but I’ll save those for the end of the day.  Let’s move to the beginning of my birthday celebration. 

Neal started out Saturday morning by giving me a new golf shirt and hat.  I was surprised because we had agreed (so I thought) that because he had fixed the air conditioning in the Jeep that would be my birthday present.  So it was a nice surprise.

We loaded up the car with our golf clubs and headed out to Stansbury where we met Jeff and Abby and headed out to the golf course.  I wanted to get a picture but had left my phone in my purse in the trunk of the car, so no pictures of Abby golfing for the second time.  She did great and out drove me a couple of times.  If she stays with the game, she may be able to out drive Emmi.  She is very strong.

After Abby and I golfed nine holes we had Lynda Ann pick us up and the girls went to lunch while Neal and Jeff finished another nine holes.  We left Stansbury about 4:30.  I was anxious to get home and get a few things done around the house in anticipation of the arrival of Tucker and his family.  I tried to keep myself busy so the time would go by faster but I think it went by just as slow for me waiting as it did for them driving here.  They finally pulled in about 10:30 p.m.

They all piled out of the car and the hugs and kisses and “I’m so glad you’re finally here” and I’m so glad we are here were all communicated with happy smiles.  Peyton announced that she had gum in her hair (which I might add had to be cut out) and Jordyn posed for a “glad we are here” picture.

Father and son had to pose for the “whose the tallest” shot and “whose the broadest”! 

Then came the normal conversations about Neal’s flowers and “How does your garden grow?” Along with just general catch up questions, unloading the car, and at least a couple silly pictures.

Don’t you love Jamie’s eyes in this picture.  Was she looking at me because she wanted me to save her from the long scenario of Neal’s flower pots?  Hummm 

After unloading the car we all went out on the patio, found a chair and visited in the cool evening for a little while before going back in the house for a pre-bedtime snack.  The three girls went to bed and Neal and I, Tucker and Jamie stayed up until almost 2:00 a.m. talking.  It’s those moments when the four of us are gathered around the table, that I long for them to live in Utah. 

At a little after 1:30 a.m. Neal and I had prayers, climbed into bed, hugged each other and said how grateful we were that they had arrived safe and drifted off to sleep thinking how we were looking forward to a fun filled week. with them.