Celebrating my 75th Birthday!!!

 Summer came in from Arkansas a few days early for my birthday so we could have some time together!!

She worked on our wonky front door locks on Thursday

and then we went out to do errands on Friday.

She did the fine tuning of the Front Door Project and I started preparations for a good Friday night dinner!

Our long time friend, Jimmy, came bearing the makings for a couple of exotic cocktails!

It was so much fun to visit and catch up!

We had a great evening together!

I made a big salad with everything in it but the kitchen sink!

Notice the Crispy Jalapeno pieces as a salad topping!

From Trader Joe's and so good!

Grilled pork chops, creamy cheese potatoes, garlic bread and ----

sweet potatoes!

Not pictured is the crockpot of yummy baked beans!

Magic ingredient is the A&W Root Beer!

We enjoyed our dinner and went off to bed after watching an early Season One episode of NCIS!

We left the 'kids' up to visit!

Saturday was a slow easy going day!

Along about 2:00 I took a shower and dressed.

Amber told me to expect her at 4:00 and I KNEW she had Party Plans up her sleeve!

Turns out all of my children did!

Amber, Mike and the kids swooped in with party making in tow!

Mike put this GIGANTIC 75 up in the den!

THIS went up in the kitchen and then Louis Dean and I were told to remain in the den while they put a party together!

The guests started to arrive and went in to help.

Let the evening begin!

The girls brought their band instruments and provided us with some good entertainment!!

Logan plays the Baritone - which has another name that I can't remember!

As a grandmother I could listen to them play all night!

Kailey plays the trombone and I love seeing her do it!

She would play this over and over because I would laugh every single time!

Trystan plays the oboe.....

While we stayed out in the den listening to the girls practice and visiting with one another,

Amber, Summer, Brenda and the guys were putting the party together!!

 Christmas Eve the girls will be doing a concert!

They have just had their instruments for a few weeks!

Once the food was all ready, we were called to come out to the kitchen!

Wow!

Such good food!!!

All set up and ready to eat!

My sweet Amber ordered everything from Costco and they all split the bill four ways!

I didn't need to do one single thing!

We took lots of pictures and had a truly wonderful evening!

It was so much FUN!!!

Everyone was all smiles from beginning to end!

After we ate, I opened all my cards and gifts!

From Trystan, Logan and Harrison!

I didn't get a pic of Kailey's but I will and can add it later as an edit.

The cards were my favorite!

Each one was special and touched my heart!

From the 'Boy!'

From Kailey!

From Logan!

From Billy and Brenda!

I LOVE this cup!!!

Presents and cake and EVERYTHING!!!

Next up?? NUTS!!!

There were so many of us we had to play in shifts!

It's an intense game!

But we all had a great time and everyone was a good sport!

NUTS!!! 

It's so STESSFUL but so much FUN!!!

The last thing we did was to take a group photo!

Amber brought her tripod and Mike had his super great phone and Jesse is a great photographer!

It was dark outside by this time so we gathered in the gazebo and Jesse placed the lights in the proper places to  get a good pic.

It was really HOT outside as it had been 101 degrees that day!

We were all sweating and not really comfortable - and still not one word of complaint or grumbling!!!

I will treasure this photo for the rest of my life and will keep the memories of this time always in my heart!

All four of my children and six of my eight grandchildren plus Sam's girlfriend, Nora, and Jesse's girlfriend, Rachel.

This was the very best birthday party EVER!!!

When everyone left, there was not one bit of clean up for me to do and they even took the trash out with them!!!

It was a magical gathering of friends and family!

Thank you ALL for the sweet cards, emails, messages and Facebook greetings for my birthday!!!

I love all of you!!!