Happy 75th Birthday!

A few weeks ago we celebrated my father-in-law's 75th birthday.  For a man as amazing as my father-in-law is, he deserved an amazing party . . . and he got it.  Sandy, my mother-in-law, planned the biggest bash ever.  This was a surprise party that involved their 5 kids, 5 spouses, and 18 grandkids.
  Two months before his birthday Sandy started the planning.  We all agreed to meet in Boise, because there are 2 siblings here - 2 houses to house the masses, for the weekend. This involved long road trips for some, and long flights for others. From Seattle to Dallas the family started coming.  We all met in here for a weekend none of us will forget.
   It started Friday night meeting John  and Sandy at a restuarant.  We got John here by telling him that Derek and I were going to Dallas for a few days and we needed he and Sandy to come tend our kids.  That was the bait.  They were going tend from Saturday to Wednesday.  On their drive over from Idaho Falls Derek called John and told him we had told our kids we would take them out to dinner, since they felt bad about not going with us to Dallas and all.  Just meet us at the restuarant John - the trap was set.
   When John got to the restuarant, little did he know what awaited him.  He walked into a private room at Louie's Italian restaurnt to see 29 of his family members there.  We all yelled 'surprise' and waited for him to take in the sight . . . I think 'overwhelmed' described John's emotions.  It was the funnest to see him realize how loved he is by this family.  They had come from far and wide - all to celebrate him.
   We partied there all night, simply enjoying each other's company.  Well, some of us partied there - Logan and I went to a Quick Care place for a Friday night ear infection.  But the party raged on for the rest.
  The next day was packed with fun.  All of the adults went to Tacano's Brazilian BBQ for lunch.  We left the 18 kids at my house, with big kids in charge of little kids, said a prayer (for the kids and the house!), and were off.  Lunch was great - so fun to just enjoy everyone's company. 
  That afternoon was action packed.  We headed to our church to have a little more room - you know you're a big family when you need a church gym to fit in!  We had games and a talent show - a favorite in our family.  Each family gave him 75 of something - there were 75 of his favorite treats, and a 75 pages scrapbook put together by Sandy.  The book was such a great tribute to John.  Afterwards, we headed back to my house for dinner and birthday cake and ice cream. 

   Sunday some family had to head back home, but thanks to Spring Break for one family, and no school on Monday for another family, lots of family were to able to stay until Wednesday.     
    Every night was 'musical beds' as slumber parties moved from room to room and house to house. My favorite line of the entire weekend was from my 4 year old neice Mallory. Mallory fell asleep in Emily's bed, but when her mom went to bed, she moved Mallory to sleep in their family's room. Then I went to bed in Emily's bed. At 1:00 in the morning I was awakened by Mallory simply saying, "I'm supposed to be in that bed."  Hillarious.
    It was so fun to see everyone for an extened time.  This was the first time all 18 grandkids were together.  Cousins played and played.  There is something magical about cousins - it doesn't matter how long it's been since they've seen each other, they simply pick up where they left off - as best friends.  It warms my heart to see my kids love their cousins as much as they do. 
    It was the funnest weekend - all to celebrate John, who deseves a whole lot of celebrating.   He is the most selfless, kindheated, and generous guy there is.