5.18.2008

Dad’s 50th Surprise Party

It was kind of nuts to get this party put together amidst Chris’ finals and getting ready for the move. But it was worth it when we saw the look on my dad’s face. It was PERFECT evening. Everything came together beautifully--the decorations looked great, the weather held out, the newly finished backyard looked awesome! Thank you to everyone who helped and came. It is a memory I will cherish forever. We love you, Dad! Thanks for all you do and bring to our family!
Dad was slightly surprised when he walked out the back door and forty people yelled, "Surprise!" His reaction was perfect; the smile on his face priceless.

Mom was amused because she hadn't got the bill yet!John Wayne says, "Cards are for sissies!" We had all the guests sign it with gold or silver marker. John has been living at Mom & Dad's house for the last month and they keep putting him in closets and just outside of bathrooms to scare each other. Mom booby trapped the closet for Dad the other night and ended up scaring herself--too funny! The theme was old trucks and the colors black, orange, and silver. All the decorations were black, orange, and silver in honor of Valley High (my dad's high school in Orderville, Utah. Their colors are black and orange), as well as the new logo for International trucks. My dad loves old International trucks. The beds on the red Internationl trucks on the tables were full of treats. My dad had given one to Ian, Jefferson, and Isaac for Christmas a couple years ago.
The guests--we had many family, friends, and ward members who came. The new basketball court was a great place for the gathering.

Dad's cousin, Darlynn, and his wife, Arlene, stopped by. We told them that they did not have to get all dressed up just for us, but they did anyway. Or they had just come from a wedding. Take your pick. It was really fun that they were in town. They are from Orderville and Darlynn is Dad's International truck buddy. Long live Cozy Cab.
It's kinda hard to tell from the picture, but Laura ordered the cake with a cool border going around the edges that looked like a road. The picture in the middle is a sugar screen of Dad with Cozy Cab and his new (as-yet-unnamed) truck. The sugar screen was technically edible, but didn't taste very good.

We did put the fire department on speed dial, don't worry! There were 50 candles. I love the picture of my parents laughing; it was fun to watch them so happy together throughout the party.
Dad managed to clear out all of the candles in one whack. Not bad for a guy his age!
Dad couldn't handle getting the frosting off of that many candles by himself, so he enlisted a little bit of help. Actually, two little bits of help. Ian wanted to make sure that Isaac got his fair share!
Ian and Joseph. You know, for two kids who have pretty much unrestricted access to cake and soda, you'd think that they would have a little bit happier faces!
Isaac just adores Nicole. She kinda likes him, too. Note to any interested boys: Isaac is pretty stiff competition.
Cooper loves his Grandpa! Unfortunately it had not yet decided to warm up in Pleasant Grove at this point. Hard to believe we were freezing at this party less than a month ago when it was 107 in Vegas today!
Friends from their ward gave Dad an inflatable walker. Just about everyone thought it was pretty hilarious, but no one more than Joseph.
Jake and Andrea (and Jake's friend Colton, left) were in charge of putting up all of the crepe paper and drinking all of the sodas. They took one of their jobs very seriously.
This is one of Dad's old International trucks. We were really glad that the weather cooperated so that we could have the party out by the trucks in Mom & Dad's new backyard--it has been a long couple of years getting everything done, but the end result is just awesome!
Nancy and Tony Stephenson (my mom's sister and brother-in-law) gave this to my dad. They got it when they lived in Russia for a few years. He looks like an extra from the Red Green Show!
Jefferson LOVES hats, so he was happy to have a turn with Grandpa's new hat.
Grandpa playing with Ian. Yes, again, the signature Cooper mouth! The effect that cute kid has on all of us--why else would grown adults open their mouths like that!!

3 comments:

Angie said...

great pictures! I'm glad that you guys were able to have such a wonderful party for your dad. The kids are so cute and I love the John Wayne cardboard cutout! That's classic. Looks and sounds like you guys had a blast.

Frazier Family said...

The party looked great! I know you worked hard on it. You need to post your family pictures. I was thinking of her taking Maxers picture cuz Cami lives in Florida...you said she did a good job right?

Brad said...

Hola from the Isaac and the Andrea!! Look at us!! On your blog!! Basking in its goodness!! How did I end up in that picture with John? He's posed and ready for the picture, and I'm squatting down looking quite perplexed over that confounded radio.. quite attractive...