Made a trip to California during Jacob's fall break (Oct. 16 through 24). Wanted to see Mom and Arnold's new place in Valencia and take part in the most wonderful surprise 50th birthday party for my sister Cathy.
First we went to the Boyack's house in Placentia (my brother and sister-in-law) where we had a great weekend. Brody and Mason are my sister-in-law, Koreen's, grandchildren but the closest "cousins" to my kids. Jacob had fun playing with them. Kraig was unable to come so that was kind of a bummer.
I can't believe that I didn't get any pictures at the wonderful BBQ that Koreen had. Everyone was there and I only got one picture of Austin (Jenny and Matt's son) ... must of been having too much fun!
Got lots of pictures of all the work they had done in the backyard and their newly remodeled bathroom, though! What's up with that?
We then headed up to Valencia to see my Mom, Arnold, Cathy & Bruce. We stayed at my Mom & Arnold's house ... the first guests in their newly remodeled home (they are still in the process of doing more).
It rained almost every day we were there but Arnold, Bruce, Eric and Jacob got in a game of golf, between rain showers. Arnold was giving Jacob some pointers on the driving range which is right across the street from the condos. (I took the pictures through the fence.) Also is a picture of the "ride" we rented .... pretty fun little car.
We sorted through some boxes while we were there and I found all the saucers to go with the tea cups that I get to have at my house! I LOVE THEM! Jacob found some other fun stuff at Nana's too!
The "grand" finale of the trip was my sister Cathy's 50th Birthday Party. Bruce had been planning it for months and it was a total surprise to Cathy ... he had everyone coming.
It was a grand affair -- and really crazy to coordinate -- people flying in at all different times and airports! Bruce even had a "holding" area (Lindsey's Mom's house), because people were arriving earlier that morning! Great job Bruce in figuring it all out and putting on a GREAT party!!!
OK so all Mom and I had to do was:
#1. KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT and
#2. Get Cathy to the party SOMEHOW!
Sounds pretty easy right? WRONG!!!
Every time I opened my mouth, in the couple of days preceeding the party around Cathy and even NOT around Cathy, I was afraid and had to check my words before they came out.
THE PLAN
1. Tell Cathy come over at 2:00, dressed to have dinner
& to go to someplace special.
2. We go eat at a special little Tea Garden and then
do a little shopping until 5:00 (We told her we
couldn't be at the "special place" until after 5:00)
3. We blindfolded her after shopping and told her
otherwise she would know where we were going.
4. Mom and I got totally lost trying to get back to her house
where the party was. I kept asking Mom things like ...
"don't you have the address on the tickets?" Totally threw
Cathy off. We were trying to get her to think we were
going to a play. She thought we were trying to get to
the freeway ... she was laughing so hard in the back seat
at us trying to just get away from the Home Goods store!
5. Arrive back at Cathy's house (I keep saying stuff like there are going to
be a sets of stairs, etc.) She has NO clue. We get up to the front
door which is open and everyone is gathered around silently.
They all yell SURPRISE and she takes off the blindfold!
She was in total shock!!!
It was FANTASTIC!!
Before the party!
We bought her a special crown to wear!!!
SOME of the "Guest List"!
- Our other sister Cyndi & Bill from Washington
- Cousin Pam from Washington
- Cathy's Kids
- Brian & Amanda (pregnant) and 2 Year Old Blake from Kansas
- Tascha & Kyle who both live in San Diego & Friends
- Aja drove down from San Francisco (all by her big-girl self)
- Weston & Girlfriend Laurie from New York
- Eric & Girlfriend Lindsey
- Bruce's Family
- Kit & Rand and Heather (from High School)
- The Craveners from Arizona
- Arnold's daughters, Kristen & Sherry
- Lots of other family and friends, past and present
Fun pictures at the party ... Bill really got some good pictures of when she first walked in. I was "too involved". But there are some good ones!
2 comments:
What a great trip!!! I am so sad that I couldn't come. :( Aunt Koreen's bathroom looks awesome! Wow.
Nana and Arnold's house is cute! Glad you got to be the first guest. :) I can't believe the party was such a success, I totally thought she would have suspected something. I'm still laughing at you and Nana trying to make your way to her house. You are the worst at directions, and you inherited it from Nana, so put the two of you together and I'm surprised you didn't end up in Nevada.
What a great party! Love the pics, the one of Aunt Cathy and Uncle Bruce and all their kids is great. Great shot of the Tuesday group too. I'm so glad you got to be part of all of it!
Looked like a GREAT trip! Wonderful resort like backyard at Koreens. Loved all the pics of the party. Everyone looks so happy and content with life. The pic of kids, Cath and Bruce was terrific. All very smart and chic looking adults now. Thanks for sharing.
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