Eighty-first Birthday Bash!

My sweet Grandma Parke had a birthday and so some of her family gathered for dinner and a party. We had a lovely time and delicious food. It was a build your own burro (chipotle style) and a nacho bar. Although Grandma Parke doesn't like a big fuss made over her it was good to get together and celebrate such a wonderful lady who loves to do for others!  She is such an example of love and service.

Grandma (center) with her older brother Norman and his wife Lois

The tables all had such lovely flowers and tablecloths. (Thanks aunties for such a pretty party.) You may note a aerial McCoy, that pole has been climbed by many children over the years.  It is quite a feat to be able to climb it without any help.  

Party time

Two Quints, Declan and McCoy enjoying some grub

Three pretty ladies

There was even a wee table with flowers, that Zany (yes she wore that cute dress again, it's a favorite) and Archy got to enjoy

Before we knew it it was present time, the most looked forward part of a party next to the cake that is.  The children swarmed grandma to be up close to see the action.

Grandma opens presents surrounded by children

My Grandma has collected American Girl Dolls for years and she was tickled to get a miniature version of  a doll. Zany was quite envious of this gift not so much the other presents though. 

Ohh, what a lovely doll! thinks Zany

 My aunt (center) is an amazing artist who drew a portrait of Grandma Parke with her mother as a six week old baby. It was so realistic I thought it was a photograph. This picture (below) of it doesn't do it justice since the flash hit the glass unpleasantly but it is so wonderful.  Ashlee and I often decry our lack of amazing talent since so many of our kinfolk on both sides of the family are so gifted.

LaVona and Baby LaVana 

(you never guess it now but she was a very chunky baby)

The cake we really delicious and had a lemon filling with a whip cream frosting. It was huge too which made my kids super happy since we took home quite a bit of the leftover cake.

You only get to celebrate a octogenarian once in a while so to make the most of it the kids may or maynot have continued the celebration in the morning by having cake for breakfast (with a cold glass of milk, of course).

Happy, happy birthday Grandma!