You Are My Sunshine: The Big Surprise Party

April 24, 2013

The Big Surprise Party

Well, we did it!! Though he may have had an idea something was going on, I would say overall Dad was completely surprised by his celebration weekend!

This was an incredibly fun project to be a part of!! I love anything that is dedicated to honoring someone for their incredible life and memories. The project I did for my aunt Lindy was also one of my most favorite projects I have ever done.

The weekend started with me and the girls surprising Dad on Friday night as he was meeting up with Kristi and Brandon for dinner in Denver. He definitely didn't seem like he knew we were coming, but I did my best to confuse him just in case he did have an idea. Followed by Kenny and Kristen unexpectedly showing up and ending the night with the rest of mom's family meeting us at the hotel. Which again was a big surprise to Dad.

That night and the next day were a blast as we all just hung around the hotel laughing, catching up, admiring babies, swimming, taking the hotel restaurant by storm and watching basketball. (In fact, I heard this could potentially be a yearly thing?! If so, count us in!!) Little did Dad know that the best was still to come!!

Kristi, Kinley, Kristen and Katie (man our family likes K names!) snuck off to set up the party while the boys went to watch bball. 30 people met us at El Rio to celebrate Dad and his 60th including almost all his family and some of his closest friends. I am certain many more would have come too had we the resources to accommodate them! The look on Dad's face was priceless as he walked into the party! Not even able to smile he was so overwhelmed with emotion! Doesn't it feel good to do something so special for someone? I want to do it more often!!!

Then for the last surprise Kristi and I presented to Dad his official present in which 60 people wrote him a letter sharing their favorite memory or attribute. I just wish we would have had time to read them all at the party!!! I have always known my Dad is special but there is something very powerful about getting to hear it from others as well.

Thank you all who were a part of this super surprise celebration. I know it meant the world to my Dad!

2 comments:

Cindi SchubertApril 25, 2013 at 11:14 AM
Fun! Loved getting to see the pics!
ReplyDelete
Replies
MeredithApril 27, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Wow! What a wonderful surprise - multiple surprises really! I agree, getting to do something special for someone like that is priceless. So happy you got to be a part of it, and so happy you have such a fantastic dad!!
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

In Rylie's Words

2/15

Ry: "Why did Harper just say "OH!"?

Me: "I am not sure, Rylie"

Ry: "Maybe its because she doesn't know French."

2/13

"Harper is like the egg monster...gobbling up her eggs. You know what you are mom? The talk all day monster"

1/7

"Um, that sure is a flavory taste!" (Talking about her toothpaste)

2013

12/30

My yawn made my thinking go away!

11/2

Ry: "You know what makes me happy? This picture of you and daddy when your married. You look so pretty in your married dress. Its all white. Mom? Are you wearing a bra under your dress?"

Me: "Yes." :)

Ry: "Oh good! I was worried! Why did I not see you when you were getting married? Did God not create me?

9/12

Mom, guess how much I love you! All the way to Guatemala and back!

8/15

Mommy, I want to go to heaven with all of you. I just want to see God. When do you think he's coming to get us? Actually, I think I want to go without you because I want to be a mama. But don't worry I will send you a picture of me and Jesus so you remember me...but who do you think will take our picture? Maybe I'll ask God that he has a camera.

6/8

"Is Dad blow drying the grass? I mean...mow lawning?"

6/6

"Calling Dr. Superhero!! Mr. Belly Button is sick!"

5/30

"Momma, Do you feel ready to be a grandma? 'Cause I have a baby boy in my arms."

5/18

Adam: "Rylie, do you know where we live?"

Ry: "Here."

Adam: "Right, but do you know our address?"

Ry: "The basement."

5/ 16

Rylie had asked me to get her bike for her to ride. I needed to run something inside the house really quick. I came right back out and this is what she said to me.

Ry: "Mama, everything I ask you and everything you do makes me so mad!"

5/10

Ry: "Mom why do you have so many kattoos (tattoos)?

Mom: "What do you mean "so many"?"

Ry: "You have dots kattooed all over your body!"

Mom: "Oh those are my freckles."

Ry: "Well, I guess I like them."

4/31

Me to Adam: "Rylie is getting so old!"

Ry: "Mom! I am NOT old!! Old means I'm getting rid of me."

Me: "What?"

Ry: "Well, my doll that's upstairs on my floor that I forgot to clean up and take down to the basement is getting old and I don't want to get rid of it like the toys that are in the garage."

Me: "Wow, that is very smart thinking but we don't get rid of humans when they are old, just toys."

Ry: "Whaaat?! I'm a human!?!"

Me: "Haha...yes. You are human!"

4/30

As I am painting Rylie's nails:

"Daddy is going to love my nails. He will say, "Oh my, who is this girl?" and I will say, "It's Rylie the Pink!". "Oh how beautiful!! Lets clap for my toenails. They did such a great job!"

4/28

"Mom, this dinner actually tastes good!!"

4/7

Ry: "Mom, can we get pistachios?"

Me: "No, love. They are too expensive."

Ry: "But mom I love expensive things! I only, only, only want to have expensive things!!!" (I am in trouble!!)

3/15

Ry: "You know this is the best family in the world but sometimes I feel stuck." (She was sitting on my lap at the table. I guess she didn't have enough room to escape.)

3/5

Rylie woke up crying after we had put her to bed and when I went to check on her she told me she had "bee boxes on her hand". After thinking about it for a while I realized her hand had fallen asleep. :) "Mom, can you just massage the bee boxes away?"

2/3

Me: Ry, how did you sleep?

Ry: Well, not that really good.

Me: Oh no! Why?

Ry: Because I had a little bit of monsters in it.

Me: Oh, in your dreams?

Ry: Yeah, but they were not that really scary. They were a little bit nice. Hehehehe

Adam (about 5 minutes later): Rylie, how did you sleep?

Ry: Not that really.

Adam: Why not?

Ry: These nice monsters were there and said, "we need lots of water".

1/25

Ry: "There are no cell phones allowed today!"

Me: " Oh, really?"

Ry: " And did you see the sign? It says, no Harpers allowed today either!!" :(

1/18

To set the stage: I had a friend over and we were telling jokes to Rylie at dinner.

Ry: "Jen, do you want to hear my joke?"

Jen: "Yes!"

Ry: "Knock, knock"

Jen: "Whose there?"

Ry: Straight faced lets out the longest, nastiest toddler fart and then smirks at us!!! I. was. crying. So funny and embarassing!

1/9

"Mom, I need to sleep now so I can get my germs out of the way so I can have a play date!"

1/2

"I feel not healthy so I need to do some lots of yoga. Is that alright, Mom?"

2012

12/31

"Mom, Brandon is the best guy!" (This was out of the clear blue)

12/17

"Mom, I just fell and hit my knee. I need a kiss. Not a big but a little one."...(after I kiss her knee a few times) "Mom!! I said not a big one! I don't need 2 kisses just 1!! Can you please try that again. (in a very bossy tone)

12/3

As I turned around to see what Rylie was doing I caught her dragging Harper by the feet into the next room saying, "Come here sweetie. Come on sweet thing." At least she was being nice about it.

11/27

Ry: "Mom, would you like to hear a joke?"

Me: "I would love to hear a joke!"

Ry: "Last night while I was sleeping I was walking around my room and standing."

Me: "Wait, what? Really? Is that real? Or just a joke?"

Ry: "I don't know."

11/21

Ry: "Mom, when we get home I am going to need you to hold me."

Me: Ok, why is that?

Ry: I just need to cuddle!! :)

11/16

Ry: Wow Mom! You're not crying!!

Me: Why, would I be crying?

Ry: Because you are making my bed all by yourself.

11/15

Ry: Mom, that tree looks like a spider. I really really like spiders. Actually, I think they are my favorite creature!

11/14

While trying to unlock my phone.

Ry: "Mom, will you save the day?"

11/9

Me: "Rylie, I love my husband (your Daddy). He is so kind, gentle, loving and strong and brave! One day you will have a husband and I hope he will be just like my husband. "

Ry: "Oh Mom! I already have a husband - a Daddy husband and he is SOOOOO nice!"

11/7

Out of the clear blue while driving to story time at the library.

Ry: "Mama, I love this wold!"

Me: "Ahhh! That's nice. Why do you say that?"

Ry: "Because God made it."

11/5

Adam: "Rylie, can I put you to bed and read you books? I would really like to do that."

Ry: "No, I want mommy to do it."

Adam: "Please."

Ry: "Hey! I have an idea!! How about you stop whining and we all do it together!"

10/29

Ry: "Mom, I am so lonely."

Me: "Oh no Rylie! Why are you lonely?"

Ry: "Because you ask me if I have to go potty too much."

10/12

"Look Pop! Someone is shaving their car!! What a bummer!" (Our neighbor was scraping the windshield of their car. )

10/10

As I am bringing broccoli to the table...

"Now that's what I'm talkin' about, Mom!"