Dad's 80th Birthday!

For my dad's 80th birthday my siblings and I decided to surprise him. He knew that Denise, Jeff, and I were going to San Diego to visit him on the boat. What he didn't know was that Jeni and her family and my brother Charles were going to surprise him on the morning of his 80th birthday. This was 2 days before when Jeff and I decided to dance at the restaurant near the marina to a live band. The next day we all went to the San Diego Temple. Its so beautiful!!! I loved being there and the presence of the spirit can be felt just on the grounds. We took most of these pics for Jeff and I and for Jeff's mom who loves this temple.

Jeff and I really can't resist being romantic. I hear it wears off after the first year of marriage but I really hope not!

I love this pic of Denise and I. Too bad I look like the Chinese kid. How did I end up with such small eyes?Denise has this friend of hers that likes to randomly put things in her purse when she is not around it. She found a mini etch-a-sketch one day and decided to pursue being an architect so she decided to use that and begin sketching the San Diego temple.

It actually turned out pretty good! At least now she has a fall back plan and she can take her drawings with her anywhere. Hope her clients have good eyesight looking at that small thing. At least she is saving paper and going green!

Here we are the morning of my Dad's 80th birthday. We decided to take him out to breakfast. He still has no idea the other kids are showing up at the restaurant to surprise him. I am just praying he doesn't have a heart attack. When we got there Denise said, "Hey dad, look who I found." My dad's jaw could have been picked up from the floor it dropped so low! It was absolutely fantastic! He teared up as we were seated at the table. Jeff loves to do this monkey face of his and he pulls on his ears too. Natalie is trying to impersonate him.

As you can see everyone is happy! I love family reunions!

This is Raymond and Maybelline. They are just some of the ducks that live on the boat. We made the mistake of feeding them one day so now they come to the back of the boat every afternoon awaiting their mid-day snack. If you don't bring it they will walk up the boat docks and stand next to your boat and quack at you very loud, might I add.

This is Denise and Natalie looking at dear old Maybelline and Raymond.

Later, we headed to the park. Natalie loved that!

She loves to jump up in the air and land on her bottom. I am not sure why. That poor tale bone.

Dad's Birthday dinner....

The "dad's life book" We presented Dad with a scrapbook of his life and the decades that are filled with his story. We then each contributed a part to it. Jeni and Denise wrote two poems and I wrote a letter to him. He of course broke down and cried! I love you Dad!

The next day we all went to the San Diego Zoo. This pic was awesome. The old and the Young both being pushed around. Life really does circle itself, doesn't it.

This had to be awesome! Dad wasn't too happy about being pushed around in a wheelchair but he can't climb the many hills at the Zoo. So here he decides to push Jeff! That didn't last very long.

Pending a sea lion show...

Playing with Gorillas.

Natalie thought she wanted to be like the rest of us... to push a stroller/wheelchair. Oh how they want to grow up so fast... Just stay young while you can.

Looking at turtles. Dad and daughter.

For lunch we ate at home.. Isn't this the cutest pic ever??

We went to Sea Port Village the next day. It was beautiful outside!

Natalie loved to roll around the grass with Jeff.

Jeff has forgotten his age and decided to climb this. It was clearly not a playground but he didn't mind.

But he forgot to wear his shoes so Natalie thought he could borrow hers. :)

Denise bought a beautiful kite for Natalie. She loved flying it.

She sure does like piggy rides though.

Hanging around for lunch..

...and ice cream...

The last day Jeni and Zack left for Laguna Beach and the rest of us went to Joe's Crab Shak for lunch. Its a really good thing Jeni didn't go because they all ate fish straight from the shells. Crabs, lobsters, mussels... there is no way Jeni would have made it through lunch. The waitress gave us a roll of paper towels and said she would bop us on the head if we asked for more napkins. Charles got bopped at least 3 times!

Here they all are with their napkin/bibs! What a bunch of kids!

Jeff did a wonderful thing for my Dad and I love him for it! He has such a wonderful heart. He took the rails on the back of the deck off which were peeling and looked awful and he sanded them down and then re-stained the wood.

The finished project. It looked awesome and I know my Dad was truly greatful!!!

It was a wonderful trip but wore me out beyond belief. I came home and slept 12 hours that night!! and then followed that later in the afternoon with a 2 hour nap! I was exhaused but Dad's reaction to all of us showing up was wonderful and I will never forget it!