Happy 75th Birthday!

A 75th birthday only comes around once in a lifetime!   So we wanted to celebrate with you....this has been quite a year for celebrating your birthday (and by year we mean the last twelve months)!   We started out the celebration with a call which said let's go to Florida and celebrate mom's 75th birthday...well thinking that mom's birthday is in January that seemed like an exciting idea!   But the get together had to be scheduled in August.   

So we gathered in Florida at Walt Disney World for the birthday celebration without end!   Did you know when it is your birthday at Disney they give you a button that identifies you as the birthday girl?   And did you know if you wear it every day for a week, every where you go you get birthday cake and that every one wishes you happy birthday?   Well Pat does!!!!

First Birthday celebration!!

Next Birthday Celebration!

You get the idea!

Then we were off to visit the Disney parks.....oh did we mention it was 100 degrees and 99% humidity? We visited MGM, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom all in one week.   Here are some of our photos from the week!

Did we mention it was hot?

We saw Pluto and Goofy!

 And Tigger too!
 And of course Winnie the Pooh.

 We partied at Hoop de Doo!

 This kind of looks like a parade!

Grandma and the Cousins!

Pat and Lew - still in love!

Pat, we had the kids over for Family Night last month and we talked about what we wanted to share with you on your birthday.   All the reasons that you are special to us.   We came up with a HUGE list of things and wanted to share some of them with you as a kind of birthday tribute!

Special Thoughts

Joe

Mom, you always made us whatever kind of cake we wanted.  I especially remember the snowman and my favorite, mac and cheese.  Do you remember my 16th birthday?   You put me over your knee.  I was thinking I should return the favor.  I always remember how you always woke us up singing...whatever was on your mind.

Kim

My favorite memories are knowing that you and Lew would always be there for family milestones.   You are always there for the "big" events....blessings, baptisms, temple endowments, graduations, missions, football games, performances, marriages.   The list goes on and on.  You are an amazing example of love of family.   I also love your generally sunny disposition.    You are a great example to our family....we love you tons!

The Boys....and Anne Marie

Always to be remembered....those "terrible" Christmas cookies.   

Could you ever make enough?  

We remember when we came to visit you always made sure everyone had breakfast no matter how many people were there, or how long we slept.

We remember hot dog casserole and macaroni salad (Yummmmy)

Enjoyed going to the Hill Cumorah Pageant and staying at your house.

Characteristics

Short and Sweet

Happy

Fun Loving

Loves to be with the Family

Makes everyone feel like part of the Family

Loves to be with the Family at the Temple

Loves the Gospel

Good cook

Caring

HONEST

Pat, we are so grateful that you and Lew have made the trip up to be with each of our children as they have gone through the temple....here are a few pictures to help you remember those trips.

Owen - Boston Temple 2005

Mitch - Boston Temple 2009

Anne Marie - Palmyra Temple 2010

Pat, I can't thank you enough for all you have done for our family.   You have obviously been a fantastic mother.   Joe is all that I could hope for in a friend and husband.  He is kind, and caring, and constantly thinking about the needs of others and I know he learned all that from his mother.   You have been a great example to our boys and have always encouraged them to do the right things and have written to them and supported them on their missions.  You have made gifts for their babies and always remembered them on their birthdays and special events.   Not only were you there for the birth of our children --- you've been there for the really important events in their lives.  You know them and love them!   You truly are a significant part of their lives and for that I thank you.     You have shared your spirit with them and your love of life.   They know that they are important to you!   

Hope you have a great day today and know that we love you!  Happy 75th Birthday!!!!

Grandkids are fun!

Last Saturday we watched Adelynne most of the day while her parents went over to Gilford, NH.   We just had a blast with her!   She is such a cute little girl and just so mild mannered.   We had lunch.....grapes, string cheese, and crackers.   We played games - peek a boo and hide and seek.   We read books, and played with legos.   It is so funny that as grandparents you feel like you have so much more time to play the games than when you are the parent!

We bundled up in the car mid afternoon and Adi was out for the whole trip down to Concord to meet her parents and go to dinner.   The picture above was from a ribs place called "Famous Dave's" that I had never heard of but the food was very good and reasonably priced.   We had a great day with the kids!   We did miss Mitch and Owen since we think if they had been there we might have actually been able to finish the "family meal"!   Maybe in a couple years!

Mitch is a Missionary!

It has been a long time since we had all the kids together for a photo in their church clothes! The day that Mitch was set apart as a missionary was occasion enough for everyone to gather at church and to allow us to get a family photo of everyone together. I especially liked this one of the kids. It was a great shot! Everyone happy and smiling, including Adi. 

President Cook set Mitch apart as a missionary and here are a few of the the things that he counseled Mitch to remember as he prepares to serve as a missionary in Brazil.

• The Lord has blessed you with goodly parents, they have taught you good from evil.
• You have been able to make good choices in your life, including recognizing when you have made mistakes.
• You have been foreordained to be a disciple in this life and have a testimony Jesus Christ.
• Be valiant and fearless, you will have energy, desire, and be a hard worker
• You will love your companions, befriend them and you will be lifelong friends
• You are blessed with gifts of tongues to both speak and understand the language.
• You will be able to relate to and love the people and will bring many to the covenant of baptism.
• Jesus said that he who believes and is obedient will have eternal life, which is the greatest gift.
• You are commissioned to teach, preach, baptize those that are prepared.
• You will be protected from harm, danger, and disease
• Write to your parents weekly
• Share your testimony with your siblings and your parents.

Mender Family Photo 2009

We have been averaging a family photo about every two years so it was about time! The last photo we had was when Owen returned from his mission and we are scheduled for our next photo when Mitch returns from his mission! Amazing how time flies.....but I sure am glad we have tortured our children with these family bonding moments. Over the years we have had tears....lost shirts (that is a funny story) and lately just alot of laughter as we have gathered for these photos. I'm so glad we have this history of our family and how they have grown over the years! Now that we have grandchildren in the picture we may need to pick up the frequency of our photo sessions!