Katy's 80th

Grandma Katy turned 80 at the end of May!  My mom planned a birthday party in her honor and I just couldn't miss the big celebration.  Of course I wasn't going to tell Grandma that, though!  I planned a surprise visit to MN/WI and my scheme couldn't have worked out better.

My mom and my friend Tasha also had their birthdays around the time I was going back, so I dropped by Tasha's place and got to personally wish her a happy birthday and see many of my old college friends who where there for her b-day brunch.

Tasha with her baby Celia and friend Aimee visiting from Rhode Island

That night I drove out to Mom's place, abandoned my rental car, hid and honked the horn a few times using the key remote.  Mom and Jeff came out and couldn't figure out who was there... until I popped out and gave Mom a big ol' birthday hug :)  I told her in the card I'd sent to keep an eye out for something I was sending by mail - air mail, that is!

I went for the trifecta of surprises at Gram's party.  At that time, only my mom and brother Adam knew I was in hiding upstairs.  After Grandma arrived, I called her "from Baltimore" to wish her a happy birthday and tell her how sorry I was I could not be there for her special day.  While Adam simultaneously distracted her by pointing at a Baltimore oriole outside at the feeder (ironic?), I crept up behind her and wished her a happy birthday.  She was truly surprised, and that happy moment will be a memory I always treasure.  It was wonderful to spend the day with my whole family and together we did our best to make Grandma feel loved and know how special she is to all of us.

My cousin Alyson took these great shots...

Katy's 80!

Grandma Katy & Grandpa Curt

THE FAM!
Back row: Joel, Kacey, Dan, Aly, Jorge, Scott, Curt, Katy, Ann, Jeff
Front row: Henry, Adam, Lindsay, Jonah
(Missing: Liza, Katie, Mark, Jack)

My bros