3/17/08

An 80th Birthday Surprise

We went stealth this weekend! Earle and I traveled to Maine and couldn't tell a soul. We were part of a master scheme to throw a surprise birthday weekend for Earle's mom who officially became an octogenarian on Saturday. We drove up on Friday, a ten and a half hour trip, celebrated the event with a dinner at an inn on Friday night and another on Saturday night. There was food, games, shopping, and visiting with relatives we usually only see once a year at Thanksgiving. Twenty three family members were able to come, much to the surprise of all. One sneaky young lady flew in from Minnesota and never even told her mother she was coming for her Grammie's surprise party! Many tears of joy were shed.


The crowd gathers for dinner at the inn on Saturday night


Happy Birthday, Nora Marie!

Nora and Gus with four of their five children. The missing sibling, Earle's brother Russell, was one of the only ones not able to make it for the celebration.

We pulled it off, we surprised the woman who slips open the tape on Christmas presents then wraps them back up snug again! Earle's sisters in Maine spent a lot of time planning and scheming and it was all worth the look on Nora's face when we all showed up, one by one, to celebrate with her.

8 comments:

Needleroozer said...

She is so very pretty, and does NOT look 80! What a wonderful weekend!
LB

Mom2legomaniacs said...

How wonderful! That sounds like a lot of fun. Glad you were able to pull one over on her!
melissa

Anonymous said...

I talked with Mom today, and she is still gushing over her weekend. It was great so many could be there
to share her day, and it was fun to see her excitement each time another family arrived. Yes, I even got a BIG surprise, a very pleasant one. Lots of Kodak moments, and a wonderful video to cherish.

Bev

Ruskin said...

What a very beautiful lady and clever too. Octogenarians are a very special breed. They have wisdom and grace.
Many congratulations Nora Marie!

DebMc said...

What a thrill! Surprises are a lot of fun, but hard work. Congrats to all involved. It looks like you all had a wonderful time!

Daisy said...

That is so wonderful!! I'm sure that meant so much to her.

Skeller said...

Awww, what a special celebration. I'm sure she was tremendously blessed!

Vanessa said...

Can't believe it's already been a week! I need to post my pics, too. It was great to see you both!