My sisters Kacie and Amy and I organized a SURPRISE 60th birthday party for our mom. She works at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, so we held it in the Tea Room there. It was a "Tea Party" theme, because our mom always wanted to have a tea party. We had teapots as centerpieces on every table, with daisies inside, and teacups. We had creamer and cubed sugar inside delicate glass containers. There was tea and coffee served along with sandwiches, potaoe salad, chips, fruit salad, Grandma's recipe chocolate covered rice krispie bars, lemon bars, and shortbread (I made the shortbread). People came from near and far, from all over the world to help us celebrate, including Iowa, Alabama, and North Carolina! We invited friends from church, the softball girls, extended family, and everyone else she knew! The turnout was amazing with about 70 people! Everyone who loves and cares about our mom, Cindy!
(Picture of her when she first walked in) We had the best plan arranged to get her here. Her best friend, Laurie, along with Nate and Brenda, pretended that they were just going to visit the Arboretum. But MAN, did she give us trouble!!!! First she said she had so many other things to do that day, she wasn't even sure if she was going to go to the Arb. Once they convinced her to go, then she told us that she still had work to do and was going to come into work (The ARBORETUM!) for a couple hours before they got together! That would mean she might see my sisters and I unloading things and setting up for her party! So, Eric (Kacie's husband) came to the rescue and convinced my mom to go with him to Eden Prairie's "Dump Day" and get rid of some unwanted junk. We were so nervous that she would make up some other excuse not to come (and she still didn't know about the party). When we finally saw them walking up the path, the room fell completely silent. Nate walked down the hallway and said he wanted to look inside the Tea Room. My mom saw that the doors were shut, and thought there might be a party inside. She didn't want to disturb the pary, and told him they shouldn't go in. But Nate persisted and continued to walk to the door. He peeked his head inside, and said "There's nobody in there." Reluctantly my mom walked in and we yelled, "SURPRISE!" She was in such shock and cried her eyes out! She had no idea!
Hugging sister-in-law Becky.
My cousin, Matt, who came from Alabama.
Mom's Aunt, Joan.
Mom's uncle, Wayne. What a big smooch!
Chad (Laurie's son) & Mom
The food
The Tea Room Party
We had flower-shaped balloons, provided to us by Matt's dad.
Tea pots and flowers
Aunt Joan, Uncle Wayne, Cousin Beth, and Aunt Deb.
Uncle Denny's family (from Iowa, Alabama, and North Carolina). Becky, Lisa, Matt, Denny, Josh, Heather, Damen, Lane & Makayla.
Aubrey playing tea party.
Laughing about her big surprise!
Talking with Myron, Laurie's dad.
Aubrey playing with Trevor.
Aubrey just couldn't figure out how to make the party blower work.
Aubrey trying to trade Gumby for the party blower.
Cousin Karie and her kids, Kevin & Terese.
Amy & baby Adeline (mom's softball friend's baby).
A signed plaque from mom's softball friends. It reads "You will always be first in our hearts," because she played first base.
Opening presents
Trevor and I reading mom's birthday cards.
Trevor intensely studying the cards.
Mom, Nate, Brenda, and Laurie. (The team that got her here).Aubrey hugging Trevor; it was love at first sight.
