Family Party: Grandpa's 80th Birthday Weekend

You don’t realize it until you move away…the little things you miss from your childhood.

My dad came from a pretty big family. He is the oldest of 5 kids—he was the only boy.  

When we lived in Michigan, two of my aunts lived within a half an hour from us. We would get together for holidays, graduation parties, various life events, and parties in general. I have 17 cousins on this side of the family and seeing my family was one of my favorite things to do.

This weekend was my grandfather’s 80^th birthday. His kids decided to surprise him in Texas. (Where he, one of my aunts, my parents (are in the process of closing on a house) my sister and I all live.  He and my grandmother did have a heads up that something was going to happen. They didn’t know when most of the girls would come in, and they really didn’t think their youngest daughter would be able to make it in from Colorado.

Koegel's Pickled Bologna....yummy! (And I usually hate bologna)

On Sunday, my aunt from Colorado came in—one of her sister’s picked her up from the airport and they went over to my parent’s new house. My grandparents were already there and they were so surprised when my Aunt Dawn walked in the door.  My dad had champagne and little plastic wine glasses.

Then, people came over to our house for dinner. My aunt from South Carolina called me on Thursday and told me they were bringing lasagna, salad, dessert, etc—could they come over and cook the food up and we could all hang out? It was more like a-- we are already planning this—so even if you say no, we are coming. It was totally fine, but I was stressed out about cleaning my house.

 As everyone showed up, no more than five minutes passed and the appetizers were out…chips had already fallen on the floor. Our dog, had drooled relentlessly, water was spilled, and by the end of the night a full wine bottle was broken and shattered all over the kitchen.  My aunt from South Carolina cleaned it all up, and a little part of me was curious how long it would smell like wine in my house. I am sad/glad to report it is all gone now.

Yesterday, we went out on Lake Travis rented a “party boat” had Koegel’s hotdogs and Coney Island Sauce from Angelo’s. (Brought to us all the way from Michigan.)  It was a pretty perfect day.  

There was a part of me that was sad that it all had to end. I love seeing my family.

I feel pretty lucky that I got to be a part of it.