Dad's 60th

My dad's 60th birthday was in July, and the time approaching the big day us siblings and our spouses were trying to get some ideas of what to do for the man who does for so many other people. Kaki came up with an idea to do a scrapbook of photos and letters from close family and friends. So while I was gathering emails, photos, and pestering everyone to finish their project, Kaki was putting together the final pages of the book.

My dad has over the years had a beach party with close friends and family. His 60th would be no different with a weekend of fun and relaxation. Shane, Kaki, & Aaron & I all piled in the car to surprise the old beach bums with our project that we had been working on for over a month. We were surprised when we drove up to see everyone under this house (same house we decided to stay under when I went to Galveston with friends).

Not only were they hanging out under a demolished house, with food on the foundation like a table, but they weren't playing volleyball or getting all nice and sweaty. A little background knowledge - the beach weekends that my dad would put on wee always very competitive and full of nonstop games and sports in order to determine the winner at the end of the weekend. A little glimpse as to why I am the way I am, don't you think?

I think everyone was just so happy to relax and do nothing.

The Kruegers, Wenzels, Tim Morbys, Greg Morbys, Steve Morbys, my parents, and the Eskews. Tempting to try to do a pyramid, but didn't have the guts to suggest it.

So then my brothers, Kaki, & I took my parents back to the house to open the gift. Thanks to Kaki for bringing her camera so I could take photos with it. Yes, I didn't bring my camera.

Shane & Kaki had given him this hat (saw these at Nutcracker Market last year and didn't buy one but loved them) and thought they would throw him off by giving him this extra hair hat earlier in the week. Smart move! Justin says that this hat "isn't right", meaning hair is not supposed to be coming off Papa's head like that. Smart kid - he knows who should and shouldn't have hair.

And Kaki took some photos before she wrapped the gift so we could have a record of the hard work put into the pages.

Dad with his proud book. My mom said that most people never get to know how much people felt about them until their own eulogy. So it was a treat for my dad to read all the letters, poems, see old photos, and even walk down Stephen Edward Smith lane with all the photos of him that my aunts Trudy & Karen delved up from all of Mamaw's old stash of pix.

He even got a little choked up reading it.

I had requested form Trudy to find some old photos of my dad and Mamaw, who passes away last December. I wrote a quick note as if it was from Mamaw, knowing how much she would have enjoyed being a part of this book.

Kaki & Shane did a great job of incorporating all the photos and letters. Man, some of those photos really dated all of us. Made me realize how much I hope to still be with the same groups of friends 30 years down the road that I have right now. Because that's part of the tribute to my parents and their friends - they have all stayed friend for 40 years. Love it!

Trudy & Karen had put sayings on the back of some photos, so Kaki made a game out of guessing which photo went with which saying.

Not only did all 6 of us kids and spouses write a letter, but I had fun writing one from Justin as well. Don't you wish we could all just say, "How are you? I am fine."

There were some toddler photos that looked a lot like Justin, just for those of you that are sold on the fact that my son is a walking Michaelis clone (that's not a bad thing, I just still see some Smith in there as well).

The friends, the memories...

...all because of my wonderful father.

The crew that drove in for the surprise: Shane, Kaki, Aaron, my dad, and myself. Derek stayed home with the munchkin and Elise already had a commitment that day. I was just glad that we could pull this all together so quickly!

Side note - how funny is it when the very day I decide to catch up on this post that I am wearing the exact same outfit as in the photo that is posted? Considering it's been about 6 weeks since this excursion occurred, I guess I'm okay that I am doing a repeat. For those that are aware of my compulsion to know exactly when I wear what clothing. I get that from my fashion conscious father. So a fitting end to a great post. Happy 60th, Dad!