Pictures From The Anniversary

What a neat weekend! We totally surprised my parents by having all three boys show up. DeAnna and I have been building up this weekend since before Christmas, but we've kept the event a secret - only blocking off the time so they wouldn't plan to do something else. Mom's biggest concern was what to wear (she wanted to know if she needed a wetsuit!)

Jim came in from Indianapolis and John came in from Albuquerque. I picked them up at the airport while DeAnna went up to get mom & dad. She told them that I was parking the car while the three boys came up just a couple minutes later. We paused before bursting into the apartment and yelling "Happy Anniversary"!!! Mom & Dad were stunned and simply glowed with happiness! Mission accomplished!!!

DeAnna had brought her camera, so she was the official photographer. We took several pictures right away and then DeAnna went on home while we stayed around and chatted for a few hours - just a relaxing visit to catch up and reminisce. We hadn't actually just sat down and talked for over a decade! After a while, we headed over to Primo's Family Restaurant for dinner (here are the three boys in the back seat just like we used to be).

Primo's is our Friday night pizza tradition. Once again, DeAnna went ahead and got us a table reserved in the back room. We spent a couple of hours continuing the visit before DeAnna announced that she had strawberry shortcake at our house! So we went over to our place to finish off the evening with dessert! Once there, we showed John around and chatted while we finished off the shortcake (with whipped cream).

Mom & dad went home while Jim & John stayed overnight at our house. Sunday morning, we joined mom & dad again for church and met several good friends as we all sat on the same pew (good sermon) Afterwards, we went to Clyde's for Sunday morning brunch. DeAnna took more pictures before we left (more pictures below). Jim & John went with mom & dad, while I drove DeAnna home. John went to the airport first and the Jim.

Now, I'm enjoying a relaxing evening writing a blog and doing little else. It has been a great weekend for my parents, but I have also enjoyed seeing my brothers again. I hope we can all get together more often in the months and years to come... we all agreed to have a big shindig on the 70th anniversary!