Friday, August 27, 2010

Feel Good Friday: The Big Reveal!

I should have told you I decided to wait until Friday to reveal my Mom’s birthday presents, sorry about that!  I figured most of you had forgotten, but a few emails yesterday proved that I was wrong.  Before I get to the gifts, do you know what today is?  It’s the big day!  NYC baby!!  Please pray for a safe trip free of underwear bombers and bed bugs. 

Moving on…

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On our vacation to Silver Lake in July we went to Ludington one day, and happened to stop in a bike shop because my bike was having issues again.  While we were there my Mom started eyeing the Beach Cruisers.  She told my Dad she had to have one.  I told her she was crazy because I had been asking Shawn for a pink beach cruiser for 5 years, and I still wasn’t pimping one, so there was no way she was going to be either!

I don’t think she forgot about the bike, but I think she figured my Dad would never buy her one, so she asked for a suitcase for her birthday.  Meanwhile, my Dad asked me to find her a cruiser!  And so I did:

cadillacThis isn’t just any bike either people, it’s a Cadillac!  It even came with a bell, and we put a big basket on the front for her, totally pimp!  The day of her birthday my Dad told her that he wouldn’t have her present until the next day, so she wasn’t expecting anything.  After lunch we brought out on the deck for the big reveal:

What’s going on here?  I don’t see any present!

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Oh my gosh!!!

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She loves it!!

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My brother and sister-in-law also got her the suitcase she wanted, so she was delighted!  My sister and her family got her a beautiful dress and sweater, which I think she might wear to the wedding this weekend.  Honestly, when my sister told me she bought my Mom an outfit, I thought she was bat-shit-crazy.  I never buy clothes for anyone except my kids and my husband, it’s just too risky.  But, the outfit was seriously perfect!  Apparently my big sis is a better shopper than I am!

But, what about our gift?  Patience, patience.  Well, for one, we got her the bike basket.  But, our main gift was something she’s been asking for for years, but I was too lazy busy to work on.  She wanted pictures of all her kids and grandkids framed and put on a wall in the living room.  Well, to do all those pictures individually was just too much work, so I found a happy medium:

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While we were on Mackinac Island we took a few pictures of all of us (while my parents were gone), so most of the pictures in the frame are from that day.  Here they are…

All of the kids and grandkids:

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(On the left is my brother, Jeremy and his wife, Mary is on the next step up from him.  Next to Shawn in the brown shirt is my brother-in-law, Todd and my sister, Andrea is next to him in the pink.)

All the grandkids:

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(On the top step from L to R:  Kaytlin holding Ethan, Lainey, Alyssa, Natalie, and Alivia.  Bottom step:  Alex and Ryan.)

My sister’s family:

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My brother’s family:

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My family:

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So there you have it.  My Mom said she had the best birthday ever, and that is something which made me feel really good this week!  Be sure to head on over to The Girl Next Door and link up! 

P.S.  I apologize for my lack of commenting and emailing this week, but don’t give up on me!  I promise I’ll be back up to speed next week after school starts.  Pinky Swear!

24 comments:

Cristy said...

How cute!! I want a cruiser too! I used to ride one around in college, but somebody stole it...sad. Since we live in Lubbock, Texas (also known as the flattest place on earth), riding that bike won't be difficult. Do you have any recommendations for road bikes? My husband does triathlons and is thinking of asking for one as a medical school graduation gift. It would have to be < $500.

Nikosmommy said...

Gorgeous family pictures!!! They really are the best keepsake and so worth the trouble of rounding up the kids to sit still for a minute!
LOVE your Mama's new bike..I've been drooling over cruisers for years now. My dad of all people as an awesome cinammon coloured cruiser and I borrow it whenever I can!

Charbelle said...

Wonderful gifts!!! Those picures are just priceless!!! Have a wonderful time in NYC!!!!

Shell said...

Fantastic pics! I'm really impressed by the one with all the kids- no funny faces and almost all looking right at the camera. I can't even do that with my three!

Melissa said...

That is fantastarastic! It feels so good to make other people happy and it looks like your mom was VERY happy.

I will only buy clothes for Hayden. That's it. I don't even buy stuff for Randy. It's too hard. I am very impressed with your sister and her shopping ability. Nice.

MommyLovesStilettos said...

OMG your mom is the cutest!!!!!

And I love your present for her!! Great idea! :)

JennyLee said...

The pic of your Mom on her bike is ADORABLE! Have a wonderful trip!

Anonymous said...

She looks do darn cute on that bike!!!

And... you did an outstanding job with those pics. That is absolutely beautiful!!

Have a wonderful bed-bug free time in NYC!

Amy said...

Your mom is so blessed to have such wonderful kids to do all of this for her birthday! That is just so sweet!

Hope my kid(s) is as great to me as you guys are to your mom!

Have SOOOO much fun in NYC!!!!!!!!

dollycas aka Lori said...

Wow, I have tears my eyes, what a fabulous birthday for your mom, a great family, great presents and fantastic memories. You all are truly blessed!!!

Have a great time in NYC, we will all want details!!!

Dollycas
http://dollycas.blogspot.com/

Jenny @ Practically Perfect... said...

It sounds like your mom had such a great birthday! I love the photo of her on the bike - so cute :-)

Have a blast in NYC!!!

Mrs. Pick said...

What a great b-day for your mom! Your family pictures are beautiful! Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

Your Mom is so cute! I love her face where she sees the present. I so want that bike!

Hillary said...

Great gifts on everyone's part. Is your dad going to get a cruiser now to cruise with her?

Really nice pictures of the family too! Ethan didn't feel the need to wake up, even if it was for his Grandma's birthday present?!?:)

Christa said...

Your mom is too cute! Love that bike!! Love all the family pictures too!

Meghan said...

I DIE over that cruiser! It's fantastic - and PINK! My kind of bike! Those photos of your mom are absolutely priceless!

I hope you have a blast in NYC! I cannot wait to hear all of the deets!

A to Z said...

Just after I scold you for your 'dirty' (but seriously funny) posts, you have to put that wonderful, heart-warming post that totally gave the warm-fuzzies. Will you ever forgive me?!

LWLH said...

Awww she looks so happy...I',m glad your mama had an awesome birthday!

Have fun in NYC :)

Unknown said...

You guys are all so photogenic and I think I'm in love w/ your mom's bike---it's PINK! I love pink!!!
;-)

I bet she loved the photos in the frame, too---that is beautiful.

Jen said...

Love the big picture frame! I think that's a great idea.

I still think it's funny that my mom and your mom have the same birthday. Just another thing that we have in common!

Jessica said...

Oh myyyyyyyyyy! That is so very awesome!!! I love it!

Where'd you get the frame? Kohls? Kirklands?

Yankee Girl said...

That sounds like it was the best birthday ever!

That bike is amazing. What a lovely gift.

p.s. So sorry I have been such a horrible LP lately. I miss you and will be back to visiting on a regular basis. I have officially kicked myself in the ass and have to get back in the game!

Hope you are well!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Ya'll have beautiful families! That bike is too cool!

Mindy said...

Wow! What an amazing birthday for your mama! Love the pictures too. We wanted to do this for our mom during the family reunion, but it didn't work out. Hopefully next year!