So much to catch up on!

For a year I’d been planning one big “covert” operation: A surprise 60th birthday party for Bruce in November.  My big distraction was an evening with Elton John and Billy Joel in concert in Seattle  that same month.  I began to worry when Elton John became ill and the concert was postponed. But the surprise came off anyway. Joining me in the surprise-and I must pass on many thanks-were our kids: Beth and Ryan, David and Kim, Jill and Drew. David  hosted the party at his house. My mom and Leif came, as did Bruce’s mom, brother, sister- in- law, niece and nephew- in -law. Our adorable grandchildren were there too. Other than the people, I think the hit of the party was the cake. It was custom-made and looks just like his treasured (still running by the way) ’49 Chevy pick-up. The multi-colors are authentically real-Bruce has part of the truck in primer and part is the brown color so many may remember. Hilarious! Here are some pictures from the party:

And more good news: The concert has been rescheduled for the first Saturday in February.

The “covert” operations completed and we settled into a nice Thanksgiving with our family and those family members that had stayed for Thanksgiving: Mom and Leif, Grandma Eppy. A busy, but fun time!

Christmas was a quiet one this year. Jill and Drew were in Georgia, so we missed them. Jim was in CA, visiting Mom and Leif. Jeff was home for Christmas Eve, so that’s when we had our dinner. This year potluck appetizers were chosen. Ryan even ate a mushroom appetizer-he loathes mushrooms! We also decorated gingerbread men-last year it got nasty and this year it did too. Funny family. Maybe we better clean it up next year and decorate gingerbread HOUSES. Knowing this family they can turn that into a funny thing too.  This year we also took the family to a really high-tech house with lights and music and even Santa on a projection screen TV in the front window.  Bruce and David are both thinking…”next year”. Uh oh…the planning begins.

The holidays are now completed and as I write this post, we are awaiting the arrival of the New Year. We have so much to be thankful for. We wish everyone a happy, healthy and amazing 2010!