Thursday, March 1, 2012

Surprise! (Happy Birthday Jim)

A couple of months ago I received an e-mail from daughter-in-law Jennifer. Jim was about to celebrate a milestone birthday and she wanted to get the whole family here for a SURPRISE birthday get-together. I couldn't think of a better present than having our only grandchild Nicholas here for a visit. Book the flights! I'll call all the Arkansas relatives. And so the planning began.

On Friday Jay, Jennifer, Nicholas and Hunt flew to Memphis, met at the airport and rented a car for the drive "home". They were here to surprise Jim when he came home from work.


We left Nicholas sitting at the bar when we saw Jim turn in the driveway. We hid in the hall until he came in the back door. He became suspicious when he saw the rental car, however, he said he really was surprised. Jim's reaction - "Boy, what are you doing here?" Stan drove in later that evening so all of the boys were here to celebrate the birthday.


Hunt, Jay, Nicholas, Jim and Stan


The remainder of the family arrived on Saturday. The surprises continued as his cousin Ryman and wife Linda arrived followed by his mother Zula and brother Joe and sister-in-law Melva.


Ryman, Stan, Jim, Hunt, Jennifer, Jay, Nicholas, Melva, Joe
Linda, Dorothy, Zula, Myra


Jim, Stan, Jennifer, Jay, Nicholas, Hunt, Joe
Myra, Dorothy (Myra's Mom), Zula (Jim's Mom), Melva


Preparing For the "Photo Shoot"

I enjoy genealogy and photography. I have noticed how important family photographs are, especially group shots, in telling the family story. Some are always reluctant and children don't always cooperate but it is fun to look back and remember events. Sometimes the "photo shoot" can be a fun part of a gathering as well.
Nicholas Driving His Great Grandfather's Truck

In 2008 I took a photo of Jim and his boys in the old GMC truck that belonged to Jim's father.
I thought it would be fun to do it again for comparison and of course with Nicholas.
Here are the two photos.




2012
2008

Helping Papa Blow Out The Candles

The Children's Table


Fun with Uncle Hunt and Uncle Stan



Papa and Nicholas Watching One of Uncle Stan's Videos

In summary, thank you Jennifer for making this happen. It was a birthday to remember.
Thank you to everyone for sharing this weekend with Jim.

Myra ----- ♥Peace



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