80th Birthday Party

Both of my parents turn 80 this year within three months of each other. Dad was 80 on June 16, and Mom will be 80 on September 13. There was no way for us to make the almost 1,000 mile one-way trip twice, so we planned a joint celebration. Mom knew about it as I needed an insider to help plan. We tried to keep it a surprise from Dad, though, and we succeeded. We thought we were going to have to tell him that day, though, as he fell and really skinned himself up. We were sure he would not want to go out to dinner, and so we'd have to tell him to get him to go. That didn't happen, though and he was really surprised.


My dad was an only child, however my mom has a huge family. She was the second of eight children. Six of them are still living. Most of her generation had 4 or more children. Many of my generation are already grandparents themselves. Of course, we have spread out all over the US now, but there was a great turn out for the party. It was so great to see everyone!

We packed out the back room at the Hometown Buffet in Fairview Heights, IL.


I took this picture of Gerren, but he took most of the rest of the pictures. I'm so thankful as it freed me up to socialize! :)


The buffet had tons of wonderful desserts, but we had to have a cake for the birthdays!


There were actually a couple tables of friends rather than relatives. This table is filled with people who've been friends of Mom and Dad's for a very long time: Adele Walker, Alene (Libera) Mergelkamp and her husband Ralph, Ruthie Williamson, and Kathy Grimm.


This is my Aunt Eve Gershwender (she was married to my mom's brother, Uncle Jim, and is always included in family functions), her children (my cousins) Jane Crum and Jerry Munro and Jerry's grandson, Jonathan.


Two of my mom's siblings, Earl Munro and Dee Hermanson.


Pat Fisher (my cousin Betty's husband) and my cousin Terri O'Saben.


The table in the foreground of this picture is another table of non-relatives, sort of. The Mamino family grew up with the Munro family (my mom's family). They are always included in each other's family events.


My cousin Adrian married a woman named Adrienne. :) She's on the left in this picture.


My sister Cindy and her husband Tom enjoy the party.


Cindy's kids, my niece and nephew, Tina and Tim, Tina's friend Stephanie, and Carys eat lollipops.


I finally sat and ate after making the rounds of the room. Landon ate with Greg and ate again with me. I think he had about 8 plates!


These boys are sons of my cousins Betty and Barb. Betty and Barb are twins. I cannot remember is these two guys are Brock, Mason, or Max. Yikes!


Mom talks to my cousins Jane Crum and Susie Molitor.


It was a lot of fun.