My Mom's 60th Birthday Celebration

From my Grandma Basta's birthday celebration in Salt Lake City, we traveled on Sunday the 24th to get back to Vegas. My mom wanted a quiet, easy family celebration back at home. Also, my dad was not able to travel to UT for the 80th birthday party, so we needed to get back home for my mom's birthday.

Josh and Kristin opened their home for my mom's party. We enjoyed a great BBQ of steaks for the adults and hot dogs for the kids. We did get a chance to surprise my mom even though it wasn't a surprise party. Her sister Diana and Diana's husband Doug came into town for the party! It was so fun to continue seeing them from our weekend in UT. We got Aunt Diana and Uncle Doug to Josh's house before my mom got there. They were out in the back helping Josh grill. When my mom came she helped in the kitchen a little then looked outside to see how Josh was doing and see the kids playing. She, I think, did a double take when she realized that her sister was there. Then the tears came and she was so happy to have family for her birthday.

After dinner, we played a little game where the kids heard facts about my mom and had to say if they were true or false. It was fun to have them learn some things about her that they did not know before. Even Kristin learned that my mom was quite the thespian in high school!

Then after the game, the kids sang a song for my mom. When these cousins get together, they often like to put together a play to show us. It's always so fun to see their creativeness!

Cousins! They are all here singing to my mom.

We then opened presents. My Aunt gave my mom a cute plaque that says, "Grandkids welcome, parents by appointment."

I think this one is a hit.

For the present from Josh, Missy, and me, I made a photo book of my mom. It had my mom from small growing up, her wedding, us kids small and growing up, our weddings, then all the grandkids. I had each grandkid write a letter to grandma about something they love about grandma. I scanned it into the book so it was in their handwriting with their pictures.

My mom reading and looking at her book. She loved it. Those are happy tears!

Happy 60th birthday Mom! I love you more than I can express. You are my best friend, my example, my go-to person whenever I have a question about anything, and the best mom in the whole world!

Big 80th Birthday Bash!

My amazing Grandma Basta turned 80 this year! She is one of my favorite people in the whole world and she doesn't look or act her age at all! She is still a ball of energy and action. She loves it that way. She always says that she's not going to slow down because then her body will slow down and she doesn't have time for that. I was able to take my kids and go visit UT for her birthday celebration! (So sad, Chris had to work.)

It was a huge blessing that I had the opportunity to drive most of the way with my family. The kids and I went to Vegas and then my mom and brother drove with me in my van. Actually, Josh drove most of the way. So nice to have a chauffeur!

On her birthday, it was my family's job to keep her busy so she wouldn't know about her huge surprise party. Big thanks to my Aunt Diana and company who helped set up the church cultural hall while we played to keep Grandma busy! So, there were a few errands to run and then we decided to take Grandma to Olive Garden for her birthday lunch. Yum!

Cousins waiting for some spaghetti and warm bread sticks.

After lunch and a couple more pretend errands (to get the timing right), we went to the church. She thought we were just meeting up with my Aunt Diana who was supposedly setting up for a Young Women's event. She was so surprised! So many wonderful people attended from her life including most of the family that could make it and many friends. There was fun, friends, food, treats, visiting, kids playing...it couldn't have been better. Once she got settled, we showed her a photo video Chris and I put together of her childhood years on through her great-grandchildren. It was a huge success! We love you Grandma!

Fourth of July

We have lived in AZ for a few years now, but this is our first time staying in AZ for the 4th of July. Usually there is a Partridge family vacation over the 4th, but because of work and family things not everyone could go this year. It was fun to have a quiet relaxed 4th, but I'd have to say I missed being with everyone!

We started the morning with our regular swim lessons. It was fun to have Chris come watch the kids swim, since he had the day off.

This is Katelyn going in the deep pool. So hard to see from far away, but I promise, she's in there!

Megan doing her back float.

Megan looking super cute!

Adam's swim lessons. I'm so happy I get to get in the pool with him. It's so hot outside!

After lunchtime, we went to see Cars2 with Kaley and Chase. Fun movie! The kids enjoyed it. Then we went to Grandma-ma and Grandpa Long's for an amazing BBQ dinner. The adults got steaks! We are so lucky. Then we went home for a few of our own small fireworks. I remember loving doing sparklers as a kid. This is the first year my kids have done them. I still loved them, but I'd have to admit it made me nervous as a parent watching the kids hold a stick on fire! Suddenly all the memories of how many times I've burnt myself with a sparkler came flooding back. But, luckily no one got hurt and everyone loved them!

Adam loves holding the flags.

Everyone doing poppers.

Megan with her sparkler.

Adam is not so sure he wants help holding his sparkler, but I'm sure I want to help him!

Cute Katelyn

I love this picture with Adam and Chris

Katelyn in action. Happy 4th of July!

Hawaii - Picture Paradise

Hawaii is a beautiful place. And that pretty much explains it all. Everything from the flowers, to the sand, to the water are all amazing. So, naturally some of the 1,000s of pictures are of the scenery. Pictures don't quite do it justice, but they'll have to do until I can get there again.

Hawaii - Family Time

Of course the best part about our vacation is always having family time. The condos we stay in allow for us to not have to eat out for every meal. And it allows enough space for ALL of us to be together. That's a difficult task with how many of us there are! Most evenings are spent together away from the pool and beach. (Did we really bring clothes other than bathing suits?!) Because we were in Hawaii over Father's Day, Amy came up with a great trivia game for us to get to know all the fathers (pictured in the first collage, bottom right). We also spent time trying to keep the kids busy in the evenings so we weren't too loud for other occupants. One fun activity we did was ALOHA Bingo (pictured in the first collage, top right). Also, a favorite evening activity is to go get ice cream after dinner in Whaler Village just next to the condos (pictured with Adam taking a happy big bite of his ice cream cone.) Even with the condos, we always take time to eat at our favorite restaurants on Maui: Cheeseburgers in Paradise (yes, the name is true), and Hard Rock Cafe (also pictured in the collages below). The big group picture was taken after church. What a good looking 'Ohana!

Maui Ocean Center

After we got all packed up, we had several hours before we needed to be at the airport, so we visited an aquarium between Lahaina and Kahului.

Hawaii - Fun in the Water

So if the Partridge clan is not found on the beach, we are in the pool. (Or, my personal favorite - lounging by the pool.) The pool was remodeled from the last time we went, but the kids enjoyed it just as much. We sort of took over one entire stairway entry when all of us were together, but that's the way we like it! Loud and together! Other water activities this trip included Katelyn surfing along with some cousins and Chris scuba diving with his brothers. Katelyn tried being on her own board for her first wave, but that got a little too scary for her. She then rode the rest of the waves with her instructor. Chris of course enjoyed his scuba trip. It's a highlight for him each time.