What? **Another** Birthday Celebration?!?!?

A couple of weeks ago, Carl's son, Scott, contacted me and let me know that Carl's family wanted to celebrate his birthday on the first evening that all the siblings were in town (for Pamela's elopement party). Carl had wondered why there weren't any plans to get together for his birthday (I said, "Oh, we're staying out at Pine Country, it's a long drive...") and then why there weren't any times that he was invited to be with the family this past Thursday during the day after his kids were all here (I said, "Oh, I'm sure they are just crazy busy over there where everyone is staying..."). I knew that birthday celebration plans were in place, but I couldn't let on.

On Thursday evening, the plan was to get pizza from Roberto's in Elmhurst and to meet at Eldridge Park (a park near where Carl grew up) to have a place for the kids to play and for us all to gather as a family. Scott had texted me and asked that I make sure that Carl didn't get to the park before 5:30pm... he is always one to arrive early, and he really wanted to get together with family -- I didn't think I could keep him away much longer. Daughter Kim and granddaughters were going to ride with us to the park, and I whispered to Kim, "we need to delay!" She said that she was pretty sure that everyone else was getting there early, and we would be fine to head on down.

As it turned out, I had put in "Eldridge Park" in the GPS, and it took us to a different part of the park -- so we didn't end up getting there very early anyway!

When we got there, the kids were all lined up and blowing noise makers -- Carl said that he thought they were there to welcome Kim! Suddenly they were running up to him saying, "Happy Birthday, Papa!" He said, "That was a week ago!" He couldn't believe that they had put together this whole surprise event for him!

The kids had drawn special wishes on the sidewalks.

Unfortunately, at about the time that we got there, the rain that had been threatening started to come down...

We moved under a couple of small structures...

... we were ordering pizza from Roberto's, so we didn't think we'd find a place that would let us bring in food...

... the grands still were enjoying the playground equipment, regardless of the rain.

"Papa! We love you" (in chalk before the rain washed it away!)

Usually, Roberto's will not allow folks who are eating inside to order from their pizza menu, but when Scott and Joel explained the situation (we were at a park, it was raining, birthday, etc.) when they were picking up the 6 large pizzas, Roberto's said that we could sit in their annex tented area! What a blessing, because the rain was starting to pour!

We had two large tables... table 1,

... and table 2.

Kim had flown in on Thursday morning and then baked the Almond Poppy Seed cake that is Carl's favorite. He particularly likes if it has a bit of raw spot in the middle, and this did! There were also chocolate chip cookies!

Scott got to hold Addi for a bit.

Carl's card reminded him of all that happened in 1954.

Carl and his children

Carl and his grand children

Carl and youngest granddaughter Addi

Carl and his brother, Steve

It was so great for Carl to realize that his family had *not* ignored or forgotten his birthday, nor had they been avoiding getting together with him! Happy Birthday (again), Carl!