Before I get to the birthday fun, I have a big announcement! I have gone to the "other side" and am now the owner of a MacBook. This is officially my first post on my new computer. I finally caved and got the computer that Mark has wanted for over a year. (And, don't tell Mark, but I REALLY like it. :) I still have ALOT to learn, though. So, please excuse the unedited pics. Don't know much about that yet. :)
This week was a big event in the Jacobs family. Pops turned 60!! We surprised him with a family celebration at home, and from what we can tell, we actually pulled it off!
The kids had so much fun decorating for the party and planning exactly how they were going to do the "surprising". Here they are waiting {not so} patiently.
Of course, after we surprised him, we put him to work! Thanks to his grilling expertise, we had a wonderful steak dinner...look at these manly men cooking the beef!
YUM! The plan that John thought was in place was for the celebration to happen at a nice steakhouse this weekend. Well, this version was SO much better in every way. It was a relaxed evening, enjoying the new patio and just hanging out together... listening to the kids run crazy, watching hundreds of great pictures on a slideshow that Mark's sister, Jodi, put together, cheering for the Phillies, and eating lots of popcorn (Pops favorite snack!).
Grandma made Pops' favorite cake, and he had lots of help blowing out the candles, making wishes, and eating it up!!
The grandkids also had lots of fun with Uncle Chris, who came to visit for the week (also a surprise to Pops!)
At the end of the party, we sent our party balloons up to Chase, to make sure he got to celebrate Popsy too. The kids loved getting to do this, and Mark and I decided then that it would have to be a birthday tradition. How sweet is this balloon launch?
Pops asked for only homemade gifts from the kids, so he got lots of pictures,
beautiful painted glitter frames,
and this banner:
Each grandchild answered questions about Pops and we got great laughs from what they said. Now we know more about John than we ever did before. Here are a few: Pops' favorite restaurant? Costco! What he does best? Exercises, eats popcorn, plays football, and eats ice cream. What he is loved for most? His hugs and for his buttery popcorn. Where do they like to go with Pops? Baskin Robbins, a unanimous answer. :) How long has he known Grandma? About 58 years. What does Pops do for work? Flies on the airplane, goes to Hawaii, and does stuff on the computer. And, my favorite, from Sophie: Who wrote the Bible? POPS!!
So, it is obvious how much sweet Popsy is loved by his grandkids, and I hope he also knows how much he is loved by his kids as well. :) John, you are an amazing leader of this family and your gentle and quiet spirit is a gift to each one of us.
It has been a tough year in the Jacobs family, to say the least. Who would have known last December what the road of 2009 would hold for all of us, as we have grieved over many different losses since January. So, this sweet celebration meant alot to all of us, as we sat around the big table and laughed. What a wonderful thing to have family...and to still be standing strong...and laughing easily, after a year of heartache. God is so good. And, we love you so much Pops. Happy Birthday.
4 comments:
Family can soothe the deepest wounds sometimes. I am so glad you had a wonderful time with your family. I am praying that the holidays this year are filled with just as much blessing.
I wish I had been there! Wish uncle John happy birthday for me!
Love,
Becky
It's not Mark....It's John who has never commented on a post before.
My 60th birthday could not have been better....well maybe scoring less than 100 on the golf course could have made it better. But in the scheme of things, that doesn't rank very high with me.
I had absolutely no idea there was a celebration waiting for me at home. First, seeing Cheri, the adult kids and the grandkids together always makes me feel good.
Then, having this party on our new patio made it a great celebration. Seeing the decorations, the banners, the homemade pictures and picture frames from the best artists I know made turning 60 easy. The best thing is that after the party I just took everything upstairs to my office and get to see them every day.
Contrary to grandkids opinion, I have only known Cheri for 43 years, not 58. We're proud of the 3 kids we raised and the spiritual lives they lead. We're not done raising them yet and will continue to give them advice that I fully expect them to follow.
It has been a tough year but faith in a God that knows our every need can heal all that could be overwhelming without Him.
Thanks to all who made turning 60 fun.
Pops (aka Popsy)
Pops--Congrats on 60 years and completing your first comment on a blog!! Watch out, you may author one soon :)
Chelsea--I LOVE the way your family honors each other and celebrates the big (and sometimes little) occasions. Another job well done!!
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