Wow~ I finally get a chance to sit down and pen my thoughts about the weekend. I have to agree with Casey we all had a blast. Friday, Dave and Casey came into town earlier than they planned so we trasped off to the outlet malls looking for birthday gifts. We had a great time of shopping and conversation. Then Casey and I were off to the salon to get a little pampering in for ourselves with new haircuts, getting home in time to get ready and head out for dinner at Red Lobster. I must say that with a crowd of 14 there is never a dull moment. No matter who you sit by at dinner its always fun, intersting, and hilarious. Of course it was endless shrimp night, which several members of our family thoroughly enjoy, so the shrimp kept coming, and coming, and coming. I heard several remarks that they could not believe how much shrimp "some" were putting away. We headed home to finish off the night of gift giving. Brett enjoyed all his gifts then it was time for the kids to give their dad the gift they all chipped in for, a new "laptop". He was totally shocked, I think speechless is more the word and thrilled. Branden was hilarous with a rendition of a "geek squat nerd" or "nerd hurd" nerd. We laughed so hard it hurt. As a mom, looking around the room at her kids, I must say I felt very humbled that God blessed me with such a great bunch of kids. Its "mostly" never boring here, and never ever "quiet" and always "chaotic" but "I Love it!" We topped the night off with videos from when the kids were little. It was fun to relive memories.

Saturday morning, Den left bright and early for a youth conference in Detroit, which was perfect for us as we had the entire day to get ready for his big "5 0" party. It was amazing at how an entire party can come together in just a few hours when so many hands help. All the kids did a great job of keeping this a secret, which in our family,is a miracle in itself. I was thoroughly impressed with my kids, big and small, for the way they engaged themselves with their dads party. It was impressive watching how they worked together, laughed together, plotted together, and even cleaned up together. Sometimes I wonder if all we have tried to instill in our children really sinks in and then an event like this happens and I see it all come into play. My family is awesome and I am so blessed to be their mom, they are the most precious gifts on this earth. . .

We were able to pull the party off, without Den's knowledge, he was surprised and pleased (though he did remind me that next year paybacks will come!!). We have an awesome church family who celebrated with us as well as many friends from near and far.

We left the party and several families came over afterwards for a few hours. We laughed and the kids played. By midnight we were all weary but thrilled with the way the day played out!

Sunday was just a lazy day. After dinner we had our weekly family day, and our ritual of watching "Survivor"; and then everyone pretty much just did their own thing, mostly "Sunday Football" and "Red Sox's baseball".

I am anxious to see all the photos our friend, Gary, took. He is an amazing photographer and seems to be in all the right places at all the right times, and well, even at the wrong places at the wrong times. LOL LOL

Thanks to all my kids for their hard work, their laughter, their hugs, their cheers, their $$ for making their dads party a huge success. A special thanks to Daniel and Brett for pushing to have it and an ever greater thanks to Dan for taking the time and $$ to come from ND to be a part of his dads special day.

Den, I love you and am proud to be your wife! I can't hardly believe you are 50 because you totally don't act or look like it! Kids, I love you all dearly! You and your dad bless my life each and every day. Thanks for all you do for me, personally! I am so very proud of all of you!