SURPRISE!!!

Earlier this year us kids came up with the idea of throwing our parents a surprise 70th birthday party to celebrate them and this milestone!  After a few months of back and forth with dates and ideas, we finally decided on August 4th at Ballast Point in Little Italy.  We figured this date was almost in the middle of both of their birthdays (May and December) and we were all leaving on our cruise together on August 8th so it was the perfect way to kick off the week before the trip.  The date also worked out really well coinciding with my birthday so we had Rich convince them that he was throwing a 40th surprise party for me which they definitely fell for!  We couldn't have asked for a better day, a better venue and a better event.  It was amazing and so special for the two of them and all of us!  They had friends and family from all walks of their lives!  My dad's college roommate and his wife (Super Mac and Diane) were there, Janet Gibson and Nate and Ted from Marshfield, a good buddy of my dad's from the FBI in Boston flew in Florida, Aunt Cindy and some of her crew and then all sorts of friends from their different activities from here in San Diego.  There were a good amount of people that couldn't make it due to summer travel, which we totally understand and many people were missed, but we were so impressed at how many reached out to Mom and Dad after expressing how much they wished they could have been there.  They are truly so loved and respected by so many and are just so special.

Super Mac and Diane flew in from North Carolina and it was just so awesome to see my dad's reaction!!  

The delaMontaigne/Gibson crew.  The Gibsons were great family friends when we lived in Marshfield.  Janet and Don have 4 kids as well and we just did everything together, to the point where when Lindsay was born the three of us spent the night at their home!  It was so nice to catch up with them and it meant to much to my parents that Janet was there!  

Janet created a pigout pail (a Marshfield favorite) and brought it to the party which the kids loved and was such a thoughtful gesture!

The kids were amazing and did a great job of entertaining themselves while we mingled with guests.  The venue was really perfect for them as they had space and it wasn't stuffy at all.  It is a good possibility that Charlotte  may have eaten at least 3, if not more, bundtini cakes (ha!) but it kept her well occupied and content!  

 

This picture must have been from the beginning of the day when Rich was still wearing the shirt that he arrived in. By the end the ciders that he was drinking kicked in and the next thing I knew was that he had purchased a Ballast Point shirt and was calling my dad "Vinny" (which he never does!) and rambling on about how connections are so important and wanted to set up a dinner with my mom's yoga friends.  Oh, geez!!  Good times were had by all! 

I somehow got roped into saying a few words(guess being the oldest doesn't always have its perks) but think it came out alright and then of course dad jumped in and gave a perfectly unscripted speech that was heartfelt and memorable for sure!  

We just really felt the need to do something special to celebrate the most amazing parents!  They are so selfless, generous, loving, fun and just incredible people.  They have touched so many peoples lives over the years and we are so honored to have them as our parents.  Wishing them so many more years to come!