Great-Grandpa's 84th Birthday Party

We were so glad to get to celebrate this special occasion with Great-Grandpa (Eddie's grandfather). As I have lost all of my grandparents in recent years, I am so thankful that we still have Eddie's grandfather with us.  He has given us a few health scares this past year, and Eddie's mom has been staying with him to keep him from having to live in a nursing care center.  He has developed congestive heart failure and has to be very careful of what he eats so that he will not retain too much fluid.  Despite the rough year he has had, his face just lights up with joy when he sees his great-grandchildren.  This man has always loved children, and you can see it in the old pictures of him with his own children when they were small.  I just loved seeing almost all of the great-grandchildren gathered around him.  I know his beloved wife, Mattie, smiles down from heaven when she sees it too.  Grandma Mattie wrote about how much she looked forward to seeing her great-grandchildren, but unfortunately, she did not live to see them.  Eddie's Uncle Matthew and Aunt Patti hosted the party, and the weather was just perfect for some outside fun.  Aunt Patti had prepared some entertainment for Great-Grandpa and the kids, and I think everyone had a great time as the kids had a little family field day in the yard.  Aunt Patti even made little award medals for the kids.

Our little family with Great-Grandpa

Great-Grandpa with his children, Aunt Homa, Uncle Garry and Aunt Dava, Uncle Matthew and Aunt Patti, and  Grandma Rowena and Papa James (as my children who will one day read this know them) 

Great-Grandpa with some of his grandchildren: cousins Marian, Aaron and his wife Christie, Shannon and her husband Adam, April, Aunt Naomi, and Eddie and I

Great-Grandpa with 10 of 13 of the great-grandchildren and a few of the grandchildren who had to be present for some of the babies to cooperate

Great-Grandchildren: Brody, Evan, Grady, Emilia, Elena, Mason, Eva, Lilly, Jacob and Robert

Sweet Grady was content playing on his blanket outside on this lovely day. 

Great-Grandpa eating lunch with his eldest child and namesake, Dava 

Both looking cool in their shades. 

Great-Grandpa surrounded by his children

Our little table where the boys insisted Grandma had to eat with them. 

The kids' table minus Evan and Brody who wanted to eat with Grandma.

All of Uncle Matthew's granchildren

Of course, it wouldn't be a birthday without cake.  

The birthday boy

The children loved gathering around to sing happy birthday to Great-Grandpa. 

Can you tell Baby Grady is Great-Grandpa's favorite?  

Just look at them looking at each other.  Grandpa will tell you Grady is his baby. 

Grandma Rowena tried to get all the babies in the picture. 

Trying to catch Emilia for the picture. 

There's one with all the crazy kids!  

These kids loved showing Great-Grandpa the cards they made him. 

I just love the look of joy on Great-Grandpa's face.  I don't think you could have bought him any present that he loved more.  

Grandma and Brody tried out the see-saw. 

Then little Jacob gave it a try. 

The 1st annual family field day begins. 

The first event was the soccer dribbling race. 

Even little Jacob gave it a try. 

What a cutie!  I was amazed that cousin Marian's boys, Robert and Jacob, were so similar to Evan and Brody.  

Marian and Evan race while balancing bowls on their heads. 

And Robert too. 

Eva looks like a pro at balancing. 

Evan and Elena doing the egg and spoon race. 

Elena is a lot like cousin Evan and is very sensitive and sweet. 

Sweet Robert was really proud of his efforts.

Go, Elena!

Happy Birthday, Great-Grandpa!  We wish you many more, and we hope you enjoyed this very special day!