Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Lordy, Lordy Look who's (finally!) 40! Shh! It's a surprise...

Well here we are in lovely Houston to celebrate David's 40th birthday.  Tanya planned a fantastic surprise party.
View of Houston from our hotel room.
The very elaborate ruse to get David to the venue.  The party was being held in the same place that Dave and Tanya got married.  David thought he was going to a party for Tanya's law firm.  He was really glad to see all of us instead.  I think he was very surprised.
Dad hired a videographer to record the entire event.  Here's John being interviewed for the video.
Courtney flew in for the occasion from Annapolis.  Love to Dave and the girls for letting her come up for the weekend.
Dylan having a little fun while we're waiting for the guest of honor.
 
Michele's turn to be interviewed.
Michele and Paul.
 Hors d'oeuvres.
Quite a feast.
This was cinnamon cake, which was delicious!
The birthday cake.
John and Courtney.
Tanya with her family:  Brenda, Dan and Traci.
David Chaney ~ This is your life!  Michele put together a really nice photo slide show.
David and Mom.
John photo bombing a picture of Courtney and Tanya.
Dad, Tanya and Courtney.
Dan, Tanya's dad.
I thought this would a nice self-portrait but John was in a photo bombing kind of mood.
After the photo slide show, Dad made a lovely speech and also told 'David' stories.
Dad, Mom and David.
Mom and Dad's gift to David.
These are all the medals that belonged to David's grandfather, Clarence Chaney.
What a cool gift.  The shadow box has all the medals as well as the dog tags. 
Courtney checks it out.
One of the cool things about this restaurant is that it has a large patio are.  John and I went out to look around.  Not sure what the building is but it looked nice.
Courtney and Paul.
The lovey Mia.
 It's cake time!
 
Michele is the ultimate organizer.  She gathers the girls up front to kick off the Happy Birthday song.
 
 Dylan and David cut the cake.
 David's favorite brother and sister.  What a nice picture.
That's more like it!
 
David and all his friends.
Poor Paul.  Having to take pic with his goofy Aunt.  During the slide show we tried to explain to Paul how we (Me, Michele, John, David and Courtney) were so cool during the '80's.  He wasn't quite buying it.  But he was a good sport.
Mom and her buddy Kathy.
 
Mom and Courtney.

Happy Birthday, David.  We hope you were surprised...



Christmas 2013

Ho ho ho!  It's already Christmas 2013.  This year finds us at the Chaney's for Christmas Eve. 
The 'termites' (aka Windsor Boys) have blown through the shrimp.  You have to get there early if you want shrimp.
Michele founds these really cool lamps.  They are empty liquor bottles that have Christmas lights inside.  When they are plugged in, they look very cool.
The Christmas tree before the gift-fest begins.
Traditional Christmas pizza.  It was really good.
 
John reading his Christmas present.  The Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Paul and Brendan opening gifts.
Mom opening presents.
Check me out!  I'm number 1!
Wow!  A lovely photo of her number 1 grandson, who is already a Senior in high school!  How did that happen??
I'm not sure who Brendan thinks he's kidding....
Michele's clearly amused.  But with who?
Yay! Mark got a gift card.
John-boy just taking it all in.
James is on clean up duty.
Mom likes her present.
Never to old to hang out with Grandpa.

Christmas Day ~ My mom spent the night with us and we had present-fest number 2
 John anxiously awaiting presents...
 Japanese scotch from his favorite mother-in-law.
 Mom gets TWO books about the fabulous Mr. Darcy.
 
For Christmas dinner, fresh ham.  That's right, kids.  I said FRESH ham.  We had oven baked potatoes and green bean casserole as well.  Delicious!

Merry Christmas!