Show and Tell: Favorite Party You’ve Hosted

Good morning and happy Tuesday. Today is the first Tuesday since the middle of January that I haven’t had to be in classes all day. SO so SO excited about that! With that, let’s talk party-time with Andrea!

Without a doubt, this is my favorite party that “I’ve” hosted. Technically, I didn’t host this party. Technically my mom was the one who thought of everything. And technically it wasn’t even at our house or in our state. But that’s only if you want to get technical.

My parents celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in 2011. They were trying to think of where they wanted to go and what they wanted to do for their anniversary. My mom said “Why don’t we throw JJ a surprise 80th birthday?” (Their anniversary and my grandma’s birthday are on the same day.) Also, we call my grandma JJ in case you’re confused.

This was April 2011 that we were trying to plan this shin-dig. The September before we had thrown my grandpa his 90th birthday party – the fam and I with gramps below.

So mom thought we should surprise JJ for her 80th. She knew how much her dad appreciated his little party and seeing as my grandma lived in Virginia with my uncles we knew she would NEVER have expected it. My dad agreed and off we went.

The day of her party we set it up.

And we waited patiently….ish for her two friends to roll her down in her wheelchair to the party room at her Assisted Living Facility. Her friends came and told her they wanted to take her to lunch so we were in the room next door to the dining room so it wouldn’t be obvious. We had actually flown in the day before, but of course she had no idea.

And the rest of her friends plus her family lined the outside of the room 🙂

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She didn’t know what to think. I love, love this picture!

“I was wondering what they were doing here!” (She actually saw our old neighbors from when we lived in Virginia walking in and didn’t think anything of it. Ha!)

Cake and goodies for everyone!!!

Showing her the cake, giving her an 80th birthday necklace, and letting her soak it all in!

This was our family, my dads brothers, and her niece with her husband. She was happy as can be.

Love this lady so darn much!

JJ and her three boys. She got all boys and was ELATED when she found out my parents were having a girl as their first born because my dad is the only one that had kids.

My family and our JJ!

We had such a good time and my dad was so happy that we did that.

So we visited her in April 2011 and she passed away in August 2011. Her little party was perfect timing considering that was the last time my siblings, mom and I saw her. And it was on such a happy note. She had a lot of health issues and ended up passing away after a major surgery. We all miss her every day. That party continues to hold such a special meaning in my heart so it’s without a doubt my favorite party that we or I have hosted.

In November of 2011, the same crew that was at her party flew to Boston to bury her next to my grandfather.

And speaking of that spunky woman, I went and visited her this weekend in Boston….come back tomorrow to read about that memorable trip.

XOXO