32 party-goers and one Birthday Girl who happens to be 70!

We've never surprised my Mother-in-law with birthday party before. We weren't sure how she'd react. First of all, she is never late and she made us all sweat that she'd forgotten she was invited to our house for "Sunday dinner" by being 5 minutes late. Everyone started questioning if I had actually remembered to invite her. Yep. She's that punctual. But she arrived. She opened the door to 31 people yelling "SURPRISE!!!" I didn't capture the first reaction...her mouth gaping open...but a second later I caught the smile.

She was pretty subdued in her reaction. Just as my brother-in-law predicted. My sister-in-law Carrie saw Mom's eyes well up a little. We could tell she was pleased and surprised and happy we'd done this.

What surprised me is that we got 33 people in our house! The kids were crazy, running underfoot. The older teenage girl cousins played sweetly with all of our little ones. Lilly adores her cousins Tonya and Jessica! She could play with them all day!
Roger and Beth made the fixin's for "Cafe Rio" pork salads and they tasted SOOO good! We celebrated with a yummy white cake with custard and fresh raspberry filling. Real whipped cream frosting, of course.

We had put together a book of memories and pictures for Mom. It was a labor of love, I hope she loves it. It was fun to read each of the boys memories of their Mother. We laughed at some funny stories. Raising 6 boys provides endless material for a book. We could make another 25 books!
I love my Mother-in-law. It is remarkable that she raised 6 amazing, smart, successful sons. They are all great husbands and phenomenal Fathers. I love being part of this family! Happy Birthday Barbara! We love you!!!

James and Olivia....they are TOO cute!

Lilly doing what appears to be gang signs.
This explains a lot.

James and his Daddy on the look out for Grandma.

Tyler brought a girl! She's a cute girl!

Tonya and Lilly

Lilly and Lauren played all weekend together since Lauren's family stayed at our house.
Lilly loved it!

Yes, we put 70 candles on there and she blew out all of them in one breath...except one!
(This photo is the only photographic evidence I was at the party.)