Bill's Big Birthday Bash and Day 15 of the August Happiness Challenge

Is it possible to be happy and tired at the same time?  Yes, because I am!  We celebrated my husband Bill's 60th birthday on Saturday.  The last of family left this morning.  The weekend was busy and full of joy.  I had a wonderful time, and I think everyone else did. 

Our son Lee came on Thursday afternoon.  We ate dinner out and visited.  Friday morning, Lee and I went grocery shopping.  By 5 o'clock, most of the family had arrived.  There were 13 people for dinner. 

Breakfast and lunch on Saturday were very informal.  We just put food on the counter, and we ate what and when we wanted.  That morning, my daughter Amy, Lee, my twin sister D, my mother, and I decorated the banquet hall for the party.  The caterer set up.  We picked up the birthday cake at 1 p.m.  Then I had time to take a quick nap. 

Around 4:30, Amy and I went back to the banquet hall to do last-minute things before the party started at 6.  72 friends and family were at the party!!  As people came, they signed the card for my husband, put on name tags, and received instructions for the game.  Everyone got a clothes pin.  If you said the word OLD and someone heard you, then you had to give them your clothes pin.  My cousin Andy won with 10.  He won a lava lamp, which I thought was very appropiate for a 60-year birthday party. 

We started out with FOOD--hamburgers, hotdogs, firehouse chili, and lots of other good stuff! 

Then people were asked to share memories about Bill.  I was surprised at the number of people who spoke.  There were nine plus me.  I said that we usually celebrate birthdays with ice cream and cake at home, but this year was different because we wanted to have a big party.  Then I told my husband not to expect another big party again next year!  I also said that I that I would celebrate many more birthdays in the future.  We then sang happy birthday and had cake. 

We played 50s and 60s CDs.  Some people danced, but most talked, laughed, and had a good time.

So the party was a success.  I survived, but just barely.  I need another nap!  I am very, very happy today.

Below is the only photo that I took concerning Bill's party.  It is the left over cake in the Tupperware container.  Some of the icing stuck to the lid!