We were able to continue our family time throughout the long weekend. On Friday, we unfortunately had to take Nicole back to the airport - boo hoo! The good news is we will pick her up again on December 19th, so this was an easier goodbye than most. After Nicole's flight took off at LAX, Jay and Kendall and I went back to spend the night with Dad and Valerie in Camarillo. We had a nice visit on Friday night and then got up on Saturday morning and Dad and Jay and Kendall went to the Harley dealership to visit with some of my Dad's friends and Valerie and I had some good one on one time. When everyone got back, we went and had lunch at Texas Cattle Company and then went home and got changed and drove out to Castaic for my great uncle Roland's surprise 90th birthday party. It was especially exciting for me, because this was the first opportunity Jay and Kendall had to meet the rest of the Terranova family. A lot of the family wasn't able to make it, but we got to see a lot of relatives that we only see at funerals these days and it was so nice to be able to get together for a happy occassion.
Uncle Roland was very surprised. His daughter and his son both flew out from the East Coast and he thought they were having a quiet dinner. We were all gathered in the recreation center in the mobil home park where Uncle Roland lives and as he walked up and peeked in the door and we all yelled, "surprise!" he tried to escape, but we didn't let him. They had a beautiful scrapbook filled with letters and pictures that everyone sent in advance and had some old time music playing and lots of food (we're Italian, there is always a lot of food when we get together). Cousin Eddie's daughter Hannah helped Uncle Roland blow out the birthday candles and we all were able to catch up on the latest with our families. Jay and Kendall really enjoyed getting to finally meet all of the people I had told them so much about and it warmed all of our hearts to be able to spend quality time together.
Happy birthday Uncle Roland!!!! 90 looks great on you.
Uncle Roland with his daughter Elayne and his son Doug
Uncle Roland with my Dad
Hannah helping Uncle Roland blow out the birthday candles
Hannah and Grandma and I
Grandma with cousing Glen. Aunt Annie was back with Chris, so she wasn't able to make it. We sure missed her!
Valerie with Grandma
Jay and cousin Barbara and I. We almost got Barbara to smile! Jay can make anyone smile.
Valerie with Aunt Xenia
Cousin Eddie with his beautiful wife Bridget
Grandma with her "little" brother Uncle Roland
Aunt Millie and Elayne's husband Phil
Cousin Jim's daughter Lisa with Elayne and Uncle Roland
Kendall and Hannah playing pool
He looks soooo good for 90!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone, Phil and I happened upon this after googling myself. (I was checking to see if an upload of music was successful that we did). How beautiful the pictures and text. I will show my dad when he comes here next month. Thanks again for coming to the party. It was so much fun for everyone. Love Elayne and Phil
ReplyDeleteHELLO, I JUST SAW THIS, IT IS GREAT EVERYONE LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE HAVING SO MUCH FUN! EVEN ME, THOUGH I WAS NOT SMILING TO MUCH! THANK YOU SHANNON UNCLE ROLAND YOUR THE BOMB!
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