Mom's 80th Birthday - September 4th, 2010

The other reason Sara and I went to England was for mom's 80th birthday - which we celebrated twice!!! And that started two weeks before her real birthday.

Happy 70th - I don't think so!

The first time was a lunch for 18 of us the day after Rach and James's wedding at a pub near Chard called the Candlelight Inn. Sara had arranged a lovely cake for her with two swans on it and the words "Happy 80th Mom and Nanny". So after a great lunch they wheeled the cake out and it said "Happy 70th Mum and Gran". The bakers had copied the example photo Sara sent EXACTLY....still mom had a great time and we went back and sorted out the baker the next day.

Maurice engraved on the wheelchair

We spent the rest of the week with mom going to Cheddar, Lyme Regis and Dorchester in the typical British weather (rain, rain and more rain) - by the way did I say it rained!!! It was wonderful spending some quality time with her. We had said Dad would love to have been there for the wedding and he was!!! Mom had rented a wheelchair for the week and while we were in Lyme mom got out of the chair and in the sunlight Sara noticed "Maurice" engraved in the side of the chair - spooky or what??? 

Got it right this time

We headed back to the Midlands and on Friday August 27th we had the second party for mom with more friends and relatives - Uncle Pete and Aunty Shirley, Uncle Ray and Cherry, Dorothy, Aida, Deb's Mom and Roy and my cousin Kim, who I had not seen for 25 years, and her husband Roy plus my brothers Steve & Carl and their families and of course Sara. A wonderful family event - and this time the cake had the right words.

Mom is truly one of the nicest people I have ever met and by far the best mom I have ever had - and of course the ONLY one. She was always fair but strict when we were growing up and she was my best friend and confidant. She will always go out of her way to help anyone and the cakes and pies she makes are legendary. I miss seeing her so much as we live so far apart - so visits to see her are VERY special. 

HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY MOM - WE LOVE YOU xxx

Rachael & James Wedding - August 21st, 2010

We had a perfect flight to England for Rachael and James's wedding but had our worries when it rained non stop for the two days before the event. As we got into the car to go to the wedding, Sara looked absolutely stunning in her dress and high heels -she had a lot of fun staying on those heels in the gravel. Until 30 minutes before the ceremony it looked as if the wedding would have to be inside, but the rain stopped and the wedding went ahead outside under the pagoda. The location was spectacular - in the grounds of an old water mill in Somerset.

Rachael looked gorgeous, when I saw her in her wedding dress for the first time I burst into tears and although she had been holding together well until that moment, so did she. I was even in tears walking her to the altar, but a proud dad. The registrar was wonderful and put us all at ease. Ruth and the other bridesmaids looked lovely, not forgetting Anthony the page boy. James looked handsome in his suit and the look he gave Rachael when we got to the altar told me that this truly was the man for her. They will have many happy years as husband and wife.

The Butterfly Effect - Rachael wanted a butterfly wedding - Sara - in a large part - gave it to her. She did a super job with the invitations, seating plan, toppers, a butterflies perched on wine glasses etc… for the reception and the thousands of small butterflies she hand punched - even when she was in pain with her shoulder and thumb – she had shoulder surgery just before the wedding. She worked for hours and hours’ making sure each little detail was correct.

Congratulations Rach and James and thank you Sara for everything (especially being my SP).