80 Years

I can't remember when I last saw my aunt.  I know it was at my dad's funeral (her brother).  But, I could have seen her before we adopted the girls.  I have great memories of spending a couple of weeks almost every summer with her when I was younger.  Her daughter was a few years older than me, but that didn't stop us from having a fun time. 

My aunt was honored with a surprise 80th birthday party a few weeks ago.  I took the girls up, over, around, and down mountain after mountain to the small town tucked away in West Virginia.

(Aunt Peggy, with her daughter)

At times it was painful to look at her.  She reminded me so much of my dad, who was only 13 months younger than she.  Initially, Aunt Peggy was upset about the "surprise" party, but soon she made her rounds and enjoyed seeing everyone.  She even got in a couple of dance moves with her grandsons.

After the party, all of us sisters crashed mom's quiet house.  We brought with us 1 husband (Melissa's) and 6 granddaughters.  It was good being together with everyone.

 

Aidan never wanted me to take a picture of her.  So, the cousins did their best to make her look at the camera.  That's OK.  I was able to quickly sneak one anyway.

Gotta love the chewing gum hiding in Eva's mouth.  I think she chewed that for 5 hours...Anything to stop them from getting carsick from all those mountains.