The big birthday bash....

The following week was a big occasion for the Harris family.  Bill's Mum, Valda, was turning 80.  The big birthday bash was being held at the Chelsea RSL on the following Sunday and would be an afternoon of celebrations with 65 of her family and friends attending.

Mum's actual birthday was on Wednesday so we all met at Faye's place for dinner that night.  It was good to see her enjoying dinner with the family and lovely to see Anne who had come over from Perth for the week.  Paul was joining her on Friday.  Gareth and Taegan were coming over from Perth as well but as this was to surprise Nana we were all sworn to secrecy until the big day.

We had a non family moment on Friday night when Astrid and Hans came in for dinner 'Downstairs'.  We had a great night together catching up on all their news since Eildon.

Gareth and Taegan arrived on Saturday afternoon and Bill and I picked them up from the airport.  We spent a quiet afternoon at home catching up before heading out to Lygon St for dinner that night.  We even tried a new restaurant though it was not as good as our favourite Sale and Pepe.

The big day dawned warm and sunny and we were soon all on our way down to Chelsea to help set up the room for the party.  Maree and Faye had done a wonderful job organising the decorations and lots of old photo's for a walk down memory lane.  Once the room was all set up it was time to go and pick the guest of honour up.  Bill did this taking Taegan and Gareth with him so the surprise would not be too overwhelming for the old girl!  And yes, she did get a big surprise as everyone had told her they were not coming.  It was just a shame that David, Sarah and the kids were not able to make it as well.

They all got back just before the first guests arrived for the party and from then on in with was four hours of fun and frivolity as Mum worked the room and generally enjoyed herself with her many friends.  The family learned lots of new stories about their Mum and Grandmother but none were too shocking that we could not cope.

After our big day out we settled for fish and chips at home that night and spent the next few hours looking through the many pictures that Gareth had taken that afternoon.  It had been a fabulous day and I'm sure Mum had enjoyed every moment of it.  I know we had.

On Monday Bill said goodbye to our visitors as he was off to Sydney and Canberra for the week.  I had the day off so we had a lovely day together shopping and lunching before driving them back to the airport for their flight home.  It was so good to see them both again and we loved every moment of there brief visit.  And I know that Nana was thrilled with her surprise too.  It was great to see Anne and Paul again and we look forward to catching up with you all again next time we are in Perth.  No plans yet but we will make it later in the year.

So with the big birthday bash over and all the visitors gone it was time for me to head back to work for another week before joining Bill in Canberra on the weekend.

until then.........