Anne's Birthday

On 9/28/15 my beautiful Anne turned 70, and what a celebration we had for her.

Saturday night, 9/26 our sons Kyle, Kevin and Clayton and ther wives, Diane, Melody and Maria hosted a big surprise party of family and friends at Kyle's and Diane's beautiful home.

They provided a wide and colorful array of food and Melody baked two birthday cakes, one vanilla, the other chocolate.

When it came time to sing Happy Birthday, everyone gathered and suddenly tiny 2 year old Ikaika and his little high pitched voice began to sing all by himself.

I was stunned and said, "Ikaika, do you know the words?" "Yes," he replied looking up at me. And Kyle said, "Ikaika, why don't you lead us in singing Happy Birthday."

His little high pitched voice began again, and we all chimed in.

Afterward, it was time to blow out the two candles, and Anne and Ikaika blew. But Anne was on an odd angle and Ikaika was too short to reach the candles.

When their effort failed we all laughed, and as they started to blow again, our 10 year old grandson Cameron blew the candles out, to widespread cheering and clapping.

Anne was deeply grateful our sons and their wives held this party for her, as was I.

Two days later, Anne and I went to The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. I ordered and the hotel provided a magnificent display of flowers, featuring her favorite flowers, yellow roses.

That night room service served her Ahi Tuna (I had veggie burgers) as the table was set next to the gorgeous ocean view. We ate and talked until the sunset, on a clear and warm sunny evening.

The next day was also warm and sunny and after a leisurely breakfast in our room, we drove a few miles north to Laguna Beach and spent much of our day in that charming city, a place we both enjoy.

After we returned, Anne did something she almost never does. With my encouragement, she had a facial at the hotel, and they added a massage.

And because we enjoyed room service and that gorgeous ocean view so much the prior night, we did it again that evening.

The following day, it was time to return home, and as we started out, we visited the three Laguna Niguel homes owned by our profit sharing plan, which is something we always enjoy doing.

Laguna Niguel is a lovely community and we feel good providing attractive homes to our tenants and their families.

Anne's birthday celebration had lasted five days, and it brought her happiness and relaxation, as she accepted turning 70, not a scary number after all, especially when one feels loved by family and friends.

Dick