Pa's 90th Birthday

Pa turned 90 on September 5, 2016. Wow!! I hope Vic and I both live long lives like Melbo and Pa! I can't wait to celebrate Melbo turning 90 and then Pa 95 and then Melbo 95 and then Pa 100 and the list goes on. PLUS, they will be married 70 years next July. My goodness; we have a lot of parties in our future!

We decided to do a big family party to celebrate this year. Ana and Charley hosted the event at their brand new home and we had a swimming party! Pa, the honoree, was the only one not to swim, even though Melbo brought his swimsuit. But, he still hung out poolside and got the first bites of the fried fish, his favorite food, as Vic cooked them so he was happy too.

The day before, we took Erwin family photos (and I'm still dying to get them back from the photographer so I can share them!) so we had all gotten together on Saturday morning. From there, we all split up and Vic and Atticus came into Lewisville to help Ana and Charley hang some things in their house. Then, on Sunday, we all went to Lewisville around 3:00 and jumped in that pool. It has been SO hot, so this was so nice. Also, I love Ana and Charley's new house! It is so cute, has so many bits of character here and there and they have already re-done a bathroom floor, had it painted and started decorating. It is going to be even homier the next time we are there. So, we snacked; we swam; Vic fried fish; we ate dinner; we had party games; and then we had story time with Pa recounting stories of the past about his time at sea, when they got married, some of their jobs and homes they lived in, his favorite story about Melbo and the pigs, stories of the Knob, and more. We are trying to get some of these written down because Pa remembers them all and so does Melbo, and we want to keep them all for family history. People do not do things today, the way they did them 60 or 70 years ago. It was also special because Ana made Pa a birthday cake and I wonder how long it has been since he has actually blow out candles for his birthday? Family usually gathers, but I don't know that we always do candles for all the birthdays. And, while Pa may sit back sometimes, he is so funny at Christmas Game Day and even on his birthday party when it comes to games. He sits back, but really he wants to win if it's his team and he will participate in almost any game we play. Pa has raised a really good Erwin family and comes from a great and big Erwin family. My heart is always full after an Erwin gathering. We spend our time visiting and doing things that are not always fancy or extra exciting to others, but special and meaningful just because everyone is happy and together. Our family loves us and our kids and even though the kids and Vic and I are in the middle of learning how to grow up and how to parent, it's always nice to feel supported or like we are doing a good job. So, here are some photos of that special celebration for Pa's 90th birthday!!

 Everly loved touching Pop's beard.

And Grace loved being pushed back and forth between GG and Charley. She was so funny in her puddle jumper and also the floatie. Sometimes her head would just barely push out of the top, but she either wanted only the floatie, which she could easily just slip out of and it made us nervous, or both things.

 Ages 90 and 5.

 So, we realized Everly had been in the water so long that her little feet had turned into raisins. Look at those cute little toes!

Vic fried fish and we got to eat while he was frying. Fried fish is Pa's very favorite food and what's so funny is that Melbo can't stand fish or shrimp, so it's not something she makes often...if ever maybe!

 Grandma and Pop with their 3 grandkids! Can't wait to give them more one day!! ha!

 If you are turning 90, you NEED these balloons.

 A cozy table for two for the birthday boy and his bride!

 If this is not a festive, fun cake full of goodies for a 90th birthday, I don't know what is!

Atticus and Grace can never pass up helping blow out candles. 

 I think he was a little embarrassed to have us sing!

 Then, we played a game where each team (boys vs. girls) had to blow up 20 balloons and stuff 10 into each leg of panty hose and then whoever finished first has to put them on top of their head like reindeer antlers. This was a game we didn't get to do at Christmas, so we just added it in to the party!

 The girls took awhile to get their system down, but the boys were fast! And the boys won!!

Of course, Charley and Vic had to play with the results too!

 Ana's face was perfect. The girls failed! But, Melbo tried it on anyways!

 And this picture was the best! I quote Pop "Look! I'm Vic!" hahahahahaha!

 Then, we tossed rings onto eachother. Ana's faces were the best, as always! And I'm not sure Pa or Ana had much confidence in their partners tossing rings onto their heads!

 Then, storytelling time began. This was a great part to the evening.

The only thing we ran out of time to do was play 42! Pa's favorite game is 42, but by the time we got to this point, people were tired and ready for bed. So, we said goodbyes and will just have to play next time we are all together. Happy 90th Birthday Pa!