Brother David's Surprise 50th B-day, Sierra Vista AZ 5/17/2013 - 5/19/2013

Our Mom gave each of us kids a 25th birthday party, except our brother David.  He was living in Arizona at the time so he didn't get one.  We usually go to David's house each year before we leave Arizona and park in his driveway for a couple of days, but most of my brothers and sister hadn't seen him since Mom died in 2004.  So, Lorrie got the idea of going to Arizona and giving him a surprise party for his 50th birthday--May 19, 2013.

 

We made plans for everyone (except Frank, the only one not able to come) to meet up with us at our RV park in Apache Junction.  Ron was already there and Lorrie flew in on Thursday.

Bill showed up Thursday afternoon.

Ron's son, Cameron, lives in Mesa so he hung around with us and planned to come to David's, also.

Mike and wife, Janet, flew in Friday morning.  After they arrived, all of us--Mike, Janet, Lorrie, Ron, Bill, Terry, I--all loaded up in the Journey, with the car on the dolly behind, and headed for Sierra Vista!

It was about a 4-hour trip and we had a great time talking, eating, and laughing all the way!



It was really comfy riding in the Journey and we even learned to maneuver around in it and change seats once in a while.  Although, we did have a few things end up on the floor once in a while--including almost Mike when he was trying to pass drinks around!  Lorrie even got that on video!

The guys took turns riding in the navigator's seat.  Here is Bill taking his turn.



Terry did a good job driving until he took a wrong turn and ended up on a dirt road for a few miles.  He said he was just taking a "scenic" route to show us the countryside!

 

Terry and I dropped everyone off at a hotel and left our car and dolly there with them.  We went on to David's house, parked in their driveway, and then talked David into going out to Dinner.  David's wife and son, Kari and Blake were in on the surprise and came along with us.

 

 When we walked into the restaurant, David spotted a table with people sitting with menus in front of their faces.  Then he recognized Janet as she peeked around her menu and he suddenly realized he had been had!  He was totally surprised! 

David couldn't get over that we had all come down to Arizona to surprise him on his Birthday (which was really on Sunday, but we celebrated on Friday so we could spend the whole weekend with him.)  He is sitting with Blake, Bill, Janet, and Mike.

 Ron, Terry, and I, with Kari standing behind us, are waiting for the meal to begin. 

 

We had the kind of meal that is cooked in front of you, as the chef tosses food at you that you are supposed to catch in your mouth--RIGHT!  The meal was very good.  Cameron and his girlfriend, Heather, showed up at the end of the meal (we had saved them some food.)



David got a few fun gifts from us.   Lorrie gave him a "50's" mug for his beer.

 

Mike found one of David's old logging hard hats and a wolf whistle off of one of his high school cars and brought them to him.  They were connected with some really good stories!

Terry gave him one of his first "woody" projects--a moose.  He told David he could take it up to his cabin they have in Pinetop.  What a great time we had!

 



 After spending Friday night at the hotel, everyone showed up at David's the next morning and we went to a flea market.  I think that most of us found at least one thing to buy.  Here is Lorrie, Me, Terry, Janet, Mike, Cameron, Heather, David, and Bill.

 

The next two days, everyone (Terry, David, Lorrie, Me, and a little bit of Ron)  just hung out and talked about old times.  It is amazing how many versions of the same story was told about all of us growing up!

 

David and Kari have a really pretty pool.  I, Heather, and Cameron enjoyed putting our feet in. They were thinking about getting it opened up for the season. 

 

We helped him make that decision and Ron, Cameron, and Heather even took a dip.

Bill grabbed a bit of quiet time to take a little snooze under a tree.

 

Janet, Lorrie, and I put all of our talents together and came up with some great meals the two days we stayed at David's.

 

A friendly rattlesnake came meandering up the driveway, and Cameron (being the snake man he is) caught it and found a home for it a little further away.  Bill is helping him with the job.

 

Lorrie and Ron took off on a bike ride and came back with a story about finding some horses loose and having quite a time with them!

They had actually climbed over someone's fence and took each other's pictures with the "lawn decorations"--pretty convincing when we first looked at the pictures!  We dubbed them the "horse whisperers."



 

One of our great meals--barbecued ribs!

 

Blake was going to graduate from High School in three days, so we surprised him with a little celebration and an envelope full of good wishes ($).  He was surprised and appreciative.

David had the trailer parked on the other half of the driveway we were on and somehow it just became the center of our conversations (besides being Bill's bed at night.)  Here is Bill, Janet, Terry, and I sharing stories.  

 

 We had to get a family picture (with Frank being represented by the hat on the stick) of all of the Fisher brothers and sisters in age order: Susan, Bill, Mike (Frank), Ron, Lorrie, and David.

And here is the whole crew, with Bill, Susan, Terry, Blake, Kari, David Ron, Lorrie, Janet, and Mike.

 

And a great picture with David and Blake.  I can't believe Blake is graduated and is almost as tall as his Dad!

 

Max, David's dog, has been in the family since Blake was just a little boy.

 

 Thanks to David, Kari, and Blake for your hospitality.  And, special thanks to Kari and Blake for helping us pull off the surprise.  It was great!