Pops B-Day Weekend

My dad turned 70 this past weekend, so we went to East Texas to throw him a birthday bash. It turned out to be a great celebration, despite all of the crazy weather! We woke up to 4 inches of snow Friday. THEN, it all melted and was a beautiful 50-something degrees for the party on Saturday.
The weekend was so busy, Nash had several mini-meltdowns by the time Saturday rolled around...and I HATE that b/c it always seems to happen at family stuff...and I feel like people don't realize what a sweet, kind, joyful, and well-mannered kiddo he is 98% of the time. Oh well - I know it! My wise sister-in-law, Jill, reminded me, "You can't control what other people think. You can only control your own thoughts." (I need that reminder quite frequently...ya'll pray about that, please.) Despite my diatribe there, it TRULY was a fun weekend!
The older I get, the more I appreciate my family - I really do have a good one. This weekend was all about Pops! If you don't know him, I don't really know how to explain him. God broke the mold. He is obsessed with all manly things like hunting and fishing and grilling - yet "Unchained Melody" is his favorite song. He is a retired teacher - but he is still trying to teach anyone who'll listen how to make something or fix something up (usually relating to hunting, fishing, or grilling). He'll make you work like a dog - but he'll give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He sounds all rough and gruff when he talks - but he tells you he loves you every chance he gets. If you've just met him - you'll probably be over for dinner tonight. He doesn't complain (much), doesn't make excuses, just thanks the Lord for his good fortune. That's my dad! We love you, Pops!

"Wow! This wasn't here last night!"

"See, Mama! Snow!"

Helping Pops put corn out for the deer

Straight to the water!

On the dock with Mommy

Mark raking the snow so we can start setting up the tables

The sons making a plan

The sons - post raking and planning

Eric cooking the pig

Mark and Jose stocking the ice chests

Pops and Mark

(Doesn't Pops look sharp!? This is the same man who changed into a Wranglers and a t-shirt at our wedding reception b/c he couldn't stand the tux any longer. Looking back, I shouldn't have made him wear a tux. Some things just don't matter!)

My beautiful sisers-in-law: Jill and Jolie

Elsie Jane and Casey blowing bubbles on the dock

This is the same day as the picture of me and Nash on the dock.

Donna (my step-mom) and Raquenel (Jose's mom)

Ty and Pops

Nash and Elsie Jane

Poor Elsie Jane got three stitches in her lip the night before.

Ty starting up the slide show

It had all the necessary elements: humor, tears, embarrassment!

Some of the party crowd watching the slide show

Mark and Eric pulling the pork

Pops about to blow out the candles

Casey and Jason

Hudding up round the fire

Pops wrestling with Elsie Jane and Nash

This boy ate his weight in snow! He LOVED it! His fingers were blue, his face was red and chapped, but he just couln't stop! Can't wait to do snow cones this summer.