To be 80!

My grandma turned 80 this past weekend! What a wonderful woman. I admire her so much and am so glad we got to throw her a special celebration!

My boys like going to grandma-greats just as much as I did when I was little. She ALWAYS has cookies, and they get to play with some of the same toys I played with at their age...seriously..she still has them! (she saves EVERYTHING)

We got her a "decade" cake...1 candle for each decade. The great-grandchildren helped her blow out the candles!

Guess I'm not too big to sit on her lap after all! I remember many things about growing up with this cute lady as my grandmother. Whenever my mom would have a baby...grandma always came to stay for a week. When my little sister Kenzie was born I had just sprain my ankel and was having trouble with crutches. I think I was in 2nd grade. Grandma came and fixed everything! I cried for several hours when she had to leave.

One of my favorites things to do with her was "birthday shopping!" It was an annual tradition, and since my birthday was the end of August, we always shopped for school clothes. When grandma and grandpa would come for my birthday, grandpa would always say "my lands...is there a bottom to that box?" I think he wanted us to believe that he had no idea grandma had gotten us so much!

I was also able to spend a week each summer with her. She taught me many things. I learned how to crotchet and cross-stitch. I remember one summer she helped me make a lawn chair with colored ropes. And who can forget the tissue box covers made from yarn? And for some reason her pancakes always tasted better than the ones I had at home. I remember watching "The Price is Right" each morning, and eating late lunches at "One Man Band." My favorite summertime meal at her house was corn on the cob with tomatoes and red potatoes! And we can't forget the famous "Parker's Drive In" cheeseburger! (I still love them after all this time!)

She is such an incredible example! She is always thinking of others. She hates to ask anyone for help, but is the first to ask if you need anything. When my grandpa got sick I watched her serve and take care of him tirelessly...without a single complaint. She has always taken care of others, and I know there is always a place for me in her home. I try to check in on her every so often, and sometimes we have lunch together. I get to take her to Dr. appointments, or help her with computer problems. It is an honor to help her in any way that I can! Love you Grandma!!