It Started With A BIG Surprise...

This past Saturday my family and I hosted a BBQ at my parents' house to celebrate my mom's retirement (after teaching for 30 years at the same school!). The party has been planned for months, and despite our intention to take care of everything so my mom didn't have to do a thing, she had a hard time relinquishing control...so of course she had a big hand in all the party planning.


But there was something she didn't know....her sister Cathy and her aunt (my grandmother's sister) Sylvia came to Colorado to surprise her from Tampa and New Jersey! Cousins Sara, David, Ken, and Pat were also surprise guests (from Tampa and Washington D.C.)
Adam and Mari were in on the surprise too. Adam took one for the team and told mom he had to play golf the morning of her party (she was none too pleased with him...). Actually, he was in charge of going to the airport and delivering the surprises.

Mom could not believe that we pulled it off (we all almost blew the surprise at one time or another leading up the party). She kept saying, "I'm supposed to know everything!"

Cathy arrived with this shirt as a retirement gift..."The Legend Has Retired". Isn't that the truth...she is a legend.

Mom was so happy to have her family members there with her to help celebrate!

We had the party catered by Big Papa's BBQ http://www.bigpapas-bbq.com/ (they are the same restaurant that fed us BBQ at our rehearsal dinner). What a spread...

It was a beautiful day (for once it didn't rain at an Ingersoll family event :) so we were able to have the party outside on my parents' beautiful deck.We were so happy with the turnout of all the wonderful family and friends who made time to come help my mom celebrate.

We ate a lot, we drank beer, we enjoyed each other's company....

The Conjurskes were there...And Mom's friends Amber, Wendy, and Frank from Deer Creek...The Petersons came all the way from Colorado Springs....

And the newlyweds were there also...

The Davises brought a photograph of my mom in her first teaching position in 1974!

And other than those who flew from other states, Allie Pelayo wins the award for traveling the furthest to be at the party. She drove 10+ hours to come to the party, and then turned around less than 12 hours later and drove home again! Now that's a good friend....

Hey, look! It's the yellow-shirt gang....

And here's the craziest bunch at the party...the ladies from Deer Creek (past and present). Trish, Diane, Julie, Judy, Allie, and Delly. You could hear this group from miles away.

And Brian would like me to point out how nicely his wings/sideburns are coming in....

Thank you so much to everybody who helped us

celebrate Delly's amazing career as a teacher! Mom, we wish you the best of luck in your retirement!

Enjoy! You've earned it!