November 28th, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,
Well, I can safely tell you now what we have been up to here in Bear Lake. If I had successfully posted the "wonderful" update I wrote and somehow lost, you would not get the following information......because I did not know all the facts on that date.
Now, the s u r p r i s e party for Marty's 60th birthday is over, Thanksgiving is over and now we know that Esther had to have emergency surgery for appendicitis and adhesions.....and she missed both big events.
Marty really was surprised. On his actual birthday, he thought we were preparing for Thanksgiving at our house and then in the eary evening, I was taking him out to dinner. As we left for dinner, Deidra called with a "fake" emergency at the Oregon Trail Museum. He was SURPRISEd! It is a miracle he was, though, because I said several things that may have tipped him off---his deafness came in handy this time. The kids(minus Esther, Chris and Misti) the grandkids (minus Dakota and Christopher), Grandpa Jack , Kristi & Karl, Steve & Charlotte and Elaine were the group waiting to surprise him. Because he does not listen to me, he took one route and I took another. Anyway, there was a quiet little "surprise" from Andrew, who spotted him first coming from the different direction. Anyway, there were 26 guests who ate dinner in the wagons and then enjoyed singing Kareoke in the Theatre. Probably the biggest hit of the day was the slide show of pictures that was shown to music and it was wonderful. He got presents, had a HUGE cake and it was alot of fun. Keep us in your prayers for Marty's next appointment with Dr. Hitchcock at the Huntsman Center. Love to all, Marty and LaRee

Greatful Hearts in Bennington