A Weekend of Surprises...Celebrating Keith's 60th Birthday!

While Jessica and Andy were home for Christmas, Jess and I talked about the possibility of having a small celebration for Keith's 60th Birthday, January 17.  She booked her airline ticket at that time to come home with Brooke for the weekend, arriving on Friday around noon and departing on Sunday afternoon.  We decided we'd keep it a surprise for Keith.  (Boy, was that hard!)  Then, she put a plan into action.  After numerous emails, phone calls and text messages her final plan was confirmed.

Friday, I was making a birthday treat for Keith's class.  Friday morning, he said it would be good if I could bring them to school around 1:00 or 1:30.  (This plan worked out perfect, as I would pick up Jess and Brooke from the airport and then we'd make our way out to school for surprise number 1!

About noon, I packed the treats in the car and made my way to the airport.  I was SOOO excited, I could hardly stand it!  (Even though we had just seen Brooke at Christmas, it was so nice to be able to spend time with her over the weekend with her and her Momma.)

When we arrived at school, he was in his room alone.  His students were at physical ed.  The look on his face was priceless when he saw Jessica and Brooke!  That made his whole weekend!  At first look, Jess said, "SURPRISE!!!"  (So, we figured that he would think that was his birthday surprise.)  We spent some time with the kids and of course, Papa wanted to show off his beautiful granddaughter to the other teachers.  Brooke was so good the whole time and really seemed to enjoy all the kids.

Brooke looking like such a big girl on Papa's lap

Brooke looking at all the kids

Brooke and her beautiful Momma  

Brooke with Papa in his classroom

After we visited school, we took Brooke home so she could take a nap before going out to Logans for supper.  Keith had mentioned that we would eat at Logans for his birthday dinner.  However, Jess told him that she had made reservations at the B.O.B. for dinner for his birthday instead. So that was the plan to get him to the B.O.B.

Saturday, January 17

The big day had arrived.  Our plan was for Jess to take Brooke to her friend, Karley's to have her baby-sit so she wouldn't have to be at the party the whole time.  Then, Karley would bring Brooke to the party after we ate.

Our family and friends were to arrive by 5:00 p.m. Then, I would bring Keith down to meet Jessica for our dinner for 3.  (hehe)

Here's how things went:

SURPRISE!!!!!  Happy Birthday, to you!  Happy Birthday to you!  Happy Birthday Dear Keith, Happy Birthday to you!

Paul, Tom, Mary, Patty

Birthday cake and cards/gift table -- Lovely food table below

All of Keith's siblings were here: Sue, Ray, Judy B., Keith, Rollan, Marsha, Ken, Judy W.

So very excited they were all able to be here.  It was a huge surprise for Keith and really meant a lot.

Lovely food table

Jim, Marti, Gary, Steve, Pat

Ilene and Mom

Deb, Dan, Dennis, Brad

Marsha, Dennis, Melody

Happy Birthday, Dear Keith!

 Opening his present

Birthday shirt from Ken and Judy

 Papa and Brooke

Great Grandma with Brooke

Brooke with Grandma

 Brooke with Great Aunt Judy B.

 Great Aunt Judy W. with Brooke

 Ray and Great Aunt Sue with Brooke

 Dennis and Brooke interacting

Great Uncle Ken and Great Aunt Judy with Brooke

We were so blessed to have our family and friends join us to celebrate Keith's life.  We give thanks to the Lord for blessing us with great driving weather so all those who came from across the state were able to get here and back home safely; Dennis and Melody and Mom also had good driving, but rain going back.  Thankful for safety for everyone.  Thanks everyone for coming!

Jess certainly put together a wonderful evening of celebration, for which we are grateful for her love and thoughtfulness that she put into the planning.  Thanks so much, Andy, for allowing Jessica and Brooke to be able to come and celebrate Keith's special day.  It will certainly be a very special memory for years to come!  We both loved being able to spend the weekend loving on your girls, Andy.  Thanks so much to you both for planning such a wonderful evening. We love you both so much.    

With grateful hearts,

Dad and Mom

                                   

The news you have all been waiting for!

Introducing our first granddaughter, Brooke Perry Rogers!  She was born, September 30, at 6:34 p.m., weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces, 21 inches long, and some brown hair and pretty blue eyes.  She is absolutely adorable!  Such a sweetheart!  Papa and Grandma are totally in love!

Keith and I departed for Baltimore on Tuesday, September 30, and arrived in Baltimore just after Brooke was born.  We got our train to Union Station at 9:30 p.m. As soon as we arrived, Jessica 's dear friend, Cathy from her work team, greeted us and took us directly to the hospital so we could meet our little Brooke, and check to see how her Momma and Daddy were doing as well.  

Jess had went into the hospital the night before to be induced, as she had gone past her due date of September 24.  As things progressed, the team decided it would be best to do a C-section.  With that being said, this meant that Jess would have a longer stay in the hospital.  Andy and Jess decided it would work nicely for us to just stay at their apartment, since Andy was staying at the hospital with Jess and Brooke.

I just have to mention what a GREAT DAD that Andy is!  He started from the very beginning right out of the gate, so to speak, changing diapers and cleaning up and helping Jess with anything she needs help with.  Feeling very rested the other morning, he even took Brooke out for her very first trip to the grocery store and Starbucks!  He was prepared for a diaper blowout or any other need that had to be met.  Of course, he wasn't gone all day either, but still for a new dad to do that so soon is pretty cool.  In fact, he has probably changed as many, if not more diapers than Jess has.  They are going to be great parents.  He certainly loves that little daughter is his!  Totally smitten!  

Here are some pics we wanted to share with you all.

Keith and I right from the airport.  In fact, we walked into the hospital with our luggage!  LOL!  Keith assured the hospital staff that we weren't there to stay.  

Just hours after she was born....beaming Grandparents! 

Brooke's beautiful Momma and her sweet little Brooke 

Proud Daddy!

First family picture 

Eyes open little cutie!

Momma and Brooke 

Daddy and Brooke having a heart to heart talk.  I'm sure there will be more to come!  :)

All ready to leave the hospital for a new adventure with Daddy and Mommy at home!

HOME AT LAST!

Napping at home on her little lamb mat

Papa and Brooke having a talk

Momma love!

Papa Love!

Yawn!

Some Grandma love

I turned the page and she literally flipped it back to the previous page!  A mind of her own!

Andy's selfie with Brooke at Starbucks!

Grandma getting some loving in before having to leave. :(

We had a very sweet time of being able to be there so close to the time Brooke was born.  It was just such a blessing to be able to share this time together.  We are so very blessed!  God is so good! Our prayer is that Brooke will come to know Jesus at an early age. 

A very special thank you to all who have been praying before, during and now after will continue to pray.  

It's been way too long....

April

The last time I posted we were preparing for Dad's memorial service back in April.  Goodness!  As I look back from that time up until now, so much has taken place.  I think the best way to catch up is to show some pictures of our Spring and Summer highlights.

Mom with us kids after the Dad's memorial service

Baby Brooke's first trip to Lake Michigan Beach!

Jess, Mom, Andy just after the memorial service for Dad

May
Mom came to Grand Rapids as she had an appointment to get hearing aids.  She stayed with us for a couple of weeks before going back home.  She got her first pair of hearing aids, but then they didn't work out very good.  She had a 30-day trial on them so she was able to order a different type.  These work much better for her and she's adjusted to them very well.

June
With Jess and Andy expecting a baby, there were a few baby showers that Mom and I were invited to.  One just happened to be in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania, hosted by Barbara Rogers' dear friend, Karen Helm.  After we received the cute invitation, Mom and I talked about it and decided that we would go and surprise Jess.  We wanted to surprise her at the shower, if at all possible.

  Mom flying for the first time in her life!  There were a few people that couldn't believe she had never flown before.
She was treated like royalty by the crew.  

We made a plan and would fly from Grand Rapids to Baltimore and then take Amtrak to Philadelphia.  We had Ben Rogers pick us up and take us to our hotel. Then Candice, his wife, would take us to the shower where we would surprise Jess.

Ready for the shower and waiting for Candice to pick us up at our hotel.

Karen, our hostess read a special blessing.

The ladies ate at various tables located throughout the house.

Jess was VERY surprised that we were there!  The first thing she asked Mom was how we got there.
 She could not believe that she flew for the first time.  

Jess opening her gifts.  This is an afghan I made for Brooke.

Baby Rogers 1, 2, and 3!  Candice is due in October and Veronica is due in December!
The 3 baby cousins will all be within 3 months of each other! 

 Mom and I had a great trip together. After the shower, we went to the hotel and rested for a bit then went for dinner with the Rogers family at the Cricket Club.  We were seated on a beautiful open porch overlooking the grassy tennis courts.  Jess and Andy took us to the Little House Shop and the Valley Forge Flower Shop.  What a beautiful place!  Sunday we ate lunch at a yummy place called "The Meltdown" where they have various grilled cheese sandwiches.  It was a whirlwind weekend, but we made it without any incidents or health problems, thankfully!  I thank the Lord for this special time I had with Mom.  I will never forget it.

July

Then, in July, Mom, Pat Marquardt and I hosted a shower in the Grand Rapids area for Jess.

Jess and myself at the Grand Rapids shower

September
Summer came and went.  Now the end of September is upon us, and  Jess, at 40 1/2 weeks, is ready to deliver our little Brooke any day now!  Please pray that everything will go smooth for a healthy baby and smooth delivery.

Keith and I are looking forward to doing some loving on our little granddaughter right after she's home from the hospital.  (Oh and seeing the parents, too, of course!  Ha!  We won't leave them out! )