Chris ' 80th Surprise Birthday Dinner August 2, 2024
These pages were initially created to transfer photos from traditional scrapbooks to the internet in order to both preserve and make the pictures and history available to family and friends. It has become more extensive than I intended. However, I see it as a way to save the details before they slip slide away. Martin T ©2024 Theophilus
How this came about! In 2004, I gave Chris a Surprise Birthday Party for her 60th Birthday at the Iron Cactus in Austin. I wanted her 80th to be an even better celebration of her 80 incredible years. The plan began in June 2024 looking for a venue. I settled on Chris favorite special occasion Pappadeaux's restaurant in Austin, Texas at IH 35 and Hwy 290. I wanted as many friends and family possible to be there. I offered and they accepted for me to fly Sharon, Anthony, Julius and Rowen to Austin and cover their expenses for rental car and B&B for the birthday celebration. I would also pay expenses for Ken to come to Austin from Coverse, TX. Julius was unable to come, and due to her work, Sharon had to fly from Portland, OR. However all except Julius made it. The biggest obstacle became getting an the party room at Pappadeaux. The local mangers could not book their recently refurbished party room. I had to go through Pappadeaux' HQ in Houston. It took two weeks of calls, emails and finally complaints to get a reply from Pappadeaux HQ and get the room booked. So invitations could not go out until July 18th. We were limited to 28 guests. We ended up with 27.
The first big surprise for Chris was Anthony and Rowan arriving. I suggested that since Chris had no clue they were coming, Rowan should some to the door, wearing a hat and act like he was applying to work at Chris' stable. Here's a clip of the encounter. Then Sharon would come in that evening and come to breakfast at Maxine's. Next Ken would be waiting at Pappadeaux and everyone else would arrive. I'd produced a video of Chris' (and my) life events from the prior history video in 2004 to the present. It ended up being 75 minutes long. I'd begun working on the video in June and thought that I had plenty of time. However various life events happened, sadly including Chris having to put down her horse, Margarita. As Chris' birthday grew near, I abandoned an edited down 30 minute version and decided to just show the video in the background while folks had dinner.
Here are photos from the event and other times the family spent together. Most of the photos were taken by Sharon (thank you!).
Links to a 20 minute video of Chris ' 80th Birthday celebration. This is a smaller download • 20 Years 2004 to 2024 video (small file)
Surprise #1 -Flowers arrive from Sharon, Anthony, Julius and Rowan • early gift of bathroom fan • Martin & Sophie to Berdoll's for Chocolate Strawberries and car wash.
Surprise #2 - Chris and Rowan - clip of the encounter August 1, 2024
Rowan arrives at the house and acts like a kid just looking for a job, Chris think he looks familiar, but it takes a few minutes to figure out that it really is Rowan. I suggested this based on a similar humorous situation my Dad played on my Aunt Sally and Uncle Bud in Cincinnati, OH. He'd park around the corner from their home and have my sister or I, go to their door with a newspaper and try to sell them a subscription. It was fun.
Chris' 80th Birthday August 2, 2024
Surprise #3 - chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate cake from Abbie, card and gifts • Plus Sharon, Anthony and Rowan's wonderful 80 glasses!
Maxine's Breakfast Chris' birthday August 2, 2024
Chris opens gifts
Surprise #4 - Paddadeaux surprise dinner - Most photos by Sharon Perez - (thank you so much)
Breakfast at CAFF Get Mooving Coffee cafe Bastrop
Bastrop Homecoming and Rodeo Parade • Austin walk • Sharon and Rowan went to Barton Springs Pool
Off to Austin - Anthony, Sharon and Rowan took Chris to Austin. They were going walking, however ended up having a lovely lunch and then Sharon and Rowan went swimming at Barton Creek.
Martin took Sophie for a ride to Smithville.
Neighbors Restaurant for last evening get together
Sharon, Anthony and Rowan flying home to Seattle (Mercer Island)
