Happy 70th Birthday Mary Jones!

Today was a day of celebration and surprises.  It began as usual with David going for a ride with MDBC and Cathy going for a long run, but then the family began to arrive for a celebration birthday lunch.

The look on mum's face when Katrina and the kids popped out from behind the bench yelling "Surprise!" was priceless.
It was great to see them all once again.  It's not often that they can all get down from Newcastle.

Jenny, Rod and the Dawson part of our family turned up in time to eat together around the extended table - the same teak table we'd grown up having dinner around as kids in Harrison St.

Cathy made her favorite dessert - a Berry Meringue tree - and everyone enjoyed a piece. Mitchell got 2 pieces when Joel didnt like it!

We all sang "Happy Birthday" and watched the sparklers light up the cake.
Cathy took a video of mum telling us some of her life history based on what she was doing at the same age as each of the family members around the table - and a few more in Mexico!  Will try to burn it to a DVD as a keepsake for the family.  It was a lovely afternoon.


We all gave mum a new case for her piano accordian.  
She played the accordian and showed Emma how it works.
Naturally we had to do a family group shot - nobody followed Joel's lead in doing funny faces though.

Mother and daughter enjoyed a hug at the end of the day.