Grandpa Simmons' Big 80th!!

{Feb 4, 2012}

Grandpa Simmons' 8oth Birthday Celebration!

A few months before Grandpa's birthday everyone started throwing out ideas, themes, etc on how we wanted to celebrate Grandpa's big day.  We wanted it to be special and a very memorable day for everyone who could be there.  After lots of ideas, Mandee and I took over and we got all the plans in motion  First up was a family/friends lunch and then that night we would have a open house.  We wanted to surprise him, but we also had so many different surprises that we had to figure out how was the best way to pull it off.





1st we told him about the Open House a few days before the big day.  2nd the Arizona Crew surprised him at his door step!

3rd Surprised him with a family/friend lunch. 4th was him figuring out that everyone was there, Aunt Cathy and her girls and my Dad and the rest of the Simmons crew.  Man at that moment all the hard work and sleepless nights putting this together paid off.  It was such an emotional/happy experience being apart of such a great day!

All of his children talked about some of their favorite memories, man we are so lucky to have such a great man as our Grandpa.  After them Me, Jaime, and Mandee (the 3 oldest grand kids) gave a little tribute to Grandpa.

JAIME:  Introduction – We thought it was a fun idea to get things started by having the 3 oldest grandchildren stand together and say a few words about our wonderful grandpa.  I am the oldest and “wisest” grandchild – my name is Jaime.  I had it made being born into this family!  Everyone thought I was just the cutest little thing – I was the center of attention for 3 whole years – that is until this one came along.

COURTNEY:  I am Jaime’s little sister Courtney. Once I was born – we had to compete for the attention. Secretly, we still do.  But boy did I and still do, look up to my big sisterJ They tell me that when I was a baby, Grandpa was one of my very favorite people – he still is today. 

MANDEE: My name is Mandee – 3^rd oldest grandchild.  I came into the picture 2 years after Courtney – and she thought it was hard competing for attention – trying being the 3^rd girl!! But in all honesty, I don’t think any of us ever lacked any love and attention in this family.

JAIME:  As the 3 of us began our journey down memory lane, we all came up with either fun memories of time we have spent with Grandpa or just the little things we noticed about him as children.

COURTNEY:  I remember his pipe - he always had it.  I remember the smell and I even recall having to politely ask him to stop smoking it at times when it made my eyes puffy and watery. Oh, and his fingers – I was always intrigued with how he did everything with them permanently closed like that. (show example with your fingers)

MANDEE:  I remember the annual birthday shopping trips and back to school shopping trips!  What Grandpa does that??  And it wasn’t just  any “normal” clothing store we got to shop at….

ALL:  We got to shop at the “BASE”!

MANDEE:  For those of you who don’t know what that is – it is a shopping center for really COOL and IMPORTANT people. 

COURNTEY:  I remember Christmas day – it would take us hours to open all the presents from everyone.  We were set from head to toe in the latest fashions.

MANDEE:  We would put on what I recall a “real life” fashion show.  Once again, we were the center of attention.  Grandma would announce us and everyone would ooohhh and ahhhh. What can I say – we were little fashion divas!

JAIME:  And last but not least, the favorite memory that we unanimously agreed upon was all the “trips” or “vacations” they took us on.  A few places we experienced:

COURTNEY:    Arizona & Bear Lake

MANDEE:  The yearly Ice Capades and overnighter at Embassy Suites in Salt Lake City.

JAIME:  And even the “Happiest Place on Earth” – Disneyland.  I must say that after traveling to Disneyland with my own 3 children – I have often wondered to myself what were my grandparents thinking!!!

COURTNEY:  I have my own theory – we were often mistaken for Grandpa & Grandma’s very own children.  People would stop and comment on how beautiful we all were – I don’t think it bothered them one bit that we would just play along.  We thought we were pretty cool to have such young and hip grandparents!

MANDEE:  Now, there were rules that applied that got you a ticket to go on any of these “getaways”  Of course you had to be on your best behavior and the other one – you had to be “potty trained”  Let’s just say this was difficult for some to follow – “you know who you are” J

JAIME:  All of these trips and vacations provided us with fun filled days, lots of swimming and fun in the sun, a little Arizona Hot Dip, visiting with loved ones and let’s not forget

ALL: CAR PROBLEMS

COURTNEY:  That’s right – never failed!! Every stinkin trip – rain or shine!

MANDEE : Literally, rain, I specifically remember one time coming home from Bear Lake in the POURING RAIN when the boat came off the hitch of the truck.  It was pretty scary. We all piled into the cab of the truck and waited until we got help. But Grandpa got us home safe and sound.

COURTNEY:  It would happen in the middle of the desert on our way to Arizona.  This was even before cell phones – what did we do?

JAIME:  We became regulars at the car repair shop in Flagstaff.  They loved when the Simmons clan rolled into town. 

COURTNEY:  One time that we still talk about often was on our way home from Arizona one summer. This specific car problem set us back a few days! You see, I was about to celebrate a VERY special birthday – I was turning 8 and preparing to be baptized.  Jaime and I were distraught to say the least.

JAIME:  I think I remember telling Grandpa & Grandma – that’s it, I am never coming with you guys again!! But of course, we did J 

MANDEE:  These memories are precious – you are no ordinary Grandpa!! You are a giant of a man both in stature and in spirit.

COURTNEY:  You are kind, loving, and one of the most giving and forgiving people I know.

JAIME:  You always had a special way of making us feel that we had made you proud, no matter what the accomplishment. 

JAIME: Anyone that knows you, knows that you have been called by many titles. Husband, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Nephew, Coach – but our favorite – one that we are honored and privileged to call you is

ALL:  GRANDPA – WE LOVE YOU – HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  

I have to say it was fun to get up and give so many memories about Grandpa, but as soon as I sat down I kept thinking about more and more that we could have said. 

After a few more of the grand kids said a few things, we had the younger grand kids and the great grand kids sing this song...

After eating we went outside and got family pictures taken.

So all throughout the lunch and pictures my Grandpa thought that was what we were talking about with his open house.  So the last surprise was the real open house that we had told him about.  It really turned out to be such a great day and so many family members and friends that could share such wonderful memories and thoughts about one of the greatest men in history!!!

Janet, Lance, and Donell- such wonderful people who are apart of our lives.

What a wonderful day it was, celebrating such a wonderful man and spending much needed time with family.  But man we were wiped out at the end of the night!