Long post with many pictures...enjoy!

It's been two weeks since my parents 40th Anniversary Party that my brothers and sisters and I put on for them. Man, we were THRILLED with the results! I didn't think we could pull it off, but we did.

Theme: Hawaiian
Location: Cultural Hall at M&D's ward building
Food: Guava cake, Chocolate Haupia cake, Coconut cake, and Mango cake with fresh Pineapple and Strawberries. Lemon water for drinks. (cakes made by Sister Cline at the BYU Bakery, Fruit cut and decorated by James and Darlene - thanks you guys!)

Before the big event, however, we found out my Mom's sisters, whom she hasn't seen in about 15 years (or at least one of them), decided they were going to come out and surprise her and be here for the event. We were so excited!!!

They met us up at the church a few hours before the party to do the surprise part of it all. We had just finished decorating the place and told my parents to come up to the church and see it...(and then we'd all eat our catered Hawaiian food of Kalua Pig, Chicken long rice, Shoyu Chicken, Macaroni Salad and sticky Rice...yum)...

...back to the story. We decided that we'd let them come into the cultural hall and see the place while we were behind the curtains. Quinn made an announcement for them to sit in their oversized chairs, we had set up for them, and feast their eyes at the stage. The stage curtains opened and there we were all 8 kids, and 6 grandkids, singing "Happy Anniversary" to my parents. Little did they know that my two Aunts were behind us (they're a little shorter then we are, so we could easily cover them up). As we were ending the song we slowing did a "parting of the Red Sea" so they could see who was behind us.

I think the pictures below show their reactions best...

Mom & Dad: "Oh how sweet look at our kids singing for us"...

Dad: "What the...?". Mom: "oh how sweet, I'm not sure who those ladies..."

Mom: "KATHLEEN, EILEEN!!!!!"

Mom: "Aaaaahhh...I don't believe it!!!"

Dad: "Your sisters!" Mom: (sobbing) "my sisters!"

Mom: (sobbing)

Hugs all around after seeing her sisters for the first time in YEARS.

More tears of joy.

The Fitzsimmons women. Mom, Kathleen & Eileen

LET THE SHOW BEGIN!!!!

We did a time line of events all in song for my parents, starting with the moment my Dad came back from his mission in Brazil and was looking for the woman of his dreams. Then joining 'The Lettermen' back in the 60's, to seeing my mom sing with a guy names Dave at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Amarillo, Texas. It was love at first song.

Erin & Conn singing "Girl from Iponema"

Conn, Quinn & Shane singing "Hurts so Bad" acting as 'The Lettermen'

Sean comes in and does his own little rap in the middle of the song - so cool!

Caitilin & Sean, Aka: Dave & Colleen singing in Amarillo.

Caitlin & Shane, Aka: Mom & Dad now making music together

Quinn & Erin, Aka: Mom & Dad singing "Proud Mary" in the early 70's

Shane, Conn & Sean as the backup dancers

...had to throw an MJ move in there.

The Curran Family moves to Hawaii. Megan doing the Hula with Gavin & Kai playing the Uke's in the background

Kai playing the Ukulele

the Bunny Hop was a popular song in our house as kids. Here's Quinn and Conn singing it with the nephews and Shane joining in.

Aidan decides to grab the guitar and "play along" to the Bunny Hop song.

Ryan & Gavin doing the Bunny Hop.

Shane, Aidan, Owen and Kai - Bunny Hop

The Curran Family leaves Hawaii. Megan & Shane singing "Honolulu City Lights"

The Curran's move to Utah. Caitilin, Megan, Me, and Erin singing a family favorite, "I Will"

Me singing a song my Dad wrote when the first Grandchild was born, "Lullaby you Christmas baby". Conn accompanying me on guitar.

Sean raps about Mom & Dad's journey, Conn singing in the background

One of the most important parts of the night. Sharon as the Narrarator. We couldn't have done it with out her!!

Mom & Dad saying a word or two, and then sing together

WE ARE FAM-I-LY!!!

View from the stage, during "We are Family"

Aidan sure loves that guitar

Another view, crazy Quinn.

Kalin & Kai

What a fun night! Thanks to everyone who helped out and made it amazing!!! A big thanks to my dear Hub, Ryan, for the lovely pictures and for capturing those awesome moments. Dar, James & Sharon we seriously couldn't have made this all possible with out you guys helping. Much love!

40th Anniversary Shin-dig

More pictures and videos to come from the big bash for my parents 40th Anniversary party/program my brothers and sisters and I put together.

Here's one pic of my sisters and I after the program.

It's FRIDAY!...sort of.

Since the 4th of July falls on a Saturday my work is giving us salaried employees Friday off for the Holiday. Yay! I love it when this happens. Nothing better then having a 3 day weekend. Ok, maybe like a 4 or 5 day - or a vacation where I take 2 weeks off. But you get the point. I'm happy.

I'll be doing a few things to take up my day

1. Meeting with a Wedding Client to set up the dates for her bridals, engagment and wedding pictures, and get all the details for the big event - sweet!

2. My friend Kerra is going to do my hair, after much struggle to coordinate a day and time. Say GOODBYE to the gray! (yes, I know...it's SAD and I'm only 31...boo!). She'll also be doing highlights and cutting my hair. And I mean chopping it! I'm hoping to have the same hair style I got a year and a half ago. Short, stacked A-line. CAN'T WAIT!

The cool thing about this salon session is that we're doing it as a trade. She does my hair and I take her family pictures. I love trades!

3. I'm sure I'll find some time to hand out with my sister and her boys that have come into town from NC. It's so fun to see them!

With that said HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!

New look

As you can see I've got a new look to my blog that I LOVE! However, in the process of it all I lost all of the blogger lists I had. If you see that your name isn't on the right hand column under "Friends", please leave me your blog address so I can add it.

Thank you mucho!