75 Surprises

My Grandpa turned 75 this August so our family of FIVE made a spontaneous decision to cruise over to Arizona, driving all night to surprise him for his birthday. My Grandma was in on the secret. We also whispered to her that we were decorating with GREEN, which is my Grandpa's favorite color. So she planned green clothes for both of them to wear the day of the surprise.

Part of his gift inspiration started with Grandma and Grandpa's Treasure Box. My Grandparent's had a treasure box packed FULL of toys and goodies ever since I was a VERY LITTLE GIRL. It was always locked and when we visited my brother and I took turns opening it every day with the SPECIAL KEY and choosing a toy. I still vividly remember the strong scent of the wood as we opened the lid and stuck our heads inside to pick our treasure. I must have pulled hundreds of Barbies, jewelery, dolls, candy, and crafts from that box over the years!

Wellll....they continued the tradition when I had kids. There is no longer any pink inside the box, but it is STILL full of toys! These days, there are a lot of big trucks and hot wheels instead. My kids are all fans of the treasure box and when we visit, now they take turns with the SPECIAL KEY.

Here is Dakotah as a baby sitting on top of the family famous TREASURE BOX

It only made sense that this year I should make a treasure box for my Grandpa (flip this around a bit!). The idea was to put 75 treasures in a box for him to open on his 75th Birthday. Wow, that is harder than it sounds. I looked into my red cart at Target and counted 28 things...and my mind was BLANK on what else to buy! But we did it...75 things!

Titus and Skyler decorating Grandpa's Treasure Box

We shredded lots of newspaper so he couldn't see what he was pulling out.

We made it there, got it all decorated and planned our positions as we waited in their house for them to arrive home from church.

Only Chris would think of choosing this spot to hide, so of course it made me smile. What a scary way to be greeted as you walked through your door! Don't worry...he moved.

Titus is Ready

Of course Kotah had to wear his party hat a LITTLE different than everyone else

Skyler is positioned

The green room is ready too...

It was a short time together, but exciting

The kids were very interested to see what Great Grandpa pulled out of the treasure box next

HAPPY 75TH GRANDPA!
For your guidance and energetic love...
we can't thank you enough!