Surprise Retirement Party - Success!

This past weekend was the BIG surprise retirement party for my Dad.  We have been planning the party for months, and we were so excited that it was finally here. It was a great success!  Dad was totally surprised and everything went perfectly.

Kristin, Cory, Matt and I hosted a party for about 100 of Dad's family, coworkers and friends aboard a private dinner boat cruise.  Special thanks to Mom for all her help:)  The party was to honor my Dad's 35+ year career with Bucyrus International.  We're so proud that just last week Dad was named CFO of the Year by the Milwaukee Business Journal.  He received the Career Achievement Award.  What a well-deserved honor, and a fitting end to his impressive career with Bucyrus.

Lured to the boat cruise under the ruse of Cory's birthday dinner, he was shocked to find out the boat was filled with all of his family and friends!  The night flew by.  We had a perfect summer evening, the food was delicious, and the conversation lively.  Tim Sullivan, the former CEO of Bucyrus, gave a touching speech about Dad.

Beautiful Milwaukee skyline

Thank you Donna & Emil for watching Luke for most of the night so that I could mingle!

On Sunday Mom, Dad, Matt, Luke and I all went to Lake Geneva so that Dad could use his birthday gift.  Matt & I had given him passes to the Lake Geneva Canopy Tours for his birthday back in March, and were happy to go with him to enjoy the experience.  Mom graciously offered to watch Luke the entire 3 hour tour, thanks Mom!  The canopy tour was so fun!!  We highly recommend it.  Another gorgeous day made for a pleasant afternoon in the forests of Lake Geneva.  I included a video of Dad zip lining on "Turkey Run" where you are supposed to gobble like a turkey the entire time.  Dad's turkey sounded a little funny:)

Lukers has continued his "Da da's" consistently.  We love it when he whispers it like a secret, "da..da.."  It is just so fun to hear his voice, he's becoming such a little person!  I can't wait until he speaks full sentences.  He also likes to roar like a lion, which is so cute too.

Before we sign off, we want to wish HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Cory (it actually is his 35th birthday!).  Today is his birthday, so we hope it was great.  Also, it was our sweet Spumoni's 6th birthday yesterday.  Six years ago our first baby was born, and he continues to bring joy into our lives everyday.

  Here are some cute shots from the week.

Spaghetti dinner