Thanks To All!!

Thanks to all of you who made this a grand success!! So many of you contributed & we are so grateful for your help in giving Mom a most memorable 90th birthday. Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

Sunday - One More Surprise

Sunday breakfast buffet was in the hotel. We transported the flowers & the 5 foot tall cut out of mom when she graduated from high school (her mother made the dress for her). (Forgot to say that Saturday, we all took pictures with the young mom).

And we distributed the last of the "birthday pens" on a chain (little purple pens that said "Happy 90th Birthday Mary").

Breakfast was delicious & M directed the taking of pictures. We got to say our final good byes before everybody headed home.

Saturday - More Surprises!

The set up: We told mom that it was too expensive to rent a room for all of us to get together, so the church was gracious enough to let us use their reception area.

While mom was with Mary;  cousins, nieces, nephews, spouses, etc. decorated, arranged food, and set up video of 90 years of memories. Then, people began to arrive.

Mom was expecting just her family, & it was another grand surprise as friends and neighbors were there. It was another exciting time viewing pictures, getting to know more friends, eating & of course the delicious birthday cake (thanks Chuck & Sharon).

Oh - and we can't forget the flowers. Thanks to all who contributed. Carol & Colleen (close cousin) found perennial flowers in bloom & "prettied up" the pots to go on all the tables. The beauty is that now mom will have a "Birthday Garden" that will come up every year to remind her of all of us who love her!!

Friday Night Surprise

We all made it - albeit in stages :) (due to traffic issues, etc.). Mary arranged for dinner at Red Lobster (Mom's favorite).

The set up: C & C told mom they were going to a conference & would stop by for dinner Friday & then Sunday brunch.

A different C & C made it to Red Lobster first. Mary arrived with mom & we told her that we heard others were going to be in town so we came up. Then, more people trickled in & the surprise grew. Her brother & wife came (with birthday balloon) & it was indeed a grand surprise. The restaurant had a cupcake for her and the staff sang Happy Birthday.

Next, we went to the hotel & got to know each other & talked for a while.

a month away

There was some confusion with the hotel & getting people in the right "Austin" block. I think that is all straightened out now. Sorry for the multiple emails!

Time flies! We are less than a month away. Chuck found out that they don't make disposable cameras anymore, so he has a plan for us to "smartphone" video each other talking about mom. You are going to love the video. Louise collected pictures from when mom was born all the way up to just recently.

Well, I (Carol) have a lot to get accomplished in June (finishing up a summer class & forgot about CEU hours which are due :).

See you soon!

Getting Closer

The hotel has requested that I contact those of you who have not made a room reservation yet - the rooms will be held until Jun 15th (Austin Family).  Update on Carol: she is recently semi-retired, moved back to Michigan to help Chuck with his businesses & to be closer to Mom. It is getting close - see you soon!

Hotel Reservations

Just a reminder that Holiday Inn will keep our block of rooms at the reduced rate until June 15th. The information is to your left. Thanks again & Please continue to give us suggestions!!

Activities in the Area

Thanks for all your support!! Mary (Marie) is putting together a list of things to do in the area for those of you who may arrive early, or stay later. She is the perfect one to do this as she is a world traveler. After visiting all 50 states, she made it to all the continents & now is working on adding different countries. In addition to being an electrical engineer, she trains service dogs at Fidos for Freedom.

Sharing Your Memories

The Best Present You Can Give Mary is Your Memories!
(You can email them to us. Or, bring your memories with you. We will be collecting them for Mary to cherish.) Thank you once again!!

Here are a few suggestions to get you started. But, you don’t have to use our suggestions.

 Tell us how you know Mary……

 What are some words to describe her?

 How has Mary affected / impacted / changed your life?

 Share a funny story about Mary……

 Share an “everyday” story about her…..
 What else should we know about Mary?

Progress...

We are making progress! Louise has pulled together an incredible chronology of photos, starting with Mary's birth. She is gently urging us to get our pictures to her. Mine (Carol) are floating around in cyberspace somewhere - long story.

For those of you spending the night/s, I have updated the link to the left for you.

Next up, we will be emailing Evites to help us know how many to plan for. We hope you love technology as much as we do!

If you are interested in what Chuck is doing in retirement, check out www.Core-Corp.org (it will take you to all of his business endeavors)

It just dawned on me that I (Carol) named the Blog wrong. It should be Briggs-Austin! So, I apologize to all of my Briggs relatives and look forward seeing Briggs, Austins, friends, neighbors, etc!! (For those of you in the north, I hope you are all having this nice spring weather. I recently returned to Michigan and needed a break in the cold / snow).

You also need to know that I don't know much about Blogs. I though I had it set up so my siblings could all make posts - but apparently that is not working correctly yet - stay tuned!

We are working on the official invitation with more specific details. Thank You for your patience. 

We would like it very much if you would email us with memories and/or pictures of our mom, which we will collect for everybody. AustinReunion90@gmail.com 

Thank you for your enthusiasm - it will be a grand party!! 

Hello to all the friends and relatives of Mary Austin. Her children want to surprise her on her 90th birthday. We are working out the details, but wanted to let you know ahead of time so you can put this gathering into your summer plans! 

We will be adding details as we work out the arrangements, so check back with us. Thanks!