Grandma's 90th Birthday

On January 31, 2009 in Arcadia, California 83 people gathered to honor their mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, LoRene Hawley Steimle. It was the first time in 12 years that we were able to get as many people together. We reacquainted ourselves with those who were there and missed those who weren't. It was a wonderful night.

It was beautifully decorated by people who love and adore Grandma.

This is only half of the time-line of grandma's life.

This map showed all the many places Grandma and Grandpa had traveled. It's safe to say that they visited every content (including the south pole!), all but 2 of the United States, and nearly every country.

Aunt Kris, Uncle Paul, Grandma, Uncle Doug

When Grandma entered the party everyone burst into "Happy Birthday".
It made me tear up a little.People traveled from Washington, Idaho, Utah, Ohio, Maryland, and Colorado. My cousin David came from Boston (and left his 5 day old baby!) and Kim came all the way from Australia. It was awesome!

The young great-grandchildren made fruit-loop necklaces and flowers for Grandma. The teen great-grandchildren rewrote the Book of Mormon Stories song for Grandma.


"Grandma Steimle stories that my mommy tells to me. All about her travelling afar across the sea. And about her childhood and up to nine-ty. I am glad, to-o be, a descendant of LoRene Steimle."

My kids composed this nice little song for Grandma.

Gabe:
Now here's a little story that's really timely
It's a little something 'bout LoRene Steimle
I pass it to my sister to say whuz' up
She punches in and spits,

All together: 'Young pup!"

Hannah:
This is a dame that's built to last!
We're here now to learn 'bout her past,
It goes, "I came from my momma,
she came from her momma, she came from her momma,
That's my great grandmomma!"

Noah:
Straight from the nine-one-double-oh-six,
She's already 90, but she's still in the mix.
And here we are now to celebrate
This poppin' party's gonna be real great!

All together:
It's her birthday! What?
It's her birthday!
Everybody up & shout.
"Hooray!"

Grandma just sat back and let us all dote on her.
Grandma said her favorite part was the singing, signing autographs, and listening to everyone visit. She loves us and loved watching us catch up and reminisce.

G&G took almost all of the grand kids on a cruise to Alaska when they were in high school, in groups of 4. Everyone thinks this was her favorite group (but it was really my group - the first group).

My kids adore my cousin Quinton.

My Family - minus Sally's husband and sick children.

After the food, the songs, the videos, the crafts, the presentations, the contests, the autographs, the photo-shoots, the memories, the hugs and kisses, and cotton candy, Grandma was a tired girl. So Uncle Doug closed the party by reading a letter that Grandpa wrote to Grandma in her high school yearbook. It was tender and sweet. Then we had family prayer. Then everyone grabbed a cupcake, went outside and lit their cupcake, stood on either side of the sidewalk and sang happy birthday to Grandma as she walked to the car.

It was beautiful.

And I think we all felt beautiful just being with her.

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!