Now, back to Saturday’s game. During the 2nd or 3rd Innings of all M’s games, they have birthday and anniversary messages up on the big screen. well, I’ve never had my name up there, so Mom thought that it would be great to surprise me with a birthday message for me. Debbie knew about it and spoiled it, because she was making sure I was watching the screen. I had put my camera away, because I was going to go grab a snack, but Debbie stopped me and told me I had to watch the messages. She had her camera trained on me to get my reaction to it, but the stadium lights were reflecting off my glasses and it didn’t turn out well. Since we didn’t get a picture of my birthday message, here it is:
“Happy Birthday! Congrats Katie on your 30th. Love Ya! Mom, Elliot & Yvonna”
Here’s a picture of me in my Mariner gear (I didn’t have my M’s pants on though). This was taken before the game when Debbie and I walked around the stadium. As you can tell it is after we went into the team store. I did buy a bunch of great things, but I also shoved my jacket in there, so the bag looks really full:
I don’t usually take pictures of this creature, but couldn’t resist. Here’s the Mariner Moose:
Surprise!!!
On Friday, October 5th, one of my Small Group Bible Studies that I’ve been a part of was supposed to be having our last meeting together. I knew that they’d do something to me, since last year for my 29th birthday they gave me a “With Sympathy” card, with messages about how sorry they were that I was in the last year of my 20s. They told me to watch out on my 30th, so I was prepared for something. I went over to Steven and Pam’s house knowing that my group was going to do something. When I pulled up their driveway, I noticed that there were too many cars for our group, even if each spouse had their own car. Pam then came out to meet me, which she’s never done before, even when we scrapbook together. She then held the door open for me as people started singing to me. I noticed that most of my Tuesday Night Bible Study was also there, along with several others that I’ve known for many years. Several people who weren’t there did talk to me at church on Sunday.
The biggest surprise was that my brother showed up. He lives in Oregon and Mom had told me at dinner that she had talked to him just before I got home from work. Elliot had driven up his truck, which I hadn’t seen when I drove up. It’s hard to miss his huge truck, but it was dark and I couldn’t see the Oregon license plate. Yvonna was coming up on Saturday mid-morning and then they were driving back after my birthday dinner Saturday night.
We had a great evening. We ate, I opened some gifts, ate some awesome chocolate cake, had some great conversations, and then those of us who were left after all that played “Shout It Out.” Enjoy some pictures from that night. Thanks to Mom and Melissa for all the pictures. Mom was not there right at first, but she came a few minutes later. Brian and his sister, Kristin, dropped by our house to pick Mom up. I guess they actually saw me turning the corner, so they knew the coast was clear.
I came into the house while they sang Happy Birthday:
Not long after that, people started to get hungry, so I started the food line. Here’s Mary and I after we got some of the great food (Mom--notice the veggies):
My brother and I:
Elliot and Sue:
Mom and Jack:
Steven, Kim, and Pam checking out the food:
Juanita, Kristin, and Michelle:
Dave and I (I’ve known him for almost 30 years):
Jack, Kristin, Brian, Kelly, and myself (I didn’t count, but I don’t think there were 30 candles on that cake):
I finally get to blow out all the candles. I got them all out in one breath. Leah, Brian, and Kelly are looking over my shoulder:
I then got to open the gifts:
Here’s Bill, Chris, Steven, Dave, Kelly, and Pam watching me open my gifts:
Here’s Kelly, Pam, Kim, Jack, and Elliot watching me open my gifts:
At the end of the evening, Steven and Pam’s daughter, Madeline, wanted to be like me. She’s my little buddy, so I was happy to have her join me. She gave me a great gift too, a little beanie bear. Here’s the two princesses:
Many thanks to those who put this evening together. Thanks to Pam and Steven for hosting the party. It was a blast and made me feel so loved by all who came and those who couldn’t be there, but later gave me good wishes.
During the party, those who attended filled out a questionnaire to see how much they knew me. Thought I’d give those who couldn’t be there a chance to actually see how much they know me. I’ll post the answers in a week or two. For those who actually read this and know me, you can send me your answers via e-mail if you want to. If you were at the party, you can try it again and see if you get a better score. :-) Here’s the questionnaire:
1. What is Katie’s real name?
a. Katrin
b. Katherine
c. Katyana
d. Katerina
2. Who is Katie’s favorite Mariner?
3. Does Katie prefer Colgate or Crest?
4. M & M Plain or Peanuts?
5. Where was Katie born?
6. What type of car and color is Katie going to buy?
7. (T/F) Katie’s first born is going to be named ICHIRO?
8. Katie plays what position on the softball team?
9. (Problem Solve) Katie has 1st row tickets to see the Mariners, but is on the worship team that Sunday - What is her excuse for missing church?
10. What college did she attend and what was her major?
11. The name of Katie’s childhood pet was?
a. Snowball
b. Calvin
c. Katie’s Kitty
d. Griffey
12. Katie’s favorite fast food is?
a. Subway
b. Pizza
c. McDonald’s
d. Snacks after church
e. None of the above
13. (Hypothetical) Katie wins the lottery, what does she do with the money?
a. Gives Mom and brother a little bit
b. Does nothing
c. Buys a car and travels around the U.S. as a Mariner groupie
How do you think you did? You’ll just have to visit again to find out. By the way, the winner at the party got to have a picture with me. Here’s the winner:
Jack was so sure that he’d get every question right. Turns out that he missed a few, but he tied with his wife, Sue, for the most correct answers. Have to say though, that of those at the party besides Mom and Elliot, Jack and Sue have known me the most. In December, they’ll have known me for 30 years. Jack also knew my Dad and his family back in Michigan.
Here’s two quick pictures of our family birthday dinner. We went to Budd Bay Cafe, one of my favorite restaurants on the Puget Sound. Mom and I:
Elliot and Yvonna:
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