Last Friday, Sylvia’s father had another birthday.  He’s been doing that for several years. 😀   We’re hoping that he will continue for several more.

Sylvia and I drove nearly an hour to Dad’s house where we met her sister and brother-in-law.  The five of us then drove for almost another hour to a restaurant in Mt Pleasant where we met with her brother and another sister and brother-in-law.  They had driven nearly an hour to meet us halfway.  This has become a tradition of many years standing.  After a nice meal, we purchase ice cream and head to the park.  One of the sisters brought cake . . . and you know the rest of the drill.

Our favorite spot is by the river and next to the Michigan Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial.  We talk a lot.  And we laugh . . . a lot. :ha:  And we also take pictures.

Sylvia, Karen, Dad, Joyce and Bruce

After pictures, we all take a walk and talk.  And then we talk some more.  This year Dad decided to wait for us in the car, he was feeling cold.  We walked over the foot bridge and looked down on the river.  Checked out the ball fields.  The gals checked out a bench.

I mentioned that we might want to start back.  It was starting to rain.  It wasn’t much at first, but it was slowly increasing.  Maybe if we stayed under the trees.  That didn’t work very long. :rain:   We said our goodbye to one another, got in the cars and watched the rain begin to fall heavily as we were leaving.

Two hours later, Sylvia and I arrived back home.  It had been another great day.  We enjoy traditions like celebrating Dad’s birthday.  Do you do something special like that in your family?