a 60th birthday surprise for dad

After Charlotte's 1st birthday party two springs ago, dad mentioned to Melissa that she could throw him a party any time and that his 60th birthday would be coming pretty soon. Melissa, in her mind said, "challenge accepted," and so on Saturday it all came together. After planning for months we were able to put together a day to celebrate six decades of Dick Hess. We chose to theme the party around Cincinnati and baseball, two of dad's favorite things. We even made a station on pandora, that played his favorite music all afternoon. It was a surprise party and we did our best, but I think dad was more surprised to see some of the people who showed up to honor him and celebrate the day. Melissa did a great job pulling it all together. We also had  lot of help from her parents, letting us use their home to host the party as well. Family members chipped in on food and games and as you can see by the pictures, it was just a great day! This first shot gives you an idea of Melissa's vision for the party. It pretty much sums it all up.

We even dressed Oliver up to go along with the theme. He is loving getting to know his family in Ohio.

There were games for big kids and little kids as well.

Dad's sister, Susan help put together 10 questions about dad to test all of our knowledge about him. The winners took home a box of cracker jacks. How appropriate.

Here is dad pretty surprised to see his boss from work, who lives on the west coast.

Sorry, just another picture of Ollie.

Melissa made a banner that said, "welcome to the big leagues." It was the theme for the party.

Love this picture of Melissa, Charlotte and her cousin, Honor.

The birthday boy getting ready to blow out all 60 candles.

He enlisted mom and his two granddaughters to help out.

Charlotte and Honor helping themselves to a slice of cake and some ice cream.

And yes, we did serve it in miniature baseball helmets, just like the ones you get at the stadium.

We also had everybody take a quick polaroid with fun props so that they could make a page in a scrapbook for dad. It will be a great way to go back and remember this day.

Charlotte's first swig of an IBC root beer. She said, "ooooh, that's cold."

Opening some of his presents...

Love this picture of the family.

We were all pretty tired after the party as you can see.

Happy birthday dad! You are now receiving the reward from all of your hard work and discipline. The best is yet to come!

-jay

two months gone by

The first two months of Oliver's life is quite the contrast from Charlotte's. Charlotte spent the first month of her life in our house. As first time parents, we heeded the hospitals advice to not take Charlotte to any public places. I was more strict about this so consequently Charlotte didn't see too much of the outside world that first month. The second month wasn't much different. Maybe the occasional trip to Target or the grocery store, but most of the time just hanging out on one of us on the couch. Oliver in his first two months has clocked well over 2,ooo miles in the car including two trips to Cincinnati and back already. He's already met a good portion of his family on my side in Cincinnati, including his great grandpa Jim who passed away about a month after Oliver was born. I'll have to put those pictures up at some point. It was pretty cool. Oliver has also already slept in a hotel room, been to a baseball game and generally been carted all over creation. He is such and easy baby and we live pretty busy lives so Oliver really hasn't had a choice. He gained 3 pounds over the last month. Check out the one month pictures to compare. He is only in the 50-70th percentile on height, weight and head size, so that's pretty average, but to us he looks humongous compared to Charlotte's first few months. Enjoy the pictures. Hopefully Oliver gets to meet you at some point.