February 2, 2013: Mother's 80th Surprise Birthday Family Reunion in Yakutat, Alaska...

February 2, 2013: 

Mother's 80th Surprise Birthday 

Family Reunion 

in Yakutat, Alaska...

My husband, Lil' Miss Chelsey, and me
flying Alaska Airlines
Saturday morning on February 2, 2013
from Juneau to Yakutat to surprise Mom...

Husband Max...

Landed in Yakutat
(that's cousin James front-and-center,
nephew Kenneth was also on board)...

Greeted by family already living in Yakutat,
including others that arrived before us
(all laying low so as not to spoil Mom's surprise)

Pictured above: Nephew Kabe, Niece Ashley and husband Mark...

Brother Dan's fiance Crystal,
Sis Rhonda, brother Dean's wife Chantil,
and brother John's grandson Garret...

Brother Larry,
and my son Carl
(he looks cold because he drove his 4-wheeler out to meet our flight in the frigid weather)...

Son Carl,
and brothers Dean (being goofy)
and Dan...

The infamous
Yakutat Lodge...

A very comfy and beautiful
retreat where we lodged
for a couple of nights upon arrival...

Precious Garret playing video games
and taking in meeting all his new relatives...

Brother Kevin's wife, Tina
and daughter Alexsandra "Alex"...

Sis Rhonda, Tina, and Alex
(we're all hanging out waiting for the
6:00 p.m. surprise get-together)...

Cousin James,
and brothers Lane and John Dale...

Brother Kevin...

Cousin Herbert "Herb"
(We're all heading down to surprise Mom
at the ANB Hall)...

We're all visiting and catching up with one another
while we await Mom's arrival

Pictured above: Crystal (Dan's fiance) viewing Lloyd's family pics...

Cousin Cindy and her boyfriend,
and cousin Herb with his girlfriend...

Brother Larry
sporting a coho carved by our other brother
Master Carver, Fred...

We're also celebrating Larry's recent birthday...

Shirley Bulard who just turned 89,
and we're also celebrating her birthday...

Tina with son Kabe...

Brother John Dale...

Niece Tiffany...

Cousin Dane...

Brother Fred's wife, Debbie
enjoying kisses from
Lil' Miss Chelsey
(she must remember Debbie's visits to Juneau)...

Niece Layla and Lil' Miss Chelsey
with Niece Ashley in the background...

Husband Max and brother Larry
with Rick Bulard (Shirley's son)...

Sis Rhonda getting
ready to capture pics of Mom's arrival...

Mom was definitely surprised, she said,
"Max!!"...

Brother John and Mom:
At this point most all of us were crying happy tears for her
as Mom often said her greatest wish was to have all her children
and grandchildren together at home all at the same time...

Brother Kevin and Mom...

Tina and Chrystal...

Mom, overwhelmed with emotion...

Brother Dean's wife Chantil
who was instrumental in the coordination
of this huge and momentous family occasion...

Brother Dan and cousin James...

Niece Ashley's newlywed husband, Mark...

Niece Ashley...

Nephew Kabe and niece Alex...

Crystal and brother Dan...

Brother Larry's wife Robin
with her brother Rick...

Cousin Bev
with brothers Larry and Fred in the foreground...

Cousin Helen...

Mom proudly dawning
her 80th Birthday tiara...

Mom's granddaughter Alex
lovingly prepared this awesome creation
working the wee hours 'til 12:30 a.m. 

Brother Larry, as mentioned earlier,
recently had his birthday the end of January 2013,
which we celebrated as well...

Same for Shirley
at 89 years young...

Brother Fred carved this
moose antler with abalone headpiece for
his wife Debbie...

Master Carver - Brother Fred presented Mom with her 80th birthday present
being a hand-carved paddle with a
design he created representing our traditional Tlingit family crest
with the inclusion of all her seven children

Also pictured are: Cousin James, brother Kevin, and niece Layla holding Lil' Miss Chelsey...

[Disclaimer: All regalia and artwork designs presented 

in this post are not to be reproduced]

Husband Max presented brother Larry
with freshly ground coffee and much-needed commercial trolling fishing gear,
along with a case of bait (herring): SE AK fisherman staples...

Mother's Immediate Family Portrait - Left to right:
Brothers Dean, Kevin, me, twins brother John and sis Rhonda,
brothers Fred (holding up another paddle he carved) and Larry,
and most-importantly Mother proudly holding the newly carved
traditional family Tlingit paddle...

Mother's Grandchildren Portrait:
She was ecstatic to finally have almost all of her
grandchildren beside her on this special day
(We all wish that my son JR and Fredrick were able to attend)
although they'll hopefully be able to view this post and know they were greatly missed by all...

Mother's Extended Family Portrait:
She calls us "The Whole Gang"(With the exception of those that were unable to attend but were with us in spirit)...

Shirley Bulard's Family Portrait- left to right:
Granddaughters Layla and Cassandra, son Bob "Bitchen" and girlfriend Joleen,
son in law Larry with wife Robin (Shirley's daughter),
and her son Rick with wife Shirlee
(Again, we miss those that were unable to attend, as they were sorely missed)...

The time went by way too fast and before we knew it we boarded Alaska Airlines
once again returning to our respective locations, all the while already
missing home and those we dearly love,
especially Mom although we'll cherish the outstanding memories
recently made that we'll forever cherish and share...

PLEASE DON'T MISS THE FOLLOWING POST:

"Yakutat Mount Saint Elias Tlingit Dancers"
making a special performance during this momentous occasion...