Happy 90th Birthday Grandpa!

I would like to pay tribute to my Father-In-Law Lynn in celebration of his 90th Birthday.

We like to call him Grandpa because he is grandpa to so many. He has led an exemplary life and we honor him for his goodness. He has a great posterity of about 120 decedents. He is father to 9, grandfather to 40 and great-grand father to something like 60+ with more on the way.

Grandpa served in World War II, and is a college graduate from an era where not many men were able to go to college.
He worked hard all his life to care for his large family. When times were lean he planted and tended a vast garden to help provide food for his family.
Grandpa has spent long hours in service for our church, often traveling Internationally. We added up that he has lived in Brazil for a total of 15 years on church assignments. He has been a General Authority, and at age 81 was the oldest man called to serve as a Temple President.

Around 100 of his descendants were able to meet together yesterday to honor his life. Because of our large numbers, other family members, including his siblings and friends will have another party at a later date.

A big thank you to Mr. Cactus' brother Wayne, and his wife Janet who planned the party, complete with a catered meal that was generously hosted at their home.

Grandpa reminisced the years with his children and how much we all miss Grandma who is now gone.

He talked about his frustration in dealing with his current lung disease. Grandpa hates having to wear an oxygen tank. He said "I just wish I could live without that darn oxygen!" To which his son Scott piped up "We all have to have oxygen dad!"

This is a happy family, and we did a lot of laughing and teasing yesterday.

Scott (Mr. Cactus' twin brother) and another brother Gary.

There are 6 boys in this family.
We looked at family albums of the growing up years.

The party lasted all day. First we all went over to Scott's house and swam in his pool.

Papa (Mr. Cactus) and our grandson Isaak.

Amy, Paul, Aubrey

I was especially happy that 3 of my 5 children were able to attend. Amy (with family) and Aubrey flew in from Phoenix. Our son Scott lives in Brooklyn, New York, and couldn't come. Our daughter Elizabeth lives in town, but came down with flu and was so sad to miss the event.

Amy and our son-in-law Dano.

Our grandson Noah who at 17 months was busy, busy, busy.

We were so happy to be able to kiss on our grandsons.

Grandpa with Amy and Aubrey

Mr. Cactus with his dad.
We told Grandpa to take good care of himself because we all plan on meeting up in 10 years for his 100th Birthday.