Hi friends! We’ve come full circle and made it back to Michigan last weekend. The last few weeks have been FULL of so many good times with family and friends. We have lots of stories to share with you, but we’ll spread them out over a few posts. I’m going to start with a belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY post for my dad.
This amazing fella turned NINETY YEARS OLD on October 31, and my ENTIRE family traveled to Storm Lake Iowa to help him celebrate. We had a weekend filled with lots of Dad’s favorite things: oysters, prime rib, pickled herring, chocolate cake, music, card games, laughter, good conversation, and – most of all – cherished family time.
Two key events of the weekend: a parking lot drive-thru birthday party, where friends and neighbors could wish Dad a Happy Birthday from a Covid-cautious distance; and a special Reformation Sunday church service. (For any non-Lutherans reading this, October 31 is not only Halloween, but also Reformation Day — the day Martin Luther made his demands for change from the Catholic Church. It’s an important date on the Lutheran calendar!) For the Sunday service at my dad’s church, the Boettcher family became a 12-voice choir, plus we provided all the organ music and additional instrumental music. It was so fun for us to all sing and play music together!
Here’s a few more photos from our wonderful weekend together.
Assembling Halloween treat bags to hand out at the drive-thru party. 
Uncle Milo and cousin Karl drove down from Wisconsin to be part of the festivities. 
Church service prep required a bit of musical notation. 
Choir rehearsal! 
Prime rib dinner setting for 20, including farm table decor. 
Hannah makes sure the birthday boy gets some treats. 
Drive-thru birthday party! 
Gorgeous nieces! 
Pretty comfy set-up for the drive-thru. 
We had these signs at the entrance so people would know they’re in the right place. 
Trick-or-treaters sang Happy Birthday! 
These guys shucked 75 oysters! 
The whole Boettcher gang.
I am so happy for good old Lloyd and I am proud of the American part of my family! I wish I could have come over from Germany and take part in all the celebrations. Maybe I will turn up to celebrate Lloyd‘s 95th. ❤️🙋♀️
Hi Eike! Happy American Thanksgiving to you and Dieter! I sure hope you can come visit us again soon, that would be wonderful!
What a great birthday. Loved it, especially the farm table decor for the dinner for 20.
Just saw the photos.
Love seeing these photos! So glad you got to spend the time together.
Thanks for checking them out, Jess! Happy Thanksgiving!