HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA TOM!
We call my dad's father Papa Tom...it's the reason why my dad goes by Papa as well. It's a family thing. Well, my Papa Tom turned 88 on February 4th and we had a celebration in his honor, complete with a family golf tournament and golf themed party.
What my family didn't know was that Colin and I would be in attendance. Heck, I didn't know I would be in attendance. But as things go, Kevin came home from a week long business trip to Moscow and said he had two things he had to tell me. First, was that he loved me and second, that he would be returning back to Moscow for a much longer trip two days later.
As any good husband would do (and I know this because I have the best!), he told me that I should go home to make it easier. Have you ever priced a flight leaving the next day? Hello expensive! Thankfully we were saved by frequent flier miles :)
Not only was my family going to save me from the insanity of being home alone for another trip (I'd already done two that month already!) but I got to be there just in time for our big family get together. I am so glad I could make it :)
If you know anything about the Chapman Clan, you know that the golf obsession runs deep and it started with Papa Tom and my Grandma Ruth. Papa Tom started golfing young and encouraged his wife to learn so that they could go together and enjoy the sport for the rest of their lives. They enjoyed the sport until Grandma Ruth passed and even at the age of 88, Papa Tom is still a formidable golf opponent. He is still getting out there several times a week! He says it keeps him going and keeps him young. And who could say otherwise? He is still in good health and I don't doubt that all that California sunshine and being active has had a lot to do with it!
So, happy birthday, Papa Tom! Thank you for the legacy you have started of working hard but playing hard too!
This is my Aunt Renee and her granddaughter Clarissa
My brother Steve and sister Stacie
My Uncle BooBoo (Bruce) and his grandbaby Clarissa
Steve and my Dad
Winners of the golf tournament!!
My nephew Cody and Ben (Clarissa's big brother!)
They were so cute all evening!
My brother Mark, Shana, Colin, and my cousin's daughter Kendyl
Papa and Colin
Papa Tom
Four Generations of Perrys...
Cody Perry, Steven Perry, Perry Kevin, and Perry Thomas
Do you think we look alike? I definitely have the Chapman "look!"
My sweet Papa Tom
Cousin Mikey and Jennifer...expecting baby Mia any day now!
Playing upstairs...
Cheesy grin!
Missing daddy!
(An explanation to the post title - our family owns a steel fabrication company, Allied Steel Company, where my dad, uncles, cousins, etc all work. Papa Tom bought the company in 1973 after having worked there almost 20 years and now my dad and uncles run it. I am so proud of how hard my dad works to provide for all of us! Next to Kevin, he is the hardest working person I know! Love you, Daddy!)
