Utah, part two...Grandpa Backman's 90th!!

Saturday, the 17th was Grandpa Backman's 90th Birthday party!

  We were so excited to be a part of the celebration of his life!

But first, a little St. Patrick's day treat.

Rainbow licorice with "gold" rolos!

This is all of Tyler's immediate family at his parent's home before the party. 

 His brother Brandon, his wife, Amy and their five kids drove up from Texas and his brother, Tim and wife, Kimberly are currently living in Germany.  It was such a treat to all be together. 

Yes Aubrey is almost as tall as Kimberly and me!!

Grandpa Backman has seven daughters, Tyler's mom, Bonnie, is in the solid red shirt.

They are such fun ladies and wonderful women!

Here are Grandpa's living siblings and their spouses.

Grandpa and Bonnie

 Everyone enjoyed looking at the book Bonnie has lovingly put together with favorite photos and memories.  

She did a great job!

As you can imagine Grandpa Backman and Grandma Janet were very popular, 

but we got a few minutes alone with them!

Grandpa Backman is SO loving. 

 Even though there are tons of grandkids and great-grandkids 

they each feel like they are special and loved!

I am so glad that I got this photo because Tyler has always looked up to his Grandpa.  

They have many fond memories together including family get-togethers and vacations at Bear Lake every July.  His Grandpa was always there to support him at every milestone, including Tyler's favorite memory when Grandpa came with Tyler's parents to pick him up from his mission and then toured Hungary, Vienna, and Austria together before coming home. 

Here is everyone from Grandpa's side.  You see, his first wife, Virginia died 13 years ago and he got remarried when he was 80 to his darling, Janet.  

After the photos, the group sang to him an impromptu "Happy Birthday".  It was at this moment that Grandpa tearfully told his family how much he loved them. "How grateful I am that you are mine", he said.   He bore his testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel and his love for our Savior, Jesus Christ, "his best friend."  There weren't many dry eyes as this influential man in their lives shared his love and testimony.  It was the sweetest, most special, few minutes.  What a powerful reminder that surrounded by military awards, mementos from his travels, church service recognition, wonderful friends, and Boy Scout awards, his most precious gift and treasure is his testimony and his family.  It is so apparent by the way he has lived his life.

Here are his grandchildren in attendance, he has 31 and Janet has 22.

 And this one...it should have been a video, it was quite LOUD and comical! 

 These are the great-grandchildren (there are 55 of them) who were willing to stand still long enough to get a photo taken :)!

What a great day and a memory we will all treasure.

On the way home I asked my kids what there favorite part of the trip to Utah was.
They all said, "when Grandpa Backman shared his testimony with us."