Ray's Mom's birthday

So I told my Mom we'd buy them tickets to the "Savior of the World" program at the theater in the conference center. We arranged a double date for her birthday and agreed to meet at The Cheesecake Factory. I then realized that everyone else in the family may want to come since this is Mom's 60th birthday. All the Utah siblings agreed to meet at the restaurant by 5:30 and we didn't tell Mom that the rest of them were coming. Julie and I got there at 5, assuming that 5 is pretty early for a dinner so we would have no trouble getting a table for ten people within 30 minutes. Nope...we were wrong. We were told they couldn't seat a party of ten at all and the best they could do is seating us completely separately in two parties, which ruins the surprise of having almost the whole family there. AAAhh! So I scrambled the best I could. I walked over to Brio, an Italian place almost next door to The Cheesecake Factory and they had room for a party of ten almost immediately because they were still not yet on a wait. So Julie and I called the siblings and I called Dad, who didn't break and tell Mom what was really going on (well done Dad!). He just told her that The Cheesecake Factory was already on too long of a wait and we were switching restaurants. (the whole reason we were going to The Cheesecake Factory was my parents had a gift card....oh well) So Julie and I get seated as Myla and Mike walk in. Melissa and Vince got there next and told us that they rode on the train into Salt Lake and Mom and Dad were on the same car as them! Dad saw Melissa and Vince and stood in front of Mom so she couldn't see them as they passed right in front of her, using the 11 inches in height advantage above her. Melissa and Vince then ran to the restaurant and arrived catching their breath to make sure they got to the table first. When Mom finally walked in she did a proper double-take and her jaw dropped to see all of us there. We don't surprise her often because we know she enjoys planning and anticipating things as much as the event itself but this was perfect. Sadly we got the camera out a little too late to properly catch her lower jaw down at her knees. One of the picture did catch her as she was pointing to Melissa learning they were on the same train. The switch in restaurants was perfect and my Dad made sure to thank the manager for the incredible server and experience we all had, especially while accommodating us at he last minute and the fact that we spilled drinks on the table...twice. -Ray