Friday, October 5, 2012

October is a Special Month!

October 5th was always a special day growing up......

It was my Dad's birthday

and

It was my Mom's birthday


My folks met in 1947 while working for Western Airlines in San Francisco.  They were married on October 16th, 1948.

In our family October was a month of celebrations!!

My Dad was born in Salida Colorado October 5th, 1912, and moved to La Jolla California as a 5 year old.  My Mom was born on October 5th, 1920 in Long Beach California.  My mom used to say she knew she was going to marry my Dad because he was the only man she had ever dated that could body surf in the ocean of Northern California like she did!!

You have to be a hearty soul to swim in the ocean of Northern California!! The ocean is cold!

My Mom and Dad shared their love of the ocean all of their lives!



Sorry the pictures aren't too good and I'm not sure what's up with the backwards number 7  but......

My Mom and Dad shared a cake every year. And would  put both their ages on the cake....they thought it was so funny!! My Dad would say, "ladies first", my Mom would blow out her candles, and then spin the cake around so my Dad could blow his candles out!

Calgary 1988
My Dad's 90th birthday celebration

My Dad passed away in 2005, almost 93 years old.  My Mom passed away in 2007, almost 87.

They loved life and loved a great party.

You can bet the McKinley's will be having a birthday party today

And to continue the tradition of October being a month of celebrations, daughter number 5, Katie, was born on my Mom and Dad's anniversary, October 16th!

Party On!!

chris


10 comments:

  1. So sweet, Chris! What lovely parents you have--love their birthday traditions! Happy Birthday memories to you today, my friend!

    Julie

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  2. WHat a wonderful look into your parents great life. I love the cake and story behind it. Happy Birthday to your parents, Chris. Hope you have a fun day remembering them.

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  3. What a beautiful birthday tradition with your parents. Thank you for sharing. Enjoy all the sweet memories. Hugs!

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  4. GREAT PICTURES CHRIS ! TELL KATIE HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO

    LOVE,
    LORI

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  5. That is such a fun happy story! What a great day to share birthdays! I bet the parties were, and still are the best! happy birthday to Katie, too. I love the pictures. Everyone just looks so happy!!
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  6. Love the tradition of having one cake with dual numbers and flipping it around to blow out candles. They sound like they were wonderful parents....

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  7. That gave me goosebumps! I think those are the cutest parents ever! Thanks for sharing such a cute cake story! Tammy

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  8. What a nice story about your folks! They look so sweet together. Happy Bithday to Mom and Dad and Katie too!

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  9. Such a beautiful story Chris, and amazing parents! Love the cake sharing, so sweet and special!! Happy weekend to you! xo Heather

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  10. Lovely post and wonderful tribute to your parents! Love October birthdays - we have a bunch, but none on the same day!
    xo Jane

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