Grandpa Walker's Birthday Party - 93 years old

Dad Walker at Red Robin
To Get His Free Birthday Burger
Saturday, September 5, 2009

Saturday is our day to make sure that Ray's Dad, Weber Read Walker has dinner, and it is our chance to spend some time with him. I had signed him up to get the free birthday burger at Red Robin, and we decided to get him out of his house and take him to celebrate almost being 93 years old. When we were deciding what to order (never a problem for me - I always get the Royal Red Robin - my favorite) Ray's dad told us that he wanted something light because he couldn't eat much, and wasn't very hungry. We told him that Red Robin doesn't have light, and we just needed to order him his free birthday burger. He decided he wanted chicken rather than a hamburger, and so Ray ordered him a Teriyaki Chicken Burger. Dad Walker also wanted either buttermilk or lemonade. Of course, Red Robin doesn't have buttermilk, but they do have great lemonade, so that is what he had with his chicken burger.

When they brought our meals, they were giant sandwiches, with the best steak fries. Dad Walker really enjoyed eating his sandwich. He ended up eating all but 2 bites, he ate most of his french fries, and 1 1/2 glasses of "some of the best lemonade" that he has had. There are many times that Dad Walker will hardly eat anything for a meal. We are always happy and proud of ourselves when we find something that he enjoys so much and that he will eat.

On the way to Red Robin Dad Walker started asking about the BYU football game, which was the first game of the year. He has always loved watching BYU football games. Ray thought that he would be worn out from going out to dinner and didn't think that he could handle being away from home long enough to watch the game too. Dad Walker was asking enough questions about the game that Ray decided he should give him the option to come over and watch it if he wanted. There was no hesitation, Dad Walker wanted to come watch the game with Ray. BYU is ranked #20, and they played Oklahoma who is ranked #3. The game was in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium - It was a huge game for BYU. Dad Walker enjoyed the game and he actually stayed awake through the whole game. BYU was predicted to lose by a huge margin, but ended up winning with a score of 14-13. It was a happy day for BYU fans, and a great game for Dad Walker to see.

Family Birthday Party

For Dad Walker

At Chuck-A-Rama

Monday, September 7, 2009

The whole Walker family was invited to go to Chuck-A-Rama with Dad Walker to celebrate his 93rd birthday. His birthday is on September 8, but Monday. September 7 was Labor Day holiday and easier for everyone to get together because most of the family were off work for the holiday. Dad Walker chose to go to Chuck-A-Rama. It is a place that he has loved for a long time. Mom and Dad Walker hardly ever went out to eat, but they had a good friend and neighbor that would occasionally take them to Chuck-A-Rama for lunch. I think that it is a place that holds some good memories for him. All of Dad Walker's kids came and some of the grandkids. It was a fun get together.

Dad Walker always likes to make faces when we take pictures of him. His birthday party was no exception.

The servers at Chuck-A-Rama brought Dad Walker a root beer float with a candle in it and we all sang to him. We told him to blow out the candle, but he had different ideas. He wanted to pinch the flame out with his fingers - but changed his mind when everyone started protesting.

So he finally blew out the candle.

Here he is making silly faces again. Shaun is on the left in the background, and Ray's brother Leon Walker on the right.

Shaun was stuffed full and ready to go home before the visiting had ended.

We are glad that we have Dad Walker as part of the family. We love his teasing, his positive attitude and his love for everyone. He always has a hug for others and loves his family. We are glad that we have had the chance to spend more time with him the last few years. We love you Dad Walker!