Operation Secret Kumquat

Today is my Grandpa Milligan's 97th birthday! Several months ago, we (my cousins, siblings, and I) decided that we wanted to form a Cousins Choir and that our debut would be a surprise performance in the Lakeside Ward (our parents' and grandparents' ward) on Grandpa's Birthday. We didn't tell them that we were doing it and basically just showed up in the chapel when it was time to sing.

Sounds easy, right? Not so much. Trying to keep a secret from your parents is not easy!!! Neal and Amanda had to lie right to their faces once! (After Dad decided the choir was going to sing today and the Bishop, who knew what was happening, told him he had a special number already planned.) The rest of us almost spilled the beans a couple of times. You'd think with none of us living at home anymore, we wouldn't have a problem. But it was difficult!!

Neal dubbed it "Operation Secret Kumquat". And it was successful! They had no clue until we walked in!! (Well, Randy saw Robin and Steph in the hall and figured out we were all there.). But they no clue what we were going to sing until we started.

We sang one our favorite songs, John Rutter's "The Lord Bless You and Keep You." Our singers were:

Sopranos: Amanda, Melanie, Robin, Shannon
Altos: Angela, Shauna, Steph
Tenors: Craig, Neal
Basses: Brian, Steve
Piano: Melissa

It turned out great! Everyone was bawling and Grandpa had a huge grin on his face! Success!!!

Now, I know what you're thinking. How can I hear this? Well, never fear! We also sang it in the Bison Ridge Ward, and we intend to sing it in all of our wards before the end of the year. We also went over to the Candlelight after dinner and recorded it with Neal's soundboard. We also got a video of it. So it's saved for posterity!

It's been a great day, and we had so much fun getting this song ready...even though there was much lying involved.

Happy Birthday and many more to my awesome Grandpa! Love you!