Last night was a great night for parents and families at the 2011 Emmy Awards.

Modern Family, the ABC comedy that celebrates all kinds of families, took home five awards—including two trophies for Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen, who play the husband-and-wife team of Phil and Claire Dunphy. Burrell spoke of his father, who passed away before being able to see his son perform. “If he were here tonight, I think he would say, ‘But why the makeup?’” he said. “In the end, I think he’d feel like, ‘Couldn’t you wear a little powder? Why do you have to look like a harlot?’ And I would say, ‘Dad just think of me as a very masculine lady.’ And he would say, ‘I do, son.’”

Gorgeous mom Kate Winslet took home an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her role in Mildred Pierce, in which she played a tough, struggling mother during the Great Depression. Her speech ended with a heartfelt thanks to her own mother: “Mildred Pierce was capable of great acts of love as a mother but she was an extraordinary multi-tasker,” Winslet said. “I actually do have to share this with my mom. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what you do in your life, you never stop needing your mom. And I will never stop needing mine. So thanks, Mom!”

Kyle Chandler, who played the ultimate football coach and family man on Friday Night Lights for the past five years, was stunned by his Best Actor in a Drama Series Emmy win. He thanked his on-screen wife, played by Connie Britton.

And in another surprise win, one of our favourite moms, Melissa McCarthy, took home the Emmy for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on CBS’ Mike & Molly. And from the shocked look on her face and from her use of the phrase “Holy smokes!” a number of times, we can tell that this mama of two was just as pleasantly surprised as we were.

Did you watch The Emmys last night? Whose win surprised you the most?