My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage in January.
Well, actually that's when the calendar stated they'd been married 50 years.
The celebration took place in May!
My sister Kim, and her husband, Craig, planned a very, very nice 2-day event at their home, and invited just Daddy, Mother, the children and grandchildren.
What a nice time we all had.
We left Alabama on Thursday, and stayed somewhere around Indy Thursday night. The kids enjoyed the pool at the hotel immensely!
The following morning, we headed to the long-awaited celebration.
Emelie kept saying "I'll know we're back home when I see the knife and fork sign." WHAT? I thought maybe she hadn't had enough sleep that night or something! What is a "knife and fork sign", I asked? She tried to explain repeatedly, and then finally gave up and told us we'd see it at the top of the exit ramp near where we used to live. She was getting happier by the minute...and as we approached......
"OOOOOOOOoooooohhhhhhhhh! That's what you were talking about!!"
I guess it never held much significance for me before, but to a child growing up from birth to age 8...traveling the same roads each shopping day...this sign meant "we're almost home"!
The first event was a family picture, with everyone dressed in various combinations of black and white.....
This color code had caused quite a hilarious stir over the preceeding weeks, as certain folks in the family didn't have proper attire....and one was threatening to come in white muscle-tee and black boxers. Ahem! I will refrain from naming him, but he's in the next photo.
This is Johnny talking to Sam (April's husband) w/ Bret (Shelley's oldest son) listening in.
Deanna (David's second oldest) with Abby (Heather's baby).
Heather, Abby, and me.
Some of the guys...and Kim....heading for the photo location.
Marissa (ours) and Janelle (Shelley's)
Heather/Abby and Shelley/Arielle
April with Baby Zach....and Deanna
Alexandra bringing her horse (extra prop) with some of David's girls accompanying her.
Taylor (Shelley's) and Jessie (ours)....and one of the kittens who acted as props. I think Jessie was waiting for her "turn".
Some of my lovely sisters......from left to right......Chrissie, Tracy (David's wife), Shelley, April, and Heather.
David, in a very typical pose.
He was bound and determined to finish that book during the 2 days.
Allison (our California blonde)
Chrissie with Meliah, aka Mimi.
Adrianna, aka known as Dree, (Kim's 2nd daughter) and Emelie - best buddies.
Sam, April, Abby, Brooke, and Zach
(Kaylie's in heaven...still miss her.)
My lovely mother......at 72.
Everyone stood around, chatted, and got into place as the photographer directed. There were pauses in between. So, the horse got plenty of petting, as did the German Shepherd and the kittens.
(L to R: Emelie, Hanna, Andrea, Adrianna, Janelle, Alexandra, James, Taylor)
And here we have yet another organized family...who actually was "together" enough to get a good individual family picture! The rest of us didn't plan too well in that regard! Oh well!
This is David and Tracy's beautiful family. Baby Ben is the youngest grandchild in the family...and will retain that status til June/July when John and Chrissie have their baby.
This is James, one of the young men photographers in the family who can take a better photo than I can any day......but I still try! :) He belongs to Shelley.
The lovely Alexandra with her show horse...Shadow
And this is my wonderful dad, seeming to enjoy the goings-on.....or maybe he's wondering when someone's going to crack out the ice cream! :)
As the photographer get ready to take pictures of all the grandchildren w/ Grandma and Grandpa, he signaled to the "parents" to do crazy, funny things to get the kids' attention and keep them happy/laughing.....it got hilarious actually!
Some of the moms & dads.
Six of the 8 "Sisters".....Me, Heather, Chrissie, Kim, Shelley, Tracy.....
April must be taking the picture....and Marian didn' get to come. (Sniff, cry, wail...)
April and Zachary...with Tracy and Ben in the background.
And this was taken at the same time the professional photographer was getting his shot. I love Brookie's "I LOVE YOU" sign on the far right. :)
A casual moment. Looks like several parents were giving instructions to their various chillens.
And this is my favorite. The 7 of us with Mother and Daddy.
We REALLY missed Marian that day.
Do you see any family resemblances? :)
Part 2 of this is coming soon.............promise....
We're not even to lunchtime on Friday yet, folks!!!!!
Love it, love it, love it!!! LOL LOL Too good.
ReplyDeleteHR
I'm pretty sure I can remember having that 30-years-ago pic taken. We were so impressed with Daddy's delayed-trigger mechanism. I was always very very proud to have such a fabulous crew of little brothers and sisters. You were (and remain) my pride and joy.
ReplyDeleteI depart... in tears.
Love YOU.
What a wonderful reunion! Looks like a very happy family! :)
ReplyDeleteStaci