This weekend we had the opportunity to celebrate Dustin's parents 50th Wedding Anniversary. It is an event that we have been planning over the last year. Each family got their individual family picture taken over the last month to make a collage poster for them. This is our family photo taken by my sister in law Cindy.
So last weekend we had Dustin's brother Alan and family stay at our house and they were kind enough to leave their daughter April with me all week to help out with the anniversary preparations. One of the many things she helped me with was drawing a cutting the family tree that we hung on the wall at the open house.
Alan & Pam's family came back Thursday and spent this past weekend with us. They were all such great company I was sad to see them go. (April with Molly)
Thursday night we had a "GIRLS NIGHT OUT" at Perkins where we made sure everybody was on the same page for Saturday and had fun giggling.
Friday I had a house FULL of people as we finished most of the preparations, had a few sibling fights and ate dinner at Papa Tom's. Dustin and some of his brothers & nephews went to shoot guns and the mom's were busy doing other things so Uncle Devin stayed at my house and helped babysit. I went through a loaf and half of bread, finished 2 peanut butter jars & started another one and 2 boxes of popcicles to feed all the kids we had at my house that day. Whew.. it was exhausting!
Saturday morning we met at Freeman Park for pictures. I snapped a few of my own.
"The Love Birds"
Ella with a few of the cousins closest to her age: Chris, Jason, Ella, Jacob & Noah. I made them say "Ella" to smile. :) It made them smile. They love Ella. These guys played in the sand while we were doing pictures.
I asked Dustin's brothers & brother in law to gather for a picture.
They can't stand next to each other without rough housing.
Here is how it ended. With a fish hook. Boone looks like he's thoroughly enjoying himself.
Pretty Ella.
A few of Dustin's nephews: Adam, Bryan, Aaron, Josh
More nephews: Christian, Mason & Tyler
Neice Ashley with her hubby Cory. They celebrated 1 year anniversary this week.
Neices Anita & Kayla
Sis in law Pam and April
Nephews: Chris & Jason
Brother Devin & wife Johnna
We met at the church building to set up and prepare for dinner. We served BBQ pork, rolls, salads, watermelon, chips and lots of cake and ice cream. One of the gifts that was given to them was a box made by Devin with 2 of the crystals from the chandelier that was hanging in the Celestial Room of the Idaho Falls temple, a picture of them on their wedding day and of them in their temple whites this week. It was a beautiful gift.
With help from others I made them a 160 page book full of memories gathered from each of their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews and others. It was loaded with pictures and fun stories. It's priceless.
One of my favorites is a story told by their 2nd youngest boy Boone. He told a story of a fight he had with a boy in Jr. High. He and the boy decided to finish it after school so his mom drove him to this boy's house and sat in the car while she watched her boy wrestle in the snow and get some bloody lips. When he got in the car she asked, "Are you done or am I going to have to drive you somewhere else?" I think this story is amazing. I don't know if I could do that.. maybe that's why I got Braithwaite girls rather than boys??
Everybody comments on the amazing garden David & Carol have and the yummy raspberry jam that Carol makes us all each year. Also the amazing talent David has at playing the piano. He played by ear and does an amazing job. They both always welcome you with open arms into their home and drop everything they were doing in order to give you their attention.
A story about Dustin's dad was shared by Dustin. He told about how his dad let him do a paper route and would drive him around each Sunday morning through the snow. They made some special memories and learned some life lessons through that paper route.
My sister in law Cindy scanned hundreds of photos and made a beautiful slide show for them. It's an hour long and is going to be so great to watch over & over.
For another part of the program 2 of the grandaughters, Katie & Kara sang "Temple by the River"
A grandson played a song that he wrote.
And the entire crew sang: Families can Be Together Forever.
They had a wedding cake and everything!!
They made sure to cut it and feed it to each other before leaving.
And even drove away in a decorated car. I know it was an enjoyable night for the two of them. What an accomplishment to be married for 50 years!!
We had so much food left over so we met up at the park the next day to eat again.
So great to have so many fun people to call our family.
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