Just as our marriage started with a sealing in the temple, we started the celebration with a sealing. session with 21 of our family members with Elder Daryl Garn, a dear, long-time friend, officiating. It truly was heavenly as we looked around the room to see our children, spouses, a granddaughter and her hustand and Bob's only brother and his wife, who joined our celebration. Each couple took turns kneeling at the alter for two couple sealings and 6 son sealings. We did 88 ordinances in all. It truly was a bit of heaven.
We then broke loose and began to party. Everyone, children and all, headed for Paul and Angela's for a BBQ lunch and swim. Delicious brats and hot dogs were served with all the trimmings including J Dog's special sauce. Uncles and aunts joined the grandchildren in the pool and much visiting took place,both in and out of the pool. We didn't wrap it up until about 5.
The next event was an adult dinner. Siblings and spouses gathered with Sam and Nancy and Bob and I at our home for a sit down, catered dinner. We sat at one long table and visited until late. Our children shared memories about what they had observed about our relationship through the years. It's interesting to see your children's perspective and what they learned from you when you were unaware that you were teaching! The young adults enjoyed an evening dinner and visit at a restaurant, while the teens watched the younger children together.
Saturday morning it was off to David and Shawni's home with the whole crew (56 in all). Their sweet neighbors turned their personal resort ( expansive yard) over to us for several hours. We performed organized competitive relays and water competitions in teams made up of every age, so well organized and prepared. We were working against the clock. We then hit the pool, literally, as we "cliff jumped" and water slides into their pool. We wrapped it up with pizza and soda drinks. The winning team got Klondike Bars for a prize and the rest enjoyed Otter Pops. Luckily they had a couple of extra ice cream bars for Bob and I. We received the "royal treatment" throughout!
It was then time for everyone to go start for home to shower and clean up for the evening's official celebration dinner, program and dance which was held in David and Shawni's brand new, gorgeous home. It isn't fully furnished yet so it worked out perfectly! We had a delicious frajita bar with mini chimi's and all the trimmings prepared by Mi Amigos. The round tables of 8 made it great for some personal visits. Throughout the evening a sweet friend and photographer took pictures of any combination of groups that anyone wanted and we thought up a lot! She was there for a couple of hours. Two great videographers joined us for most all of these activities (except the temple) and filmed away. They interviewed family members on the side. How fun it will be to see the final product of their intense efforts. I'm sure they are working their hearts out on a lot of editing.
During the program our grandchildren ( those under 18) sang "I Am A child of God." I leaned over to Bob and said it was like attending our own funeral! What a delight they were! Younger Bob. Julie and Stephen each talked about qualities they had learned in our home and then Bob and I were asked to tell how we met. I went first and did just that, anxious not to take too much time but just give a good summary, then Bob spoke and had such a sweet spirit as he expressed his love for them and other tender feelings that will be such a blessing to have on tape. Later I though of all the things I wished I'd said. (I tend to do that a lot...rethink what I I have done or said) I'm not great when a camera is rolling!
It was the most amazing sight to me to see our whole posterity sitting in front of me (only our two missionary grandsons were missing). I just hope they know how dearly I love each one of them, how much I love The Lord and that the commandments are the "secrets" to happiness, success and peace in this world and the gospel is the source of every blessing. It is the foundation upon which we built our home and family and I am grateful beyond words for that firm foundation. I didn't get to tell them but I hope they know anyway.
We finished off the evening with lots of dancing and some tasty cheesecake.
All of these activities were orchestrated by our 9 children,. They planned, designed, organized, counseled together and tackled each of the individual activities. (Divide and conquer, coordinated by our oldest son). We were overwhelmed with the results. They did a magnificent job! It was perfect. They pulled off a celebration that was a hundred times more fun , better executed and more tender than anything we could have ever planned or even envisioned.
Thank you our dear children for that lovely gift of love. You made some pretty special memories for us all. Thank you also for your time, travel, time off work and all you sacrificed to make this event so "memorable" and "meaningful". We love each one of you so intensely.
I will be adding pictures when I can
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