Sat. 9/9/23, 50th Party for us today! Many dear family members and friends came to celebrate with us. Everything was so nice.Thanks to our wonderful family who helped so much!

We were blessed with so many family members and friends coming to our 50th Anniversary Party.  We were blessed to have those we have been friends with a long time and also a short time, who are dear to our hearts and so special to us.  God has blessed us with each other and with all these who we love and were so happy to celebrate with.  

Stuff packed up and ready to load for party

Kimmy and Jared setting up dessert table.  Melissa putting confetti on each table.

Everything ended up looking beautiful

Eli and Jack working on blowing up balloons and putting them as a border for people to know what room the party was in.  It was Bill's idea!

Peyton helping too!  They all did great.  I wish I would have taken a picture.  It looked beautiful when they got done.  It came all the way from that door to where Peyton was.

We were so thankful we had the balloon blower for the kids to use to blow up all those balloons.

Eli, Evan and Jack

We ended up getting done a half hour early and it looked amazing!  Thank you everyone who did such a great job helping!

 

 

 

Bill and I at our 50th! So thankful for our 50 years of married life together

I love this picture of my sister Brenda and my Best Friend Vikki looking at our wedding picture album

Sue, Charlie, me and Bill...great friends

Without us knowing, Vikki put metal knives in the center of the tables so people could hit them on the Mason jars.  We of course had to kiss.

Dave and Terry on left. Me talking to Merijo behind them, Jen, Brad, Greg Young, Roy behind him, Lew, Wes, Joel, Gayla and Cindy on far right

Brenda, Vikki E. Dave, Terry and Pat...plus the same people above at the first table

Barb and Ron

Stacie and the Paws for a Cause dog she is helping train

Bev, Ron, Barb and Ron

Amy, Dennis, Dennis Watkins, Jim and Marsha. Bill in the background talking to Debbie and Dale

Maddy, Brielle, James and Diane

Eli, Jack and Evan...those are the knives Vikki put on each table

Debbie, Dale, Bill, and Mary Eaton.  Dale Honold was in our wedding 

Vikki and Marie

Peyton, Rody, Charlie, and Sue

Adam photo bombing us

Terry, Vikki, me and Bill

Vikki, Bff Vikki who Vikki is named after, me and Peyton

Peyton, Vikki, Vikki, me, Melissa and Kimmy

Kimmy, Vikki, Brenda, me, Bill, Melissa and Dave

Dave, Brenda, me and Bill

Brenda, Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki

Mary and Mike Eaton, me and Bill

Me and Kim Gager looking at my wedding dress.  She said hers was a lot like it.

 

Bob, Tim and Cathy seated, Jan, Bill, me, Gary and Kim standing

Sabrina, me, Bill and Bill Smith

Bill, me, Debbie and Matthew

Me, Bill and Debbie with beautiful 50th ornaments she gave us

Jared and Melissa relaxing in the chairs we got from Pam and Fred.  They thought they were really comfortable and we should set them up when we celebrate Christmas.

We got ready for the party, then left to go decorate at noon.  Kimmy and Jared were picking up the courage and boutonniere for us.  I had given them the receipt and let the place know they were picking them up.  They called and Kimmy said they mistakenly put Sat. Sept. 30 on it instead of making it for today.  It was a friend from church who wrote down my order.  I had told her this Saturday and we could pick it up in the morning.  She is really sweet and must have been used to writing homecoming dates for Freeland down.  Bummer!  Kimmy and Jared were going to wait for them to make one, but we needed them to help decorate and the lady said they would have to stay there instead of Jared coming back to pick it up because they close at noon.  Bill and I told them to just leave. 

We all met at the church and started decorating and setting stuff out.  Jared, Kimmy and Bill left for a while.  Jared even went in a Bridal store to see if they made corsages.  So sweet of him.  Bill came back with two boutonnieres from Kroger, one red and one white.  One for him and one for me.  He thought we could make a corsage out of one of them and he would wear the other.  That didn't work, but was very sweet of him.  We ended up just going without.  Kimmy and Jared got my refund, so we saved $40.  

At two, just about everyone came at the same time which was nice.  The caterer set out a fruit plate and a veggie and dip plate for people to be eating before the meal.  It was really good.  They set up the food on tables in the hallway and then we all prayed and ate.  Bill had Dennis Ward, a dear friend and now a Chaplain, pray.  Bill married him and his wife Amy.

He prayed such a wonderful prayer.  We all ate and the food was super delicious.  The caterers even offered to carry our salad plates or regular plates if we wanted them to.  Then they came around and poured coffee for us.  They also picked up our plates when we were done with them.  They were so nice and went out of their way to make everything so nice for us.  After everyone had eaten, they picked up the food and put it away in tins in the refrigerator.  The two ladies had to leave, and the 22 year old granddaughter stayed and when a few couples came in late, she got the stuff out and made plates for them and heated them in the microwave.  Bill's sister Debbie came 15 minutes after the party ended and she even made her a plate.  She also helped pack up our dessert table for us and cleaned the whole kitchen.  Then she told us we could take all the food home with us.  We were just amazed at how great a job they did and how kind they were.  A friend of ours who was there knew the caterer and had gone to youth group with her daughter.  We were happy to find out they were Christians, because they were sure showing the love of Jesus!

I sat down with Debbie and Matthew for 5 minutes, then Vikki sat with them for a while.  Then she and Matthew left and the rest of us hurried and started putting chairs and tables away and picking up everything and packing it up.  Bill, Rody and Jared were just amazing helping so much.  Bruce had to take Max and Vader home.  Melissa, Kimmy and Vikki were all amazing helpers too.  The kids were all great helps hauling all the stuff to the vehicles.  What a great day it was!  We all came to our house afterward and some of us ate again.  Then we opened our cards.  We had opened our gifts at the party because we had 3 people requesting we do that.  It was nice hanging out and relaxing together.  I sure love my family.

 

Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, Our 50th Wedding Anniversary, Got a few last minute things for the party, picked Kimmy up and decorated the fellowship hall for the party, Kimmy and Vikki came over and we worked on pictures for the picture books, went to Outback for dinner,

Bill surprised me today with roses and some other flowers mixed in

Bill and I working on balloons together for our 50th party

We set up what we could.  Had to leave 4 tables at the end for youth group tonight

Vikki made the balloon arch and Kimmy helped her hang it.  She did an amazing job on it.

We went to Outback and had steak. We had the best waiter.

Free delicious dessert to split.  It was huge.  Thunder from down under was the name of it.

We picked up the cake for tomorrow

Our chairs from Pam, Dick, Fred and Lourdes.  They are so comfortable. 

 

 Kimmy worked very hard making 140 cupcakes and frosting and sprinkling them.  They look amazing.  I picked up 400 pictures for the picture books I ordered from Walgreens.  I also picked up some Hershey gold wrapped kisses for the candy dish.  Meijer had them on sale.  I picked up some gold forks and gold shredded paper from Party City.  I worked on getting the glass candle holder filled and ready.  Kimmy called and wanted me to pick her up at 1:30 at the Dow Diamond.  Jared picks up the van there.  I didn't hear from Kimmy where to for sure go to meet her, and couldn't get a hold of her, so I called Jared.  He tired to give me directions as I drove, but I got confused at some of them.  Kimmy finally called and said to just put Dow Diamond in maps, so I did and then with talking to her I found the right parking place.  She was running behind because of making and decorating so many cupcakes, then having to pack them up so Wyatt didn't get them and also had to load them in her van to bring to me.  She was so busy and lost track of time.  I thought she knew we were to be at the church to decorate at 2, but it must have been Vikki I told for sure.  We left the Dow Diamond at 1:55.  I called Bill to have him take the tubs I had loaded and stacked to take to the church.  He got there at 2 and met Aiden who was opening up the church for us.  Vikki came right after she got out of work.   I had to drive slow and easy on the turns and stops, so the cupcakes didn't go flying.  Kimmy did ask me why I was speeding when she noticed I was going 85 on the expressway.  I slowed down because I didn't know I was going that fast.  We got to my house and quickly unloaded all those cupcakes, then went to leave and the mailman pulled in right behind us.  I had to go talk to him to see what he wanted.  He was delivering a big package which was a Lazy Bear Chair from Bills brother and sister and their spouses.  I had the mailman just put it in the garage and told him we were just leaving to go decorate for our 50th.  I told him that because I said we didn't order a chair and it must be the neighbors.  He said the name was right on it.  Then I remembered why it was coming.  He wished me a happy anniversary a couple of times, and then left.  We hurried to the church and were only 15 minutes late.  Vikki and Bill were there blowing up balloons.  We all moved some tables, then had to get extra chairs because they only had 5 at a table and we needed 8. We were very thankful Aiden set up the tables and chairs for us.  That was a huge time saver where we only had 2 hours to decorate.  Bill and Vikki kept working on balloons, I helped blow up some while Vikki started connecting them.  Then Bill and I carried them all over to her to use.  Kimmy and I moved the big table and got table covers on all of the tables, and the table skirts on the two long tables.  Kimmy put all the centerpieces on.   The girls set up the table with the wedding pictures, card box and other stuff and made it look beautiful.  Vikki did an amazing job connecting all the balloons to make an arch.  She and Kimmy hung it.  It was a blessing that I picked up three small command hooks for the camper and I just thought I would throw them in just in case we needed them.  We sure did need them. I put 50th confetti around them on six tables. We had to leave 4 tables plain so the youth group could use them tonight to decorate cookies for the fire station.  We will finish those tables tomorrow morning.  Kimmy put all the cupcake holders and trays on the dessert table.  Everything looked very nice when we left.  Kimmy and I picked up subs at Subway and brought them to my house to eat.  I only ate part of mine, because Bill and I were going out for our anniversary later.  Kimmy and I stuck the 50th anniversary decorations in some of the cupcakes.  Some have to wait til tomorrow because the tops of the containers won't close with them on.  That will be Melissa's job tomorrow.  We started working on organizing pictures for the picture books after that. Bill worked more on mowing the grass. I gave Kimmy the stack I had worked on organizing last night and she started the small picture book.  I started organizing the big stacks I picked up today.  Vikki came and started working on them with us.  Kimmy worked on big stacks too.  Bill came home and brought me beautiful roses with flowers mixed in.  I put them in a vase.  We girls worked until Bill and I had to leave for our date, then they finished both books which look amazing while we were gone.  They are amazing and very talented.  They went to Big Boy in Midland and Jared joined them.  We went to Outback, and I looked up and reminded Bill we needed to go to Sam's Club first to pick up the cake at 6.  I was on my phone so didn't notice we weren't going the right way.  The cake was beautiful.  We headed back to Outback.  We had the best waiter at Outback.  He went out of his way to treat us really good and wished us Happy 50th a few times.  He brought us a delicious big chocolate brownie with ice cream dessert for free for our anniversary.  While we were eating our dessert, Bill gave me the sweetest card he had written in.  It had an Outback gift card in it for $50.  We used it to pay for our meals.  How handy!  When we got home, we opened our chairs up and took a picture to send to Pam and Fred and thank them.  Then I looked at the amazing picture books.  I texted the girls to thank them.  Bill and I read our Bibles after that.

Thurs. 9/7/23, Went shopping for stuff, worked on picking pictures to run off, finding and sorting ones I already had, steamed wedding dress and bridesmaid dress, Went to Kenzie's Ultrasound

Kenzie with all the things the girl gave her....The bear was so soft and it has a heart she put in it with his heartbeat from the ultrasound.   

These are all of the amazing pictures from the ultrasound.  He smiled, sucked his thumb, stuck his tongue out, opened his eyes, put his arm up.  Oh my, I love him so much already.  Seeing this ultrasound was so moving.  Babies are a miracle from God with a personality even this little.  No one can say they are just a blob after seeing an ultrasound like this.  Praying for the murder of babies in the womb to stop.

 

This is such an awesome picture.  Love Kenzie and love her baby! Thanks Kenzie for letting us all go to this amazing ultrasound session.  My heart was so touched.

I went and picked up some more things I need for the party.  Got some gold shredded paper and some brown and mixed them for the candles I want to have on the table.  Found some gold forks for the dessert table.  Came home and Kimmy came over.  She brought 140 chocolate chip cookies she baked.  She is just amazing.  We had a muffin.  We got the engagement book fixed up nicely for tomorrow.  Vikki, Peyton and Kenzie came.  I went to pick up Melissa and brought her here.  Then we all left to go to Kenzie's ultrasound session.  

It was just amazing.  The girl had gifts for Kenzie to pick out...she picked a cute soft bear.

She took her time and explained everything so well and answered any questions Kenzie had.  She gave Kenzie snacks and a drink, and offered us all some too.  Vikki had a pop.  At first baby just was comfy and slept with his head on the placenta.  She tried to wake him up...that's why she gave Kenzie snacks and a Mountain Dew.  Kenzie went to the bathroom too.  When she came back, he turned so we could see him better.  He sucked his thumb, smiled, stuck his tongue out, moved his arm, hands and feet.  He opened and closed his eyes.  

It was so clear and just amazing.  What an awesome God we have to create human beings so incredibly.  Such a miracle.  We all loved it and are all excited for this sweet baby to arrive.  

Vikki, Kenzie and Peyton went home from there.  I took Melissa home, then Kimmy and I came here and Kimmy left for home.  I steamed my wedding dress and the bridesmaid's dress.  Read my Bible.  Downloaded the pictures I picked out, over 400 of them, and ordered them from Walgreen's.  Vikki told me how to use a 45% off coupon.  Good thing.  It saved a lot.   I went to bed at 2:30

Wed., 9/6/23, Happy 12th Birthday Peyton and Isaac, We love you! Stopped at Melissa's, Kenzie, Vikki and I worked on Treat boxes, went to Vikki and Rody's to celebrate birthdays

The rain sure was good for my plants

Kenzie and I working on treat boxes for party

Happy 12th Birthday Isaac and Peyton.  We sure do love you.  Keep being the amazing kids you are and keep showing the love of Jesus!

Kenzie made Isaac and Peytons cake and did an amazing job on them!  They were so happy!  They tasted delicious too.

Rody photo bombing!!!

 

Fun time watching the kids open their gifts

Bill and Kenzie

 

 

 

Me with Peyton's burrito blanket...It was so soft!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stopped at a couple of stores to look for shredded brown/gold paper, but didn't find any.  I stopped over to Melissa's to drop off Bruce's birthday card and some socks Evan left at our house.  I went to some more stores and picked up stuff for the party.  The Party store was the only place I found shredded paper.  It was small bags for $4.99.  Pretty expensive, but  I knew Vikki wanted it for the centerpieces, so I got it.  Kenzie called and wanted to know if I was home.  I told her I just had to go to Sam's Club and order the cake and pick up some candy for the party, and I would be home in a half hour.  She came over and I got her about 10 minutes later.  We ate, then we worked on filling the candy boxes and then threading the ribbon through the holes and tying  them in bows.  Kenzie was really good at tying the bows and I was good at putting them in the holes, so that's the jobs we worked on.  Vikki got here after work.  She and Kenzie didn't like the one color of shredded paper, so Vikki said she would return it for me and try finding some at the Dollar store.  I had looked at one and didn't see any. Vikki worked on tying the first tie, and Kenzie tied the bows, while I threaded the ribbons through.  Melissa called and wanted to help with the treat boxes, but with her having to pick Evan up, and Kenzie and I having to leave, it didn't work out time wise.  I told her if we didn't get them done, I would drop some off for her to work on.  It went super fast though with the 3 of us working on them.  Kenzie and I went to pick up some baby things she found on FaceBook marketplace that was about 15 minutes away.  Vikki worked on threading and tying while we were gone.  We got all 100 done!  I was very thankful for them helping as I had planned on doing it myself.  Vikki did find shredded paper, and just the color we needed at the Dollar Store.  That sure saved some money. Thanks Vikki.  Vikki got the centerpieces done.  I had 5 Mason Jars and Bruce had 5.  The centerpieces are beautiful.  Melissa also gave us beautiful plates for cookies and cupcake stands to use for the party.  She also is letting us use the card box Hailey had at her graduation party which is sparkly gold, so it's perfect.  We are all going on Friday to set up tables and decorate, then will go on Sat. morning and set last minute stuff out.  

Bill and I went to Bay City to pick up a cover for his truck back he found for a great price.  Then we headed to Vikki and Rody's to celebrate the kids birthdays.  Rody made hot dogs on the grill and also yummy BLTs.  Thank you Rody!  We talked to Kimmy and she is making 125 cupcakes tomorrow and chocolate chip cookies.  I ordered 50th Anniversary decorations to stick in the cupcakes from Amazon.  They are supposed to arrive Friday.  We are hoping they are on schedule.  We had birthday cake after that and Peyton and Isaac opened their presents.  They got lots of nice things.  I forgot Vikki picked up 3 Hawks sweatshirts that were like new at the thrift store, so I put money in Peyton's card.  Vikki reminded me of the sweatshirts when I got there, so I told Peyton I had to take some money out of her card.  Forgetful me!  Vikki forgot the ice cream, and Rody forgot to pick up Birthday cards.  It was a forgetful kind of 12th birthday.  We laughed because we all made each other feel better.  We sure had fun.  It was a birthday we won't forget!  I had paid Vikki $35 today for some money I had borrowed at BayShore to buy something from Kenzie, plus the sweatshirts.  I was thinking the sweatshirts were that much, so had taken 20 extra dollars out of the card.  Peyton started thinking about that and Vikki let me know the actual price of the sweatshirts.  Poor Peyton, I had left out $20.  I am glad we are so close, we can tell each other when we make a boo boo.  I am giving her the rest of her money tomorrow.  I guess with all we had going on at the State Rally, then having to get going on the stuff for the party, my concentration was off a bit.  I love my family!

 

Tues., 9/5/23, Happy Birthday Bruce! We love you! We went to breakfast, then finished packing up, dumped and headed home, unpacked our stuff, went to Taco Bell, Got the ribbons in all 100 boxes for party

Happy Birthday Bruce!  We love you!  You are an amazing person, son in love, husband to Melissa and dad to our grandkids.  We are so thankful for you.

BayShore looked very empty this morning

Got my free senior drink and free Dorito Taco at Taco Bell today.  Thanks for letting me know Vikki

 

Yay, 100 boxes folded with ribbons in.  That was my job for tonight.

Vikki sent me this cute picture of Hailey.  Vikki went to her dentist appt. and thought this girl looked like Hailey.  She turned around and it was Hailey.  They were both surprised and very happy. 

I packed the inside of the camper up while Bill went and took a shower.  When he got back, we took the canopy down (Jim and Bev helped us) and we told those leaving goodbye.  We packed up some of the outside stuff while Ron and Barb were getting their motorcycles on the trailer.  Then we went to breakfast at the Lamplighter with Jim and Bev, and Mel and Betty.  We went back and packed the rest of the outside stuff up, then Bill dumped the tanks.  We said some more goodbyes, then we left for home.  Bill drove the motorcycle and I followed behind in the motor home.  It was another super hot, muggy day.  We were going to wait to bring out stuff in, but I decided to at least get the refrigerator and freezer stuff in, so we could turn off the camper refrigerator.  I ended up starting to pack everything up that needed to come in, and then Bill came out and packed his stuff while I was packing mine.  

It didn't take us long.  We put everything away right away.  

I talked to Vikki a few times today and face timed her.  Talked to Kenzie a couple of times and talked to Melissa.  Texted Bruce Happy Birthday, then Bill and I called him in the evening and wished him Happy Birthday.

 

Monday, 9/4/23, Bill gave the message in the Tabernacle this morning, he did an amazing job with the Holy Spirit leading him , most people left today, we stayed, went on long motorcycle ride, campfire in the evening

Bill giving the message in the morning service

Kathy and Jeff trying to clean up all the  grease the donut man dumped right out the door at BayShore 

We lost lots of wonderful neighbors today, especially Wes and Gayla

Barb and Ron and Bev and Jim are still here on the other side of us and are staying til tomorrow too.

Dinner at PortSanilac

Fun around the campfire 

 Post: Edit

Nice picture of Bruce and Jack I borrowed from Melissa 

Kenzie is making the baby’s room look amazing!  

Today’s service didn’t start until 9. I made coffee for us and had an apple bar.  Bill had a protein drink, then drank his coffee.  Then he looked his notes over for the message he’d sharing. I prayed over him for it to go well, God to give him the right words and that God would be glorified.  God sure answered.  We worshipped, Bill gave the announcements, and then he preached a great message..  Many came up to him afterwards and said it was a great message, that the churches need to get back to preaching messages like that, and many said how it touched their heart and motivated them.It did me too!  I was so proud of him!  We stopped at hospitality and Wes, Gayla and Sandy had just started washing Dow all the counters, tables and cleaned coffee pots.  I started vacuuming the carpet.  Kathy and Jeff came to pick up their leathers they were trying to sell and noticed the donut man had dumped greas right outside the door in the rock landscaping and on the sidewalk.  Kathy and I started gettin a big container of very hot water and soap so they could try to clean it up some.  Not easy!  The donut man comes here from Iowa and has never dumped grease like that before. Bill told Liz in the office to make her aware of it.  

We sat outside and visited with Wes and Gayla and Barb and Ron.  Wes finally had an opportunity to dump his motor home so he did that while Gayla waited.  Tiny came and sat and visited with us all too.  

Wes and Gayla left then and 12 of us left here went on a 170 mile ride around the theme.  We stopped in Port Austin and then stopped to eat at The Forest restaurant in Port Sanilac. We had delicious food and lots of fun talking.  We headed back to the campground after that.  At 8 all of us, plus Mike and Gail and Dave and Chrissy all sat by the campfire until the mosquitoes got too bad.  

We came back to the camper and played 3-13. Bill beat me bad.