60 Year Anniversary Party

The entire Christian Family, as of September 3, 2011. My grandparents, Merline and Clarence, have five children, five children married into their family, ten grandchildren, four grandchildren married into their family and five great grandchildren. They have been married, through better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for sixty years. For sixty years, they woke up every day and said yes to marriage. Having been married to my best friend for five years, I can attest that every day is not a googly eyed, romantic movie day. Some days you have to work for your marriage. All relationships worth having are work and I'm so thankful my grandparents chose to work and love each other for sixty years. What an amazing weekend it was to celebrate, laugh and just be with family.

I love these pictures and am so thankful to now have copies of my grandparents when they were my age. Well, actually, much younger than me!

My dear family. I'm so blessed to be unconditionally loved by my family. We aren't perfect, but I love every one of them.

Aunt Lynda made the cakes, which is still amazing to me. They were so intricately decorated, I didn't even ask how long it took her! Grandma was elated with how beautiful they were, and proud that her daughter made them for her.

She had so much fun running around with her cousins! Jimmy was great and kept up with her during the entire party so that I could talk, take pictures and just enjoy the day with my grandparents.

Doug was able to come with Kimberly, and I know everyone was glad to meet him!

 This is the one time Jenny put down her camera to smile at the camera. And it was with me. :)

After everyone was greeted and got something to eat, Aunt Lynda kicked off the event in her typical style... a rap/poem taking us through the life of Grandma and Grandpa. She is so creative and had everyone laughing and enjoying every minute of their story. Then Uncle Tim played a beautiful song on his alto saxophone that has me itching to make the time to play again. It was beautiful. Uncle Roger then sang one of Grandpa's favorite songs, which was, as always, perfect. When I hear him sing, it takes me back to our wedding day when he sang the Lord's Prayer during our ceremony. It still brings tears to my eyes.

Then Grandpa got up to introduce his family, but of course, couldn't get started without crying. We laugh that emotional instability runs deep in our family and Saturday was no different. Dad helped Grandpa get back on track and he proudly asked each of his children and their families to stand as he talked about each one of us.

I know Grandma won't love this picture, but I couldn't help but post something that showed the raw emotion of happiness and gratitude that was felt this day.

Faith and Christian put together a beautiful slide show of pictures through the years of each of our families. The music was great and Macey could only last so long before she had to go dance. She lost her shoe in her excitement to get up front and start grooving but it didn't seem to mess up her signature moves.

This picture is just too sweet. I absolutely love it!!

A priceless picture. I love these people so much.

They don't come much cuter than these two.

Aunt Pam with Jimmy and Colby. She and Aunt Lynda spent hours and hours and hours planning every detail of the party and putting it together. It was perfect.

Ah, and last but not least, my favorite picture. The woman behind all of these pictures. I love this action shot! Jenny and Dad spent several hours the morning of the party setting up the lights and backdrop so that we could take professional pictures of each of the Christian families. Everyone was excited to have free professional pictures so Jenny didn't get much of a break.