Surprise!

We had a surprise 40th Wedding Anniversary party for my parents this last Friday. They ran off to the courthouse to get married 40 years ago and never had a wedding reception or any of the traditional wedding fun.

We got them to my sister Jessi's house under false pretenses and they were surprised to see us kids there all dressed up. We told them more lies and said we were going out to a fancy dinner together. Meanwhile, my mom's sister Kathy, who had flown in secretly from Arlington, VA, was sneaking around the corner to get in line while my mom and dad were going around giving everyone hugs. My mom took a good 3 or 4 seconds to even register that Kathy was standing in front of her. She was so shocked and surprised. Kathy handed Mom the veil and bouquet that we had gotten for her; she had never gotten to be a proper bride before. There were tears of joy and excitement.

Not a great picture with my dad's arm sticking out, but you get the idea of her popping around the corner.

Next, we told them there was one more small surprise out back before we headed out for dinner. We had them close their eyes while we turned on the canopy of lights for the real surprise.

I love this next picture. It really caught the emotion and surprise of the moment.

It turned out so well. It was beautiful and felt so magical.

We got thoughts and memories from all the family and many friends and compiled it with tons of old photos into a memory book for them. It turned out to be such a treasure. I always knew I had amazing parents, but it is wonderful to hear all the stories and thoughts of the times they touched and changed others' lives for the good. They are always serving and reaching out to others, creating family where ever they go.

Cousin Wendy made a gorgeous wedding cake for them, another thing they hadn't had before.
It was a stunning cake!

We had them cut the cake and feed it to each other. They did it very nicely, none of the mashing in the face stuff.

We had them give a little toast and hook arms to sip their fancy 7-Up.

They both looked beautiful. My mom especially glowed. She looked like an angel.

Here's one of all the girls

Not a bad looking bunch! I think my folks did pretty well.

It was a great night. One of the best for all of us I think. I felt like the mother of the bride, not the daughter. It was superbly fun to be able to work together and give them this night. I am glad to have my life back from all the planning and hard work, but I would never change a thing. It was amazing to have so many friends and family come to honor them. They deserved every bit and more.

It was also hilarious to tell them all the lies we had told them for the last few months and all the things we had stolen from their house in preparation for the big night.

I love you Mom and Dad! XXOO

Sam's first Dysart soccer game

Sam made Dysart Elementary's soccer team. His first game of the season was last Wednesday. We packed up the kiddos and brought the camping chairs and pom poms for a great game.

Sara loved having an excuse to use the pom poms.

My darling twinners!

Sam did a great job. They lost that game, but they won the next one on Friday and Sam showed off even more of his moves. I think he was more relaxed and sure of himself. He had a great time and can't wait to play the next.
The kids played in the fine red dirt on the baseball field more than they watched the game. Zanna was COVERED in dirt. I was lucky that night and got a few shots of her looking at the camera, kind of. Silly girl!






Daniel got out of his wheel chair and was scooting around in the dirt. He was pouring dirt into the different holes in his chair. The chair has not recovered yet.

Halloween

The two big boys didn't dress up this year. They just weren't into it this year. And somehow Tim didn't get in the group shot.

Laney was ready to go find her prince at the ball in her lacy gown.

Tim was an alien something or other.

Sara was our Renaissance Princess.

Drew was Spidey.

Nate the Ninja man.

Daniel was Cap'n Hook, except we forgot the hook. Oops! He put yellow stamps on himself, but I couldn't see it until I saw the pictures. I guess the flash made them pop out. Lovely!


Susanna was a BYU cheerleader. This was the best picture I got of her. She will not let her picture be taken. She will almost always turn away. Occasionally I catch her off guard, but mostly I get these kind of shots of her. She thinks it is funny.

Monster Mashing

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Sadly, no room for mom, but I am willing to let my brood take the limelight.

My Latest Creation

Dandi is having her first baby girl in December. So of course I had to make a new car seat cover and canopy for her little princess. I love making these for my sweet sisters, and yes, Nan that means you too. This will be the seventh Ely grandkid to ride around in their own custom seat.

Solar Systems and Dirty Babies

Tim did a solar system project. We had a lot of fun making the planets out of polymer clay and glazing them. They looked like lolly pops while they were drying.

Ta Da!!!

Jonah having a wonderful time at our house. Dandi and I were having a great time too, not watching the kids apparently.

Susanna showing off her dirty face. She doesn't care to get dirty like the boys, thank goodness.

Gavin is home!

My brother, Gavin, has been home for a month now, but I haven't posted in forever, so I am just getting this up.

It is wonderful to have him home. I LOVE to sing with him! I have been singing so much more since he got home. It is great. I have really missed his magic fingers on the piano these last two years.

Here is a glimpse of the first few encounters. The kids were in heaven, especially the older ones. Gavin has always been more like a cousin to Sam and Josh than an uncle.

I am not sure if you can tell, but Sam jumped up onto Gavin the moment he got out of the car.

There are some seriously scary faces (fake cough, Dandi, fake cough) so look closely!

Laney dancing with her Prince Charming.

Nate getting in on the action.

And Josh spinning gleefully


Gavin is still looking for a job. Let me know if you know of any opportunities. He has been putting in a ton of hours looking, but there just isn't much out there.

I am so glad to have him home!