Celebrating with a Blast from the Past

A while back I sat at Kristal's kitchen island, sharing my thoughts with the girls about a possible joint birthday party, since it is a big year for both of us.  After some talk about it, they came up with the idea that I should  not be planning my own party! "What is your budget?" they laughingly wanted to know and, "How do you envision it? Do you want it beautiful? Or Fun? ..." I know ... I felt celebrated already.

So, while we were in Indonesia, there was a meeting without me at home 

and individual duties were laid out; even the boys each had a job to do.  

All I had to do was to think about the food. 

This photo was used for the Polaroid style invitation 

sent out for his 65th and my 60th,

 asking our guests to come in their grooviest 70's fashion.

With Ben involved, of course there would be vintage cars lined up for the occasion.

And with his outfit and big smile he was also the perfect greeter! 

He was ready with his Polaroid camera to take a photo of each guest as they came.

Kari, knowing how important photos are to me, 

freed me up by asking her sister, Jen Giesbrecht, to do candid photography. 

She captured the scenes beautifully and I hardly knew how to narrow this post down 

to what it is. Most of these photos are taken by her. 

As our friends each got their Polaroid developed, it went into a memory book on the table. 

Retro photos had been sent in and were part of the vintage display table. 

I had planned to quickly get the appies out, but was totally distracted 

when I saw how the yard had been transformed, using retro furnishings, 

yet making it look so beautiful!

Those chairs ... just like the ones we grew up with for Sunday School and weddings!

While I had gathered 70's serving dishes, 

unknown to me, Kari had also stopped at every thrift store, gathering plates and glasses ...
oh, and vases that I really want to keep now. 

Even her mom, Elma, got involved by making all of the macrame hangers . . .

 a  number of them hanging over the tables, looking like chandeliers.

I loved that they were so excited with us to dream, collect and transport a trailer full of stuff,

then clean up again.

Shaun made my dream of music blasting  playing, a reality.

He took a lot of time to listen to and choose music that took us

right back to our dating years.

He took his DJ responsibilities in stride, setting up a sound system and

making it all look super easy. It was perfect.

(Those chairs are still being used at the lake house.

Mom and Dad bought them new . . . a long time ago.)

Kristal had brought  numerous pails filled with a variety of daisies and

put bunches everywhere.  She was also in charge of the "program"

including games.

Okay, I finally got the appies out with some help:

carved watermelon basket with fruit

ham ball with Ritz crackers

Nalley's chips with sour cream and onion dip

celery with Cheez Whiz

And Monika was happy to serve the coke and root beer floats

as guests arrived.

We reminisced with friends we have not seen for a while.

Heidi is now my step sister, but she became my friend as a ten year old,

teaching me English and later practically introducing me to her brother's friend, Herb.

Looking at scenes like this, makes me realize again what great friends we have!

And how fun to share an evening with them and our kids!

The intermingling of friendships that connect us all make me smile . . . 

 those from our first years of marriage, to those whom we have only gotten to know 

in the past few years . . .

ever adding to our blessings.

While us "girls" suddenly realized how many of us had thought to get out our old charm bracelets . . .

the guys enjoyed checking out the cars.

Just before dinner Kristal announced the limbo bar game . . .

which brought about some laughs ...

especially when I should have asked for the rules before 

crouching down and thinking, this is easy.

Following the rules, I flopped right back on my haunches.

That's what sticking your nose too far in the air can do!

The candles were lit, but had a hard time staying lit with the slight breeze.

It was so pretty! 

Ben said grace for the meal.

glazed ham

KFC chicken

apricot glazed meatballs

potato salad

spinach salad with bacon, eggs and mushrooms

layered salad

coleslaw

Jello salads

homemade rolls

Hawaiian punch

Most of the main meal was prepared by Common Place Cafe

affiliated with MCC

Many reasons to smile ...
especially when people were called up by name as volunteers!
You know what I mean.

We got called to the hot seat for the not-so-newlywed game.

Lovella shared some humorous and thoughtful words 

giving away some secrets that had us all laughing.

Kristal read a sweet note from Julene and Chris.

We missed them, knowing they would have loved to be part of this night.

And dessert was served:

Lovella's carrot cake daisy and sunflower cupcakes

almond puff

Bundt pan sour cream coffee cake 

brownies

mini cream puffs

strawberries

chocolate fondue sauce

A dream-come-true party for us,

giving thanks for family and friends to celebrate with.

PS ... Take home gifts were (wrapped) sugar cookies made by Sweet Pea.
Shaun and Kristal, Ben and Kari ... thank you for everything!!