We started off the month with a celebration of the sale of the final property of Cyndi and Dan's estate.  It has been a long haul on this last one and we are so thankful that it is finally behind them.

The grandkids had their annual burning of the school papers at our place again this year. All year long, they save up all their school work and burn it all at once.

Josiah stayed overnight and thought we needed to try his homemade french fries. They were really good!

The girls checked out my strawberries every time they stopped in. It is fun to grow stuff for them to enjoy.

Emily had family photos done.  I still can't believe that we are great-grandparents!

The yard is filling in and I love it so much this year.

Mom and I went in for a pedicure before we headed out for Lake Tahoe to celebrate our 50th anniversary.

We all met up at a VRBO house that I rented.  Dennis and family drove up from Thousand Oaks. John jr was the only one from his family who could make it. Rachel is in Spain getting her Masters in Spanish, Emily just had baby Henry and Josh didn't get leave from the Marines. Jessi and the kids drove down at the same time we did. We had three days together. I think everyone had a great time. The house we rented even had an indoor pool, theater and outdoor hot tub, so the kids kept really busy with cousin time.

The kids went on a hike and spotted a bear!!

We were entertained at the house each evening with a visit from a coyote. The last night, she brought two little ones with her.

There was so much time for play and visiting.

Dennis brought yo-yos for the kids. Grandpa showed off his skills too.

Dennis and Abby took charge of planning and cooking the dinners and desserts. We had some great food! One night he even ground his own ground beef for the burgers! We had burrito bowls another night. Abby was always up to something making desserts, ice cream sandwiches, butter cakes, cheese cake. 

Nobody was ever hungry.

They all pitched in with cleaning it all up, I couldn't believe how little I did but eat.

Every time I entered the room, there were new decorations added. Jessi and the girls kept adding to it all.

Complete with a star on our door. See my reflection?

Grandma made us all maples bars. We ate way too many, but don't regret it!

On our anniversary, dinner began with a violin concert. Gabe composed a piece that included a part for Lina, who just began lessons.  

John's skills were put to use setting up the table, with help from Jessi and the girls.

Dennis grilled steak and chicken. Abby and Jessi did sprouts, potatoes and salad.

John led a toast and had asked each of the kids to share something for us. It was pretty special hearing from each of them. I had to hold back the tears.

For years I have intended to wear my wedding dress to my 50th. I didn't think it was going to be a problem fitting into it at all. My gown was a full skirt and so I figured it would not be an issue.  Well, sadly, I have to confess, it didn't fit. I have some pretty great sewing skills, so I decided to add to the waist with a draw string, it still didn't work, so I put in gussets in the armpits so I could lift my arms. It looked awful, by the time it was done being altered, it really wasn't me fitting into my dress. So, I took my handiwork back out and sewed that gown back to where it was before. 

And I wore my veil. At least it still fit, right?

The girls liked it too.

 My parents bought us a before and after frame.

Dennis forgot the gift that the three kids bought together, at home, so sent me a photo of it until we get it.

I am so thankful for these kids! When I planned this get together to celebrate my anniversary, I had no idea that they would take over and make it all so special for us.

From Tahoe, we headed towards Colorado for Luke Sandy's wedding. 

(he is sister Lindy's grandson, son of her son David)

We stopped for a night in Reno at the Peppermill, then spent a night on the road, going past the salt flats, before arriving at Lindy's in Castle Rock. 

Lake Tahoe

Salt Flats

Morton Salt Company

Sunset from the restaurant

Castle Rock

We arrived a day before Mom and Dad. Lindy and I went for pre-wedding manicures.

It has been a little over a year since I have seen her and over 2 years since my parents have seen her. She is doing so much better since her fall and it was a relief for us to see it for ourselves.

The next day was the dress rehearsal. The event was being held at their home. They went all out with a huge tent for the reception and the actual wedding was in their field. We sat on bales of alfalfa. Here are shots before and after it was all set up.

Luke and Jordan-dress rehearsal

I heard a motor behind me and to my surprise there was John in this tractor. He had been asked to deliver Lindy to the field.

The next morning, the bales were in place with cloth over them to sit on. It was all so perfectly simple, but gorgeous. I had so much fun taking photos of it all.

Nate's friends drove the golf cart with guests down to the wedding site. Then they waited on the hillside during the ceremony. 

David and Beth watching Luke and Jordan take their vows.

I loved the light in these two shots. 

The new Luke and Jordan Sandy Family.

Luke, the groom, his brothers Sam and Nate and sister Ellie. The collage maker does not let me adjust the photo placement, so Nate and Ellie are off center. 

My cousin Michelle and her husband Floyd drove from Madras, Oregon to join us for the wedding.

Mom and Dad will be celebrating their 69th anniversary in July. A great example to us all.

It just cracked me up. At the beginning of the reception, Nate came over and hugged my Mom and told her that he was going to dance with her. Well, he and his buddies were having a great time dancing and he had not asked Great-Grandma yet. I was pretty sure he had forgotten. But the fast music stopped and a slow one began. He yelled from the dance floor "Grandma!!" and came racing over to pull her onto the floor.  So sweet!

It was a perfect, top-notch wedding in every way. I am so happy it worked out for us all to attend.

The next morning, we hit the road for Oregon. It was not our plan, but we drove the whole trip in one day! 18 hours!  I can't believe we did it, but once we got to a certain point, we were so close, we just had to keep on going.  We were home in our bed that night by 11:30!

To my surprise, John had my 50 years of roses with one for the upcoming year included, sitting there! He had arranged it with Jessi to have them there for me when we arrived.

Another surprise we encountered on arrival. The house was full of tiny ducks! Everywhere!!!  We have now found 89 of them. Everywhere! From what I have gathered, there are 11 more to be found. 

You can't trust your kids or grandkids with a key to your place!

The yard exploded in that short time away. Literally, everything is bursting! It is nice to be home again.