odds and end(s) of summer

• On the way back from the anniversary party (referring to previous post), we stopped to see Grandma O. While visiting her we were front and center to some firetruck action. So much so that Samara, Grady and Rhett's shoe were featured in the local paper!  I'm not sure where I put the clipping or I would have scanned it.  Samara enjoyed her "moment of fame";  the photo showed her hair covered side profile and the back of Grady and there were no names printed.  However, she was in the paper, just so you know!

• We made it back to the cabin for some fun with our good friends and neighbors. 

• We attended a few minutes of the 2nd annual race the base event ... but it was a bit rainy and I didn't want to get my camera wet!  Phil auctioned off some Ferrari and Camaro rides, as well as some BMW rides which were a harder sell!

• We did go to our local beach this summer ... twice, I think.   This is proof of one such occasion.

• Neighborhood fun

• And, last but not least ... we had a fun 4 mile nature walk at the provincial park.   I should say most walked, some ran, some limped and some were even carried at times! Can you imagine carrying 90lbs on your shoulders and racing down a path full of tree roots?!  Well, I saw it with my own eyes and everyone survived.

I feel like I overused the word fun in this post.  I apologize for that.  It is a little late and my imagination is not running wild.  I do love summer though and looking back at these pictures brings out my fun in the sun nature!  Right now we have an abundance of snow and I've already shoveled more times than all of last year ... not so fun joyeous. 

40th Anniversary Celebration

40 years ago (plus about 2 months) my mom and dad were married. 

Why the daughter of a farmer would choose to get married at harvest time is beyond me 
(... I guess it was before me)!  And, my dad was a custom combiner!!

As the wife of a farmer, the sister of a farmer and the sister of a market gardener, this celebration of 40 years of wedded bliss was planned VERY quickly on VERY short notice in the midst of harvest.  I still can't believe how well it all came together, considering!  I am sure that if it was not harvest time then Alyson, Carla and I would have planned a Martha Stewart  or Pinterest worthy anniversary party!! Ha ha ha!

Sorry, I'm still laughing!  

 Anyway, it was GREAT to be home and GREATER to celebrate this special anniversary for 2 special people.  Thank you to everyone that came and shared this day with us.  There were about 100 people and since my catering skills are rusty (as in never used before) I overestimated a bit on the food side of things and had enough for 200).  I wonder if it will keep until their 50th? I'm going to start planning :)

I love this quote: "home is where our story begins"

I feel blessed today because of the choices my mom and dad made, which is the start of my own story, and a part of my children's story ...

Pre-party celebration for Carla's birthday

cake for Auntie made by Samara

dual purpose cake!

cousins

Grounds prep crew

foremen

labourer

The party

the whole Woods family

missing from the photo:  Auntie Marion and Auntie Joanne

the still happily married couple

??  maybe he was adopted

almost normal family photo!

Two things I need to mention:  

1. The above 3 photos were used by permission from Michelle S.  There were no copyright infringements!
2. Most of the stress in the short planning of the whole event was in the slide show preparation.  There were a few equipment difficulties at the last of the last minutes.  But, thanks to my dear sister in law's hard work and the pressure she eventually put on my dear adopted brother, it all came together in the end.  Copies of the music/slide show are available for purchase.  I'm KIDDING ... but it was awesome ... and I'm still waiting for my own copy! 

one more thing ...

new cabin:  the beginning of more family memories; can't wait!!