HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DIANE/EASTER FESTIVITIES

Well it was a BUSY BUSY week-end and I am definitely feeling a little tired this morning, but what a GOOD week-end it was.  Friday was just one of those days that kept me busy from the minute I got up until I was finally getting into bed that night, but I went to bed feeling like I was on top of everything that had to be done.  And then on Saturday, hubby and I got to the clubhouse around noon so that we could get all the food unloaded.  Drinks needed to get refrigerated, and the beans had to get into the oven etc.  We began getting tables and chairs out, and before we knew it our help had arrived to get everything decorated.  Now we had divided things up so that no one carried the whole load and trust me it is one of the definite perks of having a large family.  My niece Jessica (the wonderous hair dresser!) could have a full time business doing parties.  It is just something she not only seems to enjoy, she is just soo good at.  She and her mother did ALL of the decorations and activities for the party, and they were just soo good.  They were also in charge of the desserts and appetizers.  Might make you wonder what my responsibilities were, haha, but I handled most of the food, (though I did assign some items to others who were only to happy to help!)  In going through my photos, I noticed that not nearly enough pictures were taken to show you all the little touches, (to include NONE of other things...sigh) but I will try and do the best I can.  Ordinarily I would have put all these pictures in a slide show, but I couldn't (naturally!) get the program to work for me this morning, so I put some of them in collages so it will go faster.  I don't always like collages as it is MUCH harder to really see anything, but you will get the idea.  There were around 35 people there, and unfornately I did not get pictures of many of them.  Anyway, guess we should start with the birthday gal!

MY SISTER DIANE GETTING READY TO OPEN HER GIFTS...SHE WAS WEARING HER "CLASSIC" 60TH BIRTHDAY NECKLACE, HAHA

JUST A SMALL GLIMPSE AT THE DECORATIONS.  EVERYTHING WAS SOO FESTIVE AND PRETTY.  THE BOTTOM ONE WAS GIFT BUBBLES FOR THE KIDS TO PLAY WITH, AND THE THINGS WE NEEDED TO PLAY TEAM CHARADES LATER ON...SOO FUN

HAD TO SHOW YOU CLOSE UP OF THE INSTRUCTIONS, HAHA

ANOTHER THING WE DID WAS SET UP A TABLE WITH ALL THE SUPPLIES WE NEEDED TO CREATE A SCRAPBOOK FOR DIANE WHILE WE WERE THERE.  THIS WAS SOOO FUN, AND SUCH A GOOD IDEA BY JESSIE.  YOU SIMPLY SELECTED A PIECE OF SCRAPBOOK PAPER, WROTE OUT YOUR MESSAGE OR WISH OR FAVORITE MEMORY OF DIANE, AND THEN DECORATED YOUR PAGE WITH STICKERS AND PICTURES (WHICH EVERYONE WAS TOLD IN ADVANCE TO BRING) AND WHEN YOU WERE DONE, YOU INSERTED IT INTO THE ALBUM, SO THAT DIANE LEFT WITH A COMPLETED SCRAPBOOK OF WISHES.  EVERYONE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME WITH THIS!  WISH I HAD TAKEN A PICTURE OF ONE OF THE PAGES (AT LEAST MINE, HAHA) SO YOU COULD HAVE SEEN.  BUT THE MESSAGES WERE BOTH FUNNY AND TEAR JERKING ALIKE.

After we ate our dinner, which consisted of ham sandwiches, potato salad, tossed salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, chips, fruit, and veggies, we visited for a while before we hid Easter eggs and the little ones all went on a hunt.  They enjoyed it as much as you can imagine.  Here are some pictures of the littlest ones there...

PIC 1 ~ JACKIE AND PRISCILLA, DIANE'S GRAND DAUGHTERS, PIC 2 ~ SOME OF MY YOUNGEST GRANDS, PIC 2 ~ LITTLE JACOB, DIANE'S GRANDSON, AND PIC 4 ~ HANDSOME BLAKE, MY YOUNGEST SISTER'S SON.

MY GRANDS ENJOYING EATING THEIR CANDY IN THEIR EGGS!

After the hunt, it was time for charades.  We chose up teams and had sooo much fun.  Can't tell you how much we all enjoyed this!

WE PUT OUR CHAIRS IN A BIG CIRCLE WITH A CENTER STAGE, WHICH WORKED REALLY WELL FOR GIFT OPENING TOO!

GIFT OPENING TIME....MOM TOOK HER NECK BRACE OFF FOR SOME PICTURES.  HERE SHE IS WITH DIANE.  SHE DID VERY WELL ON THE DAY!

We all gathered around and prayed for Michelle (Diane's daughter) as well on the day.  She looked pretty good, but the chemo of course is leaving her weak and tired all the time.  Only two more sessions to go.  We will all be so glad when she can put it all behind her.  All in all it was a very fun day and a perfect way to celebrate my sister.  She is such a FAVORITE amongst the whole family as she is such a selfless giving woman, and it felt good to honor her in a way she deserves.  Today (April 1st) is her actual birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY Di, and may you enjoy many, many, more.  I can share my little note for her that went into her scrapebook, as it sums up just how I feel.

If there is one thing in this life I can remember ALWAYS counting on it was my sister Diane.  A mere 18 months older than I am made for us going through most of life's moments together.  As little girls I remember just countless games of house, dress up, Barbies, school, cards, bike riding, skating and more.  She was always there ~ my built in best friend.  As we got older and into our teen years now I had a built in confidante as well.  Someone I could go to for relationship hashes, clothes sharing (though this could be a fight as well, haha) a friend always there at home and family gatherings for me to hang with or talk to, and we even did some double dating.  We married within three months of each other and our years as young married women began.  Now we shared house decorating tips, spent countless hours playing games with our husbands, and getting our young children together.  The years rambled by and now we find ourselves discussing the wonders of our grandchildren and also the horrors of growing older.  Through all of life's best moments, and through all of life's hardest, Di has been at my side.  She remains my best friend and someone whose opinion really matters to me.  Happy birthday Diane!  And may the Lord bless you and keep you always.  Loving you always and forever! Deb

Our son John spent the night with us after the party that night, and we all went down to San Diego for Easter Sunday services at our church.  What a glorious day it was to celebrate as Christians.  James gave a wonderful and inspirational message and several people gave their lives to the Lord.  It was a time of great rejoicing.

PIC OF JAMES, MYSELF AND JOHN BEFORE CHURCH

MELODY AND SAM BEFORE THEIR EASTER DINNER AT THEIR HOUSE IN NEW MEXICO....SURE MISSED THEM ON THE DAY!

After church James and Larissa joined her family for celebrations, so we had a wonderful lunch with John and enjoyed catching up with him on a one on one.  Always rare, but enjoyed in our big family.  He stayed until after dinner and a little TV before heading home.  Well, guess that about sums it up.  I got into bed last night counting all my blessings for sure.  God is faithful and good ALL the time.  I want to get some sewing done today, but I might rest up more than I'd like to, as I am just downright tired this morning like I said.  More birthdays celebrations coming up next week-end!  Hope you all have a GOOD week!  Blessings to you all.....Debbie