My grandparents are fabulous people (I know I'm biased, but it's true). They are the best - wonderful examples of what I want to be like: honest, faithful, hard-working, loving people. They live in Scotland, in Van Buren County, "in the country", as we always say in my family (as in, "We're going up to the country to see Grammy and Papa."). It is still one of my favorite places to be - the air is cleaner up there, and it's very picturesque and quiet. I spent a lot of time up there when I was young, especially in the summer. There is a well-known family story of my requesting, at a fairly young age, to be allowed to go up to the country and spend 18 days (why 18? Who knows ... I guess that sounded like a really long time to me when I was little, and I knew I wanted to go up to Grammy and Papa's for a really long time.).
Scotland was the setting for their 60th wedding anniversary party, which my mom and I helped to hostess (I am an only child, and my mom is an only child, in case you were wondering). My mom, being a sort of Martha Stewart-esque type person, gets most of the credit for making it happen, but I helped out where I could (mostly by giving my opinion on what she was doing - "Great!", and helping shop for food). Almost 150 people attended, which should be a testament to what I said before about how my grandparents are fabulous people - people came in from all over to celebrate with them, because of their fabulousness. There was good food (Chick-Fil-A! Italian creme cake!), good people, good music, good times. Jones had a blast, and was probably the most honored guest there, except, of course, for my grandparents.
The beginning of the party, before cutting the cake:
The first dance:
My grandparents are very close to being professional dancers, in my opinion :o). A few years ago they really got into ballroom-dancing-type stuff: you know, like Cotillion: the waltz, the cha-cha, the swing ... they know how to two step and all of that too, and are really good at it. They go dancing probably 3-4 times a week in all different places around Arkansas (I mean, close to Scotland, but all around the area), and they go out of state at least once a year to a big to-do in Oklahoma. They love it. I, myself, love that they love it and am constantly amazed by their energy - I mean, these two are 80 years old and they go and do more than I can manage and I'm 30 (I use the excuse that I have a stressful full-time job and a 15-month old child, but that's a lame excuse at best ....)! The band that played at the party is their favorite band that they travel around to listen to and dance to, Don Nunnally and the Good-Timers.
Don Nunnally and the Good-Timers Band:
Jones loved the music. My dad carried him around to all of the different musicians to see if he had a preference - apparently, he's going to be a pianist :o)
Jones got carried around and shown off a lot ... he liked the attention, but he really did like that music. He was so happy when he was in the room with the band, kicking his feet and grinning and just loving life in general.
Dancing!
My family!
Richard and Betty made it to the party, and it was so great that they were there, and they were a big help with Jones (this picture was taken right before Jones spilled an entire cup of punch on Richard), and I think they enjoyed themselves too!
Four generations:
I can only hope that Alan and I have a wonderful marriage and make it to 60 years and still enjoy each other just like Grammy and Papa ... and that genetics hold true and I look this good and have this much life and energy when I'm their age!
No comments:
Post a Comment