justbenme

Sunday, September 8, 2024

Weekend of love and family

Engaged on December 23, 2023

Tied the knot on September 2, 2024

♥♥♥

The celebration began on Saturday, with family gathering at the home of the bride's father.

No photos, here, we attended another wedding... but that is another story.

Hotel Scandi, an Airbnb was reserved for most of the family
We were greeted with this table of treats

Baskets and baskets of good things
provided by the sweet couple in the center of the picture
Kathy on the sofa, behind her is Mark
Flowers included
( casual photographer on the far left )

Time and place to eat and play a game or two

oldest and youngest grandsons ♥

That evening we enjoyed pizza and more pizza and had some good visits with Kelsey's brother and sister, and with Mark and Kathy who are almost like family to her.

The patio was a great gathering place

♥ ♥ ♥

Day Two

Now it is Sunday morning. Early morning rehearsal at the beautiful Kiana Lodge

Here we come

You get the idea.... more later

She will toss the rose petals

Not sure when all four will be together again,
so we snap the pix

(The girls are wearing a simple elegant pendant that Damon gave to each of us...)

Mom and Son
( wearing my rose pendant )

A friendship of many years

I won't forget, but for any reader:

Tanner C, Mimi S, Dad, Claire S, Bride, Groom, Mom, Jackson S, Anita C, Sebastian O, Tiffany O.

Next stop... rehearsal brunch.

Just up the hill from our Airbnb

here come the rest of the family

The guys join
these shoes

A very delicious brunch...

food and "entertainment"

Creative ball of fun

Cory and Mary
Cory will marry Damon and Kelsey
He is long time friend and pastor

Well fed, we separate to go shopping, rest, walk around town....

And we did. Poulsbo is a fun little town

Then a walk to the harbor...and..

at least he took his shoes off and had a good cool off

Proud Grampy and Grammy
Happy oldest grandson

Claire with her Auntie Nita

Brother and sister

just a few of Kelsey's relatives...
I need to learn some names
Some came up from California

These are my girls... Tiff, Nita, Mimi and Claire

An evening walk, stopped for ice cream and then time for a good night to all... and good sleep

The wedding day deserves a page of it's own

end of Saturday and Sunday and great memories

I live an exciting life

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Not an epic year in numbers, but an epic year of birthday memories. Maybe because the older I get the more I realize what is of value in life. And some events need to be put on paper.... don't ever want to forget.

( did not know it would last until August, but here goes )

First celebration was with my sister Barb. We always head to Gilman Village for lunch. Though the Boarding House is gone, we found another good spot for treats.

Another long time friend, Bonnie ( we met on my wedding day) We do lunch and still like to exchange gifts. She knows me

A few days before the 30th, four cards arrived in the mail. All of them had a special touch

H.K. and I have known each other all our lives. We would have lunch together every year, before she moved away. The card had a special meaning, only one thing was missing, our favorite verse
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have, for He has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.

Can't resist a memory from one of our few vacations together.
Hawaii in pok-a-dots

Mother & Daughter, also friends for a long time. This year the card had a special message from each of them. The daughter's was most special. She is struggling with a hard diagnosis, but that did not keep her from writing her own note of love.

Long time neighbor/friend, Sally, like family to our kids. We usually have lunch and exchange gifts and laughs. This year her brain is not always working. That is what she shared along with the card that looked like her....many phrases underlined with her honest and loving friendship.

Shoes on the card from Laurie BSF friend. I thanked her and asked why people connect me with shoes? Everyone has shoes. Well, she said, it might be because you post shoe pictures.
Guilty. She knows me

All this before the actual date. May 30.
Growing up it was always a holiday, Memorial day. No work, no school. Aunt Pat would take us to Lincoln Park for the first picnic of the year. Now the holiday has to be on a Monday. Not sure why that has changed the tradition, but life IS different.

Thursday, this year, and texts and emails arrived and a personal visit from Betty. That is a gift.
One on one time.
Then off to the airport to pick up friends...we stopped for dinner at Duke's for a celebration dinner. Thank you Sikora's

My other Barbara arrived on Friday with a plate of cookies... and just in time for company dessert...and a gift of King Arthur treats

She also included the recipe for the delights she had baked...no picture, they were consumed quickly. so good.

OK.. I have been blessed... but need to list each one because each one is special ( thoughts looming up in my heart, without photos or other comments for now )

Marie knows the best chocolate is Swiss and added a sweet candle
Kim knows I like Minnie and will love serving on "her" platter
Leni added to my Starbucks card
Nancy's "Seashore" earrings came in time for a trip to the ocean
Lunch with Helen at the Cheese cake factory ( Key lime dessert)
Jude, Eleanor and Tiff repeating Key Lime Cheese Cake
Cindy and I love Applebees..and we skipped dessert
Connie completed (probably )the celebration at British Pantry