Labor Day Festivities

My grandparent's had their 60th wedding anniversary over Labor Day weekend so it was the perfect chance to make our ol' monthly visit to AZ! 

We pulled in around 8:30pm, put the kids to bed, then met up with my siblings at RA for some sushi at 10pm. (I know, we're WILD.) All of us, but Christopher, were there. Well, and Craig. He's not quite old enough to hang with us big kids. Soon enough! I got myself all fancied up and put on my tall wedges. Trav made a comment so I confessed.... I knew I'd be around my giant brothers, so I went all out with my shoes! ;) Travis wasn't amused, haha! 

It's too loud for my old ears in that hip place, so we ate on the patio. A sweaty, but quieter alternative. :) We ordered our rolls much like our parent's order food... one of everything! Seriously, I think we had 8 rolls on the table plus Marcie's soup. It was gooood. Proud of Shelley... we're making a sushi lover outta her!

Well, we talked the night away. I loved every second. It made me think of an episode of Parenthood or something. It's interesting now that we're all starting to be on the same playing field. It's so fun! This is what family is all about. I love my siblings fiercely. I think a part of me will always feel rather {Mother Hen} about them. I worry that they think I'm overbearing, fuddy duddy, or unrelateable. But they are stuck with me. I will always love them, care about them and want to spend time with them. They will never have a bigger advocate or fan, than me.

We finally had to leave around 1:30am when they started closing the restaurant. That's 2:30am for us! But I was on some sort of high and didn't really feel it. Trav and I drove with Marcie in her white Cruz. David was in his white truck, Shelley in her white Armada and Jefferson in his new white Civic. As we all pulled out of the parking lot, David group text us all, "White car crew roll out". Shelley responded with "The Celestial car crew!" Haha. Did I mention I love my siblings? 

The next morning we had a breakfast going away party for Jefferson. Complete with French toast casserole, homemade buttermilk syrup, fruit, eggs, smoothies, and bacon. Had to get all sugared up for our swim after that! 

This was one of the more fun swimming parties we had because all us girls actually got our hair wet and had fun! We started with some raucous chicken fighting contests. Then the kids wanted a turn! We played torpedo and even got Dad in on the fun.

That night was Grandma Ann and Grandpa Jess's 60th wedding anniversary party! It was at their church building. When we pulled into the parking lot, Collin asked incredulously, "Mom. Is someone DEAD?!" To clarify, OUR church building doesn't look like theirs. Neither does my parent's building where we always go. This one was new. And the last time we had been to a building that looked like this, someone had died. I quickly assured him, no, no one was dead. 

They had Joe's BBQ cater, which was really yummy. And each table had a dessert tier in the middle covered with brownies and cookies from the Sweet Tooth Fairy. After dinner, all the tables and chairs got cleared away so the great grandkids could play games that she had bought and set up. The grandchildren without kids were in charge of manning those games. It was a genius idea, really. The kids had a ball. And then had a bag full of goodies and toys to play with during the DaNcE!! Hilary's husband is a DJ, so they had him play music for a dance at the end. The only bad part about it, was it wasn't long enough! I could have danced the night away! But probably good that it was only an hour since I was drenched in sweat after! We shook our groove thangs to Taylor Swifts new, "Shake it Off", did the Cupid Shuffle and Macarana, among others! I don't have to tell you... I was in heaven! For the record, so was Olive. She crawled into the middle of the floor, sat down and started bouncing up and down, waving her arms to the music. That's my girl!!

Someone pointed out that I matched my phone! Haha!

At the very end, they played "Young at Heart" and had my grandparents start out the dance. It was a sweet moment for sure. I teared up at the line, "You can laughhhh when your dreammms fall aparttttt at the seamsss, when you're young at heart." It made me think of all that they have been through together. And I don't know the half of it!! 60 years is a crazy long time! They are amazing examples at sticking through things and staying together. They have had more than their fair share of trials and heartache, but they never deviated from the gospel or their family. True heroes in my eyes. I will always love and respect them. 

On Sunday evening, we had taco salad at my mom's, then bade farewell to Jefferson. He is moving to Littleton, Colorado with his friend. It was more emotional than I thought it would be. I love Jefferson more than I could say. He is an extremely kind, generous, and thoughtful person. He's very observant and quick to give a compliment. What I love best about him is that he's tenderhearted and compassionate. My Weston reminds me a lot of him. I don't know how long he'll live away or how often we'll see him after this, depending on what job he gets. We all walked out to his car to take pictures. Then came the hugs and "I love yous." Just about every one of us was crying. I don't think he reads this blog, but in case he does, I love you, Jefferson! I've always been impressed with who you are, your potential and your spirit. I might be the older sister, but I've always looked up to you. This world needs more people like you. Don't ever forget that.

After we went inside, I finished up Olive's cake. She still needed her obligatory "cake smash" experience! 

I swear she's looking at Travis like, "Ok, so this again?"

I was SO hoping for a super cute, party hat/ fun cake/ pretty decorations/ one year picture right here! And this is what I got!! I've never seen a more distrusted birthday cake in my life! I'm surprised that stink eye didn't put the candle out right away. That girl!

I shouldn't have taken a close up! Ha! It looked way better from a distance.

Well, at least after the candle and attention went away, she dove in. Got a fair amount of sugar that night, I'd say! Love this messy one year old!

The next day we were supposed to look at a dental practice, but that fell through. So it mostly turned into a shopping day for me. Not complaining! :) I also got my hair did for the first time in a year and a half, by David's girlfriend, Abbey. They've been dating a year, but I hardly know her. It was so fun to have hours to just chat! She's a neat girl. After that, we spent the afternoon at the Evans' for  a BBQ and to let the kid's swim. As usual, we got on the road later than what we wanted, but it all worked out. It was a packed weekend full of family and fun! So very grateful we get to participate in weekends like these now!