Good evening, everyone!
Seems like I haven’t posted in a million years…what a busy weekend it’s been! There’s been a lot to do, some deadlines to meet, family to play with…all the good stuff!
The thing that’s been taking up most of my time, however, is finishing the planning of my parents’ 50th Anniversary celebration which will be happening at the end of this month…so much to do!
Since my brothers and sisters and families live all across the country, we’ve been spending much time on the phone, and now we’re getting down to the wire…..!
My personal gift to my parents will be a scrapbook of their engagement and wedding…I’ve been collecting and procrastinating (I’m SOOOO good at that!), but now’s the time! I’m a card maker…I don’t do scrapbook pages very often, so this is a challenge for me…
…and with a very few exceptions, that will be the subject of my posts for the next week and a half before we leave for my parents’ house…so bear with me!
(I’ve even had to ask my Mom not to read my posts till after her anniversary…thanks, Mom!—no cheating, now!)
I’m keeping my pages fairly simple…and I’m going to make my parents do a bit of the work (well…Mom, anyway!) I’m leaving journaling spots for her to tell their story. I could write things…but I wasn’t there…she knows these days much better than I do, no matter how many times I’ve heard the sweet stories…
Meet the Smith Family in 1960…My dad, Clayn on the left, eagerly clutching his new fiancee’s hand. My mom, Karen Ostlund, (just look at her beaming face!), my dear grandmother, LaPriel (she’s been the subject of my posts before…here’s one), my grandfather, Rudger…and my very young Aunt Diana and Uncle Eric gazing on from behind…
This was a very happy time for the families. The Smith and Ostlund families had lived near each other and been friends for years.
My grandmother, LaPriel, had hoped this would happen someday…just as her mother, Mary and my grandfather’s mother, Pauline, had wished for their own marriage…
…sometimes wishes come true…
A newspaper article from her college town announcing her engagement, along with another girl’s announcement…and something I’ve never noticed in all the years I’ve had this copy…
…my Mom’s name is misspelled! It took my youngest daughter to notice it….I don’t even know if my Mom’s noticed it before!
I love this photo of them…I believe it was taken for a newspaper article, but I can’t find it…and I noticed something fun today…on the bookshelf behind them is the very collection of old Childcraft books that sit on one of my bookshelves today…I love them. They were LaPriel’s, then were given to my Dad, and then to me…
Well, that’s all for me tonight…thanks for letting me share this with you. I’m sure everyone feels this way, but I absolutely have been blessed with the best parents in the world, and I am so looking forward to celebrating this special milestone in their lives…
See you soon…
Julie
Wow..I just love looking at your wonderful photos,and to have such a treasure as the one where they are showing off the ring.I think your folks are going to be so thrilled at the celebration.What a beautiful family..and at the end of the day..nothing else matters.Warmest Regards,Cat
ReplyDeleteJULIE! YOU know that I can relate to this post. My folks were also married in 1960 and have the big 5-0 coming up. Actually they eloped first {didn't find this out until AFTER I was married... in my MOM'S gown) in May and then had a church wedding in September. Unlike your folks, mine don't want a big party for their 50th, just a quiet celebration. Seems like just yesterday that I was attending my dad's parent's 50th. Time flies! I know that your parents are going to LOVE your sweet scrapbook. xx Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this most precious time, I just loved it! Good luck with all your preparations,may they all go perfectly well and may it be a most joyous occasion for them and for all! Come say hi :D
ReplyDeleteThey are just going to love your present. It is priceless!
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
Hi Julie! This scrapbook is wonderful! Thank you for visiting tonight. I often think of you and that I miss talking with you late at night. I've been going to bed earlier and not on the computer as much. I've missed you. Have a nice week! Twyla
ReplyDeletewhat wonderful milestone this is and how wonderful that you are able to put together such a treasure for your mom and dad to help to celebrate it! Your mother will absolutely love it I am sure!! I just know you will all have a wonderful time celebrating this very special occasion! I had been wondering where you had gotten to and if you were ok! Glad to know you have just been ultra busy! I send loads of love and hugs to you this early morning/night (for you!). The sun is shining so perhaps today will be a bit warmer for us here! Love you loads. XXOO
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful treasure you are creating for your parents! I'm sure they will cherish it. I think keeping it simple is the way to go. The creating will be more enjoyable for you, and the photos & story will take center stage. Lovely engagement layout!
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely wonderful. Congrats to your parents. Your scrapbook for them is going to be gorgeous. You make the most beautiful cards. How could you not create something fantastic? I'm a procrastinator big time. So much I should do before I travel, but I am just loving piddling around the house every day. Best wishes to you for the week ahead. :) Tammy
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your parents...and you are very lucky to have all that history of your family!!! envy :D
ReplyDelete~victoria~
What a "FUN" busy time for you!! I absolutely love the photos. You are a very lucky individual to have all the photos and history that you have. Even better, you utilize them all so well. I'm sure the finished scrapbook will be divine and a priceless treasure!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this time!! :-)
Hello Julie... what a beautiful gift you are creating for your mama and daddy's special anniversary... I am looking forward to seeing more in the next posts... xoxo Julie Marie
ReplyDeleteHI there.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool. What wonderful thing you are creating. My husband and I are celebrating 30 this Sept. 50 just doesn't seem possible! My gosh!
I'm laughing at your comment about the sorority. :) Anyway - you are in! Can't wait to see what everyone does with our "photo". I'll see you at the party - well . . . no I'll probably see you before that. :)
HAGD! Karen
Julie, I absolutely can't wait for these next posts! I already feel as though I need a tissue. I always cry at weddings! EAK! I just noticed your tags! Oh Julie, they are so very special. The little girl image is perfectly you! Thank you so much for lending your talent to our tag swap. I have had quite a few drop out, but I think we will enjoy each other's tags very much. I do hope you will host a card swap one day! It truly would be special! Have a lovely week! Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your parents. You are doing a great job with the pages. They are sure to love the finished project.
ReplyDeleteGwen:)
wow!what an awesome time for everyone! great pictures :) cant wait to see the pics from the big party. congratulations to your parents!
ReplyDeleteblessings,
aimee
This is going to be such a lovely gift for them - you've made a fantastic start with the pages you've shared here! What great photos of them, TFS!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your parents! They are going to love all the hard work you've put into this! Beautiful job!
ReplyDeleteOh how fabulous! I made a 50th wedding anniversary scrapbook for my brother and sister-in-law just a few summers ago. It was wonderful and they love it sooooooo much! A great tribute of love you are preparing; they will cherish it!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Coralie
That scrapbook is going to be a present they treasure! I found a set of Childcraft books one year at a library sale. I thought they'd be fun for my daughter to read through during summer break.
ReplyDeleteManuela
This looks like it's going to be so much fun! And I am sure they will love it
ReplyDeleteLove Dawn xx
Okay first of all....Congrats to your parents and their 50th!! That is HUGE! What a wonderful celebration it will be! Second.....when I linked up that Kitten video...I thought of you and your girls standing over the computer laughing!!! and that's the truth!!! SO FUN! Have a great one my friend!
ReplyDeleteOh Julie, this is going to be such a treasured gift for your parents, siblings and generations to come. What a wonderous occasion, a golden anniversary.
ReplyDeleteHope you're having a wonderful evening and thanks so much for your words of encouragement on my new column. :)
What adorable parents you have! I'm inspired by your blog and your graphics are very nice.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful project, and the engagement photo is too perfect! I made a special scrapbook for one of my Mom's "big" birthdays a few years back and had so much fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet project. Your parents and your siblings will treasure this. Will you display it at the big shindig? I'm sure others would like to see it too. Wish I had done something like this for my in-laws 50th, but then Baby Bee was REALLY a baby then. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this lovely project.
ReplyDeleteKnowing you, you'll make this extra special just like you do everything else!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Wednesday!
Anne
Your pages are coming out wonderfully, They will be so surprized with their gift!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. We are only at 37 this year but it is all precious!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
Suz