50th Wedding Anniversary

My parents celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in May. All of their 11 children and most of their sons/daughters in law and grandchildren were in attendance. My mom's sisters and brother also made the long trek up to Langley for the party.

On Saturday, all the adults went to the temple for a session then the youth all did baptisms in the afternoon. It was the first time in 50 years that my mother had been in the temple with her brother and sisters. There is something sweet and tender being in the temple with so much family. 

That evening we had a big party at their clubhouse. We made a Thai dinner and participated in tribute/talent show for my parents. I was awed by the legacy of love, faith and service my parents have built for their family. There were many laughs, joyful tears and a small glimpse of eternity as we spent time together.

I have to boast about my AMAZING sister in law, Ashley. She worked for months to prepare a special photo book that chronicles the last 50 years. Then she worked her heart out planning, decorating and helping out with EVERYTHING while trying to deal with a tired and cranky 1 year old. The party would never have turned out as well without her phenomenal talents. I have to applaud everyone for taking on tasks and working together so mom and dad didn't have to lift a finger. It's no small feat to keep my mom away from the work. :)

My uber talented sister, Maria, wrote an original song for my parents. She had Sarah and Ardie on harmonies, back up guitar and piano. They passed out tambourines and shakers... it was pure awesomeness!
Here are the words: (I hope to have a CD of this soon.)

Anniversary Song: 50 years and counting

Mamma grew up in a tiny town

With a grocery store and lots of cows around

Prettiest girl of the Glenwood Three

She’s been workin’ hard since 1940

That’s a trait that didn’t pass to me

But she’s my family

Well she grew up tall and she grew up tough

She knows how to call a fool-man’s bluff

Shoots her marbles straight through the pearly gate

She’s a country-born, farm-boy’s dream

                  Oh, she’s my family

                  Oh, on my family tree

                  I’m her progeny

                  She, She’s my family

Daddy grew up north of Tennessee,

West of Iowa, south of Calgary

Born a man, yeah he’s full of sand
He can run off bears with his own two hands

Handsomest man in any land

He’s my family

Well he grew up wise and he grew up strong

He can walk as far day is long

He can fix your tooth, he can weed your beans

He’s a country-born, farm-girl’s dream

                  Oh, he’s my family

                  Oh, on my family tree

                  I’m his progeny

                  He, he’s my family

We grew up in the prettiest place

Where you walk at night and never carry mace

We were raised on spam, we were raised on love

We were taught to pray up to God above.

And if Monday night tends end in fights,

Well we’re a family

We were raised on love, we were raised up right

We could can a peach, we can take a hike.

We’re a noisy band, yeah we’re the Burnham Clan

We’re a family.

Oh, We’re the family

              Of Ron and Shirley

              We’re their progeny

              We, we’re a family

Here are a few of my favorite candid shots...

(totally candid) ha ha

The Glenwood Clan together again.

Sunday morning, before church, wonder-woman Ashley staged us for family pictures. ( my sister in law Tracy's dad helped out too.)

The noisy band, Burnham Clan!

Most of Ron and Shirley's progeny. (Missing: Donna, Jon, little Shirley, Larry, Rebecca, Sarah, Meg, Erik, Lizzie, Josh, Sam,Alex, Alex11, Tasha (Ian and Cache), Kat, Julia, Isaac, Gid, Bella, Angel and Ryan.)

Grandpa and Grandma with 14 of their 31 grandchildren. Also missing their first great grandson, Cache.

I treasure the memories we created that weekend and all the memories of my childhood. I look forward to the eternities with these wonderful people!