Last weekend we arose VERY early (even for us) on Saturday morning and were on the road by 615 am and headed to Dodge City, KS, to honor Ryan's maternal grandmother Virginia in celebration of her 80th birthday.
We had a great drive with no accidents (potty) and though I had to painfully drop some cash at Walmart for the first time in 12 years because I forgot Ben's potty seat insert, we made it to the hotel about 130pm. Everyone had gotten up early and knocked out the decor I was racing to help with so we got to have fun chatting and the boys got to swim for a little while before we got dolled up for pictures and dinner.
this "jail" was in the lobby of our western-themed hotel
We headed to Casey's Cow Town for family pictures, dinner, cake, visiting and merriment. The weather forced most of our pictures inside but we all had a fabulous time celebrating a fabulous woman. Virginia spoke eloquently about her life and about the value of hard work.
Dancin' fools.
One of the Stramel clans prepping for pics.
Ben was generous with the hugs as usual
Virginia with her sister Theresa who was 2 when Virginia left home for school at 13.
Newlyweds Payden and Haley
I ordered the cake from Denver via Dillon's and was so thrilled to get another
Dillon's whipped cream marble cake in my lifetime.
when you hand someone else your SLR :(
Ben and Ian could have wrestled for hours.
My heart is warmed thinking of the friends they might become.
No nap, swimming, and the car ride meant Ben was a tuckered tike. I stayed with him and reluctantly sent Ryan to the new Boot Hill Casino. I had wanted to see it and the adjacent Boot Hill and western town but was secretly thankful for the rest.
Sunday we attended mass and had a wonderful send-off lunch back at the hotel. We thought Ben had had another amazing accident free trip until right before we got home when we realized he had peed. The realization was quickly broadened and guilt set in for not stopping more to force the issue. I think he had more accidents that day and night than in the combined 3 weeks before. Exhaustion doesn't begin to describe how Ryan and I felt when bed time finally came that night.
Virginia sent an email of thanks in the days following and it's certainly worth sharing, repeating and always remembering:
"Well I finally came down off of cloud nine! Just wanted to tell all of you that my 80th birthday party was the best ever. It was so wonderful to have my family all together and to be able to set back and just watch. This event us at the top of my list as being one of the most memorable events of my life. What a wonderful family I have. Every one had a good time. The good Lord has seen us through good times and some trying times but we have made it to this day. You will only understand until you have reached my age. I have spent the last several weeks recollecting and reviewing the olden days. I shall never forget my wedding day in 1950. Those were such different times. Malcolm’s passing being such a shock to us all. The birth of our first grandchild. Seeing Dan leave for Vietnam was difficult. I could go on and on. Of course there were lots of joyful times too. You just can’t imagine the joy that the birthday party and gathering of family brought to my heart. Now that I have you all in tears – be happy and enjoy your lives and mostly remember we didn’t get where we are today by being lazy. We have all worked hard and must continue to do so. By the way I ordered to day a lawn sweeper that I can hook up to my Dixon mower and also a gas powered weed trimmer from Sears. LOL. Love to all Mom, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother."
All the hugs and family fun warm my heart. :) Thanks for sharing the letter!
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