Our 50th Anniversary

I was 17, working in a drug store the summer before my senior year in high school.  He was 19 and had come to Alaska with his buddy, to work in the newly opened pulp mill to earn money for his sophomore year in college.

It was love at first sight - for both of us.  And now, 51 years later, we are celebrating our life together - our 50th anniversary.  We have had adventures, learned a lot from each other, moved back and forth across the country, watched our wonderful kids grow up, gone on vacations, celebrated events, welcomed 3 great in-laws into our family and been blessed with three grandsons.  It has been the easiest thing we've ever done - these 50 years of marriage.

 We've lived in several states, in many houses.  I have pictures of most of them.

 There's a bit of gypsy in us and we've loved all the houses we've lived in - but we love our current (and last) home the very best.

We even have a house cookie jar.

We've enjoyed every stage of our kids growing up 

With birthday parties along the way

We've moved in, and moved out

And been sung funny songs to by our friends who laughed during their performance for us at our going-away dinner - and cried when we moved on.

We've celebrated holidays and events

Cheered at graduations - and cried a little too.

 Halloween was a fun time for pumpkins and funny costumes

 Our 25th anniversary - celebrated with family and friends

With matching sweatshirts to wear on the train trip back to Wisconsin (the trip was a gift from our kids - the sweatshirts were a surprise from Don)

We've gone on vacations - near and far - with family, friends and the occasional bear

These two pictures were taken the same day - one on vacation in the mountains, where there was still snow - and the other back at home in the desert - where there were roses blooming

We've danced in the rain

Celebrated Halloween as only our youngest daughter can.

Welcomed in the new year with fun and silliness.

Visited the old jail in Yuma, Arizona 

Baked a few pies (oops)

And enjoyed ourselves royally!

Hurray!

It's been a grand trip - with more adventures and celebrations to come.

50 years and counting!!