50 YEARS!!

WOW!!

The day before, everyone's in town by plane or auto so it's visiting and relaxing with family
members we've not seen for awhile. Most of the day was spent at Robert and Christine's new home.
It's a beautiful house and very comfortable. Congrats to the hosts and thanks for the lodging during our visit.

It's pretty obvious which pictures were taken with a digital camera and which were with a
$6 throwaway. Gotta get me one of those soon.

Dinner is once again at the Pelicans restaurant where, after Robert and Christine's wedding,
an even larger group of us gathered to make some poor waitress' life hell. Miss, can
we have 17 separate tabs please?

The big day! After 50 years they are ready to "do it all over again" and renew their vows.
There is much to do. We must prepare the reception hall with little 'specials'
as well as preparing the van while they are in the church. After much discussion
and several votes it was decided we would not tie empty cans to the back of the van.

The renewal of vows is held at St Thomas Aquinas church following the Palm Sunday Mass in the
presence of God and family. The ceremony is short, simple and very moving. Surrounded by
their adult children and spouses along with their grandchildren, Bob and Doris re-affirm
their love and commitment to each other. They looked very happy and we were all happy
for them.

On to the reception, where there was food, wine, dancing, music (unplanned), and gifts. We
had to leave the next day but feel blessed to have shared that day and night with
the couple as well as everyone else.