Dale And Debbie: Dad's 70th birthday weekend!!

Last year, we made plans to have a special birthday party for Dad's 70th. It was a weekend of honoring our Dad with family and many, many friends. This is my brother, Art's wife, Kristi. She is a dear sister to me and I love to spend time with her. Most of all, I'm blessed to know that Kristi is my brother, Art's, best friend and helpmeet.

This is my brother, Art, helping my grandson, Cooper, work off some energy before our ride home on Sunday. You'll have to imagine this blog reversed if you prefer chronological order. I just wanted to get a blog done, so it is starting with Sunday and going backwards to Saturday!!!

Derek and Amy did family pics of everyone on Sunday afternoon. It was windy and cold, but we found the south side of one of Dad's sheds that made a neat background and wind block!! Here everyone is checking our their pics on Derek's lap top. Cooper is getting some loving care from Mommy!!!

Here is the cheering squad for Derek and Amy and Cooper for their family pic. Tyler is taking the pic, and everyone else was trying to get Cooper to look the right direction and smile!!!

This was taken by my camera, so Derek's shot will be better, but this is a recent pic of our family.

This is a special picture for me. I love lining up with my 2 brothers and sister, Brenda, for a fun pic when we are able to all be at the same place at the same time!!!! It doesn't happen as often as I would like. We had a lot of fun together!!!

This is my brother Brent and his wife Amy and baby Zella....only 7 weeks old and she did wonderfully throughout the whole weekend of activities! Zella was baptized in my parents' home around noon on Sunday. Pastor Amy married Brent and Amy almost 3 years ago, and it was a touching service for her and all of us to see the blessing of God through this little life He gave Brent and Amy. Everyone agreed during the service to be a godly example to Zella and share the love of Jesus with her through our lives. She is a blessed little girl with so many family members that love her. Amy's parents were present, but her 2 brothers' families were unable to attend.

Gma Debbie and Gpa Dale with our precious little Cooper!! Cooper looked for dogs all weekend and birdies too!! He liked Great Gpa Don and Great Gma NeeNee's brittany spaniel, Alby, the best. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of him.

Cooper was passing the time at Gpa Gordie's birthday party by walking on a small stage. Uncle Tyler and Gpa Dale were keeping him amused!!

My Dad is a wonderful husband and father. It was so fun to have this party for him. Dad never had a party as a kid, so this really was his first organized party with more than family present. It was such a special evening. Words really can't express how touched so many of us were with Dad's video of his life that Derek put together with the help of Amy and Brenda. I'd love to let anyone who is interested see it and get a picture of a man who loves his family and was a hardworking provider all of his life. Dad's father died when Dad was 12 years old, so I know that Jesus has been with him in a special way because of the Bible verse that says God is a father to the fatherless. This is evident in Dad's life.

Dad's mother was a wonderful woman as well, and the mother of 12 kids. Here is a picture commemorating Zella Eudella and Zella Grace, Brent and Amy's baby named after Dad's mom.

Dale and I and our entire family all stayed at Dale's parents' home throughout the weekend. Don and Neva have been married for over 50 years now and are a very important part of all of their children's lives. It was a blessing to have Dale's parents celebrate with us at Dad's party. Donald even made it in the picture video!! He and Dad had a picture taken at Dale's and my wedding in their baby blue tuxes!!!!

Here is a picture of much of the man power behind this party. Brenda put a lot of work into the planning and food prep. Everything went smoothly!! Grandkids served drinks and dessert.

Tyler and Lauren arrived Friday night at the Mleyneks' and had their own 5th wheel camper as lodging. Tyler and Lauren did a lot of the tear down and clean up work after the party along with anything else that was needed.