Grandma Mary's 100th Birthday Celebration

My maternal grandmother, Mary Johnston Dreier Masimer, had her 100th birthday party on June 25th. She was born July 8, 1915--she's been alive for 100 years! Almost all--if not all--of her surviving family came to Pueblo, Colorado to celebrate.

I loved spending time with my parents, brother and his family, grandma, aunt, uncle, and cousins. It was such a great time reconnecting with people I don't often see but whom I love so very much.

Here are a million pictures. It was great.

The birthday girl!

Brandon and Jessie Atterberry were the host and hostess of the night. This whole party was their idea.

Tyce and Mary sang the duet "A Child's Prayer" for Great  Grandma.

I also sang a duet with Tyce, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".

Mary's great grandchildren.

With her money garland!

She had a ball!

In yellow: her sister Betty. This is Betty's family. 

Sisters!

The Rouses. This is her (deceased) brother Tad's family. 

Mary's daughter Pat's (my mom's) family.

David's family: wife Brooklyn, daughters Cambria (10), Maya (9), and Xochi (6)

My family with the kids: Tyce (19), Mary Rachel (15), Cameron and Harrison (10)

Another shot of all the great grandkids!

Mary's two daughters, Lynn Antle and Pat Cook.

Lynn's family: Husband Bob, son Chris, daughter Jennifer. Jennifer's husband is Scott, kids are Brandon (almost 13) and Jessie (9).

The next day we went to a park to eat and play. Later we swam in the hotel pool.

Before our flight home we decided to explore Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. It made me glad our plane was delayed! Beautiful.

It was truly a wonderful trip and I can't begin to tell you how much it meant to me to be with some of the people I love most in this world.

A Really Great Day

This was a very personal, touching experience for me. I want to share it because so often the bad things get top billing in life (mine, everybody's).

Cameron was in the living room building with Legos. Harrison was doing a puzzle. Mary was babysitting and Tyce was at work. So just the twins and I were home, and I was doing the dishes. I had the radio on, Christian radio, and suddenly I was so overwhelmed with love and gratitude for my kids, my home, my family, my life. I couldn't contain my emotions and tears spilled down my cheeks. I said to the twins, "I love when we are together. I really feel the spirit in our home when we are calm and kind." Harrison said, "That's because we're listening to uplifting music."

So often I am on autopilot. That day I was able to be present in the moment. And man, am I grateful for that.