60th Wedding Anniversary

Crap - could someone help me with tweeking these sideways pictures? Note... Pix is Fixed... I couldn't do it so I just posted the picture - I love this tender picture! Eric, (and Terri) and I hosted a 60th Wedding Anniversary Party for Mom and Dad. We couldn't take the rest home out of the party - so we took the party to the resthome... you know what I mean... We had so many wonderful people come to visit and reminisce. We wholeheartedly thank all those that came to share this special day. It was held on the actual day of their Anniversary - June 28th, 2008! We were a little nervous that no one would be able to come - and then the room started filling up with all of the people that our parents have loved for so many years. I'll just post some pictures - hopefully right side up... for you to enjoy.Top to Bottom: Dad's family came! Mike, Suzan, Gary and also Uncle Clair came - I just missed that picture by a minute... Uncle Bob passed away several years ago. It meant so much that their families came. Next is a picture of my mom (and dad's actually) and her best friends from South Cache High School. They are fondly known as the 'Suck and Tuck' bunch - because when they have their pictures taken they stand sideways and suck and tuck their tummies in for the picture! (I have documented proof of this..) Next is Dr. Keeler from the Utah State University Poisonous Plant lab where dad worked for the government. Dr. Keeler was a kind and loyal associate of my dad's. He was dad's best fishin' buddy and they always spent time on the lake. Next is a picture of Colleen Hardman and Jean James. Jean is my mom's right and left hand - and dearly loved by our family. Colleen is a part of the Mendon Gang that my parents were a part of - many of the gang came and supported Mom and Dad. Next is Justin and Doris, Bruce and Lottie Anderson - representing many dear friends from Mendon where our parents have lived for over 50 of the 60 years of marriage (The military had them moving for a while..) Eric is an amazing son and brother - it was a difficult day for him but his true colors of love and kindness came through and he visited with Uncle Mike and Aunt Lorraine Bowen and had a good time all around. Then - the Great Grandbaby boys, Andrew (with his mom Bethany) and Charlie (with his aunt Heidi) turned dad into a giggling silly man - Daddy LOVES babies - and he especially loves these guys. We had wedding cake and cold lemonaid for our guests and spent several hours talking, laughing and crying. Many people had not seen dad for a while - but their tears just expressed their love for him and for mom. Hey - Mom and Dad - we're proud of you! Way to go on 60 years! Our love and prayers are for the Lord to constantly watch over this love of yours.

Always - and forever...

It's not easy to gather up busy family members to have a photo shoot. Let alone at a rest home, and having grandpa whistling through out the shoot. But we did it. These are a few of my favorites and I thought mom would like to share them with you all. Mom and dad were married in the Logan Temple on June 28th, 1948. They had Eric and I (Nicole) - we both have been married to our spouses in the Salt Lake Temple. Eric has one married daughter Betsy - who married David in the Logan Temple. My son Matt married Bethany in the Jordan River Temple, my daughter Ashley married Mike in the Salt Lake Temple and Mandy married Ryan (M) in the Salt Lake Temple. Brandon has been through the Logan Temple for his mission and this fall my so Ryan (H) goes through the temple for his mission. Thank you Mom and Dad for setting the standards high - and for all of the love over the years encouraging us to stay close to the church. You were right - it is the only way. Ok - Heidi, Kate and Erin - you are next! Make Grandma and Grandpa a promise!

HAPPY PAPPAS DAY!

Ok - so it's not just Pappa's day, it's Grand Pappas day too! Just wanted to show off proof that Eric and I have spawned (with our respective spouses) 9 beautiful Grandchildren for Mom and Dad to love. We actually love them all - most of the time! As you can see - our dad is 99% in another world - but we know his heart is 100% true blue to all of us. He would always ask the grandkids, "Are you going to amount to anything?", and they would always answer, "You bettcha!" Dad - you amounted to something - you amounted to everything we ever dreamed in a dad. Happy Fathers Day! (and to the other fathers in the family, Eric, David, Del, Matt - may you all get chocolate cake today!)

Our Day

The family gathered on Saturday, June 7th for some pictures that we will all treasure forever. It was a difficult day as we wheeled daddy in for the pictures. His residence over the past several years has been at the rest home. His activities, waiting for his brother Bob to come and get him and take him home to heaven. Dad sticks around because we all need to learn something. We're trying to learn what we need to know before you go. There were 21 family members there and we all got a kick out of dad/grandpa's mood. He was trying so hard to tell his stories. His eyes would light up when the grandbaby boys were brought over to him. He tried so hard to whistle at them. Daddy loves babies. They loved him too. They knew what each other was saying! It was a long day for everyone - but from the bottom of my heart I thank you for making this day happen. We each got to see dad, touch his hands, kiss his face and drink in his love. Mom looked especially beautiful and so very proud to be the Mom and Grandma and Great Grandma standing there among those that love her so dearly. Eric and I stayed back for a minute and our emotions were more powerful that we could hold in. So to Eric, Terri, Betsy, David, Charlie, Brandon, Heidi, Katie, Erin, Matt, Bethany, Andrew, Ashley, Mike, Mandy, Ryan M. and Ryan H (and Mikenzie) - THANK YOU and I love you all. mmmmm pineapple ice cream......

7th Grandchild Graduates - and Grandma is there!

Today Grandma June attended her 7th High School Graduation. Betsy, Brandon, Heidi, Matt, Ashley, Mandy and now Ryan. Ryan graduated with the 100th graduating class from Jordan High School and might we add the most handsome to graduate. This is the Hillary Family and all that entail. We celebrated all day and enjoyed having everyone there. Thanks for coming Grandma - Katie and Erin - you are both next and better get your fanny buns to graduation someday so Grandma can top off the 9 grandchildren she loves! PS she also has a son with a Bachelors - working on the Masters, a Grandson (Matt) and Grandaughter (Ashley) months away from their Masters, a Granddaughter in Law (Bethany) finishing up a Masters, two Granddaughters (Betsy & Heidi) with Bachelors, a Grandson in Law (David) with a Bachelors, and another Granddaughter (Mandy) and her husband (Ryan M.) working on their Bachelors! Ryan will start his degree at BYU in the fall. Whew - you are all GRAND children in Grandma June's eyes!

Straying and Maying ~~~ with June!!!

With Heidi's queen crown on her head, and flowers in her grasp... Junie was definitely surprised with a Maypole dance on her front lawn. The Young Women in the Mendon First Ward approached us shortly after May Day with this idea and they ran with it... After missing her first May Day since she became the chorister in 1992, she was very down and out about that and it was the Young Women's way of brightening up her day... And boy, did they ever. Check out the video below...

There were about 20 girls dancing on the pole and they for some, it was the first time they had ever danced the Maypole Dance... There were some quirks and mistakes but it was way cool to have it happen out on her own lawn.

Erin was one of the girls particicpating in the Maypole Dance and she was having a great time making Gramma June happy on this day. Here she is doing.... yes..... My Aunt Sally... in another video snippet...

I was having a hard time getting her to stay home because she was in gardening mode and she wanted to get up to Fonnesbacks's Nursery to get some seed so she could get every thing to keep her there... In fact, I wonder if she ever got the seeds at all... she was so excited!!!

We were back on the patio behind the garage talking and then she wanted to do this and then that and I just kept her occupied with some real stupid conversation and then she caught sight of Terri coming down the lot and was wondering where she went... because she didn't stop by to talk... So she followed here around and couldn't find her. Meanwhile, I could here the song, Oh May Queen, oh May Queen, we're coming in the front yard and I took her by the arm and said "Let's go this way for a minute" and it was wonderful to see the look on her face as she saw and heard the girls singing and circled around the Maypole...

They brought her flowers, Norma Myers came and played the piano (without the truck... ha ha) and they proceeded to dance the Maypole in honor of Mrs. May Day (June Bowen). I ran up to the house and grabbed Heidi's May Day Queen Crown from when she was the Queen of May in 2001 and placed it on her head (without the speech, I might add). She laughed and cried and tapped her foot, swayed her head and sang the songs of May Day witht he girls. It was a great tribute to a great lady. She was visibly moved...

After they were done dancing they circled around the honored and gleeful Junie and was introduced and they expressed there love and appreciation for my mother, June H. Bowen. They all told her how much they missed her on May Day, (especially Norma Myers... ha ha). Her spirits were soaring and she said that her heart was racing with excitement for the occasion.


The piano was a little bit out of tune, and the girls were definitely taller than when they danced the Maypole as little and big girls, (however Terri noted that it was really funny to listen to the girls counting because they didn't do that when the were little girls... ha ha), but the whole thing was a great compliment to a great lady... I videoed the whole thing and I think that it all turned out.... I will sell it... of course... for a fair price... ha ha

Here is another video snippet taken by Terri on the digital camera... enjoy!!! Thanks Terri!!!

Happy Late May Day Mom... I know we made your day!!! We love you!!!

Throw Momma From the Train

With JHS graduation just around the corner Mom will be boarding the new Frontrunner commuter train on her Birthday to come to her Grandson Ryan's Graduation. Mom - please keep all arms and legs in the ride at all times, and I'll meet you at the Gateway! Don't forget your hearing aid batteries - if you forget them there will be a quick return on the Northbound train immediately upon arrival. (Love ya (: ) (Please refer to the 'My Momma Hits Cows' posting for the real reason mom is NOT driving - slowly- in the dark - with cows......