Well Cuties, the day came and went, but the party, time spent with friends, and weather was as nice as we could have hoped for.

This is our family, all but three. Daughter-in-law and 2 grandsons absent. We had 78 people, that hubby and I counted from memory, but could have been more. It was a lovely party, because Ashley planned everything special, down to the last detail.
An Army buddy and his wife come in Friday and stay with us until Sunday morning. I thought it would be too stressful to entertain guest, before the big day, but all went well. She pitched in and helped just like the rest of us. Although Ashley didn't want me to have to do anything, I HAD to cook a few dishes to help or I wouldn't have been able to enjoy it.
The party was mainly on the back lawn at Ashley's house. Grandson Caleb, our son and SIL set up all the tables the morning of. The 'guys' parked everyone as they arrived.
When we entered the house there was a sign in book on the back of the piano. It was my original bridal shower book, from 50 years ago. Next to it on a standing easel was a framed glass with 50 year info on. (I don't have it yet, but when I do I'll take a pic and post).
The quilt was rolled up and tied on a stand inside. It stood behind the cake table, which Ashley said she had wanted the icing of the cake to look like Dotted Swiss fabric (vintage). To the left of the quilt in a corner hung our wedding clothes and his duffel bag set on the floor.(I wish I had taken better care to preserve his uniform and my dress but I hadn't looked that far ahead and much to my regret, they are moth eaten)
On the buffet was an old suitcase opened to hold memorabilia from 1968. Over the suitcase was a large photo of me and to either side of it was our only wedding photo and his Army photo.
A slatted screen was lit with string lights and held old photos of early in our marriage.
The guest were already there, except for the couple that came with us, when we arrived. When we entered everyone wished us 'Happy 50th Anniversary' and we were instructed to come untie the quilt, so it would drop down and be the backdrop for the pics. (I must say I do think it did make a pretty picture with us and the cake table)
Then we all went outside and mingled, before she soon had one of our nephews offer up a prayer and bless our food and us. I must also say how touching his prayer was. It not only moved me and others, but his voice cracked, when he said we were his 2nd parents since losing both of his. There are only 2 years difference in his and our son's age and he was an only child.
When everyone was seated and through eating, Ashley read the 'Love Story' of me and my dh. She had a microphone and speakers set up beforehand, so everyone could hear. She also played a slideshow with music afterwards, in and out of the house. She had previously set up a projection screen outside and it played on the big screen tv inside.
As everyone told us goodbye they said how much they enjoyed everything. I know Ashley tried to get her sister and brother involved in the planning, but she ended up planning most everything herself as she does like to entertain. They helped when it came to the labor part.
I think it all came together well and everyone did a great job making things run smoothly.
Ashley did tell us afterward about our dear little Gus. After the cake was set up Gus took a plug out of the very front and Ashley said she thought she was going to have a heart attack. My friend Kathy was there helping her and our niece Sheila. They calmed Ashley down and said they would fix it and fix it they did. Can you tell?