Party Time!

Clara's handiwork

Several months ago Kelsey told me that she and Chris wanted to host a party for our 50th anniversary. That first discussion, and all of the subsequent planning, finally came to fruition this past weekend. Since Kelsey was coordinating everything from long-distance, my good friend, Kay Jackson, helped by being Kelsey's feet on the ground, here locally. And helping with photography were Sheila Sodergren and her niece, Madison. Our celebration was held in the Lakeview Room at the Sammons Community Center, from 2:00 to 4:00 on Saturday (June 22)  afternoon.

Most of our guests were local friends and family, however we did have a few who traveled to be here.

From out of town:

Cousins Marci Gaustad, Caleb and Tammy Miller, from Waco (40 miles one way), and Rand and Jane Baker, from Katy (160 miles, one way); college friends Dan and Charlyn Trussell, from Mission (385 miles, one way).

From out of state:

We were thrilled to have our son Tim, from Albuquerque, New Mexico (630 miles one way), with us;

From out of the country:

Winning the "Farthest Traveled" award, by a long shot was our Japanese exchange student, Takashi and his son, Hisashi, from Kurashiki, Japan (6810 miles one way!!!). Takashi lived with us 30 years ago, during the school year of 1988-89. He has come back to visit us numerous times - in Oregon, Alaska, New Mexico and, finally, Texas. We were all blown away when we saw Takashi and Hisashi arrive. Takashi didn't tell anyone he was coming, so I was moved to tears. Sadly, his wife, Yoko, couldn't get away from work, so she wasn't with us.

Many thanks to Kelsey, Chris, Clara, Robert, Tim and Kay, who all contributed in various ways to bringing this celebration to life. I'm honored by each one who helped and every single guest who shared the day with us. I'm also grateful for all the notes and cards that came from friends who couldn't be here. Dan and I loved reading each one, together that evening, and remembering times past with those of you who have remained close at heart, despite the physical distance between us.

Kelsey, Chris, Clara and Robert

A hug from Tammy Miller

Takashi and Dan

Hisashi

Friends Darin and Stephanie, son Tim, granddaughter Clara and son Chris

Tammy Miller, Marci Gaustad, Caleb Miller, Rand and Jane Baker - all cousins of Dan

Kay's special, creative gift. We love it!

With our college friends, Charlyn and Dan

Kay, on left, visiting with friends Butch and Linda Smith

After the party, the family all met at the Belton restaurant, The Gin at Nolan Creek, for dinner. 

Three first cousins - all children of the Baker siblings. Dan Judd, Marci Gaustad and Rand Baker.

Takashi and Hishashi stayed around until after church on Sunday, then headed back to Dallas and on home to Japan.

Takashi and Tim

Anniversary Weekend in Fredericksburg

On the morning of Friday, June 14, we headed south to the quaint town of Fredericksburg, settled in 1846 by German immigrants, shortly after they also settled nearby New Braunfels. The entire area is still populated by descendants of those first German settlers, and the "old country" influence is strong in the local shops and restaurants. Both Fredericksburg and New Braunfels are now tourist destinations.

Fredericksburg is in the Hill Country of Texas, and this time of year it is beautiful.

Saturday we spent two to three hours in the National Museum of the Pacific War, which also includes the Admiral Nimitz Museum. Admiral Nimitz, who was Commander in Chief of the Pacific Ocean areas during World War II, was born and raised in Fredericksburg, to German Texan parents. A beautiful outdoor courtyard with walls of plaques honoring veterans of the Pacific is just outside the museum. Another outdoor feature is the small, but beautiful, Japanese garden,  Our advice: do NOT miss seeing this amazing museum complex if you are in the area.

The museum is huge, and one could take two full days to see and read everything. Displays like this one (below) are abundant. Please read the explanation below the picture of the flag.

Below you will see a portion of the memorial to the veterans of the Pacific war. Dan and I are planning to make a contribution to this amazing museum and have both of our fathers (both veterans of WWII in the Pacific) memorialized in this courtyard.

The plaque below reads: "The Garden of Peace is a gift to the people of the United States from the people of Japan with prayers for everlasting world peace through the goodwill of our two nations, symbolized by the friendship and respect that existed between Admiral Togo and Admiral Nimitz." 

 On Saturday afternoon we drove out to the Lyndon B Johnson Ranch. It is open to the public, at no cost, for self-guided driving tours. The setting is really beautiful, with lush grassland, rolling hills and trees. Cattle, from LBJ's original stock, are still pastured there. The "Texas White House" is on the property, as is the landing strip and the small jet known as "Air Force 1/2." While LBJ was president, his habit, when coming back to Texas for stays, was to fly into San Antonio via Air Force 1, and then take the small Air Force 1/2 home to his ranch.

 There is so much more to see and do in Fredericksburg. We hope to go back sometime soon for another visit.

Golden Anniversary - June 15

Fifty years ... that’s a long, long time to be married. In some ways it has flown by, especially when I think of our child-rearing days - gone in a heart-beat. In other ways it seems like the two of us have been “one” forever. 

Any couple who clings together for fifty years will be faced with struggles, frustrations, and pain. We are no exception, but with love and commitment to each other and to God, we weathered the hard times and came through them stronger than before.

Dan’s dedication to providing for our family, his sense of adventure and sense of humor, his generosity, his reverence for God, his delight in family traditions, his tender heart, his willingness to forgive, and his devotion to our children, grandchildren and to me - all of these attributes totally eclipse the tough times.

Dan, you had me from “hello,”  and you continue to light up my life.  Happy 50th anniversary!

June 15, 1969, Juneau, Alaska

Summer 1970 - Still newlyweds in Abilene, Texas, leaning against our 1968 Mustang

Summer 1975 - Juneau, Alaska - with Chris on Dan's shoulders

About 1985, at my folks' home, in Vancouver, Washington

About 1987 - Newberg, Oregon

Dan always had a unique sense of humor. He agreed to hold up this sign, early in the morning, before work. In return he got his coffee free that morning.

2005 - Grandpa meets Clara

A birthday gift from me to Dan - a helicopter tour of the Juneau ice field.

2002 - One of our adventures - a road trip up the Dempster, through Yukon and Northwest Territories in Canada. Made it all the way to the shore of the Arctic Ocean.

The "Grands!" God's way of restoring our zest for life.

2019 - Our 50th summer as a married couple.