Florida Vacation Part 5---Tributes and Family Pictures

My favorite part of the whole vacation involved the most important part of the anniversary celebration.  We met together and had a Family Home Evening to pay tribute to my parents.  My mom was very specific about not wanting a big celebration with lots of people.  So in true Leach fashion, we kept it simple, but it was beautiful.  In reality, it was too beautiful and tender to write about, but I'll try.  There aren't many pictures of that night, I just snapped a few.  We made a video of the night too.  First, I had interviewed the grand kids and asked them questions about Grandma and Grandpa's wedding.  I recorded their answers and shared them with everyone.  Then Grandma and Grandpa shared their real answers.  The only downside was that Ashley, Austin and Merrick couldn't be there.  We weren't 100% there but it was the closest we have been in a long time and we're excited to see Ashley's baby girl when she's born soon; a new little grand niece. :)

What were grandma and grandpa's wedding colors?

Drew-"green"

Anna-"white and black"

Max-"white and blue"

Caiden-"white"

Ryan-"white and blue"

Ella-"white and black"

Real Answer:  pink and turquoise.  Mom borrowed the decorations from someone.  

What was their wedding song?

Drew-Surrety with the Fringe on Top

Anna-"Canon in D"

Max-"When the Caissons go Rolling Along"

Ryan-"I Love to See the Temple"

Ella-"I am a Child of God"

Real Answer:  They didn't have a wedding song.  There wasn't dancing at the reception. :)

Why did grandma and grandpa get married?

Anna-"because they love each other"

Max-"so they can be sealed together and be together always"

Caiden-"because they liked each other, or something along those lines" (haha)

Ryan-"To be sealed"

Ella-"because they were in love"

Real Answer:  Because they fell in love.

Where did Grandma and Grandpa get married?

Drew-"the church and the temple" (with a little help from mom and dad ; )

Anna-"Oakland temple"

Max-"Portland temple"

Caiden-"in the temple"

Ryan-"Salt Lake City temple"

Ella-"in a ballroom"

Real Answer:  An LDS church building and the next day in the Los Angeles temple

What did they serve at their reception?

Anna-"marble cake"

Max-"chocolate cake"

Ryan-"strawberry cake"

Ella-"vanilla cake"

Real Answer:  white cake (made by Shirley Sanders) and punch

Where did Grandma and Grandpa go on their honeymoon?

Drew-"camping"

Anna-"The beach"

Max-"Texas"

Caiden-"to pick a house"

Ryan-"The Family Fun Center"

Ella-"The beach"

Real Answer:  They drove the California coast from Camarillo to Monterrey. :)  

They also went on a 50th Wedding trip to Monterrey by themselves after the Florida trip. :)

For the tribute to mom and dad, each of us kids spoke to mom and dad, sharing memories and thanking them for their example of a loyal, true marriage.  Then mom and dad spoke.  I can't wait to see the video.  I truly love my family.

Earlier that day we took family pictures.  So many squirmy kids.  It is never a good time to corral even this many kids to try to get the perfect picture, but at least most of us could be together.