Sunday, August 3, 2014

Oma & Opa's 40th Wedding Anniversary


The best way to tell a story is by photographs.  These wonderful photos were taken by Leah Steiger, Photographer at Memento Vita and Owner at Life of the Party!  Love this lady and love her work!  Only her talent could make these old lovers look so good!

Our party planner, Hannah, was really able to capture the Old Irish ambiance.

Our party planner, Hannah, was really able to capture the Old Irish ambiance.

Hannah made the tables look very special and festive.

Hannah made the tables look very special and festive.

The bar before the invasion of “Irish” drinkers – You can witness the rain in the background.

The bar before the invasion of “Irish” drinkers.
You can witness the Irish rain in the background.

This photo is a tad symbolic!

This photo is a tad symbolic!

Leah is quite artiest.

Leah is quite artiest.  

As you can see, Oma and Opa dressed the part!

As you can see, Oma and Opa dressed the part!

This is one of Oma’s favorites.

This is one of Oma’s favorite photos.

This cake is from the Albertson’s in Temecula – it was perfect!

This cake is from the Albertson’s in Temecula – it was perfect!

The guests were entertained by the Lacemakers! They were wonderful!

The guests were entertained by the Lacemakers! They were wonderful!

Opa acting silly!

Opa acting very Irish & very silly!

Opa with his old friend Clete.  Clete was Opa’s High School Woodshop Teacher!

Opa with his old friend Clete.  Clete was Opa’s High School Woodshop Teacher!

This is our Casino group – we go Valley View every month.

This is our Casino group – we go Valley View every month.

We brought out the toasting glasses we used forty years ago!

We brought out the toasting glasses we used forty years ago!

Reef Indy and his Dad getting ready for the festivities.

Reef Indy and his Dad getting ready for the festivities.

Three generations of Smiths sporting their kilts (from Sport Kilts)

Three generations of Smiths sporting their kilts (from SportKilts).

The Irish Smith Family

The Irish Smith Family.

Mr. & Ms. Smith – 40 Years of Love and Understanding

Mr. & Ms. Smith – 40 Years of Love and Understanding.

Oma with her youngest!

Oma with her youngest!

Reef and Opa Play!
Reef and Opa Play!

Ready for the Champagne Toast

Ready for the Champagne Toast.

The presence of our friends and family made the event splendid.

The presence of our friends and family made the event splendid.

Opa and Oma cut their cake.

Opa and Oma cut their cake.

Picture Perfect Tender Moment.
Picture Perfect Tender Moment.

Opa is such a gentleman!
Opa is such a gentleman!

The Lacemakers played Opa’s special request song, Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.”

The Lacemakers played Opa’s special request song,
Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly.”

Oma and Opa enjoy their special song!
Oma and Opa enjoy their special song!

Yup, it turned into that kind of a party – the Bartender lines-up the Irish Car Bombs

Yup, it turned into that kind of a party;
the Bartender lines-up the Irish Car Bombs.

Oma thought the Irish Car Bombs were hard to drink but oh so tasty
Oma thought the Irish Car Bombs were hard to drink but oh so tasty.

Dad takes his turn tossing Reef Indy into the air.
Dad takes  his turn tossing Reef Indy into the air.

The look of love – Nancy & Jan!

The look of love – Nancy & Jan!

Reef Indy had a great time!

Reef Indy had a great time!


Reef's Daddy did an awesome toast to his parents:

I'd Like to thank everyone for being here to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of my mom and dad's wedding. As we all know my dad is Irish and my mom is Dutch-Indonesian; so lets thank them for picking and Irish Theme party because if it was a Dutch Themed party, you'd all be paying your way out!

As long as I can remember these two people were the ones who held me back from complete failure. Though it was hard at times on them and me; they always did the right thing. Until their 40tth anniversary, when the made me wear a kilt! They are the reason I am the man I am today - Good or Bad. They have become a very good set of Omas and Opas also. My Mom and Dad are a true example of love! I can see it in their eyes every time I see them look at each other. they are a great example of what I look forward to in my Marriage.
Let's lift our glasses: To you Oma and Opa Mom and Dad I love both of you very much. Here is to 40 more!!!

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Gosh really this was over 40 years ago!?!


Had to post this photo of me and my then boyfriend Paul Smith . 
Gosh really this was over 40 years ago!?!