Celebrating Life with Family and Friends
The first weekend in February 2009 we spent time with both family and friends celebrating some special birthdays: John Duda's 65th, Dad's (Wally) 85th, and my Great-Aunt Alma Johnston's 100th.
John Duda - 65 on Feb. 7
Valerie, never missing an opportunity to show her love and affection for her husband, began planning John's 65th birthday party months ahead of time. Those arrangements included cooking, baking, buying, decorating, candle making, drink mixing, inviting and entertaining. We were honored to be included among the group of friends invited to the "big bash" on the hill with the family.
Variety of drinks - both bottled and mixed.
Table set with a feast fit for a king.
Photo of the king when he was just a prince.
Valerie and John.
Val's parents - Steve and Jeanne Coffey.
Val's sister-in-law Vicki with arm out for missing husband and Val's brother, Paul.
John with bothers William and Robert.
Friends Jacie and Mike Frisbie.
To prove we were there...
How many lighters does it take to light 65 birthday candles anyhow???
It's been a long day...
John with Jesse and Rebekah.
John pointing out that Emily should be sitting right next to him.
Smirking after opening a few gifts.
Dad (Wally Nickles) - 85 on Feb. 9
Knowing Dad was planning to attend Aunt Alma's party, we arranged to treat him to a birthday lunch in Fresno before heading over to the party.
L-R. Jesse, Bruce Nickles (my cousin and son of Eugene Nickles, my Dad's brother), Randy, Doug, Wally, Lynn, Rebekah, Leesi.
Posing while at the party.
Aunt Alma (Archer) Johnston - 100 on Feb. 11
For those who have yet to meet this young fireball, Alma has quite a legacy to tell. I'll have to make another trip to see her and gather a bit more information. Alma (Archer) Johnston is my Great-Aunt, the wife of my paternal grandmother's (Jessie Myrtle (Johnston) Nickles) brother Clarence Victor Johnston. She was born in Madera, CA to George and Mary (Wooley) Archer, and has lived her entire life in the San Joaquin Valley (Sanger, Reedley, Fresno).
While at the party I met some of my distant relatives for the first time. I didn't even get the names of all of them and will have to update this posting later when I do (apologies). Now I'll have to get out my family history books and notes to update our genealogy.
For a website that includes a genealogical history of Charles Johnston and Mary Sarepta Sims, parents of Clarence Victor and Jessie Myrtle, you can click here.
Alma Johnston - aka "Queen Bee".
Aunt Alma and Dad.
Bruce Nickles with Aunt Alma.
L-R. Standing - ??, Bruce, Rebekah, Leesi, Lynn; Kneeling - Randy, ??(Sims family), Alma, Doug, Wally, Jesse.
Darla (Babcock) Anton is Alma's granddaughter and was responsible for organizing the party. Darla is the only child of Gerald and Donna (Johnston) Babcock. Darla lives in Fresno along with her family (see below).
L-R. Seated: Alma, Darla Anton; Standing: Donna Schiefer (Darla's daughter) Michael Schiefer (Darla's grandson), Michael Anton, Chris Schiefer, and ?? Anton (Darla's son).
??, Dad (Wally), Jim Sims.
Jim Sims, Doug, Wally, Randy, Bobbi (McGlashan) Robertson (cousin to Jim - her mother, Elsie, was Jim's fathers younger sister).
Party guests.
Walking through the room was similar to making your way through a bumper car ride at the carnival!
Live music!
Alma's great-grandson serenading her.
Listening intently.
And, for the 100th time, successfully blowing out the candles!
John Duda - 65 on Feb. 7
Valerie, never missing an opportunity to show her love and affection for her husband, began planning John's 65th birthday party months ahead of time. Those arrangements included cooking, baking, buying, decorating, candle making, drink mixing, inviting and entertaining. We were honored to be included among the group of friends invited to the "big bash" on the hill with the family.
Variety of drinks - both bottled and mixed.
Table set with a feast fit for a king.
Photo of the king when he was just a prince.
Valerie and John.
Val's parents - Steve and Jeanne Coffey.
Val's sister-in-law Vicki with arm out for missing husband and Val's brother, Paul.
John with bothers William and Robert.
Friends Jacie and Mike Frisbie.
To prove we were there...
How many lighters does it take to light 65 birthday candles anyhow???
It's been a long day...
John with Jesse and Rebekah.
John pointing out that Emily should be sitting right next to him.
Smirking after opening a few gifts.Dad (Wally Nickles) - 85 on Feb. 9
Knowing Dad was planning to attend Aunt Alma's party, we arranged to treat him to a birthday lunch in Fresno before heading over to the party.
L-R. Jesse, Bruce Nickles (my cousin and son of Eugene Nickles, my Dad's brother), Randy, Doug, Wally, Lynn, Rebekah, Leesi.
Posing while at the party.Aunt Alma (Archer) Johnston - 100 on Feb. 11
For those who have yet to meet this young fireball, Alma has quite a legacy to tell. I'll have to make another trip to see her and gather a bit more information. Alma (Archer) Johnston is my Great-Aunt, the wife of my paternal grandmother's (Jessie Myrtle (Johnston) Nickles) brother Clarence Victor Johnston. She was born in Madera, CA to George and Mary (Wooley) Archer, and has lived her entire life in the San Joaquin Valley (Sanger, Reedley, Fresno).
While at the party I met some of my distant relatives for the first time. I didn't even get the names of all of them and will have to update this posting later when I do (apologies). Now I'll have to get out my family history books and notes to update our genealogy.
For a website that includes a genealogical history of Charles Johnston and Mary Sarepta Sims, parents of Clarence Victor and Jessie Myrtle, you can click here.
Alma Johnston - aka "Queen Bee".
Aunt Alma and Dad.
Bruce Nickles with Aunt Alma.
L-R. Standing - ??, Bruce, Rebekah, Leesi, Lynn; Kneeling - Randy, ??(Sims family), Alma, Doug, Wally, Jesse.
Darla (Babcock) Anton is Alma's granddaughter and was responsible for organizing the party. Darla is the only child of Gerald and Donna (Johnston) Babcock. Darla lives in Fresno along with her family (see below).
L-R. Seated: Alma, Darla Anton; Standing: Donna Schiefer (Darla's daughter) Michael Schiefer (Darla's grandson), Michael Anton, Chris Schiefer, and ?? Anton (Darla's son).
??, Dad (Wally), Jim Sims.
Jim Sims, Doug, Wally, Randy, Bobbi (McGlashan) Robertson (cousin to Jim - her mother, Elsie, was Jim's fathers younger sister).
Party guests.
Walking through the room was similar to making your way through a bumper car ride at the carnival!
Live music!
Alma's great-grandson serenading her.
Listening intently.
And, for the 100th time, successfully blowing out the candles!
posted by dvnickles at 2:57 PM
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