Birthday, Reunion & Marshmallows

The reason that we were able to enjoy this week long vacation in Yellowstone was to honor a very special lady as she celebrated her 84th birthday, Paul's Grandma, Annalee Strong.

When I married Paul 9 years ago I had no living Grandparents and was very happy to let Grandma Strong fill that spot in my life. She graciously opened up her home to us when we were newlyweds and were waiting for out apartment to become available. I had the chance to get to know her in those few weeks and instantly knew that she was a very special person. She is an elect lady who is full of love, faith and service to others.

While Elizabeth was a baby I had the privilege of being in her home each week to clean for her; and Paul and I spent another few weeks living with her after she had surgery. I say it was a privilege because I believe that I gained more from the experiences than I was able to do for her. She is a very gracious lady.

As a reflection to the kind of mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she is, it is no wonder that all 91 of her living posterity were there to share in the celebration!

And there is good reason why the great-grandchildren call her "Grandma Great"!

After Happy Birthday was sung and the cake was eaten, all of the kids and "boys" were sent outside with a bag of mini-marshmallows and a marshmallow shooter. I don't think that a whole of explanation needs to be given as to what happened next. . .

(Richard,Walker, Fisher, Chris & Steven)

. . . MARSHMALLOW WAR!!!

My kids needed a bit on instruction to figure out what to do.

(Rachel & Grandma Strong)

I don't know if they ever got the hang of it . . .


. . . but they sure had a good time eating the marshmallows and watching everyone else. My biggest "kid", Paul, had a good time attempting to shoot his cousin, brothers, and nephew.