Photographs Preserve Memories

I came across this photo that showed the pictures I had in our bedroom in our home in South Dakota.  Do you remember?  I wonder who ended up with them when we moved.

I had originally framed these for a photo display at the reception for Curtis and Marla.

Through the years I have taken a lot of pictures, and I appreciate having Gramma Mabel's example of making sure important events are photographed to preserve these memories. 

I don't remember my mother ever taking a picture, 
but my dad took some with an old Kodak camera that looked similar to this one.
In later years after he retired, they recorded memories
as slides from some of their travels.

 Here is one of the few pictures my dad took of me with this camera.
It was taken in 1955 when I had been honored as being the
Homecoming "Warrior Princess," our school's version of Homecoming queen.
The photo was taken in our front yard with a portion of our home seen at the right.

Of course, the pictures were all black and white in those days.
When the roll of film was completed, 
you took it to a store where they had it developed.

During the years of taking pictures of our children in their activities,
I always paid the small extra charge to get doubles of the prints,
so you could share the good ones.
I typically took several poses, too, to record important memories;
because you didn't know until the roll was developed
whether the person had their eyes closed or someone had moved, etc.

For our Christmas cards in the early years of our marriage,
we had a friend, Wayne Davis, who had photographs
in the "Arizona Highways" publication,
 take our family photo.
Here is the one he took in 1963 for our Christmas card:

Scott, born in 1962; Marla born in 1963. 

Since the first "Shutterfly" album I made of our mission in the Europe East Area living in Moscow, Russia, I have preserved important memories for each following year in a 
"Year In Review" book.
I enjoy looking back through these books and hope family do, too.

In  front of our fireplace at the farm with our family in 1993

with only 7 of our now 37 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren added since then.

Grampa Sam included some neat old photos 
in the recent book we had published through "Story Worth."

Sam with his sisters, Phyllis and Karen
Photo taken when they lived in California.

A fun photo taken in Colorado in 1997 on our first family reunion.
Can you identify everyone? 

In front of Saint Basil's Cathedral in Red Square in Moscow, 2007

With our phones capable of taking good pictures, everyone seems to have an abundance of photos to share.  I do hope you are preserving some of your memories and will make them available for your posterity in a book as a cherished keepsake.

Amanda and Alex Are Married

The national coronavirus pandemic did not keep Amanda and Alex from having a beautiful wedding shared with family and friends.  With the temple not available yet for their sealing, they invited 50 guests (the number the state of Utah currently was allowing for gatherings) to attend their wedding in our backyard, with a drive-through reception for other guests who came to greet the newlyweds and offer congratulations.

The August 8th Saturday was a beautiful sunshiny day, albeit too generous with the heat; so shade was welcome and provided by three canopies for guests following the wedding to enjoy while visiting and watching the caravan of well wishers who came to offer their congratulations and love for Alex and Amanda.

Beth's photographer friend took the official pictures, but I am also sharing here some I took.

The beginning of a new and bright chapter in their forever life story.

Megan was a bridesmaid for Amanda,
who had been a bridesmaid for Megan in May. 

 

Keeping with the current distancing mandated by Utah due to the virus,
decorated chairs were spaced accordingly for the marriage ceremony;
and Sam and I sat in the two at the right in this photo.
The wedding began at 4:00 p.m. 

A candid photo of those waiting to walk down the "aisle."

"Here Comes the Bride"
Doug, Scott, Shannon, and Kristine at the right.

Kevin Graham, Todd's brother performed the ceremony.

  Mr. and Mrs. Alex Lindsey

 With the bridesmaids and groomsmen

 Todd and Beth's family
(Jared, Joshua, Beth, Rebecca, Alex, Amanda, Todd, Ethan, Megan, and Gabe)

Photo with Amanda's family guests.
(Shannon, Doug, Sarah (Todd's sister), Joshua, Kevin (Todd's brother), Todd, Beth,
Rebecca, Alex, Amanda, Jared, Irene Graham (Todd's mother), Ethan,
Megan, Gabe (Megan's husband), Scott and Kristine)

We appreciated being in this photo with Alex and Amanda.
My large sunglasses helped protect my eyes from my recent eye surgery
that corrected the bottom eyelashes on my right eye 
from turning inward causing uncomfortable irritation.
This did not keep me from enjoying the special occasion.
(Sam and Narene with Alex and Amanda) 

Alex's mother and father and  
his sister and brother-in-law with their children

Alex's special guests attending the wedding.

The bride with her sisters
(Rebecca, Amanda, and Megan)

After the wedding ceremony in the backyard, the reception was held in the front yard
where their parents joined the newly-married Alex and Amanda. 

Todd and Beth with Alex and Amanda
at the reception, which was from 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening. 

Alex's dad met his mother when he was working in Japan
following his serving a mission for the Church in Japan.
Although I intended to maintain the six-foot distance rule,
I was pleased to accept her invitation to have me join her for this photo
where she is wearing a traditional dress for this special occasion.
Alex's parents live in Georgia.

Mother and sister of the bride.
Rebecca actually is holding the bouquet which she
was the lucky one to catch when Amanda threw it.

Amanda's brothers, Ethan, Jared, and Joshsua

This is Amanda near the end of the reception
getting ready to turn around 
and throw back the bouquet to the waiting ladies.
As mentioned above, Rebecca was the lucky one to catch it.

Between the wedding ceremony and the reception,
the wedding guests were served a luncheon.
Here are Ethan, Joshua, Doug, and Shannon sitting in the shade
while visiting with those sitting on the patio.

I didn't take a photo after the food was added to the serving pieces and the
water bottles were placed in containers full of ice opposite the table,
but it all looked very nice and was enjoyed.


Here are photos of the displays set up for guests to enjoy:

The entrance where guests began the circular drive-through.  

Rebecca was available in this area during the reception
 where guests were given a "quiz" with multiple choice questions
to help them get better acquainted with Alex and Amanda.
There were also pens and index cards for guests to write their personal messages
for the guest book that will be put into an album.

Cards and gifts brought by guests were placed here.
The cards went in the gold cage.


A photo display of Amanda and Alex.

The picture was done by Amanda
and is an example of one of her many talents.
She has people hire her to make their own unique portraits.

Now going down the opposite side toward a photo display.

Megan took all the photos for these displays.


Now for a closer look:

 

Beautiful wedding cake made by Shannon.

And it was delicious.
(Shannon)

 Alex and Amanda ready to cut the cake.

It was apparent Alex liked the cake.

This is where guests were handed a bag of popcorn with a tag attached:
 "Thanks for Popping by - Amanda and Alex"

 Getting ready to throw the "lavendar petals"
 as Alex and Amanda get ready to leave.
Amanda's Grandma Ireland came from Michigan 
and is the in the blue suit at the left.

Shaking out the lavender leaves thrown instead of rice.

Leaving for their honeymoon to Glacier National Park.

We enjoyed being with those who shared this day with us.
 Guests came from Utah and from other states.
Scott and Kristine, Ryan and Tani, Doug and Shannon
 were among those who came from out of town.
 (Ryan and Tani)