Dan and Ashley's Wedding

Saturday, May 30, 2009 was a momentous occasion for the Monteith family as my brother John's youngest daughter, Ashley was married to her love, Dan Rouhier. The location was on an ocean bluff overlooking the Pacific, a stunning coastal scene.

They shared traditional vows with plenty of family and friends on hand in support and approval of their decision to marry and begin their new life together.

We left the beach and drove up Hwy One to the Valley Ford Hotel to an open patio setting decorated with flowers, bows, seashells, candles and festive highlights and shared a delicious buffet, sentimental and emotional moments and laughs and dances and toasts to Dan and Ashley.

What a time of emotion and well wishes and love and friendship. Every aspect of our day together will be remembered and added to the closeness we share in our family, being there in the sameness of the feelings of hope and happiness.

Cheers to the bride and groom. A joyous marriage with best wishes. Love Aunt Diana

Carri, Mom, Mom-inLaw on the Links

It is been a tradition for the past few years, since I moved to Lincoln, for Estelle, Carri and I to do an activity on Mother's Day and the guys stay home and fix a nice dinner for us to come home to.

We have done ice skating, bowling and this year, miniature golf. It was a challenge as no one had recent experience at this game and not at this course. We got to Hole 5 and Estelle hit her ball through the chain link fence onto the hill going down to Route 80, no way to retrieve it, so we had to go get a new ball and took a drink, pizza and churro break and try and get our grip.

It was also getting hot and crowded so we went back to Hole 5 and ended at Hole 9 and felt we did great and it was a complete enough experience for us. We went home and Eric made a perfect meal, ham, string bean casserole, mashed potatoes, salad and strawberry shortcake. Brian did a drill demonstration with his rifle in the back yard and Cory and Kaela were there with gifts for us.

It was a "top ten" day and each year seems to get better. Love to all of us and our family's Moms. Diana

Ashley's Wedding Shower

My niece, Ashley Monteith is soon to be married and we were invited to a wedding shower put on by her sister, Amber and hosted by Cindy, their Mom. We had a diverse group of co-workers, friends, relatives and a cameo visit by her soon to be husband, Dan, who the family loves.

My favorite game was "Create a Wedding Dress" with toilet paper and much to my shock, I wasn't the winner. I thought my partner JC did an outstanding job with my headpiece and veil and I was the perfect model. Lo and behold, Janell turned out to be the winner, unbelievable, she looked like a real bride. Rats.

Ashley got a combination of personal, practical and fun gifts and the decorations and food were outstanding, including the dessert parfaits.

It is the best time of my life to participate in and watch all my nieces and nephews create their paths in life and find life partners to love and celebrate with.

My greatest wishes and ongoing support, Aunt Diana

Annual Susan Komen Breast Cancer Walk

This year, as we have for several years, the ladies of our family and some of their children, gather to walk in the fund raising, breast cancer walk at Cal Expo. This year Janell ran in the timed 5K and then joined up with the rest of our team to finish our walk.

We have named our group "Team Eloise" in memory of mine and Dorene's Mom and the race is always held the day before Mother's Day and Carri created a picture sign of her to walk along with us and it always gets recognized by the announcers. It keeps us close to her and our great memories of life when she was here.

After the walk, we go out for breakfast and get current on everyone's activities. This year, Dana, Brittany's aunt, came with us and hopefully she will be part of the yearly fun.

It is and was this year, a "feel good" occasion and the highlight of our day.

Cheers to all for being there for each other.

Love you guys,
Diana