Travel ... Travel Down Memory Lane

My friend Glenda suggested I do a blog post on a different kind of travel.  It's travel by my usual travel mate, but in this case, it's travel down memory lane.

Bob's job at the Weyburn Comp ends at the end of June and some of his work friends hosted a memorable night which can't be surpassed.

Has he changed much in 50 years?  He has in that he had to wear ties in his early days and now he can be a casual fellow.

The event was Saturday.  At breakfast on Sunday morning our family sat around trying to find the pickiest little thing that could have been better.  Not one of the seven of us could come up with a single thing.

What did these generous and important friends plan for him?

This!

A limo pickup for the whole family:

The limo took us to WCS's original gym where our friend, the talented Vanessa Flavel, took family photos.  Bob spent a lot of his career teaching in this gym so it was so appropriate.

Next we were taken to the Cugnet Centre for the evening's festivities.  There Bob got to walk the red carpet.

I have no photo of the food prepared and served by the McKenna caterers, but it was delicious.

Dessert was an amazing cupcake tower made by Rebecca Olsen.  

I don't know how the organizers got permission for a bar (Bribes?  Lies?  Graft?  Sweet smiles?)  In any case, there was a bar ably run by Taylor and Doug.

That bar and these adorable kids ...

gave me one of the warmest memories of the night.  

Riley needed a drink late in the evening while speeches were going on.  So Mommy and Daddy could keep listening to the speeches, Nathan held Riley's hand and led her over to the bar.  There he had a serious conversation with the bartenders and we could see them leaning over and discussing his request.  They handed over a drink, Nathan checked it out, approved, and held Riley by the hand to bring her back to the table.  He is such a good big brother!

I also have to say that both of them were well behaved for the whole evening.  At age three Riley doesn't always have a nap anymore and she didn't on Saturday.  Even without a nap, she remained alert, cheerful and sweet from the start to our return home at 10 p.m.

STARS entertained and pleased Bob with his favorite Country Roads.  We all loved their God Save Bob King.  Thanks, Colleen, to you and all your students for this great part of the evening.

There were speeches and Bob listened to them from his throne.

Colleen Weimer and Joanne Jensen, two of the hosting committee, chaired the program.  Thanks, ladies.

This photo of speech giver Kelly Glaspey and Bob has to be the winning photo of the evening.

Bob had the last word.

In case you are wondering about Bob's attire, I have to tell you this.  He wore this suit 37 years ago at our wedding and he wore it nine years ago at Rob and Crystal's wedding.  He admits that at Rob and Crystal's wedding, he couldn't exhale too much.  Now he wore it for a third time and it fit comfortably.

As well, Bob doesn't have glasses right now because he had cataracts removed from both eyes.  I think that makes him look really young.

There was a photo booth that was very popular throughout the evening.

One of the props came home with us and it has been appearing in various places.

Bob is so blessed and so grateful for this event which made it possible for him to visit with important people from all facets of his life:  his fellow teachers past and present, his sports, culture, and recreation gang, his various committee friends, Rotarians, and church people ... and, yes, even two friends from his carnival days.

As if the evening wasn't blessing enough, this rainbow ended at our house on Sunday night.  Bob's friends and colleagues are his pot of gold.

I hope it isn't too crass to mention cards and gifts.  Bob has been overwhelmed with the personal notes in the many cards he's received.  I made a beautiful display of them in our living room, but one WHOOSH of wind through the open window destroyed my creative efforts.  Now they are displayed like this:

One of the things I love about Bob (and which can sometimes drive me and the kids crazy) is that he wants to talk to all people and to know their life stories.  It drives us crazy because it always delays us.  We were especially annoyed when the kids were young and we would be ready to leave campgrounds and he still had a dozen people he wanted to meet.

Some teachers only talk to teachers, but Bob likes knowing everyone who walks through the doors of WCS.  One such person is the man who fills the drink machines.  Imagine Bob's surprise when that same man gave him this wonderful retirement gift!  It was unexpected and is much appreciated.

My phone photography isn't great because the part that looks orange here is a lit up neon red.  Riley wanted us to hang it in the living room, but we found the perfect spot in the kitchen.