March 20, 2017 was a special day that marked my mother-in-law’s 70th birthday. To celebrate, we all gathered together over Presidents’ Day weekend in February at the family property in Cornville, AZ (near Sedona). All of the kids contributed different aspects to the planning and execution of the weekend (designing and printing beautiful itineraries, hiring a photographer, buying groceries and cooking all of the meals, decorating the tables for each meal around special themes, organizing a huge card tournament…!) and it all turned out great!
On our way to Arizona!
The Harpers left a car for us at the airport so after we landed we loaded right up in the car and drove straight to Hidden Valley. It was so great to wake up there the next morning and feed the ducks!
Colt and Papa feeding the ducks.
Nana and Finn.
Running free.
Cruising around on their new John Deer.
Little boy heaven.
Program: Front.
More of the program.
The events kicked off with a welcome lunch on Saturday afternoon. Later that evening, there was a surprise string trio who serenaded us over cocktails before we headed out to a Western themed dinner in Page Springs.
String trio in the barn.
Boys all decked out for our Western dinner.
3 Generations of handsome Harper boys.
Colt & Finn at the restaurant.
With my little love bug.
Sunday was full of fun family time, delicious meals and hanging out on the property. Colt and Finn were particularly fond of the tire swing.
We also did some group photos.
Whole group.
Sharon & Ollie + kids, spouses and grandkids in front of the barn.
Closer.
Sharon & Ollie with their 5 kids.
3 Grandboys.
Our little family.
The beautiful creek.
On Monday afternoon, Michael organized a huge Pfeffer tournament which included our whole group PLUS 4 of Sharon’s siblings, their spouses and some of their kids as well. So, our group basically doubled. Pfeffer is a card game that is SOMEwhat like Spades but is also very unique. I have never heard of Pfeffer apart from Michael’s family, and I have never met anyone else who has ever heard of it, but Sharon and her siblings grew up playing it all the time in Mankato, Minnesota so anytime the Culhanes get together, they PLAY. The tournament lasted about 4 hours and was hilarious and awesome.
The barn was the perfect location for the tourney.
Tournament in action.
Family fun!
Colt was so excited he fell asleep.
Sharon with 4 of her siblings and a niece!
The winners! Sheila and Lily!
After a great weekend at Hidden Valley, we headed back to Phoenix for a few beautiful days.
Snacks in the orchard.
Playing in the backyard.
Picking our lunch.
Cousins playing with the bubble machine!
Heading back home!
They don’t sleep on the plane but as SOON as we get in the car, lights out.
It was an awesome week celebrating an awesome woman. Thankful to have such a wonderful mother-in-law! Happy Birthday Sharon!
Jeans & A T-Shirt 