Photos from the Coats Family Expansion Celebration!

Starting Backwards!

Photos from the Coats' Family is Expanding Celebration in honor of Stephen and Sonia Coats instead of the typical women only baby shower.

It went well, and everyone had fun.  The only rain cloud was some probably drunk or high "neighbor" that came over after ppl had been shooting for about 1.5 hours all crazy.  I missed that scene, but when family unity is being promoted, we're always bound to face adversity, so no surprise. 

Stephen and Sonia received many great gifts thanks to family and friends!  I'm sure they are very thankful for everyone helping them out with the gifts, and I hope everyone enjoyed their time.

ABOVE and BELOW

Mr. Turgeon gave me permission to take this pic and video of him playing the accordion.  He didn't make it to the party in time, so he came over around 7PM with those that were still left, a handful of friends, and gave us a full recital, no joke, of his accordion playing.  A fun and totally unexpected after party!

 The After Party Pics

 Oh, Mr. Turgeon came bearing ice cream cake.

BELOW:  Going backwards in time....this is back at the actual Celebration....Sean Welsh smiles.

More pics from the Celebration dinner.  We had it potluck style, and we had so much food!  We had it where guests attending brought a main or side dish, and my mom, Aimee Goulet, and myself baked all of the dessert.  Was a fun family meal w/everyone pulling together to make it happen!

 The desserts. We got to bed around 3AM, but it was so worth it to be able try to make everyone happy at the get together.  My mom is so lovely, she is always there to help.....and thanks to Aimee for coming over and staying up baking....no way we could have done it without her help.  Too much!

 Photos of the men before dinner.

 My dad was a big help in this Celebration.  One thing about this is that is really brought my family together in bringing things together to make it fun for everyone.  It was definitely a group family effort!

 While the men were outside, the ladies were all inside watching Sonia open her gifts.

 ...so the kickball game planned was a dud....all of the guys went shooting, no one played ball.

 My first "princess layered cake."  It came out okay, but definitely could do better on it next time, but hey, it's just a cake, so not on the priority list to perfect.  Other more important matters in life.  :-)!

Home brewed spearmint tea from spearmint leaves from my mom's garden.  aka, Real Tea.  :-)!

 The time mom and I got to bed baking the desserts Sat. night.

The fresh spearmint leaves....
Thanks again to everyone who came.  We hope you enjoyed yourselves.  It was really a great family filled weekend and I know my brother and sister in law really appreciate everyone's love!

My Fam in 1988

Melinda Brown is in Texas this weekend, and I guess was going through old pics that her family has.  She found this pic and tweeted it, and I saved it and blogged it!  It's a photo from 1988 when Melinda's and Melissa's dad married their mom.  I remember it was on the old AC campus in Big Sandy, Texas, and there was no cake!  I can't remember what my mom was telling me.  LOL  

When I really stop and think now as an adult in my 30's.....so many of us who grew up in East Texas are now working or living at or near the AC campus in Oklahoma.  This has to be totally a miracle.  God definitely takes us where we need to be, and gives us the friends in our lives for better growth.

Fav Quote

"Life is about working hard to overcome being just yourself."

Lovely Kid Friends!

Savannah, Cineath, and Alec Brown (Cineath assured me that he was smiling. :-) )

(a sister and brother, and a cousin)

These kids are so lovely.  They are being raised right in good families, and are such a delight to be around.  They are very respectful, can carry on a conversation, and just lovable kids!  Other than a very thought provoking msg, and a very bubbly house guest from South Africa this weekend, these kids definitely made my Sabbath day, and I'm sure many others as well!
Honorable mention :-) was briefly chatting with the Locher kids beforehand, and those kids (and teen :-))  are so lovely too!  Those girls always make my and I'm sure a lot of others days.  ...so respectful, feminine, and thoughtful.  Being around Godly young people like this is SO refreshing!  It's really wonderful to have the opportunity to speak with the next generation!