Dean-Vegter Heritage

Food Prep Friday Morning
at the church's "state of the art" kitchen.
6 out of 8 daughters in the kitchen Friday morning.

Mom's 90th Birthday Celebration
February 27th - March 1, 2015
Winter Haven, Florida

To celebrate Mom's 90th birthday, family came to Florida from across America: from California, Idaho, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Texas. All 11 kids, of course. All but 1 spouse. And 31 of 40 grandkids. Many, many great grandchildren. Perfect events scheduled. Bonfire on Friday at Judy's. Boating, golf, and picnic Saturday. Square dancing Saturday night at Sharon's. Church on Sunday. Dinner, program, and reception in the afternoon. And just Mom and the 11 children and spouses Sunday night to close out the grand occasion. Kudos to the Florida sisters for planning and pulling off such a momentous occasion.

That's a Big Mixer!
Carol and Kathy

Mom, Resting Up for her Celebration
Aunt Ruth, Mom, Sue

Sax Trio, Practicing for the Program
Jerry, Susan, Carol

Bonfire #1
Sons and Daughters tended here.

Bonfires
Friday Night, Judy and Jim's
Not one, not two, but three bonfires. Plus a house full.

Bonfire #2
Cousins gathered here.

Bonfire #3
Closest to the food.

Games and Food

Picnic, Boating, Square Dance
Saturday. Well, It rained and rained. All day. So no golf, picnic, boating, or square dance. Hung out all afternoon and evening at the church gym.

Volleyball

Cody holds his cousins spellbound.

Aprons
Aunt Doris, Mom's sister, came from California. She made aprons for all 8 nieces, 3 nephews' wives, sister, and sister-in-law.

Best Cousins
Kathy and Brenda saw each other a lot as kids in Huron. Brenda moved to Idaho, Kathy to Wisconsin. But best cousins forever.

Aprons
Aunt Doris' daughters join the apron photo session.

Aunt Doris and her Daughters
Aunt Doris, Barbie, Debbie, Brenda

Sunday Dinner
After church, family and friends ate dinner prepared by the 8 Vegter girls: lasagna, green beans, and salad.

Mom and Sister Doris
Of the 5 Tschetter children, just Mom and Aunt Doris remain. Aunt Doris came all the way from California for the occasion.

Brenda and Kathy
Best cousins forever.

Banquet Hall
Some idea of how large our family is.

Photos
11 Children in 8 x 10's
40 Grandchildren in 5 x 7's

Dad's Family
Most of Dad's remaining brothers, sisters, and spouses came. At the closest table and the farthest.

Vegters on their Way to Church
13 grandchildren began the program with a skit commemorating Grandma and Grandpa Vegter and their 11 children going to church on Sunday morning.

Program
Mom always loved her programs: all of her sons and daughters singing or playing in as many combinations as possible for as long as possible. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren came through for her once again.

Family, Guests at the Program

Sax Trio
Carol, Jerry, Susan

Older Sisters Trio
Kathy, Linda, Susan

Younger Sisters Trio
Carol, Karen, Judy

Bill's Family
Several families performed. Bill and Sheila sang with their children and grandchildren.

Three Brothers
and their Three Sons
John, Matthew, Kyle, Bill, Jerry, Jon

Some of the family and friends.

Reception
After the program, friends and family came to Mom's reception. Cake, plus Kathy's cherry and pumpkin bars, and Mocha Moment coffee.

90th Birthday Cake

Amber, Mom, Kathy

Dad's Brothers and Sisters
As always, Kathy and Jerry listening to the old stories.
Aunt Florence, Kathy, Aunt Joyce, Uncle John, Jerry, Uncle Frank

Vegter and Bonin Cousins with Mom

Mom with Sons and Daughters

Mom and her Daughters

Pizza

Final Event
Intimate reflection and celebration. Just Mom, 11 sons and daughters, their spouses.
On Sunday evening, Carol brought out Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary book in which all 11 kids had written a page to their parents. From oldest to youngest, each read his or her page (now 20 years old) aloud to mom. Lots of laughs. Many lumps in the throat. And some holding back a few happy tears. Every daughter remembered mom stretching food, sewing dresses, and making each girl feel special. If you could have dropped in via webcam...

Linda's turn, and some laughs

John's turn to read

Served on
Grandma Tschetter's China

Monday Morning
With the Vegters,
the Party's never actually over.
Before the first family flew out, time for one more girls' gathering. Kathy served a variety of her famous scones along with Mocha Moment coffee. Mom, Aunt Doris, Aunt Ruth, 3 Bonin cousins, and 8 Vegter girls. Now that's a Party. Right?

Thanks for the Good Times

More laughs and photos