My Parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary

December 27th, 2001 was my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary. So we stayed after Christmas, and on the actual day, Thursday, Dec. 27th, we had a family brunch at Cafe Rustica in Carmel. On Saturday, Dec. 29th, we had a no-holds-barred blow-out party at their house in Pacific Grove.

All of us assembled at Cafe Rustica: Steve, my niece Sienna, my mother Ellen, my father Russell, my sister Jennifer, her husband John, and my brother Jon.	Ellen and Russell deciding what to eat after 50 years.	Jennifer and John perusing the menu.	Steve and Sienna already know what they want.
Ellen and Russell sharing a dish.	Sienna as Movie Star.	An endless supply of Greta Garbo disguises.
"Whadyamean, I only get one gross point?"	"These agents! Sheesh!"	Owner and Chef of Cafe Rustica.	Uncle Jon proves he's not a movie star.

The Big Party

Ellen and Russell after 50 years of marriage.		Place settings.	Granddaughter Sienna (uncharacteristically not smiling), grandson Zac, and daughter Jennifer.
Gary, Lori, Steve, and Wendy.	Ellen, Rita, Heinz, and Joy.	Zac and Jennifer.	The Dining Room.
More tables were set up in the Conservatory, seen here from the outside.	Jon, Russell, and myself.	Zac with his mother Lori.	Big D (Dolores), Steve, Heinz, and Joy.
Xavier, Edie, Yoshi, and Dr. Koji.		Gordon and Jeannie.	Wendy, Lori, and Rita look at the original wedding photograph from 1951.
Tables in the Conservatory.		Steve, Gordon, Jeannie, Rita (seated), and Lori.
Wayne, Nancy, Big D, Pat, and Jonathan.	Gordon, Jeannie, and Steve.	Joy, Lori, Lynn, and Heinz.	Avril, Jennifer, and James.
(Foreground) Rita, Xavier, and Edie.	Yoshi and Dr. Koji.	Ellen and Russell about to toast 50 years.	Jennifer makes a few remarks.
Dr. Bob & Mrs Bob and Wendy.	Russell and Ellen.	Russell and Ellen.	Jennifer, Russell, Ellen, Jonathan, and Andrew.
Jennifer, Russell, Siennna, Ellen, Jonathan, Andrew, and Zac.	Russell and Ellen.	Russell and Ellen.
Russell, Edie, Xavier, Mrs. Dr. Bob, Dr. Bob, Wendy, Ellen, and Jonathan.	Lynn, John, Steve, Gary, and Lori.	Even the frogs are dancing!	Jon preparing for his and Wendy's 50th Anniversary.
Card sharks Zac and Sienna exchanging tips.