A couple of weeks before the big anniversary, Dad announced he would like to get the Adkins family together for a Family photo. I was asked to coordinate it.  Dad repeatedly said this is NOT a party.  This is just a get-together. Pictures, Pizza, maybe cake, and then everyone goes home.  That is it. 

HA!  

They had no idea at the time what we were already planning.  So Wade, Shelby, Cliff, and I got to work figuring out how to integrate the scrapbook reveal and the Alaskan gift with Dad's photo get-together.  We were not allowed a party at The Ranch, but he didn't specifically say we couldn't have a party at the gate!  So early Saturday morning, we all snuck down to the gate and about 200 balloons were attached to the gate, fence line, mailbox, and various posts. A picture of the couple appeared, blown up in full BIG glory, and we prepared a scavenger hunt around the land for them.

Shelby gave them a gorgeous pencil drawing before people started arriving. All that was missing is the sound of the buggle! What fantastic skill that girl has!!

The day started out innocently enough.  With Cliff's help, family photo's commenced, per Dad's instructions. Then pizza, as planned.  But then things went awry!  I gathered everyone around and told them from this moment on, this was the Wade, Shelby, Cliff and Aubrey show! To Dad's horror, a cake came out.  Then two, then three! Shelby had made Mom pineapple upside-down cupcakes, Cousin Shayla helped us by making sugar-free chocolate cake, and then, of course, there was the official anniversary cake.  Cliff and I made this one. It was meant to be the center stage show cake and didn't disappoint!  With "Let's save on gas. Want to get married?"  printed at the top of the cake, Mom daringly lit it on fire!  With ooo's and ahhhh's, the top of the cake burned to reveal their wedding photo underneath! It was a showstopper!  Super fun!  Luckily, the cupcakes, chocolate cake, and cookies were delicious, because the show cake, though pretty, had a tinge of burnt marshmallow taste to it. It was just ok, but we ate it all up anyway!

Then the parental units opened up their gift. It was the scrapbook with all your pictures and photos. Under the scrapbook was a note letting them know the scavenger hunt had started!  They were both given instructions and sent off into the heat. Mom jumped onto the 4 wheeler and Dad into the ranger. 

They zoomed around the land, going to each station, essentially reliving parts of their courtship.  From writing to each other while Dad was in Germany (before they knew each other) to meeting at the barn to shoot bottle rocks! Then off to the gate to do a thread activity to commemorate their I Do's. All to get to the Cypher. One last clue to figure out the password "Family". In the cypher was a paper revealing the true gift. $3710 to send them on their Alaskan Vacation.  They were more than a little surprised! 

We fully expected a lecture that night after everyone left.  But it never came.  I think we shocked them!  They seemed to understand the intention behind the gift.  We all knew they could afford to take the trip themselves, but they never had!  We did this to take away all the no's. The family and friend push is strong!  We all want them to finally do something big for themselves.  Create more memories!  Enjoy themselves more!  

The Adkins Clan