Dave and Vonda ~ 50 Years of Love: Grandchildren!

Happy 50th Anniversary!

Dear Mom and Dad,

We've spent many hours going through boxes, drawers, albums, envelopes, and files full of 50 years of photos, and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing these captured moments of your life together. Some we hadn't seen before, some made us laugh, some made us tear up, and some took our breath away. We hope you will enjoy experiencing them again in this way too. And, we hope you don't mind that we've shared these few glimpses of your amazing life with your closest friends and family so they can help you celebrate how blessed you truly are to have the privilege of 50 years of marriage.

You have been such a wonderful example of marriage. We've seen you live out "for better--for worse, for richer--for poorer, in sickness and in health.” We’ve watched you love and cherish each other while raising us, running a company, making your house a home, both battling and beating cancer, changing careers, caring for loved ones, retiring, grandparenting, and creating a life-list longer than we can type out or include in this space. We know that marriage is not all fairy tales, and we are grateful that you have worked hard at it and kept your pledge of faith to each other. You’ve done it beautifully, with the help of the Lord.

We are celebrating with you! Congratulations!!! 50 years of marriage is a badge of honor you deserve, and it comes with more blessings than can be counted. We love you.

- Taryn and Travis

Dave and Vonda have 6 beloved grandchildren.

The oldest 3 are Taryn and Jeremy's kids, Annah, Sylvia, and Caeden.

The youngest 3 are Travis and Erin's kids, Tessa, Bryce, and Grayson.

Annah Christine was born October 31, 2000.

Sylvia Claire was born March 5, 2003.

Caeden Chase was born October 15, 2004.

Tessa Jean was born February 3, 2010.

Bryce David and Grayson Lee were born May 22, 2012.

Baby shower for Babygirl McEowen

playing with hats made by Great Grandma Crabill

Annah, Sylvia, and Caeden participated in the Children's World Bible Quiz in Indianapolis, and Krampa and Gram came to watch them compete.

Krampa reading a book to Annah that he gave to Taryn when she was a baby

Uncle Travis gave Caeden some Star Wars posters he'd had hanging in his college dorm room!

Sylvia tried on Vonda's wedding gown and veil!

Often all the fall birthdays (Caeden, Vonda, Annah, Dave, and Taryn) are celebrated together when Dave and Vonda visit the Illinois grandchildren.

Pictured here, Caeden receiving his first real tie from Gram and Krampa. Dave bought it at Disney World when Taryn performed their with show choir as a freshman in high school.