She's turning 85 and is just as stunning as ever!

Today is my Nana's 85th Birthday!

 (This is one of my all time favorites of Nana and Grandy, they look like movie stars!)

I can only imagine the incredible and also devastating things she has witnessed in her 85 years on this planet. What an incredible accomplishment to live through it all and still be smiling at the end of the road... and she is!

My Nana is one of the most incredible women I know. She is strong and courageous. She is wise. She is nurturing. She takes time to make every person feel incredibly special and loved. My Nana is one in a million and I am so blessed she is mine!

When we would come visit Nana and Grandy in Amarillo during the summers or on holidays I would love to go out with them but especially to church because they were greeted by mounds of adoring people who respected and loved them. I remember thinking they were "superstars." I was so proud to be apart of the Blanton family to to be one of Everett and Peggy's honored grandchildren. That hasn't changed. Nana can still go anywhere and someone will come up to her telling her how much she has impacted this person's life, marriage, career, etc. Sometimes I here whispers behind us in line somewhere of people wondering "is that Peggy Blanton?"  I instantly stand a little taller, hold my shoulders firmly back and smile. Yes it is and guess what... she is my Nana!

 (Nana was a rodeo queen for barrel racing)

85 is a big birthday and we decided to celebrate right with Nana this year! We sent out 250 invitations, and made announcements at 3 congregations in town to ask anyone and everyone to come celebrate with us. The venue was none other than the Blanton Place for Encouragement, at the High Plains Children Home. It is the center that was built in honor of Nana and Grandy. It was such a fitting venue because  Nana is so proud of the building, its beauty and its purpose. All of her children were in attendance, which is an incredible fete in itself, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

(Haha my mom's face... no words! Everett and Norah were distracted by the jumbo TV on the far wall)

The day was amazing and we were all proud to be an extension of Nana as we watched hundreds of admirers walk through the doors wanting to offer their birthday wishes. The day was filled with hugs and kisses from old friends, and lots of people wanting to see the babies. All in all it was a day full of celebration for an incredible woman and all the love she has showered on so many in her 85 years.

Happy Birthday Nana!! I couldn't be prouder to be one of your grandchildren!!

 

Nana made everyone wait for the group picture so she could feed Everett some cake, which he was obviously loving! I am so thankful these two have moments like this to share and remember forever!

 And we can't have an event without snapping these two loves together! We tried to hard to finding matching outfits, illnesses kept that from happening and then we both unknowingly switched their outfits the day of and they ended up somewhat coordinating! Both took a little snooze during the party to keep their spirits up!