My beautiful Grandmother, Zuriel Ruth Elvin (Brown) Knowles, turns 90 years old this year. We wanted to throw a Birthday Celebration for her and her posterity and we've been working all summer to pull it together. I'm so happy with the way that it turned out and so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful woman.
My dad had Lydia in Wyoming, Jenna had Lucy in Perry, and David was out of town on a work trip. I brought Austin and Caleb to Morgan the week before the party and we really finalized all of our planning and put everything into action.
The celebration started on Friday. We set up in the cultural hall of the church across the street that afternoon, then had hot dogs and marshmallows in the backyard that evening. Only the browns were able to make it on Friday night, but it was still a good start to the celebrations!
(I love that my mom took my grandma to get professional photos and that she wore the same jacket that my Great-Grandma Elvin wore for her 90th photos.)
The next day the real celebration began. We did family photos outside the church where we had a photographer come to take the pictures, did games and gathering activities inside, then had a luncheon and a program. Everything went so smoothly, and I am SO happy with how it turned out. Mostly because I feel like my grandma felt loved and appreciated, but also because it was so satisfying to have the things that we planned for so long come together in the way that we hoped.
The Decorations: Red, White, and Blue - of course. My grandma loves this color scheme and is an incredibly patriotic person. There was never even talk of a different color scheme.
Some of my favorite things from the celebration/program:
-Jenna put together a ton of games for the kids to play in a separate room and the adults visited then played a Kahoot! game that I put together about Grandma and her life. (Questions included below)
-I put together a Video tribute of my Grandma and her life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qsAp3sKyzA
-My Aunt read a "Tribute" to my grandma that I wrote, taking things from previous birthday books that had been given to her, her life sketch, and her old photo books.
-My grandma had a chance to talk to her posterity and express her love and gratitude for them.
-The fashion show was a HUGE hit. This was the thing that I was the most excited about but also had the potential to turn out the worst. I don't think anyone else could see my vision of a "fashion show" and I didn't assign out costumes until about 10 minutes before the program. I just walked around asking for people who would be willing to help, gave them 3 minutes worth of instructions (basically - walk down the middle, turn, walk back), and then hoped for the best. It was fantastic and I loved this visual picture of grandma and a snapshot of her fashion throughout her life.
FASHION SHOW
1. RED WHITE AND BLUE
Our fashion show starts with a Zuriel Classic: Red, White, and Blue. Notice the scrunchie blouse worn beneath the stylish striped blazer. Accented with an abundance of red, white, blue jewelry - this clearly shows Zuriel's love for her country and for this color combination. Zuriel said "I've always had this red white and blue streak in me. Some of that came from the second world war because there was a lot of patriotism at that time. I think that carried forward through my whole life."
2. WEDDING DRESS
Jumping back in time all the way to 1958, we have this incredibly beautiful wedding dress. This piece boasts a lace bodice, satin underskirt, and sheer overlay adorned with satin rosettes. The ensemble is completed by a sequin headpiece. Zuriel wore this wedding dress in Salt Lake City, UT when she was first married Farrell Brown. This dress was made by a gal that lived next door to Zuriel's mom. Zuriel found a picture of a top and a bottom that she liked and she gave it to the seamstress to create this dress. Zuriel especially loved the flower rosettes around the skirt.
3. Jacket & Fur Stole
A black and white trench coat fashionably accents any outfit. This particular coat was originally owned by Zuriel's mother, Zuriel Ruth Jettie Elvin. She always dressed up and could often be found in an impeccable outfit, coat, and hat. She always wore heels, even when she worked for the federal government downtown, she walked to work in heels every day. When she passed away Zuriel inherited this coat and has treasured it since.
This fur stole belonged to Zuriel's Aunt Verona. She lived in San Fransisco California and were very wealthy. She always dressed in very fine clothing and this stole is a beautiful example of that. Zuriel thinks she might have worn it to an Inaugural Ball at one time.
4. Boise State Outfit
Zuriel has always enjoyed sports and from a very young age, her father would take her to the Bees baseball games, and football and basketball games at the high school. She always loved attending sports games in high school and was in the pep club for a time. She attended BYU in 1953 and became a lifelong Cougar fan. Zuriel also attended Boise Junior College which later became Boise State and was an avid Boise State Fan. After marrying Allan Knowles, Boise State became their #1 team. Each game day sees her dressed to the nines in Blue and Orange apparel and accessories. (She only cheers for Utah State to appease her granddaughter when they aren't playing against one of her teams.)
5. Dress
This mint green dress has been a favorite of Zuriels for years. The floral pattern and pearl buttons make for very elegant attire. She has worn it to countless events including the wedding celebrations of both Trevor and Elizabeth Knowles and Eliza and Matt Shumway AND the baby blessing of Lydia Elise Peaden. A Zuriel Staple.
6. Christmas
Zuriel loves ALL holidays. She loves to decorate, celebrate, and dress for the occasion. She especially loves Christmas because it was such a big thing in their home growing up. Sweedish tradition was to wrap peppermint sticks to hang on the Christmas tree and it was always a big thing with her parents and grandparents - so she has always loved the holiday. Here we have two of her traditional Christmas outfits. Both are embellished with beautiful poinsettias. The first has intricate gold beading on the knit vest and baskets of tiny poinsettias on the turtleneck sweater. The second outfit adds in harps and sheets of music which are also a tribute to her love of music.
7. Inagural Balls and Governors Events
Both of these stunning dresses were worn by Zuriel to one of the Governor's Inaugural Balls. Attending on the arm of her loving husband, Allen Knowles, she enjoyed the festivities of the evening stylishly attired. The black gown boasts a velvet floral pattern across the shoulders and sleeves with black velvet stretching to the floor. The cream lace dress has a satin slip with a lace overlay. Details such as a satin bow, puffed petal sleeves, and sweeping lace trim across the bottom lend an air of sophistication and elegance.
8. Hawaiian Dress
This Hawaiian Mumu has a story all its own. Zuriel has always wanted to go to Hawaii. Her father, Albert Elvin, served an LDS mission on the Hawaiian Islands from 1921-1924. He loved these islands and their people and always wanted to take his wife back to visit them with him. However, when he and his bride, Zuriel Ruth Jette were married they realized that they could not afford both the planned Honeymoon to Hawaii AND furniture for their home. They decided to purchase a nice set of furniture instead and made plans to go together for their 25th wedding anniversary, but due to tragic life circumstances, they never made it back to Hawaii together.
Zuriel had always wanted to go see this place that her dad loved but never had the means or opportunity. At age 88, she finally had the opportunity to spend a week on the Island of Oahu. Days were spent on Waikiki Beach, at the Laie Temple Visitors Center, and at the Polynesian Cultural Center. She was able to visit the site of Pearl Harbor, an event that had a big impact on her life as an 8-year-old and as she grew through her life.
This red Mumu is a reminder of the love her parents had for the island and its people and for a dream vacation finally realized.
ENDING
These dresses show just a glimpse of the life and fashion of Zuriel Knowles. As we celebrate her birthday, we acknowledge the many outfits, events, holidays, and regular days that make up a 90-year life. We cheer for her personality and creative zeal.
Happy Birthday, Grandma!
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Some really tender pictures of Lydia wearing Grandma Knowles' wedding dress. (Her great-grandmother, Zuriel Ruth Elvin Knowles) Plus a picture of me in the Lace Inaugural Dress of my grandmas - I have loved this dress so much, that when my Grandma had to move out of her house, she gave it to me and I love it.
Happy 90th Birthday Grandma! We love you so much.
To finish this post, here are a few pictures of the many family members who came to show love and support to Grandma on her 90th birthday. We had over 60 people there, which was a great turnout and we were so happy that so many people were able to come.
