HAYDEN - A long piece of twine was spiraled around a tall pine tree in Jim and Robin Gray's backyard.

Attached to the twine by clothes pins were pictures, revealing memories of weddings, Christmases, hot summer days, snowy North Idaho winters, dashing blond '70s mustaches, fishing trips and other cherished moments.

People walked by and pointed to the photos, sometimes finding themselves in them, the images stirring up smiles and reminiscences as music from the stage floated on the warm evening air.

Spirits were high and moods were light at the Gray's annual block party Saturday evening, where friends gathered, stories and laughs were shared and several special milestones were celebrated.

"We started it because we live here and we didn't know a lot of our neighbors, and we thought the way to do it is, since I play in the (Rhythm Dawgs), why don't we have a block party and invite everybody?" said Jim, who is the principal of Dalton Elementary School. "It's kind of the confluence of all things summer and a reason to celebrate."

And the reasons to celebrate are many. Jim and his wife, Robin, began the Avondale neighborhood block party four years ago. This year, they're both turning 60 and their good friend, Dexter Yates of Yates Funeral Homes, will be 70 at the end of the month. Yates is also celebrating his 30th wedding anniversary with his wife, Karen, who wanted to enjoy a party with friends and hear the Rhythm Dawgs play. So, with a "more the merrier" attitude, a triple-whammy party was born.

"We're having a joint party with a joint reunion of common friends and a joint reunion of the bands," Dexter said. "We've got three birthdays and an anniversary and we've invited a whole bunch of friends and they all came. We're just very fortunate to have friends like this and very fortunate to have the weather and this facility of the Grays'. They're just great people."

Music was provided by the Rhythm Dawgs, NorthPoint and the Fabulous Shadows, who all took turns rocking out and entertaining the crowd. Guests lounged in lawn chairs and enjoyed potluck dishes while enjoying the music or danced on the soft green grass.

Dexter plays piano for the Fabulous Shadows, which is an old-school Coeur d'Alene rock 'n' roll band that he and his bandmates began back in 1962. The block party was the first time they had played together since the all-class reunion for Coeur d'Alene High School 10 years ago, giving everyone yet another reason to raise their glasses.

"All '60s," Dexter said with a smile. "We play the same stuff we played in high school and college."

Gail Thompson, who lives just around the corner from the Grays, said the block party has evolved and grown each year.

"There's going to be a lot of people here who have been in this community forever," she said. "This is our community right here, and we want to share a wonderful event with them. Everyone just comes together and it's just great."

Robin, who was headed this way and that as she greeted guests, said combining the parties into one big celebration has allowed their summer tradition to blossom.

"It's incredible," she said. "We love gardening, we love a nice green yard and we like to share it. This is an opportunity to do that."