Surprise Mom! And Good Times with Family

OK...so let me just start by saying, before I get into to any type of story, that I almost gave up on blogging all together with this one...Picutre placement, getting all these pictures to fit...and Rachel does slide shows...and Carrie does movies...I still have a long way to go folks, so just be glad you get the little updates you do!



So...my sisters and I started scheming and planning several months ago that it would be incredibly fun to surprise my mom for her 65th birthday. After many phone calls, e-mails, and what seems like hours searching for tickets and discussing time frames, we were all on planes to come across the country to surprise my mom in Florida. And boy was she surprised! Her day started with a surprise party thrown by her dear friend Ann Marie (no, not me, but what a great name, huh?), and the surprise continued when myself, Chelly, and Kim all walked in. She screamed and didn't think it was real...then when it all sunk in, asked "So where's Chris, he lives in Florida and he can't come?"

Well, actually, we planned to surprise her with my brother and a visit from three of his kids later in the week, but my mom just couldn't let well-enough alone, and the surprise was ruined! But they still came and we had a great time laughing, playing and catching up.

Here we all are: Kim, Chelly, me, and Chris

Being that we're all scattered across the country, we don't see each other all that often, and sadly, it was my first time meeting my little niece Ali (who Kim is holding), and so, none of the kids could really remember our names. It was our mission to get a picture that they could all put in their bedrooms so that our names could be practiced on a regular basis...and so they'll start requesting to see us of course!

Ali is two and with Kim, Harrison is 7 and Emma is 5 and sitting with Chelly (apparently all the kids were scared of Auntie Ann!

This is my mom's wonderful friend Ann Marie (on the left, my mom is on the right) who was so helpful in planning this whole event! She lives next door and even opened her home up to us so that no one would have to go without a bed, which the pregnant lady loves her for!

It was a busy trip, and while we were there I even got to visit with my old friend Linzie, whom I've known since I was like 8 years old. We go way back, and even performed a few GREAT numbers in some talent shows together!

The real treat was that I didn't get to just see her, but got to meet her beautiful new baby, Marielana, she was precious...and made me even more excited to see my little one!