Surprise!

A few weeks ago Becky and I were able to meet in Twin to surprise mom since she wasn't able to get away from work to go to Washington. Becky and I were really bummed, to say the least, so she came up with the idea to make the nine hour drive herself to surprise mom and say for a few weeks. We couldn't wait! Finally the day came; we planned on driving up at the same time, so we tried to time our drives so it'd work out, but that's when things started to fall apart. My drive is only three hours to Twin versus Becky's nine, so I was sitting around the house waiting for her to let me know when she was about three hours outside Twin. I was getting the car packed and ready to wake the boys up from their naps to get in the car when Becky called and said she was stuck in Baker City, OR there was a semi crash and the interstate had closed down. Becky ended up having to stay the night and make the rest of the trip in the morning. My car was already packed, so I left by myself to see mom.

I was really disappointed that the surprise didn't work out like we had planned for it to, but mom was surprised nonetheless. I pulled in the driveway and was walking up to the house with the boys in tow when mom drove up and caught us before we even got in the house. She was surprised all right! It was my birthday that day so she thought I'd be at home celebrating, but I brought my birthday cake and balloons with me!

The next day we planned to go out to lunch and meet Becky there to surprise mom at the restaurant. Mom and Dad were waiting inside while Becky waited outside for me to get there. I walked in first followed by Becky and her kids. We snuck up on mom--Cora was right behind me then Kimball, and then Becky. I greeted them and it took mom a few seconds to realize who Cora was and then went into shock. I loved the look on her face when she realized Becky had come to visit! Dad had been in on the surprise the whole time too. It was a lot of fun.

I stayed for two weeks. I cannot even say how much I love being with my sister. Our kids played and got along a lot better than the last time we were together. Being away from home was not something little Lucas liked, apparently, because he clung to me like a magnet. He'd be fine with someone else as long as I was not in the room or he couldn't see me. He did not sleep well the whole time we were there. There were only three nights that he slept through until morning. Zander even woke up early and climbed into bed with grandma and Grandpa. It wasn't until the second week that Becky noticed that Lucas was teething. No wonder he was cranky!

It was SO GOOD to see Becky and the kids! She and mom were extremely helpful with Lucas putting him down for naps and bed, changing diapers, and taking him when I needed a break from the crying. I don't usually have that much trouble with him, but he is a homebody for sure. I am so grateful to have them in my life. Grandpa and the boys roughhoused with Zander who just had a ball. I was so glad he would have people to play rough with since that's how he likes to play.

I got my quiet book all sewn together while I was home, we did some shopping, lots of eating, and visiting with family near and far; what a great trip!

 I took Zander and Kimball to the CSI Easter egg hunt. They had tons of fun!

 The annual Gerties dinner party

Becky and I did an egg hunt for the kids!