donna's happy surprise

This past weekend, for his mom's 60th birthday, he and all his siblings decided to surprise her by getting together in Idaho.

A big task for a family with seven kids, living in five different states (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Utah, and Idaho!) Even Devn, who they were expecting to Skype during the surprise, tricked everyone and flew to Idaho without telling a soul!

The amazing part was that they kept it all a secret, and the effect was priceless. Every time I look at these pictures of Donna coming into the restaurant and seeing all her kids all in one place, I get teary eyed. I think it was such a thoughtful and sweet thing for their family to do, and I'm glad Paul could be there. And a little secret, Donna was so surprised that she literally fainted on the spot, :) luckily Jeff was there to keep her upright, and she was just fine - in fact, I've never seen her happier.

That evening, they had a nice birthday party with friends and family.

Then went to Pitt Park and sent of six (one for each decade) floating lanterns that Valerie brought home from Singapore.

I was so happy to hear (and see) that they took some great family and sibling pictures the next day.

Imitating their last sibling picture from 6 years ago...

Age order...

Height order...

And these are all the lucky people that got to be with that happiest Donna:

(Isn't Jovi's smile the best most joyful thing in the world?)

Coming up next... what I was up to while Paul was out West :)

January Photo A Day

So, January 1st. I'm sitting at home, I had just dropped off my sweet dude at the airport to jet across the world to Guyana, and I'm looking at Instagram and found the "photo a day challenge". Seeing as my iPhone was about to be my substitute husband/friend for a couple weeks, I thought this would be a good social interaction.

And fun it was! I really like having a moment a day to focus on things that I wouldn't even think about, like what I'm grateful for or what makes me happy, flashbacks to my childhood, people I love, etc. Plus! It reminded me to document my life a little bit so I could tell Paul what I had been up to while he was afar.

So here you go. January's photos a day. :)

Day 1. You.

Day 2. Breakfast.

Day 3. Something You Adore.

(The very occasional and super lucky emails from my husband while he travels the world)

Day 4. Letterbox.

(A gift from my dad when I was young - to keep notes and precious things in.)

Day 5. Something You Wore.

(A fishtail braid and gingham)

Day 6. Makes You Smile.

(That the sun is staying up longer. Summer is on it's way!)

Day 7. Favorite.

(My parents and their classic senior pictures)

Day 8. Your Sky.

(A blueish/grayish day - no filter - and lots of trees of course)

Day 9. Daily Routine.

(Commute on Rt 1)

Day 10. Childhood.

(Yep, this picture pretty much sums it up)

 Or - how about this one?

Day 11. Where You Sleep.

Day 12. Close Up.

(Paul is back from Guyana with my favorite souvenir - jewelry!)

(Another close up, his favorite souvenir - bugs)

Day 13. In Your Bag.

(Food mostly, and other essentials)

Day 14. Something You're Reading

(Bed time stories with Reu -The Little Red Caboose)

Day 15. Happiness.

(Accidentally matching with my cute niece)

Day 16. Morning.

(Light through the window and some not too bad be head)

 Bonus! Pretty frost on the windshield that same morning.

Day 17. Water.

(The glorious Raritan river right by our house - this past summer)

Day 18. Something You Bought.

(No spend January, so this (Temple Run) was the only store I could visit)

Day 19. Sweet.

(Cute upside down tea cup light fixtures at Fedora cafe. 

Not picture: my very sweet raspberry Italian cream soda)

Day 20. Someone You Love.

(Duh. Always.)

Day 21. Reflection.

Day 22. Shoes.

Day 23. Something Old.

(Delicious Root Beer since 1888)

Day 24. Guilty Pleasure.

(Taking pictures of other peoples magnificent personal items?)

...ok this this was a stretch... hahaha

Day 25. Something You Made.

(Entrance way gallery wall - all by myself while Paul was in Guyana)

Day 26. Color.

(Paul is Bicycling Magazine. His dream come true - blue pic next to thumb)

Day 27. Lunch

(Forgot a pic of my pb&j.... so this is dinner, Paul's choice)

Day 28. Light.

Day 29. In Your Fridge.

(Bryers mint chip ice cream - now in my belly!)

Day 30. Nature.

(Lunch time walk in Turtleback Park - winter can be pretty too!)

Day 31. You Again.

(DONE!)

 

So, I was feeling kind of relieved that I was done, but today my Instagram news feed was full of February Photo-A-Days and I just can't be left out. So... here we go again! :)