Surprise!!!!

Kaylee, Morgan and I were able to get fairly cheap airline tickets to Portland just a few weeks ago so we decided to fly out and surprise everyone. We only told my sister Lisa and my friend Tammi that we were coming. On Tuesday, July 15th, we flew into PDX and Lisa and Lissi (my stepsister) picked us up at the airport. On our way to my Mom's house, I started calling my siblings to let them know that I was in town. It worked out perfectly because Nick wasn't working on Tuesday and Heather and Keaton were just coming back from spending a few days at the coast. I got a hold of Paul when he got off work. I had everyone come over to Mom's house, but they all hid their cars around the block and we locked the door and everyone waited on the back porch except me and the girls. Then we surprised Mom when she got home from work!

On Wednesday we spent the day at Mentor Graphics visiting with my friends from work. I sent Morgan in to my friend Candy's office and it surprised her so much we were afraid she would have a heart attack! We had a great time seeing everyone. I miss all my friends, but I love being at home with the girls. We also visited with a few friends from the Child Development Center at Mentor Graphics. We went back on Thursday to see some of the kids who weren't there on Wednesday. It's amazing how quickly the kids grow up!

Thursday night I got to spend the evening out on the town with my friends. We had a great time. I miss going out with everyone. I have a few close friends here but haven't had many nights out. I also love having a few hours to myself without kids!!!

Friday, we went with my Mom down to Salem, OR to visit my grandparents. It was so nice to see them and get time to visit. We were also treated to a video that was made by some of our relatives in Italy. It was really fun to see where my Grandpa grew up before he moved to the US and also to get to know our relatives that are still in Italy. Hopefully one day I will be able to travel to Italy to visit and see the sites of my family.

Well, I must be getting old, because I am sitting here asking Kaylee what we did on Saturday. I really can't remember, so we will come back to Saturday when I remember what we did.

Sunday, I took the girls to the Mentor picnic to visit with a few more friends. They had a good time playing water balloons and the obstacle course. Kaylee was able to visit with her friend Manasi for a few minutes and I got to spend some time chatting with Amy and Paul.

Monday was special because I took the girls up to Emanual Hospital to see some of their old doctors. I really wanted the surgeon who did Morgan's surgery to see how well she has been doing. He was one of my favorite doctors and he made the effort to come see us during his rounds. It was so great to see him and he was very happy to see her progress.

Tuesday and Wendnesday we took it easy at the house. We spent time hanging out with Auntie Lisa and going in the hot tub. Nancy, Ryan and Michael came by for a visit on Tuesday. We also got a chance to visit with Auntie Linda, Nick and Jason for a second time.

OH!!! I just remembered what we did on Saturday! We went over to my Aunt Linda's apartment to surprise her and my cousin Christine. I was worried that I would not get a chance to see Christine because she lives in Canada, I mean Seattle. I got lucky though because it was her 20th High School Reunion so she was in Portland! Everything really came together for this trip. I don't think it could have been any better if we had planned it in advance!

We also were able to visit with Heather, Devin, Paul and Jen one more time before we left. The girls had a good time visiting with their cousin, Devin.

Here are the rest of the pictures from vacation. Grandpa Joe, you might like the ones of the flowers on Mom's cactus!

Well that was it for summer vacation. Now it is time to get settled back in to our routine and get ready for school to start. As PTA Co-President, I have a lot to get done here in the next few weeks. Kaylee is looking forward to 2nd grade and I am looking forward to her getting back to school with her friends.

Here are a few links to some new blogs that Kaylee and I have created. Feel free to check them out if you are interested.

http://jillsfitnessnutritionblog.blogspot.com/ - This blog is an attempt to give my two cents worth of fitness and nutrition "advice". Please let me know if you find any of it interesting. :)

http://kaylsvacations.blogspot.com/ - This is Kaylee's vacation blog. She is sometimes going by the name of Kayl because that is what Morgan and some of her friends call her.