Operation Surprise Visit 2011

About two months ago I found a pretty decent price for two one way tickets from LA to Sioux Falls and Omaha to LA around the weekend of my BABY sister Kelsey's graduation. Despite my anxiety about flying alone with Emma, I jumped at the opportunity. (Wouldn't miss her Grad for the world!) Since we were flying into Sioux Falls I got this crazy idea to ask Dani to pick us up and surprise my mom, dad & Kelsey. After I booked the tickets we didn't talk much about it and if we did, I kind of just said I was keeping my eye on them but that they were rather pricey hoping no one would catch on.

Thursday afternoon we flew into Sioux Falls and Dani picked us up from the airport. We hung out at her apartment for a couple hours while Emma napped and then we met my friend Sharon at Panera. It was a quick visit, but so good to catch up with a great friend and "introduce" her to Emma.

Then we headed out to Ryan & Ashley's house in Harrisburg. Ashley only told Adella that we were coming about a half hour before we got there so that she wouldn't spoil the surprise :) She was thrilled to see her cousin and had lots of love for Emma! Emma loves her too...as you can see!

Emma and Azariah are only two months apart and it was so cute to watch them check each other out (translation: attack each other's faces). I'm sure they're going to have such a blast together when they grow up!

Friday morning Dani and I drove to Sioux Center. We got there around 10:00 a.m. My mom was busy frosting 7 sheet cakes for Kelsey's graduation party and was quite surprised when I walked in with Emma after Dani. She screamed "ROBYN ELAINE", and scared Emma who started crying (but was very excited to see her grandma when she calmed down). At last, the first phase of Operation Surprise Visit was a huge success. Shortly after we got home, I texted my dad with a cute picture of Emma and Adella and a note that said - "Hey Dad, you should come home from work early if you can." His reply was - "What???" :) Phase two, Success. He was working in the area and was able to come home early too!

Kelsey snuck in the door so we didn't catch her reaction on camera, but it was classic. She later indicated that her thought process went something like - 'Oh, Dani's home. And Robyn's home too......WAIT WHAT????!!' She just ran over and gave me a big hug. Phase three, huge success. So happy that I could be there to celebrate her graduation with her. (And pretty pumped that she's going to be a Red Raider next year!!!!)

Emma enjoyed lots of loving from her aunties, uncle, grandpa & grandma, and cousins. She was the BEST little traveler ever and was so content and relaxed the entire time we were there, several people asked me if she ever cried. (The answer is, yes, just so there's no confusion but we are so blessed with a good baby.)

Clearly, she was the center of attention at times...

On Sunday we celebrated Kelsey's graduation as a family, and got ready to send her off to India bright and early Monday morning. She went with her Youth Pastor and a small group of college students to work at a youth conference there. Please join us in praying that God will bless them richly while they're there, give them experiences that stretch them outside of their comfort zones and glorify His name, and grant them health and safety.

Adella was so proud of her auntie, and as we were sitting in the balcony she kept saying - "I see Kelsey. She waved at me." :)

I can hardly believe my little sister graduated. 1) It makes me feel SO old. 2) It makes me feel so very proud. She is such an amazing, talented, giving young woman. And 3) I have no doubt about the fact that God is going to use her in a very, very powerful way.

1 radiant graduate + 2 stinkin' adorable babies & a sweet 4 yr old + 7 delicious cakes + 2 awesome thunderstorms + 1 hot tub + 4 sisters 1 brother-in-law 1 sister's boyfriend & 2 happy parents = Epic Surprise Visit 2011