An "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Birthday Surprise!!

The reason for the crazy title is because Greg TOTALLY shocked/surprised Jen and planned the most extravagant birthday ever - 3 weeks early!!

We just got back. =)

It started with a card that basically told her the 3 of them were going someplace tropical for 8 days, to pack accordingly and don't ask any questions. Then she was given the gift of new luggage (since the airlines have beaten ours all to heck the last 7 years).

So all packed up and ready to go, waiting outside passing the time for a few, all of the sudden, Jen's Mom, brother and sister-in-law pulled up. They said they were "taking us to the airport," but it turns out, Greg had arranged for them to join us!!!! Total shocker and another fun surprise!!!! THEN, as we were at our layover in Atlanta, who shows up at the airport to join us? Surprise!!!! Jen's Gran!!!! She was thrilled!!!!

So off we all go, destination unknown to Jen. =)

Turns out, we were going to a beach house close to Destin in Florida. Pictures don't do it justice - it was incredibly amazing. The whitest and most softest sand we'd ever seen, the most beautiful clear-blue water and we were pretty much secluded for the whole 8 days. Sheer heaven. Best week ever!

We saw a shark, many dolphins, lots of jellyfish (3 out of the 7 of us got stung!), stingrays, fish and crabs (which Brian and Greg caught - and we had that for dinner one night!)

We took 600 pics, believe it or not, so trying to pick which ones to post on here was a hard task! BUT, if you are friends with us on Facebook, we posted a ton more. You'll have to check them out! =)

Here's pics from our dream week:
























Amazing, huh? =) Greg was thrilled that he was able to pull off the surprise and that the secret didn't get exposed - especially since SO many people knew for over a year!

And as a side note, Noah did more than exceptional on the plane - he got lots of good comments, more wings, made friends and played with some kids. Jen was totally stressing about the plane rides - apparently for nothing. ;)

What a wonderful week and birthday surprise!!!! Best. Birthday. Ever. =)

It's Been a FUN Summer!!!!

To catch you up, here's just a little bit of what all we've done this Summer.....

We hosted Cheryl's college graduation party - Noah had a better time playing with Bob than he did celebrating. ;)

Went to the 4th of July parade in Monument with friends. Spent time at a pool up in Parker Colorado with friends.
Had LOTS of date nights. Awwwww..... =)
Jen went on many shopping and dinner dates with her girlfriends.
Noah played with friends at numerous playdates.
We went for lots of walks and spent time at the park near our home.
Noah's been using his potty chair more and more. It's rare for him to have an accident these days. Yay! =)
Going on fun driving adventures. "Road trip, road trip!"
Playing with Mommy. =)
Had a playdate or two at Focus on the Family.
Started an almost nightly tradition of playing in/at Monument Lake.
Enjoying his new water table.
Went to Ikea on opening day!
Trying out the new "Pinkberry" that just opened up.
Gobbling down popsicles on a hot day. =)
Went for wagon rides at Mimi's house.
Greg's birthday surprise - brunch at the Broadmoor!
Looooooooooong naps........ (still 3-4 hours long!)
Ice cream at the Rockhouse - our new weekly favorite.
Greg and Brian spent some quality time together - Greg's first time hunting. =)
Glow golfing at a friend's birthday party!
Had a little birthday party for Greg - friends, family, cake, presents, fun!
Went to the El Paso County Fair - loved funnel cakes and walking around......
..... loved petting the animals and had a blast playing in the corn.
We save all our old bread and often go feed the ducks at the lake. Noah gets a kick out of it!
Playing in the fountain at America the Beautiful park downtown.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our new home and city. We've had LOTS of friends over now that we have more space to entertain and have even become great friends with our neighbors across the street (who happen to be our age - yay!).

We've done so much (more than what we listed above) and still have things on our list that we didn't get do to! It's been one of the busiest Summers of our life - but it's also been one of the most fun and best (and fastest!) Summers of our life too.

With a fun Summer like this, why would Fall even need to come? ;)