Birthday Surprise

I guess we are not into surprise birthdays on the tradition special year. It was 61 and it was a great surprise. Since the "girls" have busy lives on Sunday we decided that would be a great excuse to celebrate together in the morning (skipping Sunday School). That enabled Christian to come over for breakfast and Ethan, having driven up from Manhattan on Saturday in the pouring rain and sleeping at camp with no water, phone, food or warmth, to get the car cleaned up and over to the SLU barn next door. Unfortunately, the 8:30 breakfast was delayed an hour due to someone's appendicitis but he got home and we had a great time around the table. Strata, bacon, homemade applesauce, coffee on fall colored dishes. Carol and Laura gave Rob thoughtful gifts. Knowing that someone's cholesterol was a bit elevated they cleverly introduced the breakfast that I have been advocating. Thinking that they bought double stuffed oreos he suffered disappointment when noticing that the package was already opened he lifted the flap to discover the whole package was filled with oatmeal. Then to compensated for the disappointment they went to the freezer and got a quart of ice cream out. Only to discover the ice cream had been replaced with prunes!!!

After Laura had been receiving several text messages, (from Ethan getting the car in position with bows and cards in the driveway) she told Rob that someone had delivered a birthday gift out in the driveway. We all went out and there was the car in the driveway!! It was a lot of fun for all. Rob was shocked and elated. then the barn hatch was opened and there was Ethan. Ethan came down, after instructions not to jump and instructed Rob in the various workings of the car which he had mastered on the way up to Canton. We went for a quick spin around the block and then the girls and Rob and I drove to church in the new BMW with Shelia guiding us all the way.

After church it was back to the house for lovely stuffed shells that Laura had made the day before. We worked in the kitchen all day on Saturday, it was nice to have a buddy in the kitchen. We had to make 2 cakes since Roger ate one layer of the first cake. One of his not so great characteristics is jumping up and getting food off the counters, he's very tall now and can reach things put on the back of the counters too. Elizabeth and Jon called to wish the birthday boy a wonderful day and it was so nice chatting with them, although we missed them being with us for Dad's big surprise! The boys watched the Giants together and then we had the birthday cake. Ethan took a nap which lasted until 6:00pm so he had a late start back to NYC arriving at 3:00am at his apartment. Thanks Ethan, you did a great job in delivering a wonderful surprise!

The birthday continued through Monday. We got nice cards from Elizabeth and Christian and Alma. After a short work day and some yard work Rob and I went down to Mirror Lake Inn to have a delicious dinner at the View. I think we had the fastest trip home from Lake Placid that night, CP would be impressed with the driving. Rob had a lot of fun driving through the mountains with a car that really hugged the road.

And now we are starting the beginning of Rob's 62nd year. We are blessed of the Lord. And we continue to look for His unfolding plan and purpose for our lives here in Canton.