Monday, October 8, 2012

Roadtrip and Birthday Cake

We took a whirlwind trip home to New Jersey over the weekend, driving up Friday for a quick two days of family, friends and fall fun. While we were driving up, I was snapping photos out the windows of the beautiful scenery - the drive is long, but it's also gorgeous. Especially this time of year.

These were all taken with my cell phone. In our rush to get out the door at 5:00 am I forgot my DSLR. I am most definitely not a morning person.

North Carolina
Sunrise in North Carolina.

North Carolina
These thick patches of fog were all over North Carolina, they looked like extremely low floating fluffy clouds.

Virginia
This little farm is right off the interstate in southern Virginia.

Virginia
This pretty house is nestled amongst the hills in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. Again, right off the interstate.

Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Dutch Country.

Pennsylvania
Yet another farm, in Pennsylvania.

Luna Meets Khloe
New Jersey: Luna meeting her cousin, Khloe, for the first time. These two have been inseparable!


Why the whirlwind trip? My best friend Laura, who I've known since we were 4 years old, is turning 30 and has never, ever had a birthday party. Crazy right? Her mom's a Jehovah's Witness, so growing up she never had one and as an adult she's always just gone out to dinner to celebrate. So her cousin, myself and our friend Heather decided to throw her a surprise party filled with balloons, party hats, favors and cake. The sort you'd have when you turned 10, but with beer.

To add the final cherry on top, Joe, Luna and myself made the 800 mile trip to surprise the hell out of her. We nailed it! She was surprised enough to see a bunch of people at her house but when she saw us, she very nearly cried. :-)

Laura's Surprise Party
Surprising the birthday girl!

Laura's Surprise Party
Luna, Laura and I.

Laura's Surprise Party
What sort of childhood party doesn't include creepy clowns? I happen to live with the one on the right. ;)

Laura's Surprise Party
Opening her gifts in front of everyone and laughing at something hilarious!

Laura's Surprise Party
Blowing out the candles.

After Laura blew out her candles, I was surprised myself when her cousin brought out an anniversary cake for Joe and I complete with candles! She was so excited that we made the trip up on our anniversary weekend that she decided we needed to be celebrated too! I have no photos of that, because I was too busy laughing as everyone started singing 'Happy Anniversary to you'.

Some people are annoyed that we were up and didn't have the opportunity to visit them, I've received a few angry messages already. But I'm letting it roll off my back because as I wrote in my last post, I'm not paying excess attention to those who bring me down anymore. So to those people I say, I was home far too briefly to see everyone and the road travels South as well as North.

Aside from those party poopers, this trip is exactly what my heart needed. While I'm already homesick, I feel renewed.

9 comments:

  1. Oh my stars....looks like a fabulous and fun trip. Always a joy to do something joyous for someone else and then be surprised yourself. Yeah for one and all.
    And to the nay sayers.....shame on your name. Happiness is the only thing one should wish one someone else. Crap is reserved for spreading on lawns. Oma Linda

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  2. how wonderful to suprise your friend like that! X

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  3. The one with Luna and the baby oh my goodness!! The cuteness was unbearable!

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  4. Oh what a joyous gathering and absolutely fabulous way to surprise your friend. Your precious Luna girl looks very similar to my Billie Girl. So sweet!
    Happy Anniversary!

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  5. What a wonderful thing to do for your friend! I'm so glad you had a nice visit and some re-connecting time with your girlfriend. Don't listen to the nags - you did a great thing. Hope you and your sweetie had a fantastic anniversary!

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  6. Fabulous weekend, even though the drive is long. Totally worth it though. Your little Luna looks like she is very well-behaved and lapping up the love. Good to see Khloe looking very sweet happy and healthy! I know your friend was thrilled to see you!
    And Happy Anniversary to you and your beloved Joe. Lots of hugs and happiness are winging your way!!

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  7. Beautiful scenery! Great Friends! Good times! And good for you - not letting the 'downers' get you down! Happy Anniversary to you both! :0)

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  8. I came over from Samhain siren to check out your blog..Nice blog...The two gentlemen look total shocked.
    Coffee is on.

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  9. Wow! What a whirlwind but that is the best times in life. Adventures! You're an awesome friend for doing that for her, I'm sure she knows this tenfold.

    When I lived in VA and would come home to NJ, it got to the point where I wouldn't tell certain people because I didn't want to hear all that noise.

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