Surprise - WOYWW and Rudolph Days

This is going to be a LONG one, with tons of photos.  I'm trying to do one post to cover several events.  So, I shall start in reverse of the title.....That way if you only want to see My Rudolph Day entry....you need not go too far into this post.....

Here's my Rudolph Days Challenge card.  I'm thinking about doing this for a class, so it's not quite where I want it for teaching a class, but here's what I have.  The outside is finished, the inside....not so much....

Briefly, the trees were cut using the Karen Burniston Pop It Ups.  I embossed the paper and the outside trees using an Elizabeth Crafts folder, and the sentiment is part of a die from Impression Obsession.  I've got to tell you, the inside tree was really easy to assemble and there is a fantastic You Tube video that shows you how.

For a change it's Wednesday when I am taking a photo of my desk for WOYWW.  Not real exciting, but it is what it is.  I've been playing around with making paper flowers using a Memory Box die that I've always loved, however, I just haven't used it much lately....

There's not much excitement here.  There is one thing that I am loving....my daughter and son came to surprise me for my birthday.  Amy brought me a little wooden box that has a so true sentiment....It says, If I didn't have you as a mom, I'd choose you as a friend.  Thanks Amy....and here is Amy....and me..  If you don't want to see family photos....stop now....if you do I hope you enjoy my birthday as much as I did......

Amy flew in from Chicago  and met with  her brother Dan in San Francisco.  To say the least, I was totally surprised.....

This is a re-enactment, however it's darn close to what I looked like!  I knew my son was coming, but boy did they keep a secret.  They were so secretive they didn't even tell my honey.  I found out later they kept this secret for an entire month.  

After a way too late evening, we spent the following day driving around.  Both kids wanted to see what the California drought had done to Lake Oroville....Not very pretty is it.  The water is normally up to the tree line.  

Here's a shot of Dan and Amy 

We went to dinner at my favorite restaurant.  Nothing fancy, but really yummy.....

Finally a shot of my honey....Always wearing a baseball hat and if allowed a T-shirt.  

So, if the kids visiting and phone calls from the others, wasn't enough, the plan was to go out to breakfast before the kids went back to the Bay area and home.  When I walked into the restaurant, I was met with this surprise.....

What a surprise.  These are my local craft ladies and they even brought their husbands.  Amy planned from 2000 miles away a surprise party.  And I had NO idea.  Can you believe these people kept the surprise for a month.  I can't.  What's even more surprising.....I am a hard cookie to surprise. Working in law enforcement for 20 years, married to a Highway Patrolman and having 4 kids, always kept me trying to stay one jump ahead....well this time, I had no clue.  Thank you Amy for forming the plan, Dan for planning the trip from the Bay Area, Shell and Karen for giving her the contacts, and my Chico, Magalia and Paradise group for being so closed mouth even though we were spending time together....I'm not sure I could have done it.  I have the best family and friends.  I love you all....

I should probably sign off, but I want to share two more photos.  A neighbor told my husband about a nest in the English Laurel bushes dividing our property.  It's too big for a bird, unless it's a hawk or an Eagle...we should be so lucky, so we are thinking it is a squirrel.....what do you think?

Baxter was a bit miffed, how come no pictures of my old buddy....so here's one of my little old guy...

Until next time...

Hugs from me to you.....

Mary Mac

AKA:  Glitter Grammy