Wonderful Anniversary Gift

Ralph and I did not get a chance to celebrate our anniversary on our actual day. We had planned to get away this past weekend somewhere in Ohio to save money and give me a chance to see the state. I've been here 11 years and not really traveled much within the state. I always leave! ;-D Then about a week or so before we were to leave we received an e-mail inviting us to a surprise 30th birthday party for one of my brother-in-laws. I didn't say anything to Ralph because I just assumed we couldn't go. When he saw it he called me at work to ask why I didn't tell him? Then he offered to take me home for the weekend to see my family and surprise the surprise party. We only told my parents we were coming. We left as soon as I got off work on Wednesday, drove to the IL/WI border, slept a few hours, and drove the rest of the way on Thursday. We hung out with family on Thursday night (all who were mysteriously called in to "have coffee" and a little worried about the late family gathering). Then Friday we had more family in for lunch also confused by the random weekday family gathering. Everyone was great sports and it was so much fun surprising everyone. Saturday we drove down for the party. It was so much fun surprising both my sister and my brother-in-law! I am so grateful for my husband who gave up a romantic weekend for some family time--especially with the baby coming and our opportunities for romantic weekends will diminish. We had to be back Sunday morning for a friend's baptism so we ended up driving all night Saturday to get home in time. I think that will be the last time we drive through the night--it was tough! We had a great time overall and are so glad we went! Here are some fun pics of our time there.