Birthday surprise


Last week I flew up to Oregon to surprise my cousin Julia on her twenty-first birthday! My aunt Deborah-Miriam picked me up from the airport; we picked up party supplies from the neighborhood dollar store, and then snuck me into the house (unbeknownst to Julia). Julia read her birthday card from Grandma — about how Grandma hoped Julia would like her birthday present because it was non-refundable and then I jumped in the room with balloons! It was great. (I totally cried.) Julia was stunned and so surprised and just thrilled. We had a wonderful three-day visit together eating ice-cream cake, opened presents, played Mad Libs, eating yummy sushi, touring around the area, going out for breakfast, watching movies, looking at family pictures, singing songs (we worked our way through Rise Up Singing!), celebrating a late Hanukah together, teaching me how to crochet, and even went hot tubing early in the morning with snowflakes fluttering around us. We had such a good time! Oregon was so beautiful: I loved the orchards and farms everywhere, the charming towns, and the people were so nice. I had a fantastic time. Click here to view photos from my trip!