What a memorable, special day this has been! Meghan's 16th birthday is in 9 more days, and today she got a HUGE surprise! Her dear friend, Gabrielle, flew in from Idaho to stay with us for 2 weeks for Meghan's birthday! Meghan had no idea, and this has been in the works for 7 weeks....lots of phone calls between Gabrielle and I, between her mother, my friend, Patti and I...and still Meghan did't get suspicious! We told her that we were picking up my Aunt Joan at the airport, and we dropped Meghan and Sara off at Barnes and Nobles for a special 'sister time' before hand. Of course, we called Sara and told her when we were getting there to pick them up, and Meghan (being Meghan) had gone to Michaels to look at yarn so we had to wait for her. But...it was so worth it! She was so touched and surprised to see Gabrielle! They had never met in person, after a couple years of friendship thru email, blogs, and hours on the phone...they have so much in common and are truly kindred spirits....having her here for 2 weeks is certainly going to be so very special and memorable for all the girls!
I love this picture!!! She walked in and squealed "Gabrielle!" See Sara in the background laughing...she kept a good secret...I couldn't have gotten ready for this without Sara!
Seeing Meghan this happy and excited means so much to me! She is so excited to have Gabrielle here for 2 weeks! Meghan is planning a trip to visit Gabrielle when she graduates.
And, here is Miss Gabrielle and Meghan!
Our 'three' girls for the next 2 weeks...it will be like having another daugher here!
Gabrielle finally relaxing! She had to get up at 3:30AM in order to make her flight here. The time difference from Idaho to here is 2 hours, and she had to make a connecting flight from Boise to Chicago, and then to Pittsburgh...by the time she arrived, she had already been awake for almost 12 hours!
Sara wanted to get a picture of Meghan's smile!
Of course, Anna had to get into the picture!
I love this picture!!! She walked in and squealed "Gabrielle!" See Sara in the background laughing...she kept a good secret...I couldn't have gotten ready for this without Sara!
Seeing Meghan this happy and excited means so much to me! She is so excited to have Gabrielle here for 2 weeks! Meghan is planning a trip to visit Gabrielle when she graduates. 
And, here is Miss Gabrielle and Meghan!
Our 'three' girls for the next 2 weeks...it will be like having another daugher here!Gabrielle finally relaxing! She had to get up at 3:30AM in order to make her flight here. The time difference from Idaho to here is 2 hours, and she had to make a connecting flight from Boise to Chicago, and then to Pittsburgh...by the time she arrived, she had already been awake for almost 12 hours!Sara wanted to get a picture of Meghan's smile!Of course, Anna had to get into the picture!~Once we came home, everyone relaxed, the 3 older girls chatted and rested, poor Anna had a little fever and fell asleep on the couch....I actually fell asleep as well!
After a yummy dinner of chicken with mushroom sauce over GF pasta, Gabrielle mentioned that she loved the movie 'Enchanted' so we all enjoyed some Rita's italian ice and watched the movie.
The girls were able to discuss all the things they want to do while Gabrielle is visiting. One of the things that they both love are Frank Sinatra movies, playing piano, books, baking and more old movies. We have some family gatherings planned, some get togethers with friends, antiquing, our Maiden's group (and Hannah's birthday), a Graduation party for Alaina and Meghan's victorian garden tea party for her 16th birthday. Sara has 2 more days of dance camp and will be gone all day tomorrow at camp, then at a friends house swimming and choreographing a dance routine, and I am supposed to meet my friend, Stephanie, so I think Meghan and Gabrielle have some shopping planned. We're trying not to plan too much, so we have plenty of time to spend together.
I'm off to bed...busy days, blessed days we're having around here! Will post more about the visit in the coming days! ~Sue~
They loved feeding the ducks and geese...but I was afraid of them falling in everytime they climbed the railing! I love their sweet smiles!
Hard to tell from this photo, but this buffalo looked like it was posing for us! The kids were tickled to be able to see a baby buffalo as well....so cute, it looked like a fuzzy cow! Anna kept calling this one "Zippy" like the one in "Moe and the Big Exit" veggie tales movie.
Our last stop was Children's playground where they spent quite a bit of time swinging, climbing, sliding and running around. They made some little friends inside the little house and were playing a game with them before it was time to go home. It was such a beautiful night!
Peeking from the plants :) 
They were giving away free copies of this, and if I fill out a short, online survey, I will recieve a free 1 year subscription! It is pretty cool...tells all about the local farms, markets, and healthy, sustainable food scene in and around Pittsburgh.
It was so nice outside on the deck "shucking" corn!
Hot, dripping with real butter and salt! Delicious! This was the perfect meal for a sunny, breezy, beautiful day! 
We had the opportunity to have a wonderful time of fellowship with our friends, the Calvetti's! This is Joshua, the oldest son. Some members of their family had just left for a mission trip in Zambia, so we thought a change of scenery, and hot meal and some fun would cheer them up!
Me and Sarah Calvetti....she is so much fun! We always enjoy when she spends time with us....and she knows I love her, even if she doesn't like my kombucha!
This is the DELICIOUS "Hot, gooey butter cake" that Rochelle brought over! I have to get the recipe! It was such a hit, there was none left!
This is Rochelle and her youngest of seven children, Abigail! We were taking pictures and Abigail kept saying " do me, do me!!" ...we finally figured out that she wanted her picture taken, too!
Our "silly Sara"! We have to make sure we say "Sara Catherine" or "Sarah Elaine" when both are together as it gets pretty confusing if we don't!
The "other" Sarah! These girls were taking so many pictures until they finally decided it would be more fun to run around in the dark and swing on the tire swings!
Meghan loves the game 'Catch phrase'!
Looks like Joshua is deeply pondering a question! LOL
Rachel in the tree!
How many people can you fit in a tree? Right now, there were three. We had a lot of initials carved into this tree! It started 3 years ago with our friend, Dillon carving his.....last night, Joshua and Sarah both carved theirs as well.
My wonderful husband, Ron!
Our good friends from Ohio, Mike and Jolyn came up for the weekend...here is Mike and Ron on the Fourth.
Our 3 beauties....they get along so very well...Meghan, Autumn and Sara!
After a yummy dinner of melt in your mouth barbeque ribs, coleslaw and potatoes...we all enjoyed visit with everyone!
Everyone enjoyed the RICH chocolate cake!
We had a wonderful surprise when our nephew Ben (who is in the Airforce) came up to visit with his wife, Crystal, who only has 4 more weeks until their first son is born! How precious it was to be able to spend time with them!!!
Ron with his sister, Maureen, and his Mom!
Our beautiful little "Anna Lydia Peony Lucy"! After our celebration at our house, we all went over Lori and Todd's for fireworks. Each year, Todd buys tons of fireworks and every year it gets better and better!
Lori and Jolyn. They were finally reunited again after 25 years...after being best friends for years before Jolyn moved back to Ohio when they were growing up, then Lori was a bridesmaid in Jolyn's wedding...this was the first time they've been able to see each other. They are both looking forward to more of a quiet visit in the future to spend time together.
And...Debbie! She and our family have been close since 1973! It is always so much fun and a treat to spend time with Debbie!
The Gorecki clan before the fireworks!
Lori, Todd and Ty. It was Ty's first Fourth of July!
Some of Todd's beautiful fireworks! After church Sunday morning, we all came back for a delicious lunch before Mike treated us to Sarris' s for icecream! Thanks, Mike!
The three "big girls" enjoyed their icecream, too! What a beautiful place, Sarris' is!!!
Our birthday boy! Ty Robert Jansma!
Ty's proud parents! I wish I could have taken a picture of Ty with his sister and 2 brothers.
My lovely niece, Tina.
Me and my sister, Pam...Tina's mom.
My beautiful mother and her friend of over 35 years, Barb.
Anna and our birthday boy, Ty. Sara did face painting for over 30 children and Anna wanted to be a dalmation puppy...she helped Ty open all his presents.
Some of Ty's admirers watching him open presents
A very tired birthday boy enjoying his cake! He really loved this and had so much fun with it!