Yesterday, we spent the day with Aunt Sue to celebrate her 50th birthday. We don't always do a lot for birthdays, but this was a milestone. I tried to think of something creative to make it special. Once I made my plans, I got so excited. I admit, I was so darn proud of myself. For once, I really felt like I got it RIGHT. I am unashamed at giving gift cards for special events - really I think it makes it easy to allow your loved one to get themselves what they really want/need. But, sometimes - you got to think outside the gift card.
Here's what I did. I was so excited, I could burst!
I found the plaque on
Etsy. It reads, "Life takes you to unexpected places. Love brings you home." When Mom passed away, Sue lived out of state. When she came here for the funeral, she told me she would move closer. I didn't really believe it. Yet, just six months later, they found their dream log home in the woods, less than ten miles away. She always said my Mom made it happen. Love.
And then, my friend Jeff brought these cookies into work he and his girlfriend had ordered from a local cookie baker called
The Sugar Canvas. They are hand decorated with whatever design you want. They were perfect and I knew I needed to get them for Sue's birthday. A soup can for Aunt Soup. Her two dogs. Her log home. Pictures of her property. And the critters outside her home she loves: chickens, raccoons and squirrels. She loved them.
Then, we planned a special day of whatever she wanted to do. She wanted to go to the zoo. I chose
Northwest Trek. It was a perfect choice for her love of the outdoors, plus we hadn't taken Elyse there yet! We had an amazing day. And, it was Slug Fest - so funny!
Flightless hawks. We were so close!
Beautiful property. I don't remember appreciating this part when I was a kid!
These guys got close too as we rode the tram through the park.
I should mention - Sue took all these photos with my camera. Love her "EYE" for a good pic.
So cool.
Really, the forest was stunning.
It was a beautiful day. Love the photos of these NW animals soaking it up just like we do.
These barn owls - so creepy, yet beautiful.
Really, they seem so perfect and odd, they didn't seem real. Elyse couldn't "see" them for the longest time. I think she didn't realize what they actually were.
This guy was a beauty too.
Slugs. Of course.
How could a little guy who is so dang darling cause us so much pain. We were very close, so I'm glad he was happy!
We drove back through Yelm and had lunch at Puerto Vallarta. It was her birthday, so we had to have dessert. (Guys, she is not going to eat those cookies. Well, maybe one of the 50 cookies - there were two).
This video is too precious. "Happy Birthday, Aunt Soup loves me...." This girl is too much!
It has been a fun week - lots of birthdays. She has sang Happy Birthday to OJ and Aunt Jody, then Sue and Chelsey next week. This girl loves the birthdays!
Sue, we love you very much. I hope your birthday felt as special as you are to me. I can never describe how we connected when we met for the first time when I was only 13. It's more than just being family; we've had an instant special connection and have had it ever since. I love you. Here's to 50 more.
