SUPRISE!

This past weekend we flew to Washington to surprise my sister for her 30th birthday! My brother in law, Ty, set the whole thing up and it turned out perfectly! He 1st asked us if we would be able to come all the way back in February and that's when we bought our plane tickets. It was SO HARD for me to keep the secret, but I am so glad I did! We flew out Thursday night and stayed in a hotel. The surprise party wasn’t until Friday evening so we spent the morning and afternoon in downtown Seattle. We went to a FUN Children’s Museum, the kids rode a couple of rides and ate lunch at Ivar’s Salmon House where Trent got to eat his fresh crab legs! Then it was time to head over to the party. When we got there a couple of the people thought I was Danalin until they looked a little closer. There where so many people there and I was getting EXCITED! They had us hid in the loft upstairs and when they got there, we heard her come in and everyone start singing Happy Birthday to her. She had NO IDEA and was SO SURPRISED! They then sat her down and turned on a video of friends and family that couldn’t be there wishing her a Happy Birthday. We quietly sneaked downstairs and waited till it was time for our surprise. The last video was of our family, but we just videoed our couch and said “You’ve reached the Tippetts, we’re not home right now. But if you want to talk to us, Dana, you’d better turn around”. When she turned around we were standing right behind her. The tears started flowing and lots of hugs followed. It was SO MUCH FUN to be able to be a part of such a great surprise!

Riding the Tram at the airport. Our flight was delayed an hour so we rode the tram for awhile to keep our kids entertained :)

The Children's Museum!

Lacy liked watching Jack and Lil ride some rides. I LOVE her cute smile!!

Eating lunch at Ivar's! I loved that it was right on the water!

Driving to the surprise party!!

Dana actually called me soon after I took this picture to see how the beach was (I had told her we were going to the beach and disneyland). I was a little frazzled because I didn't expect her to call, it had started to rain and I was afraid she would here the rain on the windshield, but she didn't and our secret was still safe!

The day after the party we went on some Kayaks, I had never been and I LOVED it!!

Trent didn't love it but I am glad we did it! :)

Here we are driving to the lake.

This is not far from Dana's house, it's crazy BEAUTIFUL!

Trent took Lily out and Ty took Max!

I took Jack and Dana took Max. We went way out and around a little island.

We were doing great until we started to go around the island and then the Kayaks decided they didn't want to go where we wanted and we were spinning in circles, it was a work out to get back!

SO BEAUTIFUL! If you look close you can see our kayaks!

I am mad I didn't take any other pictures until our last day. Saturday during the day, after kayaking, Trent and Ty went to the driving range and then Dana and I went to Target and did a little shopping. That night one of the young women in Dana's ward offered to watch all our kids so we could go on a date! We went to the mall and exchanged some things and looked around. We went to payless to find Kelly some shoes and Ty knocked over a bunch of boxes while Trent Hid around the corner and Dana and I laughed (it's a had to be there) We then got some ice cream and headed back home. On Sunday we went to church and then we were going to go on a picnic to a place by the hood canal, but it was raining so we went and looked around for a bit in the rain before going back home.

On Monday before we left we went to waterfront park and let the kids play and explore!

Finding Crabs under the rocks!

My brave little lady holding a crab, Jack wouldn't even try ;)

Our attempt at a family picture. (Don't mind the boy throwing a fit)

My BEAUTIFUL, TALENTED, SMART, CARING sister and one of my very best friends!

She is an AMAZING mom, wife, friend, sister... I feel lucky just to know her!

I loved getting to surprise her and be there for her 30th birthday!

She has always been there for me and I am so grateful for our friendship!

I LOVE YOU Dana! Thanks for being so great and for having such a cute family! :)