The Story Behind the Surprise

Ryan and I always knew we'd be home in mid-December. We planned our trip to southeast Asia with this in mind, but decided that it would be so much more fun to keep our plans to ourselves and surprise everyone.

I shared the plan with my best friend when she visited us in August, and she agreed not only to keep our little secret, but to become part of the scheming.  

Once we landed in Portland (three weeks before the date we'd told everyone was our arrival) Erin picked us up from the airport and we headed to my parents' house.  
I had set up a date to skype with them that evening at 5:00.
 We showed up at their house instead.

Sneaky, huh? 

My mom was freaking out when she saw us outside, which was exactly the reaction we'd envisioned.  
I think they were happy to see us.

 The next day we pulled off the same skype trick with Ryan's dad, step-mom, and little sister in Eugene.

And later that evening did the same to one of my best friends.
(Yes, she was in her robe, fresh out of the shower for the surprise...) 

With my aunt being the only other person in on our secret, she helped organize our family's annual Christmas tree cutting for the first weekend we were home.  That meant we got to surprise my grandparents too.
 

And later we pulled off our skype trick again with some of Ryan's friends and their wives, who just happened to be having a dinner party together. 
 

 

It seriously felt like we were part of Publisher's Clearinghouse, arriving on people's doorsteps to reveal that they'd won millions.  
They were that shocked. 

Being home meant we were finally able to meet the babies of our favorite new parents.

And see how others had grown.

We had the chance to reunite with other dear friends...

 ..and beloved family.

We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives.  

And they're so lucky that they have us to keep them on their toes.