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Surprised Again

In December 2006 my parents and brother planned a visit to Carbondale for my college graduation. Minutes after their arrival, my sister and brother-in-law knocked on the door. They were living in North Carolina at the time and were not coming home for Christmas for days. They came home early for my graduation. That night we went out for wings and beer. That memory is vivid and pleasant in my head.

Hilary & Justin planned on visiting us shortly after Nolan’s birth but they had some lingering sickness and Nolan decided he wanted to hang out at Vandy for a week so that trip was postponed indefinitely. My parents already had a visit planned for this past weekend. I imagined a weekend sitting around our loft while my parents popped in and out. I shopped Saturday morning for my favorite pasta dish I was going to make them. My weekend was planned.

They arrived after Noon on Saturday. Minutes after walking in I got a text message with the following photo attached.

Those guys surprised us again! I gave Dad a look and passed my phone to Beth. She immediately ran down the hallway to greet them.

I haven’t seen my sister and her posse since December. In that time my oldest niece has grown so much and got a new sister. I had my own child. Hilary & I keep in touch but that relationship is nothing like seeing each other. Her appearance felt like awkward meetings I have had with Internet friends I meet for the first time. Suddenly this online world of my nieces collided with my real life. I was just as stunned as Shae who we believed thought Nolan lived in the computer.

Six adults, one toddler, and two infants are a tight fit in our loft but I had ample seating after busting out camping chairs. They said they didn’t want to tell me in advance because I would worry about the weekend. I suppose they are right. I would have tried to plan out as much as possible. Shooting from the hip felt good.

Friday was only our first time out with Nolan so getting out to Ted’s and Mellow Mushroom this weekend was a big step for us. He slept the entire time so I wouldn’t call it a good test for us.

Mom & Hilary bought Nolan and the girls some matching clothes for photos. Shooting three kids went a bit better than I expected but it isn’t easy to coordinate feedings and the attention span of a two year-old.

I’m looking forward to having two bedrooms in the near future for more frequent and easier visits.