Thanksgiving Surprise!

A few months ago, Brian and I decided to surprise Dad with a Thanksgiving visit to the farm.  Unfortunately, Brian ended up not being able to swing it due to a conference that came up in New Orleans, but we decided it was still a good idea for me to make the trip on my own. 

Pulling this off required some good secret-keeping and coordinating on everyone's parts (Ben, Becky, Tom, Laura, Caroline, ....and eventually Mom, too!) Strong work everybody, and thanks for helping make it work :)

I've flown through Seattle plenty of times, but for some reason never noticed this store sign.  Dad's favorite saying :)

I left Juneau on Sunday night at 8pm, flew to Seattle and slept overnight in the airport.

I had an early rise and could totally relate to this fellow traveler :)

Caroline picked me up from the airport and we got to visit a bit and visit her new condo.  Then, we swung by Starbucks to pick up a hot chocolate to bring to Dad, and then headed to the farm.  While at her condo, I called Dad just to check-in and see what he was up to, and talked as if I was in Juneau preparing for Brian's return from New Orleans.  Little did he know, that in about 45 minutes we'd be on his doorstep!

It only took about a minute before he was opening up some of his homemade Ferocious IPA :)

I think the best way to describe the look on his face when he saw me through the back door was simultaneous shock, confusion, and elation :)

Here's a little photo shoot where we tried to capture the moment...

THANK YOU, CAROLINE!!!!!  YOU ROCK!!!!!

 He had lunch planned on Tuesday with Mike & Linda at the Florentine in downtown Columbus, and so it was great to get to visit with them, too!  Linda is retiring in one week, so a celebration was definitely in order.




That's a lot of excitement for one day, I think.  Now, nap time :)