It took a bit of doing, because Rachel always wants to know "why?", but Dave was able to get her out of the house twice on Saturday so that Scott, Katie and I could get ready for the surprise 30th birthday party. He and Rachel went to G.R. to look at a car in the morning, which gave us enough time to make some food, fill the candy jars, get the deck cleaned and ready, make a Happy Birthday garland and a few other odds and ends. Then, somehow he managed to get her to go clean and vacuum their SUV and pick up pizzas (couldn't get away with not ordering food or she would have caught on), right at the time when we needed to hang decorations, get food out, etc. and guests started to arrive.
Dave: "Let's go wash the car now."
Rachel: "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Ahhhhhh - ha ha - that's the kind of questioning that nearly sunk the surprise, but we DID pull it off - she was COMPLETELY surprised!
Mom (looking a bit red in the face from all the rushing around), Katie and the birthday girl. I have posted all the rest of the pictures on my Facebook page. Have a look!
In other big news, Bella learned how to swim this weekend! 
Way to go, Bellsie - They'll be no stopping you now. Counsin Ally is always there to help, too.
