A Little Birthday Surprise!

If there is one thing I have learned in life, it is that things don't always go as planned. Sometimes this is a good thing, sometimes it's not so good.

This past Sunday...it was a GOOD thing. Last week my very dear friend, Heidi, told me that she wanted to take me to lunch and some shopping for my birthday. She didn't tell me anything else except that she would pick me up sometime between 10:45 and 11.

OK, so it did cross my mind that maybe a few of "the girls" would join us for a "mini" surprise.

I will tell you that it did NOT cross my mind that when I opened the front door I would see one of these parked out in front of my house!

After I finished jumping up and down, screaming, and telling my hubby that I would be longer than a couple of hours, I jumped in the limo to find 7 girls waiting my arrival! I cannot tell you how excited I was. They broke out a bottle of champagne to start the celebration, and off we went to Napa...or so I thought!

The surprises kept on comin'!

First stop: Pick up Lindsey in Fairfield.

Second stop: Pick up Jaime in Napa.

Next Stop: Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma.

It was so beautiful. Mary had previously discovered this winery and ordered the wine for her up and coming wedding from them. This, along with a call ahead got us a beautiful outdoor tasting.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day!

Jaime, the newest mom of the group (as of 8 weeks ago,) was very excited to get out for some girl time. It wouldn't have been the same without you, Jaim!

All the ladies, except for me... :)

Note: If you're a friend of Heidi, you are a friend of her friends...I met Anne Marie for the first time and better got to know Honesty and Casey.

After wine tasting and chatting for a while, I turned around to see this...

Yes, that means PICNIC! I love me a picnic!

It was not your average run of the mill picnic. It was done in true Heidi fashion.

Individual lunch boxes.

With our names on them.

Sandwiches made complete with our own likes/dislikes in mind. Ex: Mine had no tomatoes, Janice had no cucumber in her lunch, etc...

This is what mine looked like inside! Complete with a glass of wine. Each girl was given a complimentary glass of wine of our choice after our tasting...to accompany our lunch.

There is not one thing Heidi did not think of in preparing this meal!

Love. Love. Love.

...all this topped off with a brownie made from scratch. Mmmmm.

One last picture of all of us before heading out for our next adventure.

Which was V. Sattui in...I believe St. Helena. (After dropping Jaime off again...she could only join us for a couple of hours.) I've been to this winery many times...it is my FAVORITE!...and I still don't know if it is in Napa or St. Helena!

If you ever go here...make sure to buy a case of wine so you can become a member and taste in the cellar...so much more personal and less chaotic than in the main cellar. Usually you have to call ahead for a group larger than 6. But I went down, gave them my pouty, "it's my birthday" look and they let us in anyway!

Of course we had to get some pics in front of all the barrels!

I think this one is my favorite picture of the day...

The limo ride home was just as much fun as the rest of the day, if not more so!

All I have to say is, "Forget You-ooo!"

P.S. This was my first limo ride in my honor...so exciting!

One of the things I admire most about Heidi is that she remembers everything. Whether or not something someone says has relevence at the time, she stocks every little fact away in the back of her head, and pulls it out when necessary. She knew everything in which to make this a perfect day! She also is very intuitive...she knew that I was not up for Chandon, the last stop scheduled for the day. So she already knew what my answer was going to be when she asked if I was up for it. I cannot tell you how special this woman is to me. We have been through so much together and she has always been there for me. Maybe we can do this again when we turn 6o;) Just wait...she'll remember this!

Thank you Heidi for planning such a special day!

Thank you ladies for all of the cards, Best Buy Gift Cards, bottles of wine, and most importantly joining in on all the fun!

Thank you to my hubby for being flexible and taking on the kids for most of the day with a moment's notice.

I LOVE YOU ALL!