A post a day--Dec. 27: Happy Birthday, dear Jojo!!!

Today is my little sis's birthday!!  So I wanted to use this post to send her birthday wishes across the miles. :)  (Don't worry, I called her and sang over the phone too . . . only I had to sing to her answering machine because she didn't answer!!  But that's OK, I will catch up with her and chat one of these days. :))  Anyway, in honor of her birthday, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of "then and now" pictures with you all.  This first picture is probably close to 30 years old . . . maybe more like 28-29?  My mom might know.  Anyway, this was taken at Story Land, as is quite obvious. :)  I have no idea why we look so solemn!  Maybe we were sad because we were going to be leaving soon?  Or maybe we were having sharing issues with the cotton candy?  At any rate, here we are, forever immortalized in the Story Land frame.  (I'm the one on the left, by the way . . . Jojo is the cutie on the right!)

On Columbus Day 2012, we visited Story Land together again; this time we had a lot bigger group!  We thought it would be fun to recreate the photo.  It was a spur of the moment idea and I hadn't looked at the above photo for ages, so we didn't exactly recreate it accurately . . . but I have to say we look a lot more cheerful. :)  It was interesting to see that the frame and sign are totally different than they were 30ish years ago . . . I wonder how often they change them?

Joanna is my very favorite sister (OK, she's my only sister!) and we have always been very close.  Even though we live many states apart now, we still have that special bond and every time we are together it's easy to pick up where we left off.  We have a lot in common but we are different in a lot of ways, too.  Maybe that is partly why we get along so well! :)  She is a great sister and a dear friend, and I'm blessed to have her in my life!  So, happy birthday, dear Jojo!  May you have many more wonderful years ahead!