The Delivery!

Ok, I'm sure this delivery is going to pale considerably next to the one that will take place in just a couple short weeks, but it (an "it" made possible by you all) made for a very fun and special Saturday walk!

Many many thanks to Sara, who volunteered to coordinate the surprise with Chris, AND managed to get behind the camera so the rest of us could enjoy the moment as well! I'll have to let the wonderful pictures mostly speak for themselves since I wasn't there - thank you Sara!

I told you it would be shiny!

Here comes Carrie, ready to go for a walk and completely unaware BOB is coming along.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Are you all in on this?"

This card has all your names and notes (and a drawing of a stroller by my 4-year-old).

I warned you we might make her cry...

Everyone got to take it for a test run.

I think they like it!

Thank you to everyone for participating and for keeping it a secret!! Carrie was surprised and shocked and happy and thankful and excited and feeling very blessed by all the love (as I'm sure she'll tell you).

Coming to a Carrie near you...

Hi Everyone! Thanks for being patient (and super secretive!) as we got the stroller purchased and made plans for surprising Carrie. Assuming NewBaby doesn't decide to get a jump-start on being born this weekend, Chris and Carrie should be in possession of their new BOB Saturday evening! So we only have to stay clammed up for another day or so. I, for one, am close to bursting with excitement!

We Did It! (But Don't Tell Carrie Yet!)

Thank you so much!!! Your generosity has brought together $630, and I'm on my way to order the BOB Revolution Duallie stroller for Chris & Carrie, in plenty of time for New Baby's arrival. Please don't say anything to Carrie yet - we still want her to be surprised when the stroller is delivered! I'll send a message out when she has received the stroller.

If you were planning on contributing but didn't yet have the chance, please contact me! There are at least two "a la carte" stroller accessories that Chris and Carrie will probably have to buy, so if there are a couple people that still want to jump in on giving this gift, we can add to the order.

Thanks again - I hope to post some pictures up here as soon as Carrie receives the stroller!

The Details

1. A new 2011 BOB Revolution Duallie SE costs $629.

2. You can contribute any amount you want - even 5 or 10 dollars will add up quickly! I'll keep the thermometer on the left updated, and shut things down when we reach our goal (note: it doesn't update automatically, so don't worry if you donate but don't see it change right away).

3. When we buy the stroller for Chris & Carrie I'll include a "From" card with everyone's names so they know it wasn't just from me. If you would like me to include a message from you as well, just send me an email or leave it in the comments.

4. I haven't set a deadline for reaching the goal, but it would be great to be able to buy the stroller before New Baby arrives so Carrie has one less thing to worry about. So if you want to be involved, go ahead and give now so we can send the BOB as soon as possible!

Random: I'm annoyed that the "Donate" button (the only choice for a PayPal button of this type) makes this seem like a charity case. It's not! It's just a way for friends and family to come together to give a great and fun gift to a great and fun couple.

How Do I Contribute?

There are two ways to give towards a BOB for Chris & Carrie:

1. Click the Donate button (in the top left sidebar) and give with your PayPal account or credit/debit card.

2. Mail a check to:
Thanks so much - contributions are closed! (but you can still go get something for Chris & Carrie if you want. That would be nice.)

Give any amount! I will pool everything and keep a running total on the home page. Don't forget to send me an email or comment if you want me to include a message along with your name in the "From" card.

Thank you!

Who Are You Anyway? Is This A Scam?

Hi! I'm Amber. I met Carrie in high school - good old SCWest. We both had Gifted English with Mrs. Black. One time we cut Physics to go eat at Denny's (sorry, Mrs. Teague). We went to nerd camp together. We went to prom together (each with our future husbands, it turns out). She was the Maid of Honor at my wedding and I at hers.

So if Carrie and I are such good friends, why have you never heard of me? Well, I moved to the Northeast right after undergrad and have lived there ever since. My husband and I both have friends and family in St. Louis still, but we currently live on Cape Cod. Check out Carrie's friend list on FB and you'll find me, or ask Chris and he'll vouch for me (I let him in on the plan for this very reason), but don't ask Carrie - you'll ruin the surprise!

This is not a scam, and I promise I will not steal your money!! Being so far away and not personally knowing a lot of you, I couldn't think of any way to orchestrate this other than online. I have three kids ages 4 and under, and am lucky enough to have a BOB Duallie to get them around. I would sell all my other baby gear to keep that stroller, but I don't want Chris & Carrie to have to do that! I know they want this stroller, and will use and enjoy it, but they're both too darn responsible to splurge on it.

I just thought this would be something special we can all do for their growing family!

So seriously, I'm not going to steal your money, and I'm not taking any off the top for my roll as "Coordinator". I'll keep a running total of how much is contributed, and as soon as we have enough, I'll shut down the donation button and buy the stroller for Chris & Carrie. If there happens to be any surplus (from a couple donations made close together as we near the goal or checks in the mail after-the-fact), I'll just pass it on to Chris & Carrie so they can use it for stroller accessories (they'll probably want to buy the infant seat adapter and sun and/or wind shield) or other baby expenses.

Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!

Amber

Thank You!

Thank you for contributing! As soon as we reach the goal and buy the BOB for Chris & Carrie, I'll send you a message so you know your gift was delivered!