yup. i pass the HQ several times every week. I have had many a thought of egging it. hahaha. They're gradually leaving the city, though, I hear. Good for you getting out of dodge.

Re-connecting with my large extended non-jw family has been difficult because, like you said, I've been mostly cut off from them my entire life. facebook makes it a bit easier, but no real strong bond has been formed. i remember when i first left, I just wanted to run into their arms, and I kind of had these idealized notions of being a part of this family that is mine, but that i was never really apart of. Then reality set in and I realized that while they are my family and they are grateful to finally get to know me more, they know each other far better than they know me and sometimes it can be awkward (of course, none of this may be the case for you). Also, though I have no qualms celebrating holidays and my birthday, I didn't want to rub it in my family's face by doing these things with her family. I thought it kind of lacked taste, so I celebrate with friends and my fiancé. And I will be inviting all of my extended non JW family to my wedding.