Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy 81st Birthday to my Mom! (Last year we shared quite a bit about her, as she turned 80, if you would like to take a look back here.) Unfortunately she was suffering from shingles duirng her birthday last year, and Ernie and I had just moved back home following his transplant. So, needless to say, we couldn't celebrate together. Not so this year! We began with a party at home with Nick and the Dews on Thursday. Ernie grilled some flank steaks (definitely one of Mom's favorites), we had corn,  broccoli, mashed potatoes, fresh pineapple and yeast rolls, followed by sugar cookies for the kids, and fruit topped cheesecake for the grown ups.

Tara had so much fun planning a scavenger hunt as a way for Grandma to find her gift from she and Jamie, Kyle and Leah, and Nick. Nathan and Natalie were wonderful helpers and she sooned located all the clues to finding her new on-line Hallmark program for making cards. Everyone in our family loves the cards Mom makes for them, and we are happy she now has the 2011 version with lots of new choices!


Tara, Grandma, Nick and Leah (in absentia) after all the clues led to her computer where the new program was found.

Friday Mom, EZ and I packed our bags and headed for Boone to spend a week in the mountains with Leah and Emery. We are so happy we can spend Mom's special day together, waiting on her hand and foot, and showing her how much we love and appreciate her! Plans include a special homemade cinnamon roll pancake breakfast, girls lunch in Blowing Rock, outlet shopping, dinner at home in the cabin, and possibly a movie.

Thankful for Mom...thrilled to have her living with us and part of our everyday life! Happy Birthday Mom, and may you celebrate many, many more birthdays!

Please come back tomorrow for pictures of birthday celebration number two!