Birthday's and Sinking Ships

Yesterday was my mom's birthday, and we decided to surprise her with a birthday dinner at our house. My dad and i set it up so that my mom thought my furnace was broken and Adam was working in Big Lake so wasn't home to fix it. So my dad planned he would come over with my mom to fix it before they were supposed to go to dinner together at 3 Squares. Little did she know when she came over she was going to be surprised. It was actually kind of a lame surprise because it was just my brother Chuck and I, because Joe and Adam weren't home yet. So my mom walked in and i was like surprise...! Then Chuck walked out of the kitchen and was like surprise, and just then Joey pulled up and walked up to the house and said surprise too...it was very lame... But my mom was surprised, and didn't know that she was going to have dinner that i cooked, and play games.

Family picture at our house for Mom's birthday.

Also, Adam came home on Thursday last week with these...

So sweet huh? He said it was because he had bought me flowers a few times, but had not bought me roses for a long time...so he bought me some...they are still SO beautiful and smell so good.

Last weekend my parents had our big birthday celebration for us. Each year instead of buying us gifts, they plan a surprise birthday for the family. Three years ago we went to the science museum for the Body worlds exhibit and then had a hibachi dinner, two years ago we went on the Zephyr, last year we went on segways and to the mill city museum, and this year they took us to the science museum for the Titanic exhibit and then we stayed at a hotel and played games as a family. It was so much fun and we are so glad that we do the family birthday celebration versus do gifts. This year, Bridget was a part as well because she and Chuck are engaged :) Here are a few pics form the day.

Finally, today my grandma came into town with Earl, and got to see Asa for the first time since the shower we had for him. She was so happy to see him! She fed him and he fell asleep in her arms...shortly after she fell asleep holding him.
Tomorrow, i am going to go to my parents to help my mom and grandma cook all of the dishes for Thanksgiving.

I am very thankful this year for our amazing son, and for the flexibility i have with my job. Every year i have wanted to go to my parents to help cook the day before, but have never been able to because i have always had to work. I am VERY thankful this Thanksgiving.