last saturday, the sisters and i took mom for a surprise mother's day extravaganza. we had so much fun planning, preparing, and spending time with mom--she always deserves something special!
a few things i love about the #1 woman in my life:
1. gave birth to me...ME, probably the best day of her life
2. world class budgeter and has taught me the same
(although, i am FAR from world class status)
3. wakes up early to exercise, almost every morning,
and has instilled the same love for endorphins
pumping through the body with me.
4. teaches by example
5. made me play the piano
and that has blessed my life in 1349 ways
6. taught herself how to play the piano at age 48
7. excellent cook and has some of the best recipes out there
8. CHOCO-HOLIC (loves chocolate chips)
9. talks to me everyday, sometimes multiple times, when i'm away at school
10. problem solver
11. obsessed with the morning paper sodoku
12. loves her Heavenly Father and Savior and has a strong testimony
13. married my dad
14. and the list goes on...
we took her to crystal cove for a delicious picnic lunch. no, not sandwiches or wraps.
a gourmet pasta favorite and fresh strawberries.
my mom with her sisters and mom on mothers day.
i made tissue paper flowers for decoration and mom, my aunts, and g-ma to keep.
(and i made one for myself too--they turned out so much better than i thought--so beautiful! sorry the flash kinda washes them out)
erin and i made a spectacular dinner. she did this YUMMY salad and pasta with sun-dried tomatoes.
i made some roasted asparagus and green beans.
and we had rosemary bread to dip in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
and dad grilled some chicken.
and for desert, erin and i made crepes and had pudding, ice cream, fresh sliced strawberries,
and homemade whip cream to fill and top. so good.
needless to say, the day was EXCELLENT. 
