Mother's Day 2013

Before I fall far behind again because I haven't had time yet to complete two big posts (the San Diego trip and Ben's 4-year-old birthday), I'm going to post a few other quick things from May...before it's June! 

We arrived back from our 8-day California trip the night before mother's day. Too exhausted and with no time to plan anything for my mother and mother-in-law (sorry, for not even a card this year!), so we just did our normal Sunday routine. But as I was making dinner I decided that I really didn't want to eat penne noodles and spaghetti sauce (my go-to meal when I'm worn out and one of the boys' favorite!), so I asked Kevin if he wouldn't mind watching the boys while Abby and I went out. I had a coupon for a buy one get one free burrito at Chipotle's and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to use it. Feeling bad that I hadn't done anything for my mom either, we called her up and ended up picking her up to go with us. While we had a very nice time enjoying some delicious food, my favorite part was when Abby presented me with the Mother's Day picture she been working on that afternoon.

Abby said that the flowers are roses, hence the thorns. :)

I'd been aware she was doing, but dutifully obeyed her request for me not to peek. :)  I thought it was particularly adorable that when she heard we were going out for dinner she privately asked her Daddy to help her find an envelope big enough so that she could take it with and give it to me there. Then she carefully brought her USPS Priority Flat-Rate Envelope into Chipotle's and presented me with the drawing at our table. She is just so precious!

 Later that week, our church had its annual Mother/Daughter Banquet. As always, the food was fabulous and the service was great (the men and young boys do all the work!). It's an extra fun event now that we do it at the Lacey Community Center - it makes it much more special than cramming into our tiny auxiliary building at church with the nursery toys stuffed in the corner!