Celebrating my mom's Birthday

Ten of my favorite things about my Mom:

1- She taught me that life is too short & that’s why I need to live each day as if it was my last.
2- She puts others needs and wants above her own. She is a self-less person.
3- She is always giving gifts and doing random acts of kindness for others (esp. those that need it most).
4- She makes me laugh harder than ANYONE in this world. She has the FUNNEST personality and everyone is and always has been drawn to my mom. I’ve always had the, “cool mom.”
5- She is gorgeous!!! She never goes anywhere until she looks her best. I’ve always had the, “hot mom.”
6- She is kind no matter what. I’ve seen my mom in a lot of situations and to her, “kindness matters most” and I love her example.
7- She loves my dad more than anyone in the world!!They are so cute together!
8- She is close to the lord and has a strong testimony of the church.
9- She asks me to go shopping & do other fun things with her and we always have a blast.
10- She picked me in heaven to be her daughter and for that I’m eternally grateful.
Happy Birthday mom! I love you like the fat kid loves cake (chocolate cake that is) ha-ha. You are the best!!xo xo xo.
For her birthday she invited Sam and I to Market Street Grill (YUMMM) and to a movie. We had a blast! Here are some pictures:
This picture was taken outside of Market Street Grill (my sister on left, my mom, dad, Sam and I)

 Sam and my dad...Muah!

My baby sister Sydney and I...

I made home-made Whole Wheat Bread with Mary Ann (Momma Swens)

I have the best mother-in-law in the world! She is one of the classiest women I know! She is a mother of 8 children (7 of the 8 are boys) and one heck of a cook. Since I've been married to Sam she's invited me over on many occasions to cook with her. We've made home-made pies (TO DIE FOR), home-made jam (TO DIE FOR - I will never buy Jam from the store again), dried Carmel apple bites (I don't know what the name is), chocolates and now home-made whole wheat bread. It is the best bread I've ever had! 
When I cook home-made food with her it makes me want to get good at cooking, and make it a skill that I can use the rest of my life...She’s taught me, Not only does cooking from home save you a ton of money but it tastes sooo good and is so much healthier for you. AND, it is appreciated by all who eat it.
I really look up to MaryAnn...She is incredible! She teaches me all sorts of things about cooking, food, purchasing food, gratitude and life in general. She is a self-less person and would give someone her right arm if they needed it. From day one she has made me feel nothing but welcome in her home and I love that about her. I really want people to feel that way when they come into my home.  I feel truly blessed to be her daughter-in-law. I’ve made some great memories cooking with her and I look forward to many more to come.
Here are some pictures of us cooking up a storm…

 I am reallly focused - lol.

About to be baked...

The finished product...Something to be proud of :)

I heart Flowers

Today I came home from work and was surprised when I saw these beauties on the table :) :) :). Along with a sweet note from my husband.

Thank you babe!I love, love, love them!
Sam knows the way to my heart. He is so thoughtful....Made my day!!!I am...The luckiest!

Baby Pictures

Was Sam not THE CUTEST boy ever?! I hope he's not embarased I posted these!Looking at his baby pictures totally makes me want to have a little boy that looks just like him :).

 Sam and Ryan Gardner (Sam on left). CUTE!

My first year of my life I was chubbbby but thankfully I grew out of it.

Ha ha!Love baby pictures!
Kay, so I totally thought it was hott to squint as HARD AS I COULD during pictures when I was little. OH MY GOSH check this one out - sooooo funny!

Major squintage ha ha. A picture is worth a thousand words, that's for sure!

Melting Pot = mmm MMM mmm

Ever seen the movie, "What about Bob"? ?In the movie he is dying over the food that Fey made for him (making hillarious mm mm sounds) and that's what I sounded like when I went to the melting pot. Sam has been working very hard the past month and we haven't had a lot of time together so the other weekend he took me to the Melting Pot for dessert!Oh my gosh, I was licking the Pot - TO DIE FOR!Yes, I hit the gym hard the next day ;) but it was SOOO worth it.

Ha ha ha . . .Yes, I did partake of the desserts & I was put in a serrrious sugar coma ha ha.

Can I just say that I have the worlds best husband!!!Seriously, he does so much for me and even though we are married he still plans the FUNNEST dates imaginable for me! Our dates are so fun and diverse, thanks to Sam.

One of my favorite things that Sam does for me is every Sunday (without fail) is he gets up and makes me Crepes for Breakfast.Yes, Crepes...with Strawberries and Bananas on them. And yes they are to die for. I'm so spoiled! His dad created that tradition in their family and now Sam has started it with our family. I love it!I had never even had crepes until I married Sam. Neat huh?

Love you babe! Thanks for being so wonderful!