Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday, so once again, my extended family met at a restaurant in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This time we met at Olive Garden. At the end of the meal, the servers brought out a plate with a lit candle in the center and tiny mint chocolate bars piled up all around the candle. They sang their loud, clapping birthday song, and afterwards, Brian insisted on blowing out the candle for Mom. For Mom's birthday, we had an extended family picture taken. This is something we do for Mom every other year for her birthday/Mother's Day. Getting all 7 adults and 5 kids color-coordinated and meeting together was a task this year, but we did it. We usually have mom choose two pictures, one of which is matted and framed, and another pose to just have a copy of. This year, she wanted a copy of every pose taken. Then on top of that, she wanted the family group picture enlarged to 3' by 2' - this is to replace the large family picture of us from 10+ years ago, which hangs over their family room fireplace. Her huge birthday gift will be shipped in the mat and frame that she chose within two to three weeks.

Family picture - April 2009 Grandchildren picture - April 2009