This past weekend we celebrated Mom's 5oth Birthday! I had sent out invitations to family and some close friends a couple weeks ago, but Mom just thought we were going to be eating dinner at Uncle Don and Aunt Carol's with some family.
On Saturday Nichole and I went grocery shopping and then to Aunt Carol's to start the preparations. We worked all afternoon making food and decorating the condo. Aunt Carol had gotten some old pictures of Mom and we put them in frames and set them around. Here are some pictures I took before everyone arrived...
Our menu was: chicken lips (from Martini's), little smokies, french onion soup, shrimp cocktail, mexicorn dip with chips, a veggie tree, and a chocolate fountain with fruit and pretzel sticks. For drink we had hot apple cider, sparkling grape juice, flavored sierra mist with a frozen fruit kabob, water, and coffee. 
This was Andrew's spot for most of the afternoon; watching football while grading papers.
Around 6:30 most of our guests started arriving. We had Dad make Mom and him a little late so we could surprise her when she walked in, and she was surprised! Nichole bought her a crown and a necklace for the evening and many of the ladies dressed up as "old" ladies. It was hilarious! 
After eating we watched her open gifts and played a game that she played growing up.
Before everyone left we sang Happy Birthday and ate dessert. It was such a fun evening and couldn't have done it with out so many people helping out!
Sunday was Mom's actual birthday. After church all of us kids went up to Dad and Mom's for lunch and hung out while they went to a funeral. When they got home we all went out to eat at Chop House 61 before Dad had to go to a meeting.
After dinner all of us kids went back to the house with Mom to hang out and open gifts.
It was so much fun spending time with family and most of all celebrating the birth of the best mom and most beautiful 50 year old I know! You are such a blessing to us Mom and we love you very much!