Mom comes to visit for my birthday weekend!!

Brody was scheduled to take his big test (the one that decides if he gets to continue with the program or not) just 2 days after my birthday, so instead of spending most of my birthday alone while he studied, I persuaded my mom to come out and help me celebrate!! (The test later got pushed back to 6 days after my birthday, but plans had already been made)

She arrived on Wednesday evening and left early Monday morning.  We packed in a lot of fun things during that time.

Thursday: I still had to nanny that day, so my mom just slept in and hung out at our house for a few hours in the morning, then joined me at work for lunch and what WAS going to be an afternoon at the pool, but the rain forced us to stay inside.  So instead we just stayed at the house and chatted and read books while the kids entertained themselves.  That evening we made a delicious dinner, went for a bike ride and played frisbee golf at a course in our neighborhood.

Friday: I took the day off and we headed to Estes Park / Rocky Mountain National Park to spend the day.  Brody took a break from studying and came with us as well.  We drove the trail ridge road all the way to the top (12,000 ft - the highest highway in north america) and did a few hikes to check out the amazing view.

Trail Ridge Road

At the visitor's center, they have these sticks all over to measure the amount of snow they get in the winter.
It's hard to imagine THIS much snow!!!!

Cool rock formations and rock fields on our hike

We saw some wildlife up there as well - A big horned sheep....

.... and 2 elk (We even got to watch one of them cross the road to get to where the other one was. They stopped traffic so he could make it across and we were the first in line, so we got the best view!)

Then we drove back down to Estes Park, had lunch, bought some amazing fudge and shopped around the cute little town.

My mom and I bought these matching shirts - because we're awesome like that!

Saturday (my birthday!): My mom and I left for Denver in the morning and stopped for the famous Johnson Corner cinnamon rolls on the way there - and I have to say, they were quite yummy!

Then we headed to the Denver temple to do a session

After that, we went to lunch at Firehouse subs

Next, we drove over to the 16th street mall in Denver and shopped our guts out.  We found quite the haul at TJMaxx.... I love that store!

To end the day, we headed home and met up with Brody for dinner at BJ's.  It was delightful and I even got a free pizookie for my birthday!!

I had a fun and unique cake this year.  It's a whole new meaning to the term "fruit cake"!  I had LOTS of sweets and desserts throughout the whole weekend, so I thought a cake made of fruit would be fun.

Sunday: we made some yummy pinterest snacks, went to church and made cards.

I'm so glad my mom was able to come for a few days and help me celebrate my birthday.  We had so much fun together and had lots of great conversations.  I was so glad to have some one on one mommy time - it was just what I needed!  Thanks for being such a wonderful person, friend and mom.  I love you!