Surprise Birthday & Easter!

It was actually my mom's sixtieth birthday in March, but we decided to wait until April to fully celebrate and give her a wonderful surprise.  My dad arranged for her to have the weekend off, and just told her they were going away for Easter weekend.  She had no idea where they were going, and it was so hard not telling her we'd see her the next week when we were in Santa Maria!  While my parents hopped in the car and started driving south, mom had no idea that I was picking up Shannon from the airport in San Diego!  Shannon, Keira and I got the house ready for my mom's "birthday party", and when my mom knocked on the door, Shannon walked over and very casually opened it.  Mom was confused when the door was opened and a flash went off in her face...

...until it registered that it was Shannon who was opening the door!  Surprise!

After a few happy tears and hugs all around, she turned around and told my dad, "You DO know me!"  It was awesome, and we were all so happy that we pulled off her surprise!  Dad's surprises weren't over yet, she opened her card and discovered that we were all going to the Pantages Theater to see Mama Mia the next day!

 James got busy barbequing while the rest of us enjoyed appitizers, wine, and a beautiful night. 

Erin picked up a DELICIOUS cake from our local bakery, and Keira was more than happy to help her blow out the candles and sing "Happy Birthday" to Grandma. 

The next morning, we all went out to our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  Charlie wasn't so sure about the Easter Eggs, he would have much rather taken his overdue nap. :)

Keira enjoyed the bounce house,

and a trip on the "train" with Charlie.

We obliged for a few "sisters" shots,

Then it was time for the main event, the egg hunt!  Charlie was not convinced that picking up eggs was a great idea, but he managed to snag a few- the great news, for him, was that no matter how many eggs you picked up, every one got the same candy bag prize!

Keira, having been through a few egg hunts over the years, was a seasoned professional!

She was, however, both confused and disappointed when she discovered that the eggs were empty. 

She was more than happy to exchange her empty eggs of a yummy bag of candy!

After the egg hunt, Keira and I went to the craft and tattoo rooms and she got a purple pony tattoo (which I think totally represents Easter, right?!?!) and made this cute bunny mask. 

That night (after stopping in for Connor's first birthday), we drove up to LA and enjoyed a fantastic Italian dinner before the show.  Keira and Tyler stayed with Aunt Cyndi and Uncle Ben and enjoyed their first Passover dinner at Ben's parents' house!  (Thanks, Aunt Cyndi, Uncle Ben, and Grandma Grandpa Arce for babysitting!)

The show was great, we were so happy to all be together and celebrate my mom!

The next morning, it was off to Mass and then brunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  I'm pretty sure Shannon and Erin were getting a little tired of the pictures. 

When we got home, Keira and Tyler were so excited- the Easter Bunny had visited our house!

We also did a mini-Egg hunt, this time with candy inside the eggs.

Cheese!

Aunt Shannon and Keira picked a bag of oranges for Aunt Shannon to take home to Texas, then it was an early bedtime, and Shannon was back to Texas the next day- a quick, busy, incredibly fun weekend.  Happy Birthday, Mom!