Botanical Gardens in Madison Wisconsin

These pictures were taken between our two five mile bike rides.  This going to be a large post with lots of  pictures of the gardens.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Eric stepping on the frozen tundra. 

Butterflies!

The butterfly bush is in full bloom and now we get to see all of the butterflies.  Here is one of them that was fluttering around the bush.  Another one of Gods beautiful creatures, and plants.  I hope you enjoy looking at my pictures through my lens!

My 50th birthday present!

It all started Friday and the surprises just kept coming all weekend!

Friday I was cleaning my craft room music blaring.  Every once in a while I would go an see if Stephanie was on FB or Skype.  I hadn't talked to her in a couple of days and wondered what she was up to.  I kept sending her messages and she would never get back to me.  I just figured they were busy or bike riding all over Madison.  So I had enough waiting and I called her around 3 and this is how the is how it all went down.

Me: Ring ring, Hey peanut where are you?

Peanut: Home
Me: Do you have company?
Peanut: No.
Me: Can you get on skype some one important wants to see you.
Peanut: Okay.
In walks Eric about 3:00 or so, 
Me: What are you doing home.
Eric: I took the rest of the day off. What are you doing?
Me: Waiting for peanut to get on skype so I can chat with her.
Eric: How about talking to her in person???
Me: Crying like a baby........

Sunday we went out for breakfast at the "Golden Cracker" LOL AKA Cracker Barrel.

This is how I was presented my birthday present from Eric, Stephanie and Travis.  First out of the sack was these blow pops with a sticky note that read "Just because 50 blows...."

Then out came the colors that also had a sticky note on them that read "you don't have to stop being creative."  Hmmmm I wonder if they think that just cause I am older now that they have to buy me washable colors.  Didn't think I was that messy LOL......

Then out came the coloring book that read "you are never to old to color."

Then here we have some bubbles that read "Being 50 doesn't mean you have to stop blowing bubbles."

Then here we have a Jumbo deck of card. "But it might mean that you need Jumbo print..."  Wow they must think I am going blind.....hehehehehe 

Most of you know Willard Scott from the Today show that always has the 100 birthdays on it.  Well the smarty pants that my family is said "Happy 50th birthday you are half way there."  Stephanie made a label with my picture on it and had read that I was half way there.  I do have to say she was pretty darn creative on these.

Then we come to the Smarties. And they read " Doesn't mean you are not a Smartie.   (Over)   Did you know that Smarties came out in 1963!  See you are still learning."

By  this time every thing was out of the sack so I thought.  Stephanie said mom there is still one more thing in there.  So I started digging in the tissue paper and found this.  And it said "This is to Prove that Dreams still happen."  Wow what could it be that was in this lunch sack???

Here is what was in the sack a certificate for me to go on a hot air balloon ride.  I have dreamed of doing this sense I was a kid when the balloons would fly over the house.  I would yell at them and tell them to take me with.  I am so stinking excited to go.  I am planning on doing it next summer about this time.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Eric and kids for making my 50th birthday so very special.!!!!

Foggy mornings in Iowa

We had a couple of foggy morning this past week and luckily I had the car, so here are a few of the pictures that I had taken.  I hope you enjoy them.  Have a blessed weekend!