Turning 50 has been a wonderful experience. Thanks to everyone who made it special.
* Celebrations on Easter weekend with the Riedesels
* The grim reaper making an appearance at work
*Pie and presents on my birthday
*Flowers from Kristen and Sean
*Flowers, balloons, and goodies at work
*A surprise breakfast and trip on Saturday
Wow! Am I blessed.

The family surprised me at Stuffy's for breakfast. I thought the party was for dinner!
Then I was driven away on a mystery trip. I was finally given an itinery and driving directions at the first rest stop on I 5 north. Destination: The tulip festival in the Skaggit Valley.

We enjoyed a picnic lunch complete with birthday cake at our first stop which was an alpaca and tulip farm.

After lunch we enjoyed seeing the alpacas and posing for pictures and seeing our first small tulip field.

We passed some beautiful tulip fields but the traffic was too busy to stop. We stopped later in the day at another field. Did you notice what good weather we had?

The next stop was a nursery where we took a quick look at the flowers and an old school. The cat caught Tonia's eye.

This quilt museum was in La Connor. The house was beautifully decorated and featured two different quilters. I personally didn't like one of the styles which was extreme bright patterned fabrics together but it was interesting. The other artist was more interesting but each of her things were very similar to each other. But it is very interesting to see how different people apply their quilting skills and creativity.

This old clock was in Anacortis where we were looking in various shops on main street that had quilts displayed. We had fun seeking out the quilts and also seeing a little bit of the shops. We didn't have much time but I had fun. Chris and Jonathan finally found some coffee so they were satisfied.

We ended the day stopping by the tulip fields for pictures and just to enjoy the beauty. Then we headed for Mt. Vernon to find a place to eat. We ended up at an Italian place in an old grain elevator. The food was delicious and we had leftovers enough for Sunday lunch. On our way home we were thankful for safe passage as we passed a couple of wrecks and had to wait in a traffic jam. Sunday we attended church at Club 1 and then I had to fight hard to win Seafares of Catan. What a great present. All in all it was a wonderful birthday. I don't mind 50 at all if it is all like this.

Birthday Surprise

This is the basket full of candy that Teresa and Laura brought to me at work. Inside was the Pink Flamingo dressed up like the Grim Reaper. It made me laugh. I had to explain it to my co-workers though. See below for a close up picture.