Birthday Surprises!

Basically for the past 28 years daisies have been around on my birthday. At our first house in Milwaukee daisies always bloomed on or around my birthday. As the years went on and we moved to different houses there were still always daisies on the table for me. They are my favorite flower, such a happy flower. Once Marty and I were together my daddy passed on the job to Marty to make sure I had daisies on my birthday or else... So once again, my beautiful daisies!

Today I was awoken with a cup of coffee in bed (well Marty usually brings me coffee in bed, it is our thing) and Marty asking if I wanted my birthday presents. I was barely coherent since I hadn't sipped my coffee yet. Presents were waiting to be unwrapped. Like always Marty does a great job at spoiling me! After getting ready I went out into the beautiful sunny morning to take my group of Kindergartners hiking for my hiking camp. They all sang happy birthday to me, and then when we got back to the school one of my students and his mom had little ice cream cups for me and the kids. He also brought me a bouquet of flowers, it was so sweet. I have had some fantastic families in my class this past year and have made some great new friends. Now all I need is for the sun to come back out (once again it is cloudy) so I can go to the pool and relax on my day. Tonight Marty is in charge of dinner and then we are going out for a drink and dessert. It has been a good day so far! Thanks to everyone who has made me feel special on my birthday!


A pretty new purse, a girl can never have too many purses, especially me. A new bike jersey and a beautiful candle stand.

A Camping We Will Go...

The weather here has been so crummy, and I have had enough! I wasn't going to let clouds and rain get in the way of a wide open weekend to get out and do some camping with my husband. I think the greatest thing about our camping trip was that we only had to drive 40 minutes to get to a completely remote place in the center of rugged, snow capped peaks up Independence Pass (Aspen).




Trying to stay dry and read my magazine article about Johnny Depp.



Look at all that snow. This was on the side of the road up Independence Pass.


Yes it is pouring rain, but I am still climbing and exploring our camp site.


Marty at the Cascades.

Even though it poured while we were trying to find fire wood, and while we grilled our dinner and then ate dinner in the xterra, oh and Marty got sick and we had to move from the tent to the truck in the middle of the night because Marty had the chills and it was too cold to sleep in the tent...we had a great time. We absolutely love camping and just having that time to enjoy nature, the fresh air, and each others company away from all of life's luxuries. All the above issues (rain, cold, sick) are just a normal trip with the Madsen's, life is never boring.

Rain, rain go away...

It has been raining here in Carbondale for way too long. This year we ended school on May 29th! I was so excited to get my summer started early... not so much. It literally has been raining here for like 3 weeks. If the sun is out it is in the early morning before you even get your day started. Hopefully the sun will shine soon, I need some vitamin D please! Camping is on our agenda for this weekend, weather permitting (this would give me some pictures for my next entry).

Other than the rain, we have been doing well. Marty had his 31st birthday last Saturday: included a movie, dinner, and presents.
I start my hiking camp next week with the Kindergarten, I am looking forward to that, it is always lots of fun. Then comes my birthday and our anniversary in the next couple weeks. June is a celebration month! Lots of presents!!