30...

I had a wonderful birthday. I feel like I just got back from a mini vacation. My dear husband had quite the weekend planned for me to celebrate my leaving the 20 something era.

It started Friday morning with him making me a wonderful breakfast. The best part of the birthday almost in my opinion. I love breakfast food. I got homemade waffles and strawberries, eggs, bacon and cinnamon rolls. The boys all greeted me with a sleepy hello and the older kids went off to school. Will worked from home so he could be a little more active in the birthday breakfast without rushing off. I had AWESOME signs to celebrate as well. Will might have topped the shirtless Matthew McConaughey pictures I got last year. They were of the Presidential candidates. Too funny. Here they are...






For lunch I went out with my step-mom to Noodle Zoo in Ankeny. I have never been there before. I will go back it was really good and it had a nice friendly atmoshpere. I had a little time to myself and did a little shopping before heading back home for the afternoon. Jenny came down at 4pm and Will and I got ready to go out. Jen took the kids to her house for the night and Will and I went out to dinner at Cafe Fusion. A new place for us. Just a little hole in the wall but wonderful Asian food. We will definately be returning there. Then we headed off to Valley West to walk around and do a little shoe shopping. We ended up at Cold Stone Creamery for dessert! We went home and laid on the couch and watched a DVD before cashing in for the night.

Saturday morning we woke up had breakfast and got our shed and Will's side of the garage cleaned out! It was great to be productive amongst all the fun we were having! It didn't take long with the two of us working. We headed up to Colo in the afternoon to check in with the crew who were all doing great. Jen offered to keep the kids another night so Will and I headed back to Des Moines and ended up spending a few quiet hours at Barnes and Noble! We ate dinner and then headed home and watched another DVD.

Sunday was Will's actual "gift" for me. We went on the picnic train and the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad. Will packed a wonderful picnic lunch to include: fancy cheese, crackers, grapes, Sparkling cider, sandwiches and of course dessert Oreos and Herserys chocolate. All my favorites. I have only posted a fraction of the pictures here. It was so beautiful and the weather was perfect. We spent most of the time outside on the back of the train. We went over some pretty high bridges. We got some amazing pictures. I have never been on a train before so this was a great experience!

After the train ride we headed back up to Colo and picked up the kids and Jen and went and ate pizza with my step brother.

It was a wonderful weekend and a wonderful way to welcome 30. THANK YOU JEN for making it possible. It will definately be a birthday I will remember.