So you thought...

So you thought New Mexico was ALL barren deserts, tumble weeds and cacti?

Today we spent the day with my parents and my sister. We went for a hike up the Pajarito Ski hill. The summit elevation was 10,510ft and we climbed up a black diamond trail to make it to the top (a 1,400ft vertical ascent)! We hiked with 4 kids under the age of 7, and they all made it to the top. In fact, I wore my flip flops (my everyday staple) and had no problems hiking UP the mountain in them, coming down was another story. My sister was kind enough to give me one of her shoes, so we could make back down. The hike was good (there was a bit of adjustment going from sea level to 10 thousand feet), the views were spectacular and the wild flowers were amazing!

Uncle Matt carrying Olivia up the hill (can you see how steep our hike was?) Look how cute our family is at the top of the mountain.

Ian with the wild flowers.

Aunt Emily, Sophie, Jason and Ian taking a rest.

Going down the mountain, Uncle Matt, Olivia, Emily and Jason.

My feet and Emily's feet, with our flip flop shoe combo!

Hatched

On Monday our sweet little Momma Bird who has been sitting on her eggs day & night finally welcomed 5 little babies (I want to say birds, but they look more like lizards to me!)

I was hoping that they would hatch before we left for New Mexico on Friday (tomorrow)!!!!

Here are the birds today, they have really grown in just a couple of days!

11 Years!

We met in Elementary School. We had our first date at Pizza Hut when we were 12 years old! We started dating in High School. We were Married just after I graduated. That was 11 Years ago. 11 down... eternity to go!

One of our many dance pictures! Matt's Junior Prom.

This was during our trip to England with our High School Choirs! Thanks for always making me laugh! (Hey what's peter doing in that picture?)

Our Wedding day June 20th 1998!

Love you Matt!

Summer Time

We officially survived our first week of Summer! We had lots of fun and STRUCTURE, thanks to the Schedule! I'm actually really pleased with how well the schedule has gone, both boys know the routine already, sure there's work, and chores, but there's fun too!

Yummy ice cream.

Yes! I had Jason vacuum downstairs for his chores one day last week.

Drying off after the pool! Thanks Steph, Jana, and MJ! When are we swimming next? :)

I was so sad that I didn't get pictures of Carrie's baby birds that nested in her hanging flowers, well guess what? I got a bird of my own. This little momma bird sits so carefully on her two little eggs, I've even seen the daddy bring food by for her. I try not to disturb her, so I keep my distance. Looks like I owe Matt a new hanging plant too! Honey, thanks for sacrificing your geranium for my nature friends! We're hoping for baby birds soon!

My Crazy Cat

Yesterday, I got a kick out of our cat, Vai, watching youtube videos of other cats, and today when I unloaded the camera there were more funny pictures of her. Her she is sleeping on the boys' toys train, or deciding that the trivial pursuit box was just her size and put there just for her. Cats can be so funny, thanks for making me smile Vai!

What do you think she's thinking?