sara with camera

awhile back

Mostly I like this photo because I took it on a cold weekend morning outing with Auden (otherwise, it really isn't all that spectacular- I just miss blogging).  I wish I could take him (and the camera) out for a downtown walk tomorrow...only it's nose in the books for me (catching up for those nine days Chris was gone- good to have him back).  On that note, back to it!  Have a great weekend, Sara 

Ruidoso: Winter Trip

We checked out Ruidoso, NM this summer when Chris wanted to get out of the heat & you might remember that we weren't impressed.  Just because we aren't blown away by a place, doesn't mean we won't give it another try if there's snow tubing involved (see Auden & Matti catching air above).  That was fun (and I'd do it again any day).  Besides, if there's a town chock-full of amazing neon signs, it's Ruidoso (and only fabulous buildings top neon signs).   Chris & I decided that only the locals must ski there (due to unpredictable/shabby snow) and that's why it can't hold a candle to Vail or wherever.  We arrived back in El Paso just before noon on Sunday & I went straight into bar study.  It's been that and work and a car ride (where I justified 8 hours of knitting) and that's it ever since.  What I'm looking forward to next (besides Christmas)- I get to see some of the old HBA co-workers in Austin on Friday.  So. Very. Excited. Almost Merry Christmas & Love, Sara

Gingerbread House Disaster

Last year Auden's class (before Auden was part of this class) assembled gingerbread houses at their Christmas party and we thought that it would be a good idea to do it again.  Last year they purchased kits, but I thought that was a waste of money and offered to bake the house parts at home.  I used a Martha Stewart recipe and templates and they looked pretty great, I thought.  Turns out that precision is practically as important with baked houses as it is with actual ones.  It was a disaster.  I didn't even bring enough icing (in my defense, they needed more than the usual gingerbread houses) so first grade came to our rescue by donating the unused icing from their kits (thanks, guys).  For a good 15 minutes we parents were sitting at the short table holding roofs together while they dried...and the kids played outside.  Some required non-edible structural supports- you may have noticed the knife & plastic bubble holding up one roof and silly bands holding Matti's house together.  I kinda like the silly bands :).  Gingerbread houses never again (they did taste good though). Love, Sara

Big Bend

Century Plant or Havard's Agave

Casa Grande

Purple Prickly Pear

Ocotillo in bloom

Somewhere along the Window Path

Weeping Juniper or Mexican Juniper

The Century Plant pre-bloom.

Santa Elena Canyon (Left side: Mexico, Middle: Rio Grande, Right: Texas).  Cheat: This is really Dad's photo...I have a lot to learn about landscape editing (and lots more for that matter).

I've wanted to camp at Big Bend since elementary school, but never had the chance until this last weekend.  The Chisos Mountain Basin was all it was cracked up to be (the rest was a little too much like El Paso which is old hat to me now).  There were deer winding their way through the campsite first thing in the morning, and the landscape was something out of a very old cowboy movie.  All of Saturday a song out of Three Amigos ran through my head (you know, that one where they're gathered by the campfire on their way to confront El Guapo). 

Auden & Matti had just as much fun as I did (and Chris enjoyed it even if he hated the drive).  Auden said that Schlitterbahn was better, but Big Bend was next best.  It probably wouldn't have been quite as great if we had had to sleep in a tent (I hate tents; old bones).  Dad had his camper along & shared (then again, if we'd been in a tent, Matti wouldn't have fallen on my head in the middle of the night).  All in all, we hiked 6 miles & I'm ready to go back for more someday soon (once I forget how long the drive is).  The drive down was dark so I had no idea what desolate landscape we were cutting through, but on the way back I couldn't stop wondering why people would ever choose to live there.  Right on the Rio Grande I understand, but...  At some point, a bit before Alpine, it got better. 

So then there's Marfa. On the way down (Friday night), Marfa was Lit up.  It looked like there were great restaurants, bars, galleries, and other cool whatnot everywhere.  Not so much on a Sunday afternoon.  I was sort of disappointed (but then I had super high expectations).  I took a few photos and certainly could have taken more (but I worried about boring the snot out of Chris & the boys).  I'll post those next time.  Love, Sara

p.s. I really appreciate showers & hate sand even more than I already did.  I despise sand.  I didn't even like it when we were in Monterey, which is not desolate at all (and sand didn't even interfere with my clothes drying or house cleaning there).  I'm pretty sure hell is sandy- just putting that out there.

Street Fight: Werewolf v. Shark

This isn't an ordinary post.  Nope.  These photos were taken for Logan, Ari, Hana, Will, Megan, & Cate (and I say A.J. & Becky too).  The boys wanted their friends to see them in costume.  Of course, Auden decided he hated his costume and felt like a "furball" when I reached for the camera, but things improved when I suggested they fake fight.  So, happy halloween, friends.  Love, all of us.

The El Paso Zoo

 
Notice that there's no Auden (in either photo)- he's had it as far as sitting for the camera goes.  I don't blame him.

Ok, so he's not a second grader, but look at those eyes...He's a smart cookie too.  And another cutie...

...and the girls.  It's a small class (which is Awesome). 

It was a lot of fun...the parents are almost as cool as their kids.  TGI (almost) F, Sara

OH, and it's not a great photo, but it's proof that Auden was there:

Matti Goes to Jail

 


Thing Matti learned: In Texas they arrest 10 year-olds.  I learned: I need a gun (response stats were a little alarming).  Also, isn't his 1980's tuck pretty great (I do what I can...he re-tucked)?   That's how I spent my morning.  My afternoon was spent at the zoo with 2nd grade...tomorrow's post, maybe?  And, Dear God, may that be Matti's only juvenile holding cell experience.  Love, Sara

Auden Turns 8

Auden's birthday party (a week after his actual birthday) was a great success thanks to his new classmates, teacher (+ kiddos) & our neighbor's grandson (who they played with quite a bit before the start of school).  It's hard moving to a new place a mere two months before one's birthday, and so I really do appreciate those of you who took time out of your Sunday to give the new kid a great day.  I'm thinking I kind of want to go back to Bob-o's with just Chris sometime (I kind of have bumper boats on my mind)...

Year in review: He lost some teeth, was called "smokin hot" by a 7 year-old girl in early summer, moved back to Texas so that he can legitimately be called a 7th generation Texan (which entailed leaving best buddy Logan), spent lots of mornings snuggling up with his other best friend: Nellie dog, grew out of the golf clubs we gave him for his 3rd birthday (he got new ones this birthday), started 2nd grade at a new school, and most importantly (I prompted to name his favorite thing about last year was) played some frisbee.  I love that kid.  -sara