To Iowa We Go

For those of you who don't already know, we are moving back to Iowa mid January. Charlie got a really great job offer in Cedar Rapids that we couldn't pass up, and we are both very excited to be closer to family again. We will keep you posted on our new address, since we don't have a place to live yet, and an exact date of when we will be there.

Randy

On Thursday, Randy had an aortic dissection and is now in the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. We have a website set up for him to update everyone on his condition. Click here for the link. Please keep Randy in your thoughts and prayers as he has a long road ahead of him.

Awesomeness

I love photo booths but apparently I have no idea what to look at when I am in them. We were in Iowa in November and Ben, Charlie and I got to hang out for an afternoon in Iowa City. As you can tell, we had a good time and laughed a lot!

Washington, DC

Washington Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

I had the opportunity to go to Washington, DC for work and so far have spent 2 weeks checking the city out (week of Nov 15 and Nov 29). I was able to see a few attractions including the White House but hope to get out and see more next week when I am there for the final time.

The Many Stages of Charlie's Beard

Whenever Charlie is going to shave his beard, we always have fun with the many looks he can come up with. Doesn't he look different without it?

Stella's Friend

Meet Stella's new friend, Waylon. We have been having play dates for her to try and get her used to other dogs and she loves it. It took her awhile to get used to him but then they became instant buddies even though the pictures look like Stella is trying to eat him.

La Luz

Today we hiked a portion of the La Luz trail and enjoyed some beautiful weather. We wished we had gone 3 weeks ago because the fall colors would have been even better but we still enjoyed it! We went a total of 9.2 miles and I think we wore Stella out as you can see by the last picture. Next time we may not go as far if we have her with us even though she was really good.

Charlie's PE Test

On Friday Charlie took his PE exam that he has been studying for since July. As you can see he was very relieved and happy to have it over with and we went to the Marble Brewery for a celebratory drink. Unfortunately he won't find out if he passed for 6-8 weeks but we are keeping our fingers crossed!

Puzzle Time

Since Charlie has been studying for his PE exam, I have been really bored so I decided to do a puzzle. It only took me two nights but Charlie got a lot of studying in!

Sunday Hike

Stella saw a squirrel and was on alert for a long time after that.

Today we decided to go for a hike at the top of the Sandia's with Stella. As you can see from the first couple of pictures, the top was not suitable for hiking with lots of fog and frost. As we drove back down a couple of miles it cleared up and the colors of fall were beautiful (we even saw a couple of wild turkeys).
We had a great time and will hopefully go to a new destination next week.

End of the Balloon Fiesta

Today was the end of the balloon fiesta. The one night I attended, the balloon glow was canceled but it was still pretty to see all the balloons every day on my way to work or while I was out walking. This was the first year in a long time where all the mass ascensions took place without any cancellations so it was a successful year!

I am the Cure!

Today I walked the 5k in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and was in awe by the number of people who attended, especially the survivors. It was a great experience and I look forward to attending again next year but hopefully I will be running.

McCall's Haunted Barn

Last night Charlie and I went to McCall's Haunted Barn with our friends Hugo and Jessica. Since I haven't been to a haunted house/farm/forest/etc in a long time, I thought it would be fun to try it again and get a little scared.
We drove to Moriarty, which is about 40 minutes away, and started the night out with dinner at Buford's Steakhouse. Unfortunately, the food and service was really bad but we still had a good time anyway.
From dinner we went to the haunted barn and had to wait in line for about an hour before we finally got in. I have to say, I was not scared at all and actually laughed most of the time. I wouldn't go back but we all had some good laughs from our evening. The only bad thing was that I had a terrible headache from the strobe lights.

My New Toy

Charlie got me the new iPod for our anniversary and it is awesome! Now we don't have to share the one we have and I can just put the songs I like on it. YAY!

Attempted Balloon Glow - 10/03/10

Karen and Wanda

My aunt Wanda, her friend Karen and I headed to the Balloon Glow on Sunday after a wonderful lunch with Charlie, my uncle and aunt Gerald and Jan, and my cousin Sherry. The balloon glow looked like it was going to happen but at the last minute some lightening and thunder rolled through and all the balloons had to deflate.
It was still a great time and when we were in the car waiting to get out of the parking lot, we got to see a great fireworks show.

Balloon Fiesta - 10/03/10

Although we didn't go to the mass ascension today, we saw all the balloons while grabbing some breakfast burritos. Yesterday and today were great days to watch the 500 balloons over the city of Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Iowa Club

Here is our Albuquerque Iowa Club. We get together every game at Spectator's Bar and Grill and have a great time cheering on our Hawks! It is a really awesome group and if you are ever in Albuquerque during an Iowa Hawkeye game, stop by and you will be welcomed with open arms. Tonight we had a group from Chicago who were in town for the Balloon Fiesta and they were surprised by our turn out for the games. GO HAWKS!!!!!

Happy Anniversary Charlie!

Today we are celebrating 6 years of marriage and I look forward to many more years of wedded bliss!

Green Chile Time!

It is green chile time in Albuquerque again!!!!

This is our third year of getting green chiles, having them roasted, and peeling and dicing them to freeze and use all year. Normally we get a bushel of them but this year we got two bushels and will probably get one more before the harvest is over becaus a bushel usually only lasts us about 2-3 months.

We love them and especially love the smell of when they are roasted!

Back from Tucson - 09/19/10 Gila National Forest

On our way back from Tucson, we took the Southern route and drove through Gila National Forest. The roads were great and there was a look good scenery so I think that will be a stop sometime soon on the motorcycle. I see some camping in our future!

IA vs AZ - 09/18/10

The game was really exciting except for the first half where we were down 27-7.

In the second half we pulled it together and tied the game 27-27 in the fourth after the refs reviewed a play and called it a touchdown for Iowa, and then our defense intercepted the ball and ran it in for a touchdown. Unfortunately, Arizona scored again and we couldn't answer back so we lost 34-27.

I wish it could have been a different outcome but I still enjoyed my first away game.