Sandia Hike

Today was a much better day for a hike in the Sandia's.  After a slow start in the morning, we drove up to the Peak.  We started out on a trail we know and have been on before.

 

And the end of the trail, instead of turning back, we found a sign for an old cabin, so we decided to hike there.  It was fun to go somewhere new.

 

 

It was a great hike.  So glad the weather was so much nicer today.

On the way home we stopped for a very late lunch at Firehouse Subs.

 

Fun family day out!

 

 

 

Birthday boy Griffin

It was Griffin's 10th birthday today.  He got his cards from grandparents, and a gift from Savannah in the morning. After that, we went to Church.

 

We had pizza and salad for dinner, then Griff got to open his gifts.

 

 

After that, it was time to load up and head up to the top of Sandia Peak.  We had planned on celebrating his birthday with a quick hike and cupcakes on the top of the mountain.  As soon as we got in the car, it started raining super hard!

 

As we drove, it got worse.  We could barley see out the windows.  We saw a few cars hydroplane on the roads. We decided to head back.  It was not safe to be out.

 

We went to the movies to see Despicable Me 2 instead. We had some time to kill before movie started, and as luck would have it, it stopped raining, and was dry outside. Griffin rode his new scooter around, and then we had some super delish birthday cupcakes.  We told Griffin we would do the mountain in the morning.  It was still a fun day.

 

 

A leak and a LOT of rain

We recently discovered we had a leak.  We called the city water department, they came out and checked it.  They said it was on our side.  Boo, that means we are in charge of fixing it.

 

One morning when Pat got home from work, he dug out a huge hole to find the leak.

He was able to find it, and get it all fixed.  He put a small fence around it for safety, then planned on leaving it open a few days so it could dry out.

 

 

 

Well, it all sounded pretty easy, but we've been getting a ton of rain since then.

Every single day actually. Our area has had lots of flash flood warnings daily.  There has been a lot of damage due to the rains and wind as well. The hole has filled with water again.

 

 

 

Hopefully it will finally dry out, and we can refill the hole soon.

 

 

 

 

A story about a sweatshirt

I was cleaning out my closet today, and saw this sweatshirt hanging there, and realized not many people know the story of this sweatshirt.

Patrick & I had a pretty quick courtship. We met at the end of July & got engaged in December. The first three weeks of that we were together in California, then we started a long distance relationship.  I was in New York, and he was in Florida.  December we both flew home to California for Christmas.  I remember being so excited about our first Christmas together as a couple. Christmas morning we were alone together (not sure how we pulled that off). We decided to exchange gifts. I can't even remember what I got him, but I'm sure it was something good. I'm sure I put a lot of effort into picking the perfect gift.  I wanted to impress him and show him how much I loved him.  I also was really excited to see what he had gotten me.  I was sure it would be something wonderful. As I ripped open the package, I was very surprised by the gift. I pulled it out. It was a huge Disneyworld sweatshirt.  I mean huge! It was an XL  and back then I was a tiny 120 pounds.  It was lame looking too with characters on the front (something I would never wear). I was really disappointed.  I smiled and when he asked if I liked it I said "yes". This was not the sort of gift I was expecting.  I acted happy and we continued our Christmas day.

Much later that night we were alone again. Pat started a fire and I sat in front of it. He surprised me with a proposal.  I was shocked!  Of course I said yes. He then went on to tell me that he spent all of his money on the ring, and couldn't really afford any other gifts. He wanted me to have something to open on Christmas morning, so he grabbed this sweatshirt.

It's pretty funny.  I have kept it all these years, but have never worn it. I will never give it away, or toss it in the trash. It's such a great memory for me. The Christmas I actually got the best gift ever!

It rained today

And it was quite nice.

Watched Griffin's last 3vs3 game in the rain.

 After the rain & Soccer had finished, we dropped Trevor off at Scouts. I couldn't gelp myself, we spent the next 15 minutes driving fast through huge rain puddles in the parking lot at the church (the side where nobody was parked).

Seriously, so much fun! Griffin & Savannah loved it. They would tell me to go faster, and when the water would spray up the side of the car, they'd scream. They were wet & happy when we were done. Simple pleasures.

On another note, I've been up to my eyeballs in resumes, cover letters, and

 applications.  Looking for a job in the schools again.  Wish me luck!

Bio Park with the younger two

Today Trevor had a Merit badge clinic for Scouts all day.  I decided to take the younger two to the Aquarium & Botanical gardens.

It was a really nice day, not too hot.  We packed a picnic lunch to bring along.  First up was the aquarium, then the Botanical gardens.

 

 

 

After seeing these beautiful artichokes, I've decided to try and grow some next year.
 

This is my dream garden/farm

 

 

 

On the way home we stopped at Cracker Barrel. I let the kids pick out a special treat.  It was really nice to get out and enjoy all the beauty. Gave me some inspiration for our gardens next year.  I can't wait!