My mom came to visit last week and we had a blast. We got pedicures, went shopping, sight-seeing, and even did a wine tasting. I wish Dad would have been there too but he couldn't make it this time. So, next time he visits we will have to catch him up on all the fun.

We went to Ruidoso in New Mexico. It is only 2 hrs away from El Paso and you get up into the mountains where there are pine trees and lots of shade. There is even lakes up there which is so nice because El Paso is lacking water to recreate in!

We even saw people catching trout here at this lake.

Mom came at the perfect time. The weather was beautiful, in the 80s and all the cacti were in bloom. They all have different colors that are very vibrant.

On Saturday we went to the market in Las Cruces and then to Mesilla, a little town next to Las Cruces. These two cities are only 30 minutes from El Paso and the markets there are incredible!! We found some pottery to take home that was gorgeous. There is so much to look at it is visual overload, but in a good way.

We ate at La Posta, a famous restaraunt in Mesilla that serves the best Margaritas around. They even have live paraketes that mauk you as you walk by.

New Mexico has a lot of crazy statues and art pieces that depict the culture here.

We went to a little house where a man was selling his salsas. He was from New Mexico and had lots of stories to tell about his relatives. His grandpa even had a run in with Pancho Vialla and was one of the few to survive a run in. Some of the biggest Salsa producers such as pace and La Victoria tried to buy him out but he has resisted and no salsa compares to his recipe!!

Here is a traditional house you will find in New Mexico. I love this style with the front courtyards and adobe design.

Pretty much anywhere you go in New Mexico or El Paso you can find Chiles.

Here we are at a market that sells all kinds of garden statues and wall hangings. Lots of cool stuff!!!

Highway 28 between El Paso and Las Cruces is full of vinyards and winerys. We stopped and did a wine tasting at St. Claires. It was so much fun, but I am glad we had a bite to eat afterwords.

I am so so lucky to have such a great family. I can't wait for mom and dad to come again and visit!!!!!

Erik and I spent Easter wondering around Downtown El Paso. We went to the art museum and around to all the parks and shops. Check out the picture of the old men in the park.

My favorite was all the men gathered at the park. It seems like everytime we go by this park all the men are gathered at this same spot. They are so cute.

On our way to California Erik and I stopped to check out Joshua Tree National Park. It was beautiful. We took time to go on an awesome hike and enjoyed a great night of camping, well worth the stop!

Here are the last photos from our trip to Dana Point to see Joe and the family. We went to a really cool surf beach. Joe had all kinds of cool toys as ussual. Surf boards, stand up boards and such.

Here is their family van, perfect for going to the beach!

To get to the beach we hiked down this cool trail where Sam was pretending to be on the hunt for cougars! He caught a couple of big ones (ie Erik and Joe).

Here is Joe on the Standup board.

He makes it look so easy, but really it is not.

We had such a blast and can't wait to go back and visit them.

I have been playing with our new video camera at work. I am learning flash and dreamweaver so there is no better way to learn than making videos of my precious nephews!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!

Look at Evan go!!!!! He loves being just like his older brother!

Here is a picture of Catherines house. It was awesome, and we loved the saguaro's that were everywhere.

I had to get a family photo because time goes by so fast before we see eachother again. But I am hoping that Cameron and Kim will stay with us this summer when he has his 10 yr reunion in El Paso!

I had to throw one in of Gus, he is the sweetest dog ever.

and the pool..........

and Gus watching out over the pool.

Right afer I got back from Brownsville Erik and I left for our trip to Southern California! As you can see Sam and Evan are definitely on the move!!! It was so great to Joe, Jenelle and the boys they all seem to be doing terriffic.

On the way to California we stopped in Arizona and saw Catherine, Zack, Cameron and Kim. It was great to see everyone. Cameron and I added up that it had been 12 years since we have seen eachother and I finally got to meet Kim!

I have to say that I have a great job! I got to go to Brownsville Texas to do a study on the Rio Grande. South Padre Island is only a skip away from Brownsville so one night after work I went out to the island to check it out. It was the happening place for all of the college kids on spring break. It was crazy to think that El Paso is in the same state as the gulf region because they are completely different places!

This is the bridge that goes out to South Padre.

This picture was taken on the Rio Grande looking into Mexico.

Here I am on the boat ready for a long day on the river.

Here is the boat that we took down the Rio. This is the first time I have been on a boat with a fan on the back.

Erik and I had a date night and went to the El Paso symphony Orchestra downtown.

El Paso is beautiful at night!

Definitely some funny characters.

Erik took me to his art show. There was some pretty amazing pieces!

I especially like this one of the beetle.

And last but not least Erik's sculpture.