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.

As promised I have pictures to show of the Organ Mountains in New Mexico. We hiked to Dripping Springs an area with tons of history including a cave with cliff drawings.

As you can see there was even a bit of snow.

Here is the Dripping Spring. I know not all that impressive of a drip. I would say more of a trickle.

Here is an old ranch house where cattle men would stay when they would bring their herds here for water and grazing.

For valentines day Erik and I went to Cloudcroft to ski for the day. It was so nice to be on the slopes again! Erik is carving it up.

It was a busy week at work. We went to a headstart school here in El Paso and we got to teach the water cycle to the cutest 2-4 year olds. It made me think of Sam and Evan!

As you can tell there were a lot of kids!

Last weekend Erik and I went exploring at the Mesilla Valley Wetlands Bosque in New Mexico. It's only about a 20 minute drive from El Paso. The Organ mountains provide the backdrop. They are truely spectacular, like nothing I have ever seen!!!

Here is a trail lined with mesquite limbs.

Look at the mountains and their jags.

Here is a small pond that is great habitat to the migratory birds.

Tomorrow we are doing another hike in the Organ Mountains.....stay tuned.

It was a very snowy Christmas in Idaho!!! I must say quite a change from the El Paso weather we have come accustomed to. I must say the cabin looked wonderful! Thanks mom and Dad for all your hard work!

Look at Jenelle's awesome creation!

Thanks Jen and Krista for the amazing time in the Yurt.
I had to throw in a picture of the jon.

It is pretty much a wilderness retreat!!!

And more and more snow......

There is even a cabin that the 7 dwarfs would have been proud of!!

Here is a view of the yurt, look at the deck, just don't have to much to drink and hang out near the edge, its quite a drop.

And Sam even got to wear his skis again!