My 28th

Monday I turned 28!  :)  I celebrated with friends on Saturday by having a Holiday Dessert Birthday Party.  Most of the desserts weren't particularly holiday themed, but there were plenty of them, and they were delicious!

On my actual birthday I just took the time to do stuff that would make me happy.  Whatever I felt like doing, I did.  I slept super late (an extra 4 hours), went for my run, took a relaxing bath, rented a chick flick, and made one of my favorite meals for dinner (manicotti, garlic bread, and caesar salad).  It was a wonderful day!

Washington Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving this year! My husband and I had our first Thanksgiving that wasn't with either of our families.  We had a few people over for Thanksgiving dinner! My husband and I made the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, cider, and some cookies.  We also, of course, had to introduce our friends to NM green chile!  I've had Thanksgiving at my home before, but this was actually my first time to make a turkey and stuffing.  Luckily, it turned out quite perfectly.  Our friends brought over a couple of more side dishes, some pie, and wine!

We had a really fun time talking, playing video games, board games, watching TV, listening to Carlos play guitar...  I definitely missed my family, but it was a wonderful day!  I have so much to be grateful for, and I definitely took the time to remember all that I have during this wonderful time of year.  :)

Above is a picture of our sage and garlic turkey!  The seasonings look kind of dark, but inside it was moist and delicious!  We cooked it in a bag, and my mom gave me some tips for the stuffing, which came out to be amazing! (And yes that is an aluminum pan... I have a roasting pan, but not one large enough for our turkey and we didn't want to splurge on another pan at the moment.  Made no difference in the deliciousness of the turkey though).

In the spirit of the holiday:  Thanks for reading my blog!  :)

It snowed! Or should I say iced?

It snowed last night!  Not for too long, just long enough for some a small amount of snow to accumulate, and then start to melt, and then freeze...  I still enjoyed it!  Here are some photos...

11/11/11

So last weekend we went down to Seattle for an 11/11/11 party.  The party in itself was not nearly as cool as we were expecting.  It was supposed to be New Years Eve style, with an 11 second countdown to 11:11 on 11/11/11.  The venue was not as supportive as they led the party throwers to believe.  However, we had a great time!

We started out at a friend's apartment (he lives in a really neat building in the hub bub of it all in downtown Seattle).  We met up with people there, had some snacks and drinks, and then headed to the party.  The party ended up such that it was just like going to a bar with a DJ, nothing special.  But it was fun to be out and about and having fun with people.  We left the club, got some food, then headed back to our friends apartment.  We played games, and hung out, and stayed the night there.  The next morning we headed down to Pike Place Market and enjoyed some crepes at a French place.

This is a picture of us playing Uno after the party.  Our friend just barely moved into his apartment, and didn't have any furniture yet.

Part of the view from our friend's apartment.

His apartment patio was on a courtyard surrounded by tall buildings.  From the hallway window you could see the Puget Sound.

This was at Pike Place.  There are these men who dress up in gold or silver, and then I think they pretend to be statues...

Next year, 12/12/12 will be a great one, especially since it will be my birthday.  :)

Halloween Weekend 2011

Friday my husband and I met up with the same people with hung out with last weekend, and have a few more people join the group.  We enjoyed some food, drinks, and games of pool.

The real fun was Saturday!  My husband, three people from the group the night before, and myself, went into Seattle for a Halloween pub crawl.  We had to figure out some last minute Halloween costumes.  My husband went as the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, but sans rabbit ears.  I went as a metal/punk rocker.  It was our first pub crawl.  Basically there was a route mapped out and certain times to be at different bars in downtown Seattle to coincide with specials they were having.  The people and tourists of the area really got a kick out of the hundreds of people dressed in costume walking around midday in Seattle.  The people were very friendly and sociable, drink prices were good, and there were specials on food as well.  We ended the night listening to a Led Zeppelin tribute band and some more games of pool!

New "Friends" and a Hike

This past weekend was a ton of fun.  My husband met a couple of guys in a class he was taking and we got together with them and another couple on Friday night.  We were all new to town and looking to make new friends.  It feel kind of weird making new friends... In a way it's kind of like dating again... haha.

Saturday was uneventful, but Sunday was awesome!  I had been reading about the wonderful fall colors at Mount Rainier, so we decided to go for a hike over there.  It ended up being about a 3 hour drive from our home, and well worth it.  It was gorgeous!  The weather was awesome!  The hike was incredible!  We did a hike that was about 5 miles round trip, but it took us about 4 hours, which apparently is the average hike time for that route.  Anyways... I loved it!  I look forward to going back in the summer!  (Tire chains are required starting Nov. 1., for the only road that is open, most of the roads are closed Nov. 1-June 1)

After the hike we met up with the same people we hung out with Friday night for some chicken wings.  It feels weird to say, "we met up with some friends"... at what point does someone really become your friend...?  I still feel like I don't really know them, but I guess they're the closest things we have to friends here at this point.  :)  So... I suppose "friends" they are!

Nice Day Out

Yesterday my husband and I decided that we felt like going out and about.  We went to a little drive thru coffee place, then headed to check out a nearby mall.  After that we checked out one of the nearby lakes: Silver Lake.  It was very nice out, partly cloudy and nice and cool (almost cold).  Here are a few pictures: 

There is a path that goes around the lake and along it are several parks.  Across the street on one section are several restaurants; one restaurant is on the lake.  Next time we go back, we may try out one of those places, because they sure do smell good when you're hungry on a long walk. :)

The Festivities Begin

This past weekend was pretty fun!  Friday, my husband and I just took it easy, and watched a movie after dinner.  By the way, we enjoyed some freshly roasted NM green chile in our dinner!  My dad sent up some green chile, and I am currently still working on roasting it all, which is great because roasting green chile is my favorite smell!  Anyways...

Saturday, my husband and I worked out and then relaxed in the hot tub.  Afterward, we went to check out the trails at the Boeing Activity Center.  I am looking forward to going back to those trails, because we didn't get to do all of the hiking/exploring that we wanted to.  It is at the Activity Center that we discovered a flyer for the Everett Sausage Fest!

The festival was a lot like a carnival: food booths, carnival rides and games, and a beer and wine garden.  There were two stages with live performers.  This festival was the 35th annual one, and it's actually a fundraiser for a local church.  No charge to get in, and all proceeds went to the church.

My Favorite Time of Year

It's my favorite time of year (Oct., Nov., Dec.), and I'm so excited!   I am also looking forward to experiencing it in another part of the country.  Although, it would be nice if my friends and family were here too!  This week I am trying out two pumpkin recipes:  Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins with Cranberries and Walnuts, and Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes.  I made the muffins today, and they're not bad!  Tomorrow morning will be the pumpkin pancakes.  I finally received the green chile that my parents sent up today!  So I will be roasting some chile today too!  :)

I am also so excited about Halloween, that even though it'll most likely be just Carlos and me, I have planned our meals for Halloween (Halloween themed meals, of course).

Pumpkin Muffins, and they are actually already baked in this photo.

Changing Colors

WA Update and Date Night

Well, we've been in Washington for almost 3 weeks.  In a way, it feels like we've been here longer.  Still not too many days of weather that Washington is famous for, but I'm sure it's just around the corner.  Carlos is really enjoying his job, and I have been enjoying playing house wife:  unpacking, cleaning, cooking and shopping during the day, and relaxing with Carlos in the evenings.  We have definitely been taking advantages of our apartment amenities, such as the hot tub, indoor pool, and fitness center.

Yesterday, Carlos and I used the gift card that my parents got us before we left.  It was for a waterfront seafood restaurant that is popular in the Puget Sound area.  Before dinner we went to a park near the restaurant that was along the Snohomish River.  We'll have to visit that park again, but with bicycles!

At the Snohomish River

 

 

 

 

We watched the sunset while we were enjoying dinner.

Washington Day 1

Here is a video of how our day went after arriving in Seattle yesterday!

It Has Ended

Well... yesterday was my last day at my job.  I don't think I've realized it just yet.  I've had some wonderful, stressful, fun, depressing, exciting, enlightening, and fulfilling times at that job.  I am so grateful to have had it and to have been a part of the office family.  A wonderful first "professional" job!!

In other news, I started a 365 Day Photo project.  You can read about it at 365project.org, and you can view my photos here.

Busy Long Weekends

The past two weekends have been quite busy, busy with fun stuff though.  Last weekend we went camping & fishing in the Gila.  We spent three nights out there, it was wonderful.

This past weekend we went to Albuquerque to visit family and friends. Friday evening we went to a 60th birthday party that was themed 50s/60s.

After the 50s/60s party, Carlos' uncle took us out on the town with his limousine!  We invited a few friends, and stopped for a drink!

Saturday we went to a Botanical Park & Aquarium in the early afternoon, and that evening we went to some roller derby bouts (my friend was on two of the teams).

Yesterday we went to Sky City (the Acoma Pueblo).  Acoma Pueblo is the oldest continually inhabited city in the United States.  It has been inhabited since 900 A.D, and is located high in a plateau. After we spent some time there, we returned the Albuquerque, and Carlos' uncle had a pizza party for us!  Lots of family came over for home made pizza, including my brother and sister-in-law.  I have more pictures of that, but I'll have to post them later (they're on Carlos' camera).

Washington is Next

Well, I think the news has broke.  Carlos recently accepted a job offer with Boeing, and we are planning on moving to Washington (state) in early September!  Yea!  We are very excited.

Our first reaction was excitement, then it was excitement mixed with fear and nervousness of such a huge change.  Leaving everything and everyone we've ever known behind, but then that's also part of what is so exciting.

The fear and nervousness is subsiding, and excitement is persevereing!

Pruning Oleanders

The record freezing temperatures that we had this February took a toll on our oleanders.  Most of each plant died, but began growth again from the bottom.  This past Saturday my husband and I began removing all of the dead branches.

My arms were quite sore for a few days afterwards, but at least I had a feeling of accomplishment, haha.

This and 4th of July Weekend

4th of July weekend we met up with my parents in Silver City.  We all stayed at my sister's house Fri-Sun.  We had fun playing games, going bowling, eating gelato and other delicious things.  Saturday Carlos and I went hiking!  Below is a picture of us eating out.  Carlos and I tried bison for the first time (in the form of a burger).  It wasn't bad, but I think I'll stick with the ground beef.

On Independence Day, it was just Carlos and me.  We ate hot dogs and watched the City fireworks from our house.

This weekend my father-in-law and sister-in-law are in town.  We went to Carlos' grandparents house on Friday for a cookout.  Yesterday we did household chores, and finished the day off with a wedding.  Today, we will head to my mother-in-law's house for another cookout.  Below is a picture of Carlos and me with the happy couple last night.

Invasion

For the past month or two we have been successfully waging a war against ants who have been invading our home.

Now... we have a new invader to deal with.  Roaches!  Ugh!

Father's Day Weekend

We went to visit my parents for Father's Day weekend.  We had fajitas, went swimming, went bowling, had lots of ice cream, and played euchre!  I also spent quite a few hours going through boxes of childhood stuff that I still had at my parents' house.

In the picture below my parents are preparing fajitas and stuff.

In the picture below my dad is giving Carlos bowling tips

Wine Fest and Pink Eye

Last weekend was my mom's birthday, Memorial Day Weekend, and the Southern New Mexico Wine Festival.  Friday night, my sister arrived.  We made tacos and played wii!  My mom and dad arrived on Saturday.  After Mom opened her presents we headed to the wine fest! 

Below is my mom reading a card from Ashley.

Here we are at the wine festival:

In the picture below my dad just received a wine sample.

After the wine festival we headed to dinner.  In the picture below you can see my parents and their "beer flight".  They're trying out the beers of a New Mexico brewery.

After dinner we headed back to the house and enjoyed a game of Apples to Apples!  The next day after breakfast and a little bit of shopping my parents and sister headed home.

Unfortunately, on Sunday (after a week of having what I thought was just a cold), I realized my eye was not quite itself.  Therefore, my three day weekend turned into a four day weekend due to pink eye.  Oh well, it was still a wonderful weekend!

A Visit From a Friend

This past weekend our friend who now lives in Abu Dhabi came into town.  Conveniently, a few other friends were in town.  We had a jolly good time.  We went to our favorite brewery on three separate occasions to enjoy incredible beer, and what is most likely the best nachos on Earth.

Here we are at the brewery, awaiting our nachos.



Here is Carlos showing his friends his robot arm.

 

 Here we are enjoying drinks at a bar.

Next we will be visiting our friend in Abu Dhabi!



Graduations, NAMI 5k, and Birthday Parties

May 6 we celebrated my sister-in-law's 25th birthday.  My mother-in-law graduated with her bachelor's degree on May 7.  It was a busy weekend with lots of family in town.    After graduation we went to a mantanza!  For anyone who is unfamiliar with what that is:  A mantanza is a celebration that takes an entire day, and consists of slaughtering an animal (in this case a pig), butchering it, and then cooking it all day.  And at the end of the day there is more than enough food to go around.  At this mantanza there was a DJ and dancing also.  In the photo below you can see my mother-in-law with three of her children.  Her other son was unable to come down for graduation.

Last weekend was very fun.  We were originally planning on going up to Albuquerque for the NAMI fundraiser, but it turns out that there was a lot more going on that weekend anyways.

Upon arrival on Friday we dropped off all of our belongings at Carlos' grandma's house and then headed to an American Society of Civil Engineers Younger Member happy hour event.  It was basically how it sounds, just a small gathering of engineers sitting around socializing and drinking cocktails.  The event was at a very nice rooftop bar.  The theme of the bar is the prohibition era, including period cocktails and music.  It was neat.  Following the happy hour we headed to downtown Albuquerque where we enjoyed some New York style pizza.  After pizza we headed to a bar and pool hall to meet some friends for a birthday celebration.  It was good to see our old friends, but could not stay long.

Saturday we got up bright and early and headed to the NAMI walk.  There were a lot of people (and dogs), and the energy was wonderful.  The New Mexico NAMI walk raised about $85,000 for the cause.

After the walk we headed back to Grandma's, showered and packed up.  From there we headed to the Sandia Casino to celebrate my cousin's highschool graduation.  The party was at a delicious buffet.  It was wonderful to see so many family members who I hadn't seen in years... and years.

The photo below includes my Dad, his 3 living siblings (the other 3 were there in spirit), their spouses, my cousin Alicia (who just graduated), my brother, myself, and Uncle Billy's granddaughters, oh yeah, and one young man who snuck into the picture.

After this graduation party, we headed to a surprise party for Carlos' uncle.  It was fun, and he was definitely surprised.  It was a part of Carlos' family that I had never met before.  We then went to my brother's house where we stayed the night.

After a delicious breakfast Sunday morning, we showered, packed up, and headed back to Carlos' grandma's.  We went out to eat with family, and then headed back to Cruces!

Good times... good times!