Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Guess the Baby's Gender!
I added a gender poll so start submitting your guesses! (its anonymous)
We have our big ultrasound on August 25th. We hope to be able to tell the gender, of course this means that baby has to cooperate! We will be happy with either gender- we are just hoping for a healthy baby. I think the baby is a boy and Garrett thinks the baby is a girl, only 9 more days until we (might) know!
We have our big ultrasound on August 25th. We hope to be able to tell the gender, of course this means that baby has to cooperate! We will be happy with either gender- we are just hoping for a healthy baby. I think the baby is a boy and Garrett thinks the baby is a girl, only 9 more days until we (might) know!
Vacation Day 4: Colorado Great Sand Dunes and Zapata Falls
Day 4:
We started off bright and early with a trip to Colorado's Great Sand Dunes! These things are HUGE! They are the tallest sand dunes in North America and cover more than 330 sq miles. While we were there it was just sand but during the middle months of the year there is water around the base of the dunes.
You can see the lower right portion of the sand dunes in the panoramic shot that we took below. (We took four pictures and stitched them together to get this shot)
Wildflower growing by the dunes. (Photo by Morgan)
Next we took a short trip over to Zapata Falls. At first we hiked uphill half a mile in the heat but once we reached the top there was a short path down to a creek where the temperature dropped a glorious 15- 20 degrees.
We had to wade/step across the icy cold water to get up to the cave but it was worth it!
Panoramic shot of the cave entrance.
Hailey and Astrid inside climbing up for a better view.
View leaving the Falls. (Photo by Morgan)
On the hour and a half trip back from Zapata Falls it started to rain. This wouldn't have been a problem except that the window on my Dad's truck broke that morning in the window down position. (photo of Astrid by Morgan)
By the time we got back we were pretty tired but we had a great last day of our trip! The next day we all scattered our separate ways. Garrett and I headed back to College Station via a stop over in Abilene, my parents headed over to Santa Fe, NM to visit with my Aunt Claudia for a day, and Adam and Hailey had one more day in Red River to close up the house before they headed home to Abilene. We had a wonderful fun filled trip!
We started off bright and early with a trip to Colorado's Great Sand Dunes! These things are HUGE! They are the tallest sand dunes in North America and cover more than 330 sq miles. While we were there it was just sand but during the middle months of the year there is water around the base of the dunes.
You can see the lower right portion of the sand dunes in the panoramic shot that we took below. (We took four pictures and stitched them together to get this shot)
Wildflower growing by the dunes. (Photo by Morgan)
Next we took a short trip over to Zapata Falls. At first we hiked uphill half a mile in the heat but once we reached the top there was a short path down to a creek where the temperature dropped a glorious 15- 20 degrees.
We had to wade/step across the icy cold water to get up to the cave but it was worth it!
Panoramic shot of the cave entrance.
Hailey and Astrid inside climbing up for a better view.
View leaving the Falls. (Photo by Morgan)
On the hour and a half trip back from Zapata Falls it started to rain. This wouldn't have been a problem except that the window on my Dad's truck broke that morning in the window down position. (photo of Astrid by Morgan)
By the time we got back we were pretty tired but we had a great last day of our trip! The next day we all scattered our separate ways. Garrett and I headed back to College Station via a stop over in Abilene, my parents headed over to Santa Fe, NM to visit with my Aunt Claudia for a day, and Adam and Hailey had one more day in Red River to close up the house before they headed home to Abilene. We had a wonderful fun filled trip!
Vacation Day 3: Jeep Tour, Geocaching and River contest
Day 3:
Garrett, Adam, Hailey, Astrid, and Dad got up bright and early to go on a self guided Jeep Tour! (Morgan, my Mom and I went shopping. Being pregnant, I didn't meet the requirements to go on a Jeep trip- but that's okay!)
Astrid and Hailey at the top!
Another view from 11,200 feet.
Lake Cabresto
Adam skipping rocks.
Dad looking at neat stones along the way. There was a lot of mica rock.
Interesting looking mountain house.
Alpaca
Later that afternoon, Morgan, Hailey, Adam, Astrid, and Dad went on a grueling hike to look for a geocache! I have to admit, I'm a bit envious. In my non-pregnant state I would have been all over this hike. :-)
Dad and Morgan near the entrance to the old Miner's cave. Luckily there were no bears in residence.
No Geocache (or bears) in here!
Ah, what do you know- it was at the base of a tree OUTSIDE the cave! (everyone is relieved by this news!)
Later that evening Astrid, Hailey, and Adam had a "Who can stand in the cold river the longest" contest. Morgan was the moderator and took pictures.
It came down to just Hailey and Astrid. With dinner approaching the competition turned sneaky. In the end, Hailey was victorious!
Garrett, Adam, Hailey, Astrid, and Dad got up bright and early to go on a self guided Jeep Tour! (Morgan, my Mom and I went shopping. Being pregnant, I didn't meet the requirements to go on a Jeep trip- but that's okay!)
Astrid and Hailey at the top!
Another view from 11,200 feet.
Lake Cabresto
Adam skipping rocks.
Dad looking at neat stones along the way. There was a lot of mica rock.
Interesting looking mountain house.
Alpaca
Later that afternoon, Morgan, Hailey, Adam, Astrid, and Dad went on a grueling hike to look for a geocache! I have to admit, I'm a bit envious. In my non-pregnant state I would have been all over this hike. :-)
Dad and Morgan near the entrance to the old Miner's cave. Luckily there were no bears in residence.
No Geocache (or bears) in here!
Ah, what do you know- it was at the base of a tree OUTSIDE the cave! (everyone is relieved by this news!)
Later that evening Astrid, Hailey, and Adam had a "Who can stand in the cold river the longest" contest. Morgan was the moderator and took pictures.
It came down to just Hailey and Astrid. With dinner approaching the competition turned sneaky. In the end, Hailey was victorious!
Vacation Day 2: Taos New Mexico, Rio Grande Gorge.
Day 2:
Garrett, my Dad and I started out the day with a hike along the river.
Next the whole group caravan headed to Taos New Mexico where we headed out to see the Rio Grande Gorge.
View headed down the mountain towards Taos, NM.
View of the Rio Grande Gorge. You can't really tell how long this bridge is- but its long!
Astrid and I at the Rio Grande Gorge.
Whenever a Semi truck would go over the bridge the whole bridge would shake.
Hailey hates bridges. This is her "proof I stood on the bridge" photo. (Photo by Morgan)
Flowers growing by the Gorge. (Photo by Morgan)
Flowers growing around in Taos, NM (Flower photos by Morgan)
Next we toured a "Earthship" house.
The earth ships are sustainable houses located off the grid. This was a 600 sq foot house and cost around $400,000. Utilities cost an average of $100 a year.
This cistern holds 3,000 gallons of water.
Bathroom area with low flow toilet that uses "grey" water. The water from the kitchen sinks routes to the toilet and to water the indoor plants. Toilet water goes to a septic tank.
Utility closet. Houses the pumps that handle the water and the boxes for the DC current appliances. There is a system of skylights that open to allow heat to escape to help with the cooling. The angle of the glas panes is such that in the winter the light penetrates deep into the house to help warm the home and in the summer the light does not penetrate far.
Indoor garden. This garden planter shares a room with the bedroom. There is an identical planter that shares a room with the living room. Both the living room and bedroom are u-shaped.
Across the wall from the living room, next to the garden planter, is a tiny kitchen area. You can't see it here, but there is a small DC current super insulated refrigerator. Not a lot of workspace! ;-) The Earthship we toured is a 15 year old floor plan and not as spacious or homelike as the newer floor plans. Now if only they could find a way to make old tires, bottles, coke cans and mud to be structurally sound in the face of a natural disaster....or at least make them scorpion/critter proof!
Garrett, my Dad and I started out the day with a hike along the river.
Next the whole group caravan headed to Taos New Mexico where we headed out to see the Rio Grande Gorge.
View headed down the mountain towards Taos, NM.
View of the Rio Grande Gorge. You can't really tell how long this bridge is- but its long!
Astrid and I at the Rio Grande Gorge.
Whenever a Semi truck would go over the bridge the whole bridge would shake.
Hailey hates bridges. This is her "proof I stood on the bridge" photo. (Photo by Morgan)
Flowers growing by the Gorge. (Photo by Morgan)
Flowers growing around in Taos, NM (Flower photos by Morgan)
Next we toured a "Earthship" house.
The earth ships are sustainable houses located off the grid. This was a 600 sq foot house and cost around $400,000. Utilities cost an average of $100 a year.
This cistern holds 3,000 gallons of water.
Bathroom area with low flow toilet that uses "grey" water. The water from the kitchen sinks routes to the toilet and to water the indoor plants. Toilet water goes to a septic tank.
Utility closet. Houses the pumps that handle the water and the boxes for the DC current appliances. There is a system of skylights that open to allow heat to escape to help with the cooling. The angle of the glas panes is such that in the winter the light penetrates deep into the house to help warm the home and in the summer the light does not penetrate far.
Indoor garden. This garden planter shares a room with the bedroom. There is an identical planter that shares a room with the living room. Both the living room and bedroom are u-shaped.
Across the wall from the living room, next to the garden planter, is a tiny kitchen area. You can't see it here, but there is a small DC current super insulated refrigerator. Not a lot of workspace! ;-) The Earthship we toured is a 15 year old floor plan and not as spacious or homelike as the newer floor plans. Now if only they could find a way to make old tires, bottles, coke cans and mud to be structurally sound in the face of a natural disaster....or at least make them scorpion/critter proof!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Vacation: Red River New Mexico!
Garrett and I just got back from our week long vacation! Early morning Saturday I picked Garrett up from his week long Computer Graphics conference in New Orleans and that same afternoon we drove out to Abilene to start our vacation. The next morning our caravan left bright and early for Red River New Mexico. It was a 12 hour drive but we had fun stopping along the way and my sisters took turns riding with us. The company made the drive seem a lot shorter. Plus Garrett was excited to drive his new car and see what kind of gas mileage the Hybrid gets. :-)
When we arrived in Red River it was a beautiful 65 degrees outside. It was amazing to leave our 100 plus degree Texas weather behind! The next four days we had fun hiking, geocaching, jeeping, sightseeing, etc. We ate out during the day and took turns cooking at night. Hailey's parents have a vacation home in Red River which we all stayed at. It was great having everyone under one roof! (Thanks Chamness Family!)
What can I say about such a beautiful and fun vacation? I think I'm going to have to do it pictorially. Here it goes:
Day 1 (first full day in Red River):
This is a photo taken from the neighborhood where we were staying. Isn't it beautiful?
Here we are at one of the many shops that we looked at in town. I'm definitely looking pregnant here.
Beautiful handmade jewelry done by local Native Americans. This was one of our favorite shops.
View of the river from one of our daily hikes.
Look at how clear that river water is!
Another river view (photo courtesy of Morgan)
We found a little chapel in the mountains. It was built by a man for his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary. Neither Morgan or I really got a complete picture of the chapel- not sure why! (These three photos by Morgan)
(from left to right) Hailey, Adam, Astrid, Garrett.
My parents
My shutterbug Sister, Morgan.
My handsome Husband.
Dad laughing at something one of the boys said.
Adam teaching Astrid how to play a spirited game of stick Frisbee.
Garrett and I wrapped up the first day with an evening walk along the river trail. It was neat to see the wildlife! (No bear sightings)
When we arrived in Red River it was a beautiful 65 degrees outside. It was amazing to leave our 100 plus degree Texas weather behind! The next four days we had fun hiking, geocaching, jeeping, sightseeing, etc. We ate out during the day and took turns cooking at night. Hailey's parents have a vacation home in Red River which we all stayed at. It was great having everyone under one roof! (Thanks Chamness Family!)
What can I say about such a beautiful and fun vacation? I think I'm going to have to do it pictorially. Here it goes:
Day 1 (first full day in Red River):
This is a photo taken from the neighborhood where we were staying. Isn't it beautiful?
Here we are at one of the many shops that we looked at in town. I'm definitely looking pregnant here.
Beautiful handmade jewelry done by local Native Americans. This was one of our favorite shops.
View of the river from one of our daily hikes.
Look at how clear that river water is!
Another river view (photo courtesy of Morgan)
We found a little chapel in the mountains. It was built by a man for his wife on their 50th wedding anniversary. Neither Morgan or I really got a complete picture of the chapel- not sure why! (These three photos by Morgan)
(from left to right) Hailey, Adam, Astrid, Garrett.
My parents
My shutterbug Sister, Morgan.
My handsome Husband.
Dad laughing at something one of the boys said.
Adam teaching Astrid how to play a spirited game of stick Frisbee.
Garrett and I wrapped up the first day with an evening walk along the river trail. It was neat to see the wildlife! (No bear sightings)
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