Our Trek to Carlsbad, New Mexico

On September 6, 2009, the day after Tel and I got back from our honeymoon, we started our trek to Carlsbad, New Mexico. It took us the entire previous day to pack our trailer up. We has so much stuff. We didn't think we were going to be able to fit it all on the trailer, but with Ron's amazing packing skills...We did! I even sacrificed bringing some of my clothes so that Tel could fit all of his paint balling and other manly, unnecessary stuff. I guess that just means I love him the most. Our finished product actually looked pretty good. Ron even put on our "Tel and Sadie's Shindig" sign. The drive to Carlsbad is about 18 hours. We thought we might be able to drive straight through, but when we had to stop with in the first hour to already use the bathroom, we knew that was an unrealistic goal. So we drove as far as Trinidad, as stayed the night there. The next morning we woke up and finished the drive, making it into Carlsbad around noon.



Our trailer makes us look like we're professional travelers.



This picture is of us, right before pulling out of town. ~Tear~

Freckles or are they "Angel kisses?"

Today was a good Sunday. In my primary class, we were talking about Christ and his resurrection. It was so funny, one of my primary kids told me that when I get resurrected, all my freckles will go away. Another little girl that has freckles too said that she has so many freckles, her cousin couldn't even count them all. It was an interesting conversation. I remember my mom and dad always telling me that my freckles were actually "Angel Kisses" and that I was really special to have them.

Golf, Pizza, and Movies

On Friday (12-11-09) after work, Tel and I golfed the Par 3 course. It was such a nice day. No long sleeve shirt was needed. Tel shot really well. He got a birdie on the 9th hole! Yah! But, he almost hit me on the 8th hole. I was standing on the green, which I shouldn't have, but I watched his ball go whizzing past my face. It made for an exciting few seconds.




After golfing Tel and I went to Hastings to find some movies to watch. We decided we were going to have a movie-a-thon. We rented "Four Christmases, Sleepless in Seattle (I can't believe I have never seen this movie before), Julia and Julia, and some boy/action move that I can't remember the name of. So we went home and cooked a "Digorno" pizza and watched Four Christmas and the boy/action movie (which I fell asleep in). Sounds like quite the movie marathon huh!?

Julia and Julia

On Saturday (12-12-09) morning Telford and I planned on hiking the Guadalupes "Bowl" hike. We woke up to very cold weather. Tel called the ranger station, which reported very high winds. After our "Peak" hike, we said we would never hike in Texas wind again. So instead I popped in the movie "Julia and Julia." I passed up the opportunity a few times at renting this movie, I instead let Tel pick out a less interesting movie (to me) to rent that he really wanted to see. When I finally decided to rent this movie, I honestly didn't think I would have enough interest or time to actually sit down and watch. But I am so glad I finally did.

Julia and Julia is such a great movie. There are only few movies that I can watch more than once within a year. But this movie is like an "Anne of Green Gables" to me. I could go watch it again right now. It is a motivating and inspiring movie. It not only motivates you to want to learn to bone an entire duck, but it inspires you to find one thing that you are passionate about and to be dedicated to that. Julia decided she would be passionate about going through Julia Child's cook book within one year. She completed 524 recipes in 365 days. WOW! That is crazy and expensive to me. But after watching the movie, I felt energized about life. Tel and I even contemplated going to Albertsons and buying a lobster to cook. We went as far as looking up recipes to cook Lobster, and after reading the in depth instructions, we decided we would go on a run instead.

I also watched this movie at an interesting time. Julia blogged every day about her cooking. I started my blog just a few weeks ago. But I am motivated to diligently post on it. I know I won't be reporting anything outstanding like my completion of a perfect "beef bourguignon," but I will post the little things of my days that I hope to remember years from now.

I highly recommend this movie for anyone. Meryl Streep does a fabulous job as an actress. I don't think I can say "butter" the same way I used to.

Creepy Crawlers..Dun Dun Dun.

Ever since I moved to Carlsbad, everyone has been telling me to go to Queen and eat at their little restaurant. I didn’t know much more than that about the town of Queen. So one Saturday, Tel and I decided we would go get us a hamburger. Our friends, Lawrence and Sarah came along with us. The town of Queen is about an hour from Carlsbad. On our drive out there we spotted a creepy crawler on the side of the road! Ewwwwww. Guess what it was! Yep, a tarantula! So of course the guys wanted to stop and play with it. Lawrence even picked it up! It was so dang creepy. We made a video clip of it. So maybe i'll figure out how to post it. But Lawrence was the only brave one to touch it. That little play time basically made our entire trip worth it. When we finally got to Queen, the restaurant was just a little cabin. But we all had super good burgers. On the way back we saw some wild New Mexican horses. It was way weird. There were horses in the middle of the road that wouldn't move, instead of cows. It was an interesting day.

Our Garage Sale Bargain....

One thing we have learned here about the New Mexican people is that, they love garage sales. One morning we decided we would try it out. Holy cow, there were so many people at every garage sale. There had to be at least 30 garage sales that morning. But let me just tell you about the deal me and Tel got. We got all the movies in the picture below for $50! We thought it was pretty good. There were over 100 movies, so we couldn't pass it up. Check em out!

Snow in New Mexico! What?!

On December first we seen snow! 3 inches in Carlsbad. It was so crazy, because the entire week before was 60 degree weather. And the snow stayed for a couple of days. It kind of made us miss Idaho/Utah. But when it all melted and the sun shined again, we realized, we are loving the warm winter weather more than we ever thought we would.



The schools in Carlsbad were cancelled for 2 days. And it was an interesting drive to work without any snow plows in our county!

McKittrick Canyon Hike

On Saturday, November 14th Tel and I hiked in McKittrick Canyon. It was so beautiful and fun. New Mexico has a late fall, so the leaves were at their peak of color. There were beautiful orange and red trees. It was the best day we could have picked to hike.



We thought these trees were so pretty. I can't remember what the name of them are, but I really liked them!


I thought this picture was really cool. These are our official "day hiking packs." I got mine from Ron and Lorraine for a wedding gift. I love it.

I love this picture. I think the pond is so pretty in the background. Tel thought this spot was the Grotto. We were hiking to a place called the grotto, which we didn't know what it was, so Tel thought this was it, but it wasn't. We never did find the Grotto.

Lunch Time. The menu was PB&J's and Wheatthins.


Pratt Lodge

Guadalupe Peak Hike

Let me just tell you about the hardest physical thing I have ever done in my life! Seriously! So, Tel and I have been doing a lot of hiking since we moved to New Mexico. Since we had some good hikes under our belt, we thought we could tackle the "Guadalupe Peak" hike. It is a strenuous 8 mile hike. It is also the highest point in Texas. 8 miles is not that far and we did the McKintrick Canyon hike that was about that length. So we thought it would be a piece of cake. So on Saturday morning we headed out to the Guadalupe's around 7am. We started out on our hike to immediate switch backs. We looked up the mountain, which was really steep and all we could see were switch backs. After about an hour of hiking, we hadn't even put a dent in the distance we had to go.



On one of our resting breaks we ran into 2 very interesting guys from Canada. They had been on a road trip for the past 40 days touring all the National Parks. They had already been to Hawaii, California, Washington, Wyoming, and some of the other western states. After they finished up in New Mexico they were on their way to the Everglades in Florida. These guys had purchased a 16' motor home for their trip. It sounded like they were having such a great time. Tel and I want to tour the entire US one day.



So we continued hiking. We kept hiking towards a peak, that we assumed was Guadalupe Peak. Once we finally got to that peak, we seen more peaks in the distance. The wind starting picking up. Tel and I wore shorts because all week it had been in the 60s. The higher we hiked, the colder it got. I had my long sleeve shirt on, tel's long sleeve shirt and tel's hoodie, and I was still freezing. Hours later we were still on the incline. I couldn't believe it was taking us so long to hike 8 miles. But there were not flat spots, it was just straight up. When we were in the last stretch to the top, Tel honestly thought I was getting hypothermia. I was being crazy. I know I was being crazy, but I couldn't help it. I was laughing at everything. I was honestly loosing my mind, and I was so cold. When we FINALLY reached the peak, we hurry and took a few pictures and signed the book before we got blown over and then started the trek back down. But we were so happy we got to the Peak.



Now if you want to hear how hard the down hill was, well I don't' have long enough to tell you right now. It was just as straight back down, as it was on the way up. It was such a rocky trail. I swear I rolled my ankles a billion times. But, the whole time we were on this strenuous hike, we were glad to be outside enjoying the New Mexico weather in November. And now we can say we have stood on the highest point in Texas! Whoot Whoot.

~4~

Four random things I love about my husband:
1. How he can make me laugh anytime, no matter how I’m feeling. It really is the best medicine!
2. He is a faithful member of the church; a great example to me.
3. He can start a conversation with anyone, and makes friends easily
4. He doesn’t waste his time on anger or negativity. He sees the big picture and realizes the value of patience and optimism. I wish I were more like him in that way.

Four jobs I’ve had:
1. Lott Builder’s Secretary
2. Waitress – Caribou Mountain Pizza (I don’t know if this counts, it was only for a couple of weeks.
3. Office Assistant at USU
4. Recruiter -Intrepid

Four movies I have watched more than once:
1. Now and Then
2. The Holiday
3. The Grinch
4. Cinderella

Four places I have been:
1. Rome, Italy
2. Paris, France
3. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
4. Lesin, Switzerland

Four of my favorite foods:
1. Shrimp
2. fresh fruit
3. Café Rio’s sweet pork
4. Candy (Twizzlers and sour patch kids)

Four places I would like to visit:
1. Hawaii
2. New York City
3. Yosemite National Park
4. Ireland

My husband loves me!

"You're cute as pie, babydoll." -Tel

Church Callings

Telford and I recently received church callings in our Pecos River Ward. Telford was called to be the Priest Quorum Advisor. He is so excited about it. He only has 4 priests, but loves it. I got called to be a primary worker. I am teaching the 4-7 year olds. They are so cute. I really appreciate my calling, it is such a great opportunity for me!

"8"

8 Favorite T.V. shows:
1. Dancing with the Stars
2. Biggest Loser
3. American Idol
4. Grey’s Anatomy
5. One Tree Hill
6. Gossip Girl
7. OC
8. Wheel of Fortune (Me and Tel have so much fun watching this together, we keep track of who solves the most puzzles)


8 Favorite Restaurants:
1-Café Rio
2-Outback Steakhouse
3-Olive Garden
4-Anything Chinese!
5-TGI Fridays
6-Texas Roadhouse
7- Costa Vida
8- Village Inn for breakfast

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:
1-Florida in April!!
2-Christmas
3-Family reunion in Colorado
4-Getting Tel and I’s first “family picture”
5-Hiking in Big Bend
6-Being able to cut Tel’s hair without screwing up! (I’m dreaming..i know)
7-A new year, new goals to make and accomplish!
8-Running a 10K

8 Things on my wish list:
1-Hiking in Hawaii
2-Unexpected flowers!
3-New Camera
4-Tel to finish school soon!
5-All my siblings together at the same time
6-For my husband to SURPRISE me with a date!
7-See my nieces and nephews right now!
8- Be as good a cook as my momma and Nammer

A lil about my Hubby

1. Where did you meet your husband? Somewhere in Soda Springs in Jr. High

2. How long did you date before you got married? A little over 4 years!

3. How long have you been married? 3 ½ months

4. What does he do to surprise you? Surprise??? I don't understand this question :)

5. What is your favorite feature of his? His cute hair
6.What is your favorite quality? He is so kind and helpful to me and everyone he’s around.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Babe or Hun

8. What is his favorite food? Baked potatoes (with lots of butter and sour cream) and steak. He would eat that every night for dinner if I let him.

9. What is his favorite sport? Dirt biking and snowmobiling, we are liking golf more and more now that we can golf year around here!

10. When and where did you first kiss? At my house in High School.

11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We love to dirt bike and go hiking together.

12.Do you have children? Not yet!

13. Does he have any hidden talents? Um yes, he is very musically inclined. I’m serious! He is such a good singer. And he can imitate lots of different sounds. Haha
14. Who said I love you first? Well, I said “I love you bye” on the phone one time, like you do to all of your friends, and after we hung up the phone he texted me and said, “really.” I said really, what? So then I realized what I had said, and I told him yes! Haha corny huh?

15. What is his favorite music? I think mostly alternative or some punk.

16. What do you admire most about him? That he is willing to help and do service for anyone.

17. What is his favorite color? Black and grey

18. Will he read this? Maybe

Quote of My Day...

"Men and Women who turn their lives over to God will find out that he can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision,quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles,lift their spirits, multiply their blessings,increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace." Ezra Taft Benson

Work and School

Telford has been attending New Mexico State University this past semester. Most of his classes have been online. He has really been liking the online format. Right now he is working towards a degree in Radiology, but is also considering Business. So, we'll see! I've been working as an HR Recruiter for a Potash Company. They recently laid off the corporate recruiter that was based out of Denver, so that means more work for me! But i'm stoked for it. I am now recruiting not only for hourly positions, but for the salary positions too! It mixes things up. But in April i'm going to a SHRM conference in Orlando, Florida for work. I'm pretty stoked. I'm going to take a couple vacation days to visit Disney while i'm there! Whoot Whoot! And of course bring Telford along for the fun! He's never been to a Disney park before (crazy right)! So i'm so excited for him to go for his first time. I can't wait, 4 more months!

Pecans!

Yesterday (12-08-09) was a pecan filled day. The wind speed here in Carlsbad were between 40-60 MPH all day long. Which was kinda good for us. It blew a ton of our pecans down from the trees. Tel and I picked about 20 gallons in only 20 minutes. That's how many there were, and so close together. But that is the easy part. Next comes the shelling of the pecans. So we turned on the finale of the "Biggest Loser," (Yah, I'm so excited Danny won) and started cracking. Between Tel and I we shelled about a quart size of pecans in about an hour. So that's not too bad. It barely made a dent in the bins full of pecans we have. But it was fun. Now I need to find lots of yummy Pecan recipes.

Lubbock Temple!

Telford and I got the chance to go to the Lubbock Temple this past weekend. It was so great. It was the first time since we got married that we were able to go back to the temple. The temples in New Mexico aren't as abundant as they are in Utah. It's about a 3 hour drive for us to get to Lubbock, Texas. But we finally were able to go, and it was great. The Lubbock Temple is very small compared to the temples i'm used to seeing in Utah. It is connected to the parking lot of the church in Lubbock. It was so beautiful.

After the Temple we enjoyed some yummy Olive Garden. So good. Then we got to do some Christmas shopping! However, I swear all I did was buy stuff for myself! I guess that's what happens when you haven't been to a mall in over 6 months! But I did get some actual Christmas shopping done. Tel was a good sport and didn't complain for the whole 4 hours we were at the mall. That's why I love him. He will go and do anything with me.

Run Run Run

Lately Telford and I have been running quite a bit. We are running our first race together this weekend in Roswell. It is called the "Reindeer Run." I'm really excited. It's only a 2 mile race, but we're stoked. We'll see how we do! We are planning on doing a 5k in January, called the "Tour De Pecos." So that will more of a challenge.

New Mexican Thanksgiving

Telford and I hosted our first Thanksgiving in New Mexico. It was such a blast. My parents, grandma, little sister, older sister and husband, and nephew Jared all came. And three dogs. Everyone stayed at our little house! We were set up pretty well. We have three bedrooms and a den. So there was plenty of sleeping space. Everyone traveled safely down. My parents, however, ran out of gas in Wyoming. I guess that's what happens when dad thinks he can drive 60 miles on an 1/8th of tank of gas.








Goofs.

The first day everyone was here, we went to the Carlsbad Caverns! My Grandma Nammer loved it! She was so cute wandering through there. After we got done visiting the Caverns we all went down by the Pecos River and played croquet. Our weekend turned into a croquet tournament. I'm pretty sure my dad ended up being the champion. Then we moved onto the pie making. Nammer and Maren made the best crusts and pumpkin and pecan pies ever.


On Thursday we woke up and got the turkey in the oven, while the boys went and played in the Turkey Bowl. We had the best turkey we have ever eaten. Telford picked out such a great, fresh turkey. He is now the designated turkey "picker-outer". We were all so stuffed! On Thanksgiving evening we went on a boat ride called "Christmas on the Pecos." All the houses on the river decorate so beautifully. The boat ride took about an hour. It was so fun to be bundled up, listening to Christmas music.










When we got home we made our "Black Friday" shopping plans. We decided on waking up at 4:30am to go to Wal Mart. I know, we're crazy. What can be worth facing scary mom's with shopping carts?! Well we ended up getting everything on our list. We got Nammer a new 32" flat screen TV, and my parents bought Telford and I a new 42" flat screen TV. So it was definitely worth waking up to face the mobs.



After going back home and taking naps, we had a pecan harvesting afternoon. Tel and I have 3 very large pecan trees. Telford would shake the pecans down and everyone would pick up the pecans. We ended up picking around 20 gallons of pecans. It was so nice just to be out in the nice New Mexican weather.

On Saturday we played lots of Pinnacle. We learned how to play 6-handed. It was so fun. We are going to miss having family to play pinnacle with. 2-handed is just not as fun. Saturday night we went to the parade of lights. I haven't ever been to a parade of lights without freezing to death. The weather was in the 60s and was very enjoyable.

Then Sunday came and everyone had to go home. It was sad and quite that day. But it was such a fun weekend. My mom and Nammer brought us my favorite sugar cookies, carmel popcorn, and fudge. We can't wait to see everyone again at Christmas!



I Love my sisters!




All of the girls.



This is such a cute picture of Jared and Grandma Bunny!



We were waiting to go into the Caverns.