Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Susan's birthday field trip. How did I not know this was only 45 minutes from Albuquerque?

Sandias in the distance.

Tent Rocks

Slot Canyon

Susan and Fin. He's a surprisingly athletic dog.

2008 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta- Special Shapes Rodeo

Here it is, folks. Adrienne's pick for best special shape of the year:

Reminds me of the Tiki Room! Where the birds all sing and the flowers bloom!

Susan's pick: Noah's Ark or the Gremlin/Gargoyle

Homecoming 2008

We kicked off the weekend with the alumni groups social on Friday night. Good old friends, good live music, and an open bar. Saturday before the game, the alumni band separated from the Spirit Marching Band to play pep songs in exchange for beer in the tail gate lot. We were terrible. But I can still rock a bass drum!

I was lucky to have a fan club/support team. David (a highschool band friend!) is no longer a student, so we put a bass drum on him and snuck him into the game with the band. Once a band geek, always a band geek.

David holds mallets. HA!

It was weird to be in the band again. It was such a huge part of my life for so long. Most of my best friends- the ones who have stuck around throughout the years- those are ones I met in band. Man, we used to have so much fun. And despite the rain, the bruising, and the certain damage to my spine, I had an amazing time. I got to be a musician again! And I got to spend some good quality band time with all those people who were so close to me during my formative years. Jordan, did, after all, pour me my first shot ever.

BOYZ II MEN!!

I have been to a lot of concerts. I have seen a lot of live music. This was -HANDS DOWN- the most amazing show I've ever been to. They performed a perfect balance of songs from Cooleyhighharmony, II, and Evolution, as well as some Motown favorites. I learned some very intersting information about the history of my favorite Boyz II Men song of all time, "Please Don't Go": Nate wrote it when he was only 15 years old!! And, just as I would have expected, I got very teary-eyed during "On Bended Knee". So beautiful.

I was very happy to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with Meghan. If in middle school we had known that 14 years later we'd see Boyz II Men at Isleta Casino for $15 dollars... well, we wouldn't have believed it.

The remaining three Boyz II Men.

Meghan and I treasure our souvineers.

Three very satisfied concert goers.