Kiwi and Hobbes in the snow. 2007 Kiwi and Hobbes Youtube video

Our sweet Kiwi has left us.  She had been struggling against a failing liver over the past few months and finally passed away last night.  Before she died we were blessed with a full week of a healthy and energetic Kiwi-girl just like we remembered.  She was able to go on walks and enjoy her belly rubs right up until the end.  She leaves behind precious memories of a sweet loving puppy who wanted nothing more than to be loved… and of course fed… a lot.

Our little Wee Wee made coming home such an enjoyable moment with her wiggling, jumping, and flopping.  Even with her graying hair and medical issues she always had a spark that made you smile.  We love you Kiwi and miss you immensely.  Sleep tight our little angel.

We had a great weekend in Las Cruces for the Chile Rugby Alumni gathering.  We picked up Mom on our way down in Socorro and made an windy drive down south.  We checked into the Ramada and left mom and the boys to head down the street to the Game for the meet and greet.  It was great to catch up with a few of our friends that we played with almost 15 years ago…yikes  The next day I went to the pitch around 10 and booted up for the first time in about 5 years.  We were a little short on lady alumni so we played 10’s, it was a blast, so much fun to tackle and scrum again.  James got to the field afterwards and played lock with the men.  That evening there was a very nice banquet back on the patio at the Game and we had good food and another night of hanging out and catching up.  On Sunday we drove down to El Paso for a little retail therapy, then made a stop on the way back to visit with Mike, Lori, Kat and Sam and see their new home.  We had a nice but unfortunately too short of a visit, the kids had a great time playing together.  We got the grand tour of the house which is absolutely spectacular, such a gorgeous location out near the Oregons and the detail and history built into the home is amazing, truely a work of art.  We made it into Socorro where it had snowed and was very cold compared to the warm southern NM temperatures.  We had dinner and gave the boys a bath and headed home late which made for a rough Monday morning, but it was very worth it!

So much has happened since the last post.  We attended the wedding of our friends Shannon and Laura Wamre on January 29^th.  It was a beautiful wedding with the reception at Hotel Albuquerque near old town.  Lots of friends attended and we had a great time celebrating their special day.  The next weekend we went to Intel Prom with the Barela’s at the Sandia Casino and watched Wicked at Pope Joy, it was a great way to celebrate my birthday weekend.  There was a bizarre winter storm that hit on Ground Hogs day, the extreme freezing temperatures for the week straight has proven to have devastated much of the xeriscape plants in New Mexico.  In January and February, James started full swing into his new management role at Intel.  We celebrated Lottie’s 10^th birthday in Socorro at the end of February with pleasant weather, and very little wind.  In March we had a great visit with Melissa and Katelyn and enjoyed a day down town celebrating St. Pat’s and had a good time with the annual Rueben celebration at our place. 
I accepted a management position at Honeywell in March and started early April.  We both had lots of business travel at the beginning of April and we are so lucky that Mom & Mum were available to help out.  On April 13^th we drove to Socorro and then early the next morning we linked up Mum & Dad’s RV camper and we all drove down to Texas.  Our first night was a stop in Odessa, a terrible, dry, flat hot place that we will never return to.  The next day we drove down to San Antonio and stayed at the KOA, there was a great trail near the camp ground and we enjoyed a nice walk and pleasant evening with live music at a nearby park celebrating a city festival.  The next morning we had a pan cake breakfast at the chuck wagon and made our way down to South Padre Island.  We camped at the Isla Blanca RV park and our camp site was a short walk to the beach where we spent most of our time relaxing and playing in the sand and ocean. 
When we returned from Texas we enjoyed a nice long weekend in Socorro for the Easter weekend.  Roland and Langdon had two Easter Egg hunts at the Eveleth’s and the Napier’s.
The next week returning to work was hectic but flew by and early on Friday we drove down to Socorro to pick up Mom and then down to Las Cruces for the Chile Rugby Alumni weekend.

We had a great long visit and Christmas in Socorro.  Lot’s of time catching up with our families and the boys had a blast opening presents and playing with all of their cousins.  We also got to celebrate Apsyn’s 5th Birthday and Dad’s 65th with everyone at the Napier’s.

Before New Years, James and I snuck away for a two day trip up to Durango and Pagosa Springs (Wolf Creek).  Durango Mountain got 20 new inches of snow in 24 hours so we made our way slowly there.  We had a good but tiring day skiing, second to last run both of our legs (all 4) were toast.  We stopped at Durango Brewery on our way through town and had a bite and shared a sampler.  I loved their Winter Ale, so James promised to brew it for my birthday.  The brew master was there and he game James the percentages or grain and malts, I’m looking forward to it!  We stayed in Pagosa Springs for the night, but found out early the next morning that Langdon go the stomach flu that Roland had, so we headed back early.  After New Year’s, Melissa, John and Katelyn came to town and we were able to get in three visits, so wonderful, Katelyn is just cute, cute, cute!

Work started off very busy, but we all adjusted back into our routines and cannot believe that the first month is almost past.  Last weekend James headed back to Durango for a guys weekend/bachelor get together for Shannon.  The guys succeeded in have a fun filled and safe weekend.  The girls made it out as well, Amy and I joined Laura and all the ladies for a very fun night starting with yummy appetizers at Los Cuates and then some crazy and make your stomach hurt from laughing so much times at Grahams Central station (4 bars in 1).  We are looking forward to the main event this weekend when they exchange vows.

And finally, a great way to end the weekend was watching the Pittsburg Steelers clinch another chance at the Super Bowl Championship.  Go Steelers!

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