Team Duncan

We had a great visit to Lubbock last weekend for Senator Duncan's wedding. Team Duncan and spouses went to dinner afterward and had a great time. Congrats to the happy couple! Unfortunately, I didn't get their photo. My bad.

Fiesta TX Fun

Nana took Callie and Amy (who she mentors) to Fiesta Texas this summer while Madden was at camp. Bless Nana, because there was no way the mommy was taking the girls to Fiesta TX in the 100+ heat!

4th and 6th

1st day of school - Ruby looks nervous!

The girl gang preparing to head down the hill to middle school.

Ruidoso

We've enjoyed a rather relaxing few days in Ruidoso at Anna and Dell's condo (thank you!). We took in the Horse Races yesterday where Madden was the big winner, pocketing $3.20! Today we took a nice long trail ride, and have just lounged around in general soaking in the scenery, pine scent and 70 degree temperatures.

Carlsbad Caverns

Carlsbad Caverns was crazy amazing. We commented several times how it felt like we were waiting for an amusement park ride in a fake cave. So glad I got to see it. Originally, I was going to stay up top with Ruby since no dogs are allowed in the Caverns, however, when we arrived, we learned that they offered dog kennels, so Ruby went to the kennel (though she almost died of fright), and I got to go below. Madden and Callie both loved it, though Callie was extremely apprehensive on the initial descent. When they say it is a strenuous hike in, they were serious! We had planned to hike out too, but due to time constraints (we still had to drive to Ruidoso) we took the elevator out.

McDonald Observatory

We had a great time at the McDonald Observatory. We were lucky enough to get to stay in the Director's House at the Observatory and eat at the Astronomer's Lodge where the residing, working astronomers live and eat. So cool. We were worried as evening approached that the 9:30 pm Star Party would be a bust due to the extreme overcast skies. As we awaited twilight, we were treated to an amazing rainbow display out our back porch. Callie was the first to spot the double rainbow and literally ran out of the shower to catch the photo below! The sky hadn't cleared, so we went to the Star Party with low spirits. They were prepared to keep us entertained and educated with programs in the well-equipped Visitor's Center, however, after our first session, the skies parted and the Star Party was back on in full force. We looked at stars, star clusters, galaxies, the moon, constellations through about 10 different telescopes the astronomers set up for us. It was an amazing experience that I would recommend everyone put on their to-do list!

Balmorhea

We visited a cool spring-fed swimming hole in the middle of the desert, at Balmorhea State Park. Similar to Barton Springs in nature, but the desert setting is bizarre. The springs apparently maintain a constant temperature of about 75*. Surprisingly, Madden, who just spent 2 weeks swimming in Turtle Creek at camp, was terrified of the fish, and did not enjoy the pool at all. (She comes by it honestly - her mama hates up-close encounters with marine life also.) She said the creek was different in that the murky water clouded her view, and she couldn't SEE any of the fish unlike in the crystal clear water in the spring pool. Callie loved it and bravely swam among the catfish, etc. You learn something new about your kids everyday - I would have bet money the results would have been the opposite.

The Gage

Window Shopping in Marfa

Ruby Does West Texas