Diners, Drive-ins and Dives!

That's the show on the Food Network that featured Cecilia's Cafe, a traditional New Mexican food restaurant in downtown Albuquerque. Will and I saw the episode two times, and we were so excited to eat there with Bruce and Cody on their way to the airport and back to Portland. Was it all Guy said it was? A definite YES! We loved it. For you Albuquerqueans, it is located on 6th and Silver, right next to the PNM building.


Here we are, having a wonderful time! Maybe it's because we left the little ones at home taking naps. ;) To begin our fabulous meal, we ordered Chile Cheese Fries, smothered in hot red chile, as well as the Bean and Chicharone Sopa featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. I had never had Chicharones before, and the flavor is just BEYOND. The red chile was the best I'd ever had. We all thought we'd died and gone to New Mexican Heaven. ;)


I took this picture inside; notice Guy Fieri himself, grinning at us.


My chile rellenos plate.... MMMMM! Look at the golden-brown breading, peeking out from under green chile sauce and cheese. My only beef with Cecilia is that she doesn't serve sopapillas, except for on special occasions. This is just wrong. I have a hard time eating ANY New Mexican food without a pillow of fried dough in one hand, oozing honey from at least one end. But my food was delicious. ;)




6 HAPPY campers!

Mommy's jammies

These were my p.j.'s when I was tiny. They've held up well for 35 years! We think Sulli looks like a yummy little cupcake in them. So sweet...

Putting Emma to bed

Sullivan went through her entire bedtime routine with her little baby doll, Emma. It was so precious, I had to take lots of pictures. Here she is, kissing Emma goodnight...


Giving Emma her milk (these are her play wipes, but that's okay. ;) and her own baby lamb to love, just like Sullivan's...


Singing "Twinkle Tars" to baby Emma... (Oh my word... life does NOT get any sweeter than this!)


Praying with her baby...


Smothering (I mean covering) baby Emma. Night night!

An evening with Denise!

Charlie's Angels ;)


The girls: Denise and Julia, Grace, moi, Rachel (and baby Ethan), Jessica, Kimberlee and Tammy


I love and miss you, Denise! It was SO much fun to have you here.



Our sweet friend, Denise, came into town from TX, and we just had to have a ladies' night of hors d'ouvres, wine, chocolate-caramel cake and coffee. The best part was the laughing, laughing and more laughing. You forget how much fun it is to laugh until you can't stop. What a wonderful evening!!!


Here's the whole gang. Don't I have gorgeous friends?!

Swim lessons, Summer '09

Our favorite swim instructor, Courtney Rogers, was able to teach for just 2 weeks this summer, and only in groups. We've been used to private lessons, but the kids had so much fun making friends this year. I really enjoyed visiting with other moms too, especially since I sat through 3 45-minute lessons every afternoon!


Every day Zane's class had to kick-board eight laps to warm up.


Here's my old pro, doing his advanced dive.



Here's Titus doing some crazy kick-boarding.


Superb floating technique! ;)


This was Levi's first year of swim lessons, and he was so excited! He has no fear, which is great for teaching, but you really have to keep your eye on him! You can see how much he loves the water.


Levi and his little friend Aubrey


Look at that floating!


Levi was the bravest kid in his beginner class. He was the only one who would go all the way under water from the very first day of class!


Levi learned basic kicking skills too, and by the end of the two weeks, he could actually swim underwater by himself!

Please Pray for the Andersons!

Celia and me.


Warren and Will. Our friends, the Andersons, are missionaries in Germany. They are visiting family and friends in the states right now, and we had a great time catching up with them at a gathering on Sunday. In order to be able to return in August, they need to raise an additional $2000 per month in support. The Lord has started many amazing things in Cologne, through Warren and Celia, and it doesn't seem right that they not return. But they trust our sovereign God to provide as He wills, and we just continue to pray for that provision. We love you guys!

"Fight" Night

What's that, you say? Come over for a UFC Fight night? But of course! Husbands' version: have dinner and a beer while watching men beat each other to a bloody pulp. Wives' version: have dinner and sip champagne by the pool, listening to the waterfall and soft jazz; pour out our hearts, laugh a lot and pray for each other. Let's have "Fight" night more often!

Slippery little fish

A friend took these pictures of two of my boys, and I just had to post them. Summer was made for swimming!

4th of July

A bunch of our friends didn't have plans for the 4th, and neither did we. So Kimberlee opened her home and pool up last minute, and I have to say a great party came together. We have enjoyed many Independence Days at the Whiddon's, and this was no exception.


You know we 3 can't go anywhere without having our picture taken together!


Look at these pretty smiles!


The guys all enjoyed hanging out; Will and Allen are having a deep conversation. ;)




The kids - and some of the adults - had great fun in the pool and hot tub. It was a great day for swimming because it was HOT!


The kiddos sat at their own table.


After lots of great food (thanks for working the BBQ, Kim!), we had my flag cake which is great because it feeds a crowd!



Sullivan had a great time with these sweet girls, Hailee and Ashley.



Sulli and her little friend Jacob (they are just a couple of days apart in age) said their goodbyes at the end of a super-fun day!