Rehearsal dinner

 Ross, Steve and Perry

 Jim and Pam

 The cake

 Ashley (the bride to be)

 Table setting.  Steve's backyard looked very festive.

 Gazpacho

 Steve and Jennifer

 Paella being cooked.

 cool clouds

 Perry with her friend Jarred

 Delicious salad

 Ashley and Dave

 Steve, Ross and Perry

 Getting ready to cut the cake - or eat the cake.

 Rebecca and cousin Timothy

Ashley's sister, Lia and her boyfriend, Chance.

Saturday 9-8-2012

 my arty hotel lobby shot

 We took a tour of Rebecca's school.  She will be working in Donaldson Hall.  Funny since she is a Donaldson

 Her apartment is in this building

 Hotel wall art

 Here is where we had lunch.

 JIm and Pam

 Albuquerque Old Town street scene.  After lunch we wandered around and poked in a bunch of little shops.  That was fun.

 We did not go in the museum but it was a cool building.

 A family photo

 Prickly pear is all over

Starbucks is right by our hotel. 

Now we are relaxing before the rehearsal dinner.

Albuquerque, NM 2012

We left for Albuquerque at 8:40am this morning.  Took the MAX to the airport then a non-stop flight to Albuquerque. Arrived a few minutes early.  Steve and his daughter, Perry, met our plane.  We drove to my brother's place and dropped him off and went back to the hotel.  We gathered before going to the Tromboni Bistro.  Very delicious meals.

 The hotel lobby

 our room

 by brother's house

 preparations for the rehearsal dinner

 They will be grilling paella - yummy

 My sister-in-law's place.

 My filet at Tromboni.

 Dessert at the Flying Star.  My cheesecake was good but not great.  Not like Sharon's.  

Rebecca made it in time for dinner.  Wow.  I am glad that she is here safely.  My younger brother and wife are here as well.  After dinner Pam and I went to check out the exercise room. I did the treadmill and she did the elliptical.  

We are home

We had a fantastic time in Glendale.  It was so exciting to be a part of Curiosity's landing on Mars.  Jim and Pam made us feel very welcome and I was super proud of my brother.  Seeing him in the control room was thrilling.  Pam had to go to work early this morning but Jim got to take the day off.  We had a relaxing day.  Pam came home for lunch.  Then it was time to head out for our daily fix of frozen yogurt.  It was 99 degrees. Whew.  They got us to the airport.  

 We got home safely.  Rebecca picked us up.  The house is in quite a state.  The deck is ripped up.

 The siding is half done.

 The part that is done looks nice.

I am not sure how I am going to get the car out of the car tomorrow.  I guess I need to get them to open up a path for me.

Curiosity Lands!!

 Jim goes off to work.

 We went to Cal Tech to watch the landing

 This is the auditorium where we were.  It was filled to capacity.  There were 3 other locations where people were watching in this area.

 Jim at work.  I could say he is the one in the light blue shirt.

They were successful!! It was so exciting to be in the room with all the cheers.  Camera's flashing, cheering, tears, hugs.  It was thrilling. I am so proud.