Whenever I skype with Holly or my mom and brother, they constantly remind me that the chair I have looks like a land shark came and attacked it. Our cats have used it as a scratching post for the last couple years and it looks horrendous. Everytime we go on a trip we come back and find little pieces of foam all over the house. I knew I needed a new one but never wanted to pull the trigger for fear that the cats would migrate to clawing something else…like my couches!! Well, the other day a HUGE package showed up on the doorstep and the first thing I said was “Dangit Grandpa! What the heck did you get Henry this time!??” This is because he has constantly outdone himself with the presents for Henry and his birthday is close at hand. Upon further inspection, I saw the words “house” and “chair” and the light went on and I asked Tommy if he got me a new chair – he just gave me a crooked smile and I knew that he had. It is gorgeous! I love it and it was the perfect present. Thank you so much Tommy and thank you also to Holly and mommy for the cool stuff and dough. Love you guys!
Well, we went to Hueco again this weekend and had a good time…Tommy would tell you differently. Of course he couldn’t climb and Henry and the subsequent events that involved him made the trip “interesting” in his words. I wasn’t able to send my project – I came this close on Sunday but we ran out of time for me to get a good rest in and try again bc we had to go pack up the trailer. I don’t know if I could have done it or not. I was pretty cashed (tired) and the tips of my fingers were really tender. Sooooo….I’m trying to convince Tom to go back out again before the sweltering heat comes. Don’t know if that’s gonna happen. April is super busy for us and it starts getting hot out there at the beginning of May. We’ll see. If not, we’ll get back out there again this fall when Tom’s finger is healed and get some stuff done! We’re also excited about our trip up to VT in July – we’ll do some climbing there too along with the Mudder so we’re looking forward to that.
Will chilling on the pads at the campground - it was a gorgeous weekend!Laying on his bed in the trailerOne of the only moments where he wasn't getting into troubleMe and my little pumpkinSaturday under my projectThis picture pretty much sums up the trip for Henry - he was NOT happyWill, on the other hand, seemed to have a blast!Giving a red cheeser - He got so dirty!Catching some Z's at the Icharus boulderSitting with DadGetting some climbing/falling inClimbing a funky problemRelaxin'Eating dinnerPeople have asked if I put blush on his cheeks!!
Second day heading to Roughage. Tommy felt like he had a sail on his backHeading back to the carSaw this sign outside of a guy's house near the main road into the park
We were in Hueco Saturday and missed our annual corned beef and cabbage dinner with Grandpa. No worries though…we got to have it tonight and once again (as always!) it was delicious!! I made sure I ate a light lunch so I could stuff myself with some of his wacky cake! Thanks Grandpa – love you.
Getting ready for some good eats
William getting his own foodMe and the chubsterTrying to eat my noseGetting some peeps from GrandpaGetting some bouncing inBlue eyesHenry couldn't seem to behave tonight so this is one of the only pictures we got of him not sitting on the couchFun with the slinkyThe Gang
Took our first trip out to Hueco this year on Friday. The weather was beautiful on Saturday and there was NO ONE in the park. We pretty much had the place all to ourselves the first part of the day. Made some good progress on one of my projects that I started – Roughage, a V7. It’s a super stiff problem until you get to a huge hueco that’s near the top. Then it’s just mind over matter since the fall is rather disastrous – an uneven boulder that’s hard to spot and if you don’t stop there, you’ll be rolling into a tree and then finally resting in some dirt far below. I figure if I put in some good training in the next two weeks, it can go on our last trip at the end of March. We’ll see…I’m pretty determined about it.
Tommy didn’t fare so well – on Saturday evening while working on another project of ours, Deans Journey, he heard a loud POP! from his middle finger and immediately came off. He knew right away it was bad and it was confirmed today – his finger is swollen like a cucumber and is all black and blue. It doesn’t bode well for any climbing in the immediate future. It’s good that our season is pretty much ending at the beginning of April since we have to start training for the Mudder up in VT. However, we also wanted to do some climbing while we were up there, but I’m sure it will heal in time for July. It’s just unfortunate…especially since we were making a really good comeback after taking time off for Will. We’ll see what happens. We bailed early this morning because of Tom’s finger and because the weather was awful. Lots of wind and dust. We were sure they were going to close down the highway from the mess we saw…but they didn’t and we made it home in one piece. If we end up going again in 2 weeks, we’ll let you know how we do.
Tommy making dinner at our favorite campsiteOur sweet little set upUnder my project - Roughage...a fitting nameWorking out the sequenceTommy NOT happy about having to spot meTommy on one of his projects - Big Iron on His HipHenry at the beginning of the drive home - we picked up the kids from Oma in CrucesOur driving conditions until a few miles outside of DemingIn one of his uncomfortable positions again...poor baby!
For the last 7 weeks, I’ve been attending a Border Patrol Citizens Academy class every Thursday night for 4 hours. One of our close friends is a BP agent and told us about this program that’s available to the public for a more in depth look into the lives and jobs of Border agents. The class was pretty small – only 12 people were selected and most of them were family/friends of agents themselves. I thought it would be a great opportunity so I applied, and in the end I was lucky enough to be invited to attend.
Over the course of the 7 weeks, we learned SO much about the ins and outs of this organization. The job these people have is grueling, exhaustive, terrifying and more times than not, unappreciated. We ran through countless scenarios of real life situations only to end up laughing and making jokes about it because we would always mess something up. We were lucky that for us it was just a game, because in real life a mistake can cause these agents to lose their lives. We went out to checkpoints, ran around in the desert, shot guns, handcuffed people, toured the BP facility and Airforce base and in the end came away with a clearer picture of what these people do.
I have always appreciated what our Border agents do to protect our state and our country – after this class, I’m even more appreciative. It’s amazing to me what these people give up for this job – Yes, they make really good money, but they earn every damn penny of it. Not only do they suffer under the tremendous amount of stress and pressure, but their families do as well. The men and women who selflessly serve our country this way (and in any capacity for that matter) will always have my complete respect and admiration.
Meeting all the agents and learning about what the class will entailMe and couple of the other girlsOur first official picture in front of the stationThese guys just came back from a romp in the desert - caught some drug smugglers and this was their load. This is crazy to see in person.
Just wowTaking notes before we go wrestle aroundWent to the mat room to learn defensive techniques and handcuffing.It is HARD to handcuff someone!
Showing us how it's doneAbout to get cuffedS showing us how to take someone down with a baton...Don't worry, he didn't hit me, but I flinched!Explaining how I need to attackGetting my revenge!!Driving to the Tohono O'odham checkpointCheckpointOur group - It was cold that night!
Giving us a rundown of what they deal withGetting to meet the drug dogShe was a beautyThat night we also went out and looked for foot sign and learned how to track. VERY interesting and amazing what people will use to throw the agents off their tracks.Unfortunately not a lot of pictures were taken this night because the photographer was sick. This was the BEST class - we got to shoot the firearms issued to the agents which included a pistol, shotgun and two fully automatic rifles. AWESOME.Here's me with the M-4. They had us all wear full body armor when we shot for safety purposes. It was HEAVY!An agent from the horse patrol came down and talked to us about what his job entails.
Showing us the ATVMock felony arrest - this night was HILARIOUS.Four of us were selected for the final scenario which involved a group of young kids called the "Explorers" acting as our aliens for a felony stop. These kids are amazing. They let us practice on them, man handle and abuse them and never ONCE complained.Here's a couple of them - for this final scenario, the instructors had them pile in a car and then bail out when we arrived. It was pure comedy as we had to chase them around the parking lot trying to get them all.Mock desert tactical scenario...don't you love the plastic guns!! Haha.Getting briefed by F on what we're supposed to do - this guy was so cool.Here are the explorers again acting as our fake aliens. A great group of kids.Here is a formal picture of us with the ExplorersLearning about the types of aircraft that are available to BP and how the airforce base works with themThis is a case enclosing common items found in the desert or with aliens crossing it - front and center are shoes made out of carpet to try and cover tracksGraduation nightGetting my certificate and emblemMe and Mama Max - my cover man
