The not so good and the good

I realize now a lot has happened in since my last post. Here goes and I will try my hardest to make this flow....

Not So Good:
Since arriving in El Paso we have had some amazing Mexican food...as to be expected. For the past 2 years I had been hearing about Chicos Tacos from a client. She told me to order the tacos and that they would not disappoint. The restaurant was packed as we stood in line. After much confusion in our translation from English to Spanish we orderd "a single" and to my surprise it is recommended with french fries (yea I know). This is what arrived


Yep it was just as nasty as it looks!! The tacos were more like small fried meat substance filled chimi changas in a watered down tomato soup with a handful of a shredded cheese like product. We tasted it and waited for the other to comment. It was not comparable to anything I have ever eaten except for salt! Notice the school lunchroom style french fries..yes they were as tasty as the "tacos." We both left nauseous and disgusted from all the people enjoying their lunch and vowed never to return. When I questioned my client and Daniel questioned his work they said "oh its an acquired taste." I can't get over the fact that they are always packed!! I think acquired taste just like Casa Taco in Fayetteville! haha

The Good:
On a completely different note if ever in El Paso in the summer a must see/do is Viva El Paso! The outdoor amphitheater is nestled in the Franklin Mountains, providing a dramatic backdrop for the depiction of the unique history of this Southwestern region. Its an amazing musical show that has been around for 32 years!

I had no idea what to expect but it did not disappoint! The performance details 400 years through Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and Western American people (by story of a family and their ancestry) through traditional dance, original song, brilliant costumes, and special effects.




Another good:
My parents celebrated 36 years (WOW) of marital bliss in August! I have learned so much from them and could never begin to tell them how much they mean to me! Happy Anniversary Mama and Daddy! Daniel - Isn't this a great picture!

A Great!
Baby Connor came home from the NICU after a 2 week stay. He was having some trouble with his oxygen levels as well as regulating his body temperature but is now doing great and growing like crazy at home! My parents have both been in Austin to help Ben and Ann with the new arrival. My mom was able with them while Connor was in the hospital before school started and my dad when he came home. Mama and daddy have both told me he is the cutest thing ever and by the tone in their voices and pictures its obvious they think the first McKenzie grandchild is perfect! I know they are ready visit together so they can start spoiling him!! Connor we are so happy you are home!




A Wonderful
Our amazing friends Jason and Jill got engaged! We can't wait for your wedding! We are so happy for you both and do not think you could complete each other better!

The Fab...
Daniel and I have continued to say busy on the weekends. A few of the guys from Daniel's work have a band so we been listening to some local music. We took a trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico and spent the entire day in the cool cave and learning about the area. We hiked down from the natural entrance and it was amazing! The Big Room at the bottom of the cave was a 8.2 acre of excitement! At dusk we saw the flight of Mexican bats out of the cave. We both highly recommend this trip to anyone!
Carlsbad Caverns













Mexican Bat Flight



This past weekend we set out to go mountain biking and accomplished it as well as rock climbing, hiking, and caving. Finished the day a little sunburned having dinner at the World Renown Cattleman's Steakhouse with some new friends!















We didn't get to Cattleman's Steak House in Faben's TX, until later in the evening and are definitely going to make a trip back. We had no idea what the ranch entailed besides a few movie sets. It includes a lake, a zoo, exotic animals, a maze, along with Old West memorabilia including an antique wagon collection, a western town, and an old working stable. The food was outstanding and we can't wait to go again!

And More Good!
I am deep into training and fund raising for the Breast Cancer 3-Day in November. So far I have logged 315 training miles with many more to go!! I am really excited to continue this journey and anxious to walk 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men in the Dallas –Fort Worth area. My hope is that one day there will be a cure and all the ones I love will be safe from this disease. To learn more please visit my personal page.

Well I guess that is about it. I am packing for the weekend and am ready for some fun on the lake! Daniel is excited to have Monday off and relax for a few days! We are still enjoying El Paso and you are all welcome anytime! Have a safe and great weekend!
Love
Daniel and Melissa

Umm...Well at least its an update!

Alright everyone..we are here! Get ready for picture overload!! We had an amazing fun and relaxing week at the lake house and as always it was so hard to leave!
Enjoying the Lake
**Click on any picture to make it bigger







We left the lake on Thursday and headed West and stopped along the way and visited with Daniel's Aunt Martha and cousin Glen. We spent night in Midland/Odessa and then got back on the road for a day that seemed to never end. I had been warned about the "nothingness" between Fort Stockton and El Paso but when I say nothing I literally mean nothing! Daniel and I are always in different cars so the entire trip we call each other ponder things like what people did on wagons traveling that terrain.

The Lake and Trip Out to El Paso...

We have been pretty busy since arriving: almost crossing the boarder twice; driving the Southern Rim Road and shopping in downtown El Paso; mountain biking in the Franklin Mountains - the southern most part of the Rockies in the US; going to an El Paso Diablos baseball game with Daniel's work; figuring out the area and finding a safe place to stay; making a trip to Dallas to see a few special peeps some of those are 4 legged and check on my grandmother after her knee replacement and see my mama; seeing and catching up with my lil sis (sorority) Jennifer during dinner while she was in town (I forgot my camera), and taking a trip to Alamaogordo, NM to the White Sands National Monument as well as a weekend camping mountain adventure in Ruidoso, NM. We have had an encounter with wild horses, a mule deer, and what my dad says were probably wild hogs. Being a Razorback fan..still not a fan of wild hogs especially with the heinea like noise! ;)

Our New Home Site!



Downtown El Paso and Driving the Southern Rim

Ciudad Juárez

Mtn biking in El Paso at the Franklin Mountains - The Southern tip of the Rocky Mountains in the US



El Paso Diablos game.. They lost horribly but we had fun with new friends!




Camping in Ruidoso, NM



White Sands National Monument


In other exciting news guess who made an appearance a little early... Little Connor Pascal Chen McKenzie was born 7/27/2009. Ann and Ben are doing good and Connor is growing a little more everyday! We all think he is pretty cute!


Daniel's job is going great and so far so good. We really like this area and all the outdoor activities available. Remember their is an open invitation to everyone anytime. We love visitors and comments! ;)
Love Daniel and Melissa