getting gussied up

Another week filled with opera and visitors has flown by in Santa Fe. My parents and several of their college friends joined me at Brenda's performance on Friday night. The show was a hit even though there was some serious rain, lightning, and thunder happening during the second half of the opera. I heard some people say that they liked the storm because it added drama to the performance. I'm pretty sure none of those people were sitting in the seats that were getting rained on.

I've known my parents' college friends my whole life, and they are more like aunts and uncles to me than friends of my parents. A few of them were seeing Brenda perform for the first time and, we think, even meeting Brenda for the first time. We had a great time with them and, barring an interaction they had with a very drunk local, it seems like they had a good time too.

My parents and their friends with Brenda in her dressing room after the show.

On Saturday night Brenda and I went to Santa Fe Opera's annual fundraising gala. In fact, Brenda was an honorary host along with numerous other musicians, actors, and politicians. (We had our eyes peeled for famous people, but we didn't see any.) We did have a very nice evening, though. We had dinner with some very nice opera supporters, we danced, and we even went to the after party in the presidential suite.

Brenda and I at the gala posing with our friend Adam.

My parents took off early this afternoon and headed for Taos. We're excited to get a full report on Taos because Brenda and I are considering a trip up there ourselves before the summer comes to an end. After they left we decided we should get a little activity, so we went for a hike. Shortly after returning home, Brenda's Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Ron came over for dinner. In fact, they brought all of the ingredients and made us dinner (what great guests!). They went to Brenda's opera last night with several friends and even tailgated before the performance. We had a great time catching up with them over their delicious dinner.

All of us getting ready to chow down.

Before I say goodbye for the week, I wanted to share a couple pictures of local critters Brenda and I see regularly around town. I don't know why, but there are some prairie dog homes (at least I think they're prairie dogs - feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) near busy streets in at least two different places in Santa Fe. Every time we drive by one of these places, Brenda lets out one of the happiest noises I've ever heard a human being make. And I totally understand why. These are some cute prairie dogs.

Try to imagine Brenda making an incredibly high pitched squeak as you look at this prairie dog.

We see lizards regularly on our hikes and in our yard. This one posed nicely for my Dad.

Well, I should call it a night. Brenda and I are looking forward to more guests (her parents and Drew all arrive later this week - YAY!) and another performance on Saturday. I hope you all have a great week, and we'll talk to you next Tuesday!