International Oilfield Show (Lunch)

There is no way that you can go to the Oil Show and not have lunch at the "Barn Door" in Midland. No need for appetizers at this place because every table has a big brick of cheese with a slicer so you can snack on cheese slices before your Texas Steak arrives at the table. (Did I ever mention that I've gained some weight since we moved down here?)

International Oilfield Show

Here are a few more pictures of TX pride at the Show. God's Country.

This is an inspection unit for down hole pipe. A well is expensive to drill and start production so everything has to be gauranteed to work. Body wall of the pipe is measured so the oil company knows that there are no flaws in the material before going down-hole.

These are thongs and slips that are used on a rig to "trip pipe"(connect joints of pipe). The slips are on the bottom of the rig floor and hold the pipe from sliding down into the well. The thongs are like a big mechanical pipe wrench. It's what the rig hands use to spin the pipe so it connects to another joint and can then be lowered into the well.

International Oilfield Show (Old Rig)

This is an old rig that is still up and running at the Oil Show in Midland. It's all made out of wood and has a steam engine that runs the drill. It is about 3 times the width of a modern day rig and didn't go quite as deep as they do now. Working on a rig today is dangerous enough but working on one back then could be really dangerous because of all the flammable wood around you, the heavy machinery and lack of good blow out preventers.

International Oilfield Show

Here are a few more pictures of some work over rigs, pulling units, and pump jack from the show. It's amazing when you are out in the oilfield, it's the middle of no where, and you see all these machines set up and running.

International Oilfield Show

Here are a few pictures of the inside of the Oil Show. Tents, Rigs, Pump Jacks, and Amercian/TX Flags everywhere.

International Oilfield Show

On Oct 20, 2010 I went with the guys at work to the big international oil show in Midland, TX. It was pretty amazing when we got there because they had lots of rigs, pulling units, pumps, and crains set up for everyone to look at. It was interesting to see what all is involved in this great industry. There was everything for accesories, pulling units, pumps, downhole pipe, sucker rods, etc. The culture was totally TX with the TX flag flying everywhere and nothing but big trucks in the parking lot. They even had an old original working rig there. One of my favorite items I found was a hard hat shaped like a cowboy hat. I don't have a picture of it but it was really cool.

When we arrived in the Lubbock, TX airport I noticed this sign. (No I wasn't looking at the butt!!!). If you look close its an advertisement for irrigation systems that they use in the cotton fields which are "growing jeans".

Back in TX

We stayed overnight in Lubbock, TX at La Quinta Inn so that Alex could go to his follow up at the University Hospital. For breakfast of course they had TX shaped waffles. I then knew that I was back in "God's Country".

TRIP TO UTAH

That's right. I got the chance to go to UT for a few days. Whe I arrived at the Salt Lake City Airport Elder Oaks. Elder Holland, and Elder Anderson were there waiting for a flight. It was amazing to see 3 living apostles of the Lord together waiting to go off on an assigment somewhere.

Here are some of the fun things that we did in UT:

Family Pictures on Friday and horse riding. Big birthday party for Papa, Judy, Shayn, Piney, Talmage and Jack. Baby blessing on Sunday accompanied with friends and family. Packing Sunday night so we could come home on Monday. The days just flew by because we were so busy. It snowed Monday morning just in time for us to get out of town and head south for the winter. I miss UT but it is really nice to have my Tshirt on and be in the sun right now.

Feliz Cumple Mi Amor

En este día tan especial quiero que sepas que verte cumplir otro año mas de tu vida me hace reconocer la bendición que es poder tenerte en mi vida y a mi lado otro año mas. Quien se hubiera imaginado que yo tendria a la chica mas hermosa como esposa y que nosotros pasaríamos por tantas experiencias juntos y que nuestra familia crecería tanto? Quiero que sepas en este día que te amo mucho y espero que lo pases bien en esta ocasión especial. Te doy gracias por todas las cosas que haces por los demás en tu vida y por ser una persona muy especial y un buen ejemplo para mí. Sé que tenerte en mi vida no es una casualidad y que al pasar más años juntos seguiremos muy felices.

Feliz Cumple Mi Amor.
Te Amo Mucho.

Tarantula

Did I ever mention that there are "Bugs" in Estern New Mexico?

When it rains around here it brings out these Tarantulas and even some turtles. It also helps the mosquito population to really boom.

Jesus Loves Cowboys

I was on my way to Midland, TX last yr and happened to pass by this building that said "Jesus Loves Cowboys". I never thought there was a doubt about that but it's nice to have confirmation that He really does love them Cowboys because there are a few in my family.

Team Ropers

I was on my way home from work the other day driving on Lovington Hwy and came up behind a red truck that appeared to have some cool snowboarding stickers on the back. As I got closer I realized that it actually had stickers of team ropers. I had to take a picture to share with a few team ropers that I happen to know in UT. There are lots of cowboys out here in Eastern NM and lots of Ropers.

COTTON PICKER

I have been called a "Cotton Picker" before and while I was out in Seminole, TX I decided to take it seriously. The cotton fields are just about ready to harvest and they look really pretty. It's amazing how many shirts, pants, socks, and of course undies are out there just waiting to be put together. Im a "Cotton Picker" and proud of it.

New Addition

September 11, 2010

That's right we had another conference weekend baby. This time it was stk conf.

Alexander Brigham was born at 6:00 in the morning via C-Section at the Hobbs, NM hospital. Weight was 8.7lbs. We thought we would be good to watch general conference two weeks later but Alex ended up with an intestinal block and sending us to the University Hospital in Lubbock, TX for 2 days to have his surgery.

We had amazing service at the Hobbs, NM hospital where we were waiting for 3hrs in the emergency waiting room with our baby constantly throwing up. It was understandable to wait so long since there were only 4 other people also waiting (one of them was another baby). We stayed the night in the Hobbs Hospital for testing and then went to Lubbock. We could have jumped in the car and been in Lubbock before we could even get into the hospital in Hobbs. Long story short Alex is doing really good and we are paying EXTRA bills to the hospital in Hobbs.

Nana was great to come down the day we went to Lubbock and help us out for a week. She ended up taking everyone back to UT (except for me) so Judy could have some help and I could go back to work. THANKS NANA!!