Fall Fun

We enjoyed a great family hike in the Santa Fe National Forest a few weeks ago.  Just in time to see the beginnings of the fall colors of my favorite tree - the aspen!

Enjoyed lunch and coffee at the top and fed the very tame Gray Jays on the way back down.  Enjoy the photos!  Who knew you get such colors in New Mexico!  So pretty:)

My sweet boy!

My sweet girl!

Being a goofball

Happy Fall!

Belated Balloon Blog

 When October rolls around in Albuquerque it is all about the balloons!

 This year was a spectacular show with the "box" working to the advantage of the balloonists nearly every day of the Fiesta.  Seriously, for 10 days the balloons were up in the skies and they drifted towards our neck of the woods on more than a few days:)

This is an early morning view from Matthew's school.

I really should not be allowed to drive during this time of the year - ask the kids!  I am a distraction - and you can see why!

One day I detoured to  do some balloon chasing.... found a sweet spot near the Fiesta Park and the balloons all started drifting and landing by my car - so fun.

Another day I took Dad to balloon chase and they were all landing at our church!

Dad and I even got to help deflate one... yes I really do get this excited when I see balloons!

We opted to stay off the field and paid a little more for tickets on the museum grounds.  Great decision - less crowds, easy parking and fantastic views.  Still have to get up really early though:(

This was the second to last day of Fiesta and it was perfect - every balloon went up.  Special shapes and all!  

My excited face again!

Then they started landing on our field - kids and Michael helped with the Wells Fargo wagon and Darth Vader:)

The next day - the balloons landed in Mom and Dad's street.  I found Dad celebrating with some champagne and some of the balloonists:)

Such a beautiful week to celebrate Fiesta!  Something everyone should enjoy at least once in their lifetime:)

Labor Day Fun!

We had a visit from Meme and Gampie over Labor Day weekend.  After making the 5 day drive out, they stayed for a few days and we enjoyed showing them around some of our favorite spots.  

We love the the sites out to Jemez Springs and the Caldera so that was first on the list - 

I sometimes can't believe that this scenery is just about 30 minutes from our house - so pretty!  And a great get away from the desert - which I love just as much:)

E- at Soda Dam (a cool rock formation from the hot springs in Jemez)

A little side "hike" along the route.  You can see how much hubby loves photos!

Valles Caldera National Preserve (becoming a National Park soon...)

Next stop - Santa Fe!  'Cause you gotta go to Santa Fe if you are in town.  It was Saturday market day and the chiles were roasting... mmmm one of my favorite smells!

Gampie had to stop by the railway - he is a little obsessed with trains:)  

We enjoyed a little jaunt along Canyon Road - another 'must see' whilst in Santa Fe.

 Had to see the oldest church in America!

Last stop in Santa Fe had to be Jackalope - a store that has everything New Mexico, Mexico, Indian... you gotta see it to believe it.  Kids were a little wonky at this point.

Cheers to Santa Fe (with watermelon juice)!

We took Gampie to the balloon museum on Sunday - 

Then to lunch at our fave ABQ spot - El Pinto.

I adore the patio here:)  Literally could sit and drink margaritas ALL day!

Labor day was a BBQ feast with both sets of grandparents.

Happy Trails Meme and Gampie!