Taos 40th anniversary of the return of the Blue Lake

My Mom, Cousin Lil, Me

I made a quick last minute decision to go to Taos NM for the 40th Anniversary of the return of the Blue Lake.
It was just Macade, A'mooh, Grandpa and me. It was a great trip for me. Mac was the perfect baby (of course he was because I had to hold him the entire time). My Dad got sick, so it wasn't as much fun for him.
This was the first time I was able to meet family members on my mom's father's side of the family. It was great to put faces to names, and everyone was very kind.
On Thurs. we met some family at my Uncle Tony's house. Friday I opted out of morning mass, but did meet up with some cousins and uncle Tony for breakfast. I ended up eating three breakfasts that day.
We had lunch with John Rainer Jr. (my mom's brother) and his wife. We finished up the day at a reception about the return of the blue lake.
Sat. we went to the pueblo for the celebration. Most of the people involved were able to speak, and tell of their account of the return of the lake. It was one of those events where things divinely fell in place to make it happen. It was great to hear how many different people worked together.
Sat. afternoon we went to the Ohkay Owingeh pueblo to see their harvest festival dancing. I was so impressed. Pueblo members dance and sing for almost 6 hours straight. It was like running a marathon! I love the dress, the singing, the drum, and the complicated choreography. Our cousin Diane Rayna was participating this year. After we were graciously invited to family members house of Diane for dinner. It was delish! We had frito pie and posole.
Sun we stopped by Sante Fe to eat and to visit the O'Keeffe museum on our way to visit my Uncle Colin and Aunt Louisa just outside Albuquerque. This was the first time I was able to see their place and animals. They cooked us a very yummy chicken dinner.
We spent Sunday night in Albuquerque and flew home on Monday.
It was a very memorable trip, and I am so thankful I was able to go. AND thanks to Mark for holding the fort at home with the girls. :)

Mac's first airplane trip!

Feeding Mac without a baby chair

A'mooh and brother John

The excellent traveler

Church at Taos

Going to the O'Keeffe Museum

Lunch in Sante Fe

Colin and Lousia's place

My grandma Kathryn's kitties in their new home

a White Peacock

week-o-fun in Roosevelt

We spent the first week in Aug in Roosevelt. I don't know how, but we managed to talk Sam into going with us. On the drive down I am sure he was second guessing his decision. Before we even got there, we decided to come back on a midnight dash in hopes the kids would sleep.
We forgot our camera for some of the cool things we did-- like swim at the local pool, or raft the Green River (I am really hoping to see/get some pictures since I didn't get to go).
We did get some pictures of Grandpa Lemon's flowers
Jens loves the horse in the basement of the office. I think she was on that thing for a good 45 min. AND almost fell asleep on it.

The girls got a dental check up- and enjoyed playing with the chair.

It was UBIC weekend in Roosevelt so there were lots of fun activities. I read there was to be a "pet show" so we got up early to goo see it. It was quite literally a pet show. People brought their pets and one by one introduced them into a microphone. The best was when the goat got away and jumped on the bunny's card board box.

We checked out the swings after the Pet Show.

The girls played with the hose.

We went to the parade:

There was more candy than at Halloween!

And they even handed out popsicles

Mayter was there

And ended on a high note with a cow.

The girls also had a great time playing with the kitties around the neighborhood. Or in this instance, rescuing the kitty from the rain storm in the trailer.

Take one

Take 2

my how time flies. Check out 2 years ago!

pretty much the best weekend ever!

Tina and I went to surprise Terra for her birthday. Thanks to her awesome husband who arranged everything, we had a great time.


This is in the car before we got to the house.
Terra had no idea. It was perfect.
The first night we went to see Wicked in downtown Indy
The next day we drove to Chicago- one of the coolest cities. This is the view from our hotel.
This is awesome stain glass at the culture center.We saw Mary Poppins- which was great.

Some other highlights? The drunk guy on the elevator asking to go on a boat ride with him. An old Bertha waitress who ask aggressively- "you ready to order yet" after we had been there 30 seconds. Eating liquid nitrogen ice cream. It was pretty much the best weekend ever!

what an awesome week

we went to so. cal last week and it was awesome. we started at knotts berry farm- berry fun. and this is by far the best video of maissie:

then we went and visited Clark at Camp Able (a beach camp for children with disabilities)

Clark took us sailing. We had so much fun (Thanks to Carlos for the picture)

Then we went to the ZOO. I just love the zoo. You may think we went to the zoo for the kids, but really, it was for me.

Maissie was really into Zebras- but unfortunately due to remodeling, this is the only zebra we saw.

We picked up Arthur on they way home, and finished out the week at the ranch. One of the highlights was Maissie (and Jayna) on "Bandit." The other horse they were letting the little kids ride was "pretty baby" a horse that I used to ride when i was a kid. The funny thing is i now realize the irony of the name. She is a short, stubby and now very old mustang.

But the best was Mark on the slip n slide