Northeast by Southwest: New Mexico 2013

The changing leaves in New England means another trip to New Mexico for us! This was our 5th year in a row going to the Balloon Fiesta, and each year brings something special and new. The boys are old enough that there was much anticipation and excitement building up to our departure!

One of my favorite moments every year is the first glimpse of Grammie and Papa at the airport. Nathan was VERY excited.

We used the time difference to our advantage to get up "early" and go to the mass ascension our first morning in New Mexico.

Two very excited little boys.

We drive in a little early to beat the crowds and enjoy a breakfast burrito and coffee in the warmth of the car.

Heading in!

All bundled up and ready for balloons!

Alex giving hi-fives to the "zebras", the people who keep the Balloon Fiesta running smoothly.

Getting a better view.

Fire it up!

Google Maps!

Airabelle (the Creamland Cow) greeting the sunrise.

A new one this year - the scuba diver.

Couldn't keep them still long enough for a photo...

As always during our visit, we tried to hit lots of local museum, parks and playgrounds. Some of our plans were foiled by the goverment shutdown, as many of the National Parks were closed. One of our first stops was the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, an important part of New Mexico's history.

Family photo in front of the museum.

Alex learning about carbon atoms.

Alex kept yelling "I knocked it over!" and laughing.

Learning about nanoparticles.

Nathan too.

Alex looking at the big wall of airplanes!

Next up was Explora, the children's museum. It has been neat to see how the kids have grown with the museum, and what they were interested in this year.

Always a favorite, the hydraulic table.

Nathan building walls, dams and weirs and seeing how the water flows.

You have to look closely at Alex, makes me laugh every time. The plane is in a large wind tunnel, and you learn about lift and how planes fly.

Nathan learning about light and color.

The Rio Grande Nature Center was fun many years ago, so we figured it deserved a return trip.

The boys running through the culvert that was the entrance to the discovery center.

Learning all about doing leaf rubbings.

The boys with Grammie and Papa in the nature center trails.

With Daddy...

Alex trying to eat a dragonfly sculpture...

In the discovery center, watching the wildlife of the Rio Grande, including turtles (12+ on the branches in front of the boys), geese, ducks, herons...

When we lived in New Mexico, we took Nathan to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for the Indian Dances. With how much Alex loves music and dance, we put it on our list. Every hour there is a different group from a different Pueblo, performing the traditional dances of the Pueblos. We couldn't drag the boys away, they were fascinated. On the way out, Nathan turned to me and said "Mommy, that was so much fun!"

Nathan enjoying the dance.

The dancers (all cousins from the Zuni Pueblo), their uncle played the drums.

We couldn't resist the 1+ hour drive to Santa Fe for a morning, mostly for lunch at Tomasita's, home to my favorite sopapillas.

Alex and Nathan lifting the train wheels at the Railyard, a park and play area where the train yard used to be.

The "miraculous staircase" at the Loretto Chapel. Built by a mysterious carpenter with no glue, nails or any apparent support. It shouldn't stand, but it has for over 130 years.

Some days we just stayed close to home and took it easy, hitting playgrounds or going for a short hike at the foothills of the Sandias.

Heading off for a hike.

Daddy with his boys.

Nathan enjoying Grammie's company.

Alex, Grammie and I spent an hour watching a crew fix a water main break within Tanoan.

Papa teaching Nathan how to use his camera, taking a photo of the castle Nathan built.

Alex and Nathan helping Grammie with watering the flowers.

Resting up for more!

Nathan made dinner for us one night, his specialty of english muffin pizzas!

Nathan and Michael worked on building a K'nex rollercoaster. Overnight, Michael finished it up, and it was like Christmas morning when Nathan and Alex discovered the completed toy in the morning.

Grammie and Papa watched the boys for an evening so Michael and I could enjoy an amazing anniversary dinner at Farm and Table. Probably the best restaurant I have ever been to. And good company too ;-)

For our second weekend in New Mexico, the rest of the Malenfant clan descended on Albuquerque! It was a special time with cousins, Aunts and Uncles. There were parties, dancing, books, toys and running wild on the a golf course.

Alex immediately brought a book over to Aunt Nicki.


The kids table.

Elizabeth reading to Alex.

Nathan teaching his cousins about Monkeyshines.

Alicia reading to Alex (do you see a theme here, Alex loves being read to!)

Our attempt at the mass ascension somewhat foiled by crazy traffic and high winds, but everyone managed to have fun!

We had a very special evening celebrating Papa's 80th birthday. The party was located at Tanoan's Country Club, in a room with amazing views of the Sandias, the sunset and all the golf carts going by. The boys discovered the joy of Shirley Temple drinks, dancing with cousins and sprinting across a golf course.

Happy birthday Papa!

Alex enjoying the kid's table.

Mmmm, Shirley Temples...

Alex with Alicia watching the beautiful sunset.

Kylie helping Alex eat dessert.

Dancing machine!

Alex and his partner in crime, Aunt Lori!

80 years young.

Kylie didn't quite meet the definition of "kids" but she was a sport and great with Alex.

Dancing!

Zombie dancing!

Good chance for family photos!

All the cousins...

The Malenfant family.

Our last day in Albuquerque, we braved the winds and took the tram up the Sandias. The boys were so excited, and happy to just ride up, face the winds for 5 minutes and head back down. Because we took the first ride up of the day, and turned right back around, we had the tram all to ourselves on the return. We learned all about the tram, and go to see how the water ballast is released!