The Cottonwood trees turning yellow, the smell of roasting chiles... It is Fall in New Mexico and time for our yearly trip!
The kids were so excited to see Grammie and Papa at the Sunport that they were just blurs!
Yay!
Going to the Mass Ascension at the Balloon Fiesta requires waking up at 4:15am. We take advantage of the time difference and go the first morning (so 4:15am feels like 6:15am). We still required lots of coffee, freshly made mini donuts and of course breakfast burritos!
Nathan would have been perfectly happy just watching the automatic donut maker all morning. Balloons? What balloons?
As the sun peeks over the Sandias, a balloon fires it's burner.
Long shadows of Michael and Nathan as the sun rises.
Time to get breakfast burritos from Lotaburger!!
We went a second morning to the Mass Ascension, and for ease, I am posting these with the other :)
Morning Patrol balloon drifting past the full moon.
Nathan watching Spider Pig inflate!
Zia balloon!
Alex's favorite was the Smiley Face Balloon.
A clock floats over a bee...
Alex was very excited about the whale balloon (his lovey is a stuffed Mr. Whale).
The bees arise!
I've got the whole world, in my hands...
Family photo with the Zebras!
We headed back to the house to relax and rest after an early morning, plotting out our next adventure. And that adventure was the Rail Yards Market in downtown Albuquerque, in the oldest neighborhood called Barelas. The market is held on Sundays in the former rail yard, in a beautiful old building. The vendors are all local, selling amazing food and goods. They also have live music and entertainers and arts and crafts for the kids!
Entrance to the "Yards".
From the inside, the pretty multi-color windows.
Alex and Grammie watching "Buffalo Bill Boycott" singing "You are My Sunshine"
Getting a little help with making a special necklace.
Nathan and Michael watching the balloon artist.
When we got home, we got to celebrate Kylie's birthday with her!
The next day we headed out to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument for a "little" hike. We had done a portion of the hike 2 years ago when Alex was just on verge of walking. We decided to try again with Alex running, jumping and climbing everything!
An attempt at the super cute pictures at the "tunnel" tree from 2 years ago. Some boys really needed to pee and the moment passed. Oh well!
Nathan coming through the tunnel tree.
Up the trail we go!
It was a little harder than we expected, but the kids powered through and made it all the way to the top!
The sun in the "tent" rocks.
Running through the slot canyon on our way down.
Alex took a very long nap on the way home, and so he stayed up very late telling Grammie all about the hike.
The next day was a road trip through the Jemez Mountains and back down through Santa Fe. Grammie and Papa joined us for a trip down memory lane!
First stop was the Soda Dam, where water from hot springs has deposited minerals for centuries, creating a large, very cool, very stinky (sulfur) structure.
Checking out the hot springs emerging from the ground.
Soda Dam!
Ewww, sulfur!
Teaching Nathan about cattle guards.
We drove a little further up the road to Battleship Rock.
And digging in the red dirt.
And then playing in the Jemez River!
In was very cold, but the boys didn't care!
Further down the road, we visited the Valle Caldera, the crater of an old volcano.
The boys fell fast asleep after lunch, and missed a tour of Los Alamos, but were wide awake for Santa Fe and a tasty dinner at Tomasita's.
At the train station...
When in Santa Fe, we have to stop by the boy's favorite playground in the former rail yards.
Fun on the merry go round.
Filling up on the best sopapillas!
The next day was a quiet one at home, playing with toys and exploring nearby parks.
Nathan very excitedly watching the K'Nex roller coaster we built.
At the local playground, building and flying airplanes.
