ABQ International Balloon Fest 09

Me and my little Bobo arriving at the festival



It was like a big fair with all the greasy fixings and some balloons on the side.

Nemo was the kid favorite



The kiddos actually went in the bouncy house. It was their first time and they all had a blast.







It ended up being too windy for a balloon glow but they started inflating and it was a pretty amazing site to see.







This is what they ended up doing instead of the glow, a torch burn. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...



Happy boy on the way home

Friday night drive

We went on a drive around the Antonito/Chama loop at the idea of our friends and saw lots of amazing scenery, wildlife (antelope and elk) and leaves. Nothing was more exciting for the kids, though, then the train, which we happened to catch just as it was coming up the hill. Luke kept asking where we were going and we were telling him that we were just driving, which was not a very satisfying answer to him, but after the train he was very content that the drive had a purpose and we had accomplished it :)

Cuddles

Luke was loving on his brother during story time before bed and we captured the moment in pictures

Birthday boy

Luke is four! He asked for a froggy theme and we had a very fun day. Grammy and Grandpa decorated a room at the youth and family center to look like a froggy jungle. There was a lily pad musical pad game and frog toss and fun swimming. Luke and everyone else had such a great time! I did not get very many pictures because I was enjoying all the festivities...but here are a few.

Pancakes for breakfast



and the frog toss



Some things I don't want to forget about my Lukey at this age:

-he likes to make little animal noises (sometimes loudly) all the time

-he snores loudly and I know because he loves to sleep with us, cuddling right next to me

-he is generous and loving with everyone...he willingly shares things that are special to him

-he enjoys putting his things in containers, any and all containers he can get his hands on are very quickly filled with goodies
-

Canyon de Chelly

We had a great time on a family camping trip to Canyon De Chelly which is a National Park in the heart of the Navajo Nation. The scenery was fantastic and the kiddos had a lot of fun camping with s'mores, dirt, and mud. We also saw the oldest continuously operating trading post on the Dine lands as well a one in Gallup. It was pretty cool to see how old everything was and that they were both operating in essentially the same way as they had been for over a hundred years...

David at the Navajo fortress rock

]

Lukey and Leyla



the cliffs made me nervous



another shot of fortress rock...they actually climbed it and shot intruders



ruins



"the place where two fell off" the story is that the women, children, and old men were hiding on this ledge when Spanish troops were invading and a woman called out and gave the position away. The soldiers massacred the people up there and in the fight a woman fought with a soldier and both fell from the cliff (hence the name)



Logan and plug



Camping time (thanks to my friend Angie for the great coat right in time for camping)



Mud anyone



This is at Spider Rock, which was probably my favorite spot in the canyon -- people actually hid up at the top of these spires during the Kit Carson campaign that resulted in the "long walk" these people were the only that survived to live on in their lands -- amazing!



better shot



You were there too Mom!

Fun shots

Luke at work



and at play

Horsey

First post of September woohoo!