Taking the Train

On Saturday we took the Rail Runner to Albuquerque, which was a beautiful 1.5 hour long trip. It was great to take our time and enjoy the scenery and Sofia, of course, loved being on a real train. She sat with Aunt and Uncle nearly the entire trip and wanted to be with them while we walked around town, ate lunch, etc. Once we arrived in Albuquerque we had to take the bus to get to the historic plaza. Of course, the bus trip was nearly as exciting to Sofia as the train and she loved watching all the other riders, looking at the scenery as we drove around, and enjoyed having her own seat (without a car seat).

Once at the historic plaza, we realized that we had just over an hour before we needed to head back to the train station for our return to Santa Fe (unless we wanted to stay in Albuquerque for several more hours). We had a quick lunch and headed back to the station in a cab, and just made it in time to jump on the train. So, we didn't see much of Albuquerque, but the train trip was worth it!

Sofia spent Friday night in Aunt and Uncle's guest room and this is what I found when I arrived at their casita....Aunt Shirl reading Sofia's new dinosaur book to her in her pjs. What a life!


Getting a shoulder ride from Mommy


All set to get onto the Rail Runner


In Albuquerque, waiting for the bus to arrive.


On the bus heading toward the historic plaza


Weeee!


On the train, heading back to Santa Fe.


The scenery on the way back...


Incredible!


Taking a little cat nap with Aunt Shirl


Holding onto her train while snoozing....


Aunt Shirl, a sleepy Sofia and Uncle Steve.

Thanksgiving 2010

We awoke on Thanksgiving morning to find that a thin layer of snow had fallen during the night! Sofia immediately loved hanging out with Aunt and Uncle and decided to spend Wednesday night with them in their guest room. She slept great and woke up at her usual 7:30am. Sofia loved seeing the snow and leaving her footsteps in the snow. She did touch it and taste it, which she thought was great fun.

That morning we drove up to Aunt and Uncle's friend's amazing house to have breakfast together and start the turkey in the oven. Chris and Mike have a beautiful home with an incredible view of the mesas and landscape surrounding Santa Fe. Although Sofia was the only child, she loved playing with their wind-up toys on the coffee table. After breakfast we headed back down to the casita so Uncle Steve could make Grandma's apple pie and we could hang out for awhile before the big feast. We returned to Chris and Mike's house around 4pm for a wonderful meal together.

Snow!


Checking out her footprints.


Posing with the pig in the snow.


Aunt Shirl and Mike prepare the turkey


Putting the bird into the oven


The incredible view from Chris and Mike's windows.


Uncle Steve giving me a lesson on how to make Grandma's apple pie.


The final product - yes, it tasted just as great as it looks!


The three of us with so much to be thankful for....


Sofia playing trains on Chris and Mike's coffee table


Mike and Uncle Steve carve the turkey


Aunt and Uncle


Happy Thanksgiving 2010


Uncle Steve, Chris and Mike

Christmas in Santa Fe

We celebrated "Thanksmas" on Friday night and opened our Christmas presents to each other, since we won't all be together over Christmas. It was a fun night full of lots of great gifts and it felt like Christmas a little early!

Sofia opens her presents from Aunt and Uncle. A cool dinosaur book (the eyes roll around), a New Mexico story about jack rabbit's long ears, and a bunch of fun baking goodies. She got cooking utensils that have legs and arms and loved to play with them.


CK opens his beautiful sweater and shirt from Aunt and Uncle!


The three gals enjoying Thanksmas

Visiting the snow

After such a great Thanksgiving meal, we decided to drive up to the mountains and go for a hike in the snow on Friday morning. There wasn't as much snow as two years before, but there was enough for a nice hike and the weather was really perfect. Once again, Sofia loved watching how her footprints were left in the snow and also tried eating a little bit - Aunt Shirl was helpful in showing her how to avoid the pebbles and dirt. We walked along the snow-covered road and then Aunt Shirl, Sofia and I ended up getting off the road and hiking over to a little log structure someone had made. While we walked, Sofia loved looking around for various animal tracks - we saw rabbit and deer and some other tiny footprints of some sort of animal that we never could determine. We later showed Uncle Steve and CK the structure and later found an area of ice. The ice was the absolute highlight to Sofia, who loved sliding across it while holding onto Uncle Steve's hand. She couldn't stop giggling and could hardly stay upright!

After our walk, we headed back into Santa Fe for lunch before going to the luminarios lighting on the Plaza.

Footprints!


Playing in the snow with Aunt Shirl


Taking a taste - yum.


Enjoying our walk.


Finding the log structure with Aunt Shirl


The gang inside the structure (Uncle Steve is barely visible behind Aunt Shirl)


The three of us.


Sofia and Papa as billy goats - Sofia loved walking up the steep hillsides with her Papa


The view from our path


Walking with Papa


With Mommy (she almost never calls me "Mommy" but a stern "Mom" now - she sounds like she's a teenager sometimes).


Resting after our walk - What a view!


Hanging out with Papa.

Santa!

After our hike and lunch, we headed to the Plaza for the Luminario Lighting and Santa visit. We actually saw Santa around the corner from the Plaza and decided to pay him a visit. However, Sofia wanted nothing to do with Santa or Ms. Claus, despite the basket of candy canes Mrs. Claus held. We watched as Santa and Mrs. Claus drove off on the back of an old fire truck and headed to the Plaza. Uncle Steve, Sofia and her Papa watched a group sing Christmas carols in the Plaza, while waiting for the luminario lighting. Meanwhile, Aunt Shirl and I explored the various goods offered by local artists set up under the portico.

At one point, we noticed the line to visit Santa was very short so we decided to try and convince Sofia to visit Santa. When we saw him earlier, she kept asking "Where is the rest of his face?" so I think his big beard was a little scary. Anyway, we arrived in front of Santa and she was perfectly happy to sit on Mrs. Claus' lap and talk to Santa. In fact, she was going on and on about her little toy train and she was sure to tell Santa that she wants a train set for Christmas. Finally, we got her off Mrs. Claus' lap so other kids could visit with Santa. After a few minutes, she turned to me and said "He didn't give me a train set." so I had to explain that he won't bring her gifts until Christmas.....

We counted down together and the lights came on! It was beautiful! After lingering in the lights, we headed back to the casita and bed.

Sofia and the only Santa she wanted to see at first...


Santa and Mrs. Claus head off to the Plaza


The old fire truck


Uncle Steve, Papa and Sofia listen to Christmas carols


With Santa and Mrs. Claus. He's checking out her train


She then explains her train to Santa


A very happy visit! Sofia loved visiting Santa (especially being able to sit on Mrs. Claus' lap)


It was a VERY cold night, so Sofia used my cheeks to keep her hands warm (she wouldn't wear her gloves).


After the lights go on!


The Plaza from afar....