The Day After Thanksgiving.....

Since Santa Fe has already received a lot of snow, especially in the mountains, we planned to drive into the mountains and hike or sled. Of course, this meant carting a whole bunch of extra clothes, including snow pants, gloves, hats, extra layers, ski jackets, and waterproof shoes. However, CK and Olivia decided instead to go fly fishing on Friday morning, so we talked about possibly going up to the mountains in the afternoon, depending on how everyone felt. Aunt Shirl had already said she didn't want to go into the snow and I think Uncle Steve wasn't that keen on the idea either, so it would have just been the four of us.

CK got up at 7am and woke Olivia up and got her dressed. At first she said she wanted to sleep in and didn't want to go fly fishing, but Sofia talked her into it. I walked Buddy to the Plaza and got another cup of cafe au lait and returned to Aunt and Uncle's place. It had snowed over night and there was a good dusting of snow on the ground. It was really pretty! After CK and Olivia headed out, Sofia and I walked Buddy back down to the Plaza. We splurged and went to the Plaza Cafe and ordered to Mexican Hot Chocolates to go! They are SO delicious and warm and were just what we needed while we walked Buddy! It was just great to hang out with Sofia! She is always fun to spend one-on-one time with each girl and I can't believe how grown up and mature Sofia is getting. She is endlessly thinking and creating and I hope she never loses that as she gets older. We had a great time exploring the Plaza and looking at all the jewelry set out by the Native Americans. We had a great time.

We returned to Aunt and Uncle's place and hung out until CK and Olivia were back from their adventure. Uncle Steve decorated their pine tree in the backyard and Sofia was more than happy to help him put the lights and ornaments up. She loves Christmas trees and they had a great time making the tree ready for Christmas. By the time they were done, it looked ready for Christmas and very festive. CK and Olivia returned just as they were finishing the tree and told us all about their adventure. Olivia caught a fish and she had a great time! CK said she was really into it for about an hour or so, until she caught her fish, and then she ended up playing on the river bank. Of course, after their return they were both tired and didn't want to go up to the snow. Sofia, in her usual way, didn't want to leave the house, so she didn't want to go anywhere. She and Olivia had built a Lego set on Thanksgiving and she was busy playing with it and adding to it. So, we all relaxed, read, and played until it was time to walk to the Plaza for the Christmas lights and a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus!

Buddy is thinking "What is that??"

The dusting of snow on our walk.

Uncle Steve and Sofia decorating the tree!

Uncle Steve, Aunt Shirl, Sofia and Olivia by the finished tree!

Olivia getting ready to go fly fishing!

Sofia on our dog walk, wearing my jacket and holding her dragon.

A "Dog Bar" for dogs near the Plaza!

The Native American artists at the Portale.

Sofia and a big dragon! She loves it, of course!

Selfie on the dog walk!

Sofia building the Lego set.

Sofia's flying dragon. She only took about 40 photos of her dragon....

Olivia with her fish! She's so happy!

CK and Olivia driving back to Aunt and Uncle's after their adventure.

Sofia and Olivia by the "Christmas tree"