Albuquerque Trip

When we left Massachusetts for the last time, we didn't go to Colorado. Instead, we went to Albuquerque for Pam and Javier's wedding! I'd never been to New Mexico before, and I was pleasantly surprised by how pretty it was!

See what I mean?

Of all the wedding-related events we were there for, the only one I actually got photos of was the cake cutting and eating. Figures, right?

But there was eating (except by Aubrey, who threw a full plate on the stone floor, making a big mess and even bigger commotion) and dancing (the highlight of which was when I did an awesome kicking thing in the middle of the dance circle and flung my shoe straight into a woman's chest). Much fun was had. 

But when the night was over, we had to say goodbye to Pam and Javier. It was particularly sad knowing we wouldn't see them again in Boston. After a year of seeing Pam every week, it hit me hard. I'm still sad about it, honestly. :(

Besties! (I think this is the first time I've ever said or written that. It's weird.)

Anyway, after the wedding festivities, Daniel went back to Massachusetts to drive our stuff to Colorado, and my parents, the kids, and I did a little tour of Sante Fe. We mostly walked around the main square, where Aubrey and I danced together to some fun live music. (My mom got video of it that I'll have to get from her sometime.)

We also visited San Miguel Chapel, the oldest church in the continental United States. It dates back to the 17th century!

And, of course, Grandpa took the opportunity to play with Aubrey before we moved on.

When we did move on, we went just around the corner to one of the oldest buildings in the country, De Vargas Street House. It began as a pueblo in about 1200, though it was obviously altered and added to over time. And now, of course, part of it is a gift shop.

Here's the inside staged for tourists like us:

I snapped a few photos showing how the building changed over time. Here's what it was like somewhat originally...

And here it is today:

We kept walking, and we eventually found this moose. Reindeer? Whatever; Aubrey's the star of the photo anyway.

Carter totally didn't appreciate the luxury it is to be pushed around in a stroller, and he got a little eager to be free.

More Santa Fe as viewed on our stroll:

Finally, we went to Loretto Chapel, where we saw this famous, pretty staircase that is a feat of engineering, apparently.

I always like the ceilings in churches. I suppose it's fitting that I should be looking up when I enter a church, huh? 

At some point, Aubrey convinced me to let her use my phone to take pictures. The following are only some of the 90+ shots she took in our 5 minutes there. 

Do you notice the theme? I think my daughter has a butt fetish...

Anyway, I also took some shots. They're less exciting, I suppose, but they are a little more on point. 

We only had the one day in Santa Fe before heading to California, but I'm glad we made the trip. It was cool to see a part of this country I'd never visited before. We'll have to go back someday and see more! And next time Daniel can come... I guess. Maybe. ;)