New Mexico

We headed to my aunt & uncle's place in New Mexico on Friday the 13th for a mini-family vacation.  They live in a beautiful little valley in the mountains, about halfway between Taos and Santa Fe on the High Road.  We stayed in the guest yurt:

The grownups slept in the bed, while the kids and the dog slept in a nest on the floor.  Speaking of dogs, Kenai went with us.  He ran with a pack of four other dogs while he was there, and never ran away or got lost even once.  Who knew he was smart enough to do that?!

We spent one day in Santa Fe, where we visited El Rancho de las Golindrinas, a Spanish colonial living history museum.  If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it.  Our kids' attention span allowed us about an hour and a half there, but we could've spent the whole day.  It's huge, and a fascinating place.  We followed that up with lunch at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame and a little lounging time on the plaza in Santa Fe.  It happened to be the 400th birthday of Santa Fe this year, and we stumbled upon a celebratory procession at the Catholic church near the plaza.  Think dozens and dozens of priests, monks and bishops, some carrying crosses, a cacophony of bells, all preceded by palanquins bearing saints.

The next day, some friends of my aunt & uncle, who happen to have a daughter B's age, came for a picnic.  We loaded the coolers, kids, and dogs (in order of importance) into the trucks and drove up the fire road into the national forest that borders their property.  We parked across a stream from a lovely little glade and waded across, hauling all our gear.  The grownups spent several relaxing hours lounging in the shade, while the kids and dogs frolicked on the hillside bordering the glade.  Picnic pics:

"I want another cookie!"

Z all loaded up & ready to go:

and chilling with her dad:

while Sissy chilled in the chair next to them:

The only second B held still the entire day:

"What?  You want me to take a bath?!  But it's only been three days with me exploring the forest 16 hours a day without even a washcloth touching my skin!"

It was a lovely mini-vacation, and all of us, including Kiki, had a fabulous time.  I hope it's not another three years before we can go again!  At 5.5 hours away, it's so close, and yet so far.  Particularly with a three year-old and a six year-old in the back seat.  I'm not above bribing them with candy to keep the peace though!