New Mexico trip

We had such a great trip to New Mexico! Here are some of the highlights:

On the way to Santa Fe (Windy day)

The Fall leaves were beautiful everywhere we went

Carlsbad Caverns

White Sands

Rio Grande Botanic Gardens (in Albuquerque)

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

We were so lucky to have clear, calm weather Saturday and Sunday morning so we could watch the Mass Ascensions. There were about 700 hot air balloons there! It was an amazing sight.

Mesa Verde

Another birdie encounter

I forgot to post these pictures of Malachi and his birdie friend. We happened upon this pet pigeon (?) at the county fair a couple months ago, and its owner told Malachi he could pet it. Of course, Malachi was SO happy. He never wanted to leave. He was very serious about it, and so gentle. He kept tilting his head and craning his neck around so he could look right into the birdie's eyes at all times. I really think he was communicating with it.

 I wonder what they were talking about?

And a bonus picture of Daisy petting a bunny.

Sundance Ski Lift with Grandma Nelson

It was a beautiful day and we had a great time! Luckily I had Junie in the front-pack, since she kept trying to squirm down and asking to "play, play, play." She also waved and called "hi" to the people we passed on the lift (I remember Daisy did this when we went two years ago!).

Beautiful bright oranges

Let's go again next Fall!

Turquoise dresses

My mom made the girls these sweet little matching dresses. (Daisy's doll has a matching dress too---I forgot to get her in the picture!) They looked so cute! It was hard to get them both to look at the camera at the same time. Or at all.

I told Daisy to hold Junie's hand. Junie was not pleased.

At least they're looking in the same direction!

This is the best we could do. Sweet little girls!

Flaming Gorge and Silver Lake

We enjoyed a beautiful day at Silver Lake with Philip and Allison and Grandma last week!

California Nelsons

The most exciting part was when we saw a moose! He was just off of the trail, so we tried to move past him very quietly!

Daisy and Benjamin

We also took a daytrip to Flaming Gorge last weekend. I've never been to that part of Utah before, and it's beautiful! We took a tour of the dam, had a campfire, and played in the reservoir. Such a beautiful day!

Three years old, Catch, Smoke

Happy Birthday Girl

Tiny people playing catch

Lots of smoke in the air these days. Sam's always trying to photograph it for his lecture slides.

Temporary penguin

Some recent Malachi cuteness:

(As I was putting ponytails in Daisy's hair): "It's good to do that, Mommy, because if you didn't, someone might see Daisy and say to themselves, 'Huh, that girl doesn't look very pretty; she doesn't have any ponytails!'"

(On a day he was wearing red shorts and a red shirt): "Do you think someone might think I'm just a red person with no clothes on?"

(Talking about the dangers of open-toed sandals, and why they might be prohibited at school): "And also, when you wear open-face shoes . . . well, I know there aren't usually porcupines around, but what if there was one and it poked your toes?"

An emperor penguin= "a temporary penguin"

"I'm going to write this down in minerals" (when he was writing something out with numerals)

More of what we've been up to . . .

4-H with cousins

Picnics

Baker's Hats

Movie in the park

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day rainbow!

Ky and Daisy waltzing in the driveway

Visiting Daddy's work