The Tram

If you come and visit us in Albuquerque we will take you to do this. We went on a tram ride last week and it was amazing. It is the worlds largest tramway spanning 2.5 miles. It was so fun. I was amazed at how beautiful the mountains here were up close. They were much more rugged than I had imagined. At one point on the ride the driver told us we were 1000-2000 (I can't remember how far exactly) feet above the ground and that it would take us 7.5 seconds to fall to the ground should that happen.

James and Hyrum enjoying the ride.

The other tram coming down from the mountain to meet us.

Scottie and Hyrum up on top.

There is a ski resort up on top that we will have to go to sometime. The kicker is the tram is only 10 minutes drive from our new house.

Temporary Housing

We have been our home for a week now, but for the first two weeks in Albuquerque we stayed in some posh temporary housing. Our favorite part was the pool. We literally went there every day except Sunday. Scottie has gotten to be a really good swimmer. He can float on his belly with his face down in the water, and swim underwater, and swim across the deep end without a life jacket on.

Scottie modeling the pool for us. The best part of the pool was a wading area on the side that is only a foot deep so James could walk around or sit in deck chairs while Scottie and I swam.

James jumping into the pool.

Sunday Afternoon at the Rio Grande

Two Sundays ago we drove down to check out the Rio Grande and had a fun time.

My three handsome men in a tree.

It was super shallow, warm, and muddy but we had a fun time wading.

We saw lots of bugs, some bunnies, and our favorite, a big toad.

Home Sweet Home

It's official! We closed on this beauty on Friday. Tomorrow our movers come. Welcome to the wonderful and slightly daunting world of home ownership. We are excited.

From the front.

From the rear... yes the back yard needs a little work

Seattle to Albuquerque

We have made it to Albuquerque. We miss all of you Washingtonians. Here is a little recap of our journey. First 4 days at Twin Lakes on the Colville Indian Reservation. Next 2 nights in Boise for some fun with the other cousins. Then 2 more nights in Utah. The last night was spent in the metropolis of Cortez, Colorado, and finally on to Albuquerque.

Goodbye house!

Playing with Jesse dog in Boise.

James playing with the new calf.

Melyn with Matt Beecher's little munchkin at our Boston reunion in Utah.

Scottie and James playing with their cousin Dallan.

Mesa Verde, Cortez Colorado.

Twin Lakes 2010

Ahh Twin Lakes.... no matter the weather we love you. It was a little cooler than usual this year but we had a blast nonetheless. Everyone loves hanging out with cousins, eating too much junk, swimming, biking, waterskiing, playing volleyball, seeing fireworks, and staying up too late, seriously what could be better?

Scottie and Eric having fun on the boat. Eric's head is blocking me on the waterski. Scottie tried tubing for the first time and did awesome!

Party Island. The kids LOVED the paddle boat. My favorite was when we had our 7 year old captain with his 5 and 3 year old side kicks. Yes you DO need a life jacket Scottie!

James and Daddy and I on a quiet ride at dusk.

Scottie and cousins dancing on the picnic table.

That's me waterskiing. Yes I know wearing a wetsuit is sissy but did I mention it was cold out. The water was nice but in the wind... brrr.

We miss you already Twin Lakes.

Take a Left Turn at Albuquerque

On our recent trip to New Mexico (house hunting!), we took a stop in Old Albuquerque.  For a festive overview of Old Town, check out this site for tourists. Below are some pics from our trip.  Scottie stayed home with Shawn & Sarah (thanks, guys!), so our camera-time was focused on James.

At a layover in SLC, James playing with the potted plants in the airport.  Fun!

San Felipe de Neri Church on Old Town.

Reach for the sky!

Our good friend Janae hunkering down in our car during a rare Albuquerque snowstorm (which spoiled a great hike we had planned).  Janae has a history of counseling me when I’m considering a move to a new place (Boston and now Albuquerque).  Somehow, she always pulls through and I take the plunge.

Incentives

Economists believe that people will do anything if they have the right incentive.  We tapped into that power recently for our oldest son Scott.  For Christmas one of his friends got a new bike with training wheels.  She let him ride it a time or two and he was hooked.  He was so excited to get a bike with training wheels.  Since Christmas had just passed we didn’t feel justified in buying it outright.  Instead we decided he could earn his bike.  We made him a sticker chart and he had the opportunity every day to earn stickers for doing chores such as setting the table, clearing his dish, helping feed the chickens, etc.  After about a month Scottie had filled up his chart. 

Check out that beauty.  His name is Lightning McQueen the bike. 

Happy Birthday James!

James had his first birthday on March 11.  We celebrated by having the Schmidts over for a little impromptu party.  Here is a quick look at James:

Likes: Playing with his brother Scottie; Being tickled (he is super ticklish); Carrying things around (he is a chronic shoe stealer carrying them off away from the door); getting into mom’s cabinets; playing with spatulas; laughing; every kind of fruit; feeding himself with a spoon; trying out stairs, hills, etc.

Dislikes: being beat up by Scottie; having his nose wiped; being tired; sitting still.

Birthday highlights:

 

We love you James!!!

And the Verdict Is….

New Mexico.  We are moving to New Mexico.  I am not happy to be leaving the northwest but it does seem to be the right decision for our family.  Hyrum is taking a position at Sandia National Laboratories.  Do to my fragile feelings, follow your momma’s advice, “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”  All positive commentors please leave your thoughts on New Mexico.  :)