A Random List for This Snowy Day

- We woke up to snow this morning. I guess the gopher was right and winter will be sticking around a little longer. Bummer.

- At least that means, cute kids beanies (like the ones in my Etsy shop, wink wink) will be in demand a little longer

- I've already had a few sales from my shop, which is more than I ever expected to happen.

- Speaking of Etsy, I'm addicted. I have the app on my phone and I've found way to many things to spend money on. It's like shopping at a cute little boutique in your pjs.

- The other day, Addy asked to listen to "the clapping song" on our church's Cause for Praise CD. It's such a little thing but it made my heart happy and hopeful that the little effort I am making in putting Christ-centered things around her, isn't for nothing.

- I've tried to watch the Downton Abbey season finale online 3 days in a row, at apparently the same time everyone else is because the video won't load. Grr!

- During my first prenatal appointment, the doctor told me that things would start to fall apart a lot faster this time around and boy was she right! I'm not even 20 weeks yet but I feel like I could be entering my third trimester; so many aches and pains that I don't remember happening at this stage last time.

- I've never been much of a baker but I think we might have to make baking a regular activity. I love that it's something Addy and I can do together and since I've developed a little bit of a sweet tooth during my second trimester, I wouldn't mind having sweets around. My hips might not feel the same way though.

- We got to spend all of last weekend with Addy's cousin Carter. It was great but now we all miss our little buddy and Addy goes around saying "I miss Carcar!"

- Matt and I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" last night and we're determined that that won't be us. So, today, we are off to the store to buy lots of fruits and veggies to juice. Addy had some lettuce, carrott, apple and orange juice last night and she didn't hate it!

Happy Thursday Friends! Stay warm!

"Choo Choo Day!"

The other day Matt was feeding Addy and as usual, Addy was talking about a "choo choo." Matt asked her if she would like to ride on a choo choo, a big choo choo. He asked if she would like to ride the Rail Runner up to Santa Fe and if she thought her cousin Carter would like to go too. She of course said yes, "I wide! I wide!"

So we had a plan, on Saturday, which happened to be 3 days away, we would go on a little adventure. Carter was invited, his parents said "yes," and so we began counting down the days until Saturday when we would ride the big choo choo.

We loaded up the kiddos in time to catch the 9:20 train. On the way to the station, Carter kept saying "Choo choo day! Choo choo day!" We found out later that that was something he came up with all on his own.

Addy and Carter did great on the 45 minute train ride. They had snacks, and took turns spying horses, cows and trucks out the window. Addy would ask for "more" which is kind of her way of saying she likes something these days and Carter would say "all aboard!"

In Santa Fe we ate at one of our favorite places, the Rooftop Pizzeria. We took a similar trip to Santa Fe about a year ago and ate at the same restaurant. Addy wasn't even walking yet but it was a fun outing for our little family. This time, we enjoyed reminiscing and praising God for how far he has brought us in a year.

Carter was such a little trooper, going with the flow, as if he was one of our own. I wonder what people thought when they saw us with two kids, about the same age who kind of look a like. Brother and Sister? Twins? Cousins?

The next train headed back home to Albuquerque didn't leave until 3:20 and by that time these two were tired little kiddos. We ordered some coffee at Flying Star while we waited for the train and let them play in the booth. They quickly started to melt.

When we finally got back on the train, it didn't take very long for Carter crash. I'm a lucky Aunt and got to snuggle all the way home.

It took a little longer for Addy to fall asleep, but once she did, she was out.

She was pretty disoriented when she woke up, and who wouldn't be after sleeping folded in half like that?

We were all exhausted after our adventure to Santa Fe but we had a blast and made some very special memories. Weeks later, we're still talking about "Choo Choo Day."

Balloon Fiesta Week

The Balloon Fiesta was weeks ago and since then we've had family in town as well as a little cold that decided to visit all three members of our household. Thankfully, we all seem to be better now and I have some free time to upload pictures. So, here is our week of balloons via the iphone. 

Up before the sun, bundled up in Carter's sweet bike trailer, but no balloons. Bummer!

Getting up at 5:30 makes for a long Saturday!

We have a great view from our house and Addy got to see balloons or "balls" almost every morning.

How cute are these PJ's? They have boots and cowgirl hats on them. Handy-me-downs are the best!

At some point during the week, George got all dressed up. I think this was Grandma's doing. I took a pic and every time I let Addy scan through my photos, she would laugh at this one.

Sick little baby still woke in time to the balloons.

We camped out in our front yard, hillbilly style.

This was my attempt at being artsy.

We were able to take Addy and Carter to the Fiesta on the very last day. It was a beautiful day but I think we might have had our expectations set a little too high. They hated it. At least one of them were crying the entire time. Those silly New Mexican kids aren't used to cold weather or early mornings.

I Take it Back

Remember when I said I wasn't ready for Summer to be over?

Well, I take it back. I am 100% over this summer heat. 

Yesterday, we spent our Labor Day working in the front yard. Actually, Matt spent his Labor Day working in the front yard and I spent Addy's nap time out there and after 10 minutes, I decided that its about time for Summer to pack up and leave. It's just too darn hot!

I've had my fill of Summer and now I'm ready for jeans, warm beverages and scarves! 

How's that for being fickle?

Oh well!

I'll leave you with this funny pic of Addy from the weekend. This is right after her nap. She must have taken her pig tails out in her sleep. It's a bit blurry, sorry!

"Addy, how old are you?"

What the 505 Hasn't Got

In June, we will have lived in Albuquerque for four years. We've come to love the 505 these past four years, we have no plans of leaving and I hardly ever miss my hometown in southern New Mexico. But, there are few areas where Las Cruces has Albuquerque beat. The LC is home to my parents, some really good old friends and the most delicious Mexican food ever! During this past trip, I discovered a few other things that need to be added to that list:

- A Farmer's Market

After coffee on Saturday morning, my bestie and I browsed 3 (or more) blocks of homemade/homegrown goodness in downtown Las Cruces. I didn't buy anything but I had a great time being outside and hanging out with her. I wish our farmer's market were at all comparable.

- Clean Discount Stores

I love to shop at Marshall's and Ross while in the LC. We have two of each of those in Albuquerque and I HATE going because they are ghetto, unorganized and it takes forever to check out! But in Cruces, they are clean and I usually have my Mom or BFF with me to help dig through the clothes to find treasures.

- Fun Dressing Rooms

I may be shopping in the wrong stores but I've never seen this in any of our dressing rooms and I thought it was super cute!

 

 

So, that's my little shout out for the 575. Thanks for a great trip Cruces!

Hello Spring!

I have/had a busy day today; running errands, making favors for Addy's party and cleaning but I had to take a second to tell you something, friends.

SPRING IS HERE!!!!!!

I almost hesitate to say anything because I wouldn't want to jinx it, but here's the proof.

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year but Spring is a very close second. For the past four years we've been living in Albuquerque, Matt has told me that there's always one big final storm right before spring, around the end of February, early March, and for the past four years he's been right. Saturday was a super gloomy day in the 505 (It might have made me a little grumpy) and on Sunday we woke up to snow. But on Monday, this is what Addy and I saw on our walk.

Ah! It makes this sun loving-New Mexican girl happy.

Yes, I am the dork on the sidewalk taking pictures of the blooming trees. I can't help it, they make me smile. They also make me sneeze but I'll forgive them for that.

This pic was taken right before I turned the corner and a big scary dog almost jumped the fence and attacked me and my child. I might have screamed and I might have realized where Addy gets her fear of dogs from. I must remember to walk on the other side of the road next time.

 

Speaking of dogs, I've been using this big guy, his name is Winston, as a baby gate for our craft room/office. Works like a charm, Addy doesn't go near it.

The Bosque del Apache

On Sunday we celebrated my Dad's Birthday with lunch in Socorro and a drive through the Bosque del Apache. 

The Bosque del Apache is a wildlife refugee about an hour and a half south of Albuquerque. According to the website, during the Fall and Winter seasons, there  are thousands of birds including Sandhill Cranes, Arctic Geese and a variety of ducks. We went a little early in the season, but we were still able to see a lot of wildlife surrounded by beautiful fall colors.

Sandhill Cranes in a field of Alfapha

Geese!

Addy and the Birthday Boy!

It's funny how you can live somewhere you're whole life and never even know that something like this exists. It's definitely a New Mexican treasure.

Linking up with the Paper Mama and Wordlessish Wednesday.

Fall in the 505

Fall has definitely come to our neck of the woods and we're loving it!

This season is different in New Mexico. While most of the country is admiring the changing leaves, we're roasting green Chile and spotting hot-air balloons.

I've said it several times this week, but Fall is really great here in the 505.

It's that wonderful time of year in between the brutally hot summer and the drab of winter. 

Katie, Matt and Baby Danner - Balloon Fiesta 2010

It's a time for layering, because it's cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon.

The Danner's - Halloween 2009

It's a time of anticipation and planning for the holidays to come.

My favorite tree outside of our condo

And in the past, for my hard-working hubby, it's been a season spent in the law library, studying for tests and counting down the days till graduation. This year is different though, this year we're spending weekends as a family. 

We're enjoying lazy Saturdays working on the house and watching football. We're taking adventures to the Balloon Fiesta and experiencing our first Fall as a family of three.

Balloon Fiesta 2011

What is Fall like where you're from?