"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."

Meeting Baby Tate

Last week we flew up to Portland Oregon. It was our first time in Oregon and our first time to meet this handsome little guy:

Tate Jackson; Addy's newest cousin.

He was already six weeks old when we finally made it up there, but I think he was worth the wait. Look at those handsome eyes!

Addy thought he was pretty cool. 

We've been singing "The Wheels on Bus" song a lot lately and she loves the part where the baby goes wa wa wa. Whenever we would talk about Baby Tate or whenever she realized he was there, she would do the hand motions for that part of the song and say "wa!"

She loved giving him kisses and even got to "hold" him a few times.

It's hard to believe my "little" brother is dad!

What a pleasure it was to meet you sweet Baby Tate! We're looking forward to spending your very first Christmas with you!

The Aftermath

Aloha!

We just got back this weekend from a wonderful family trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. We had a great time but after taking the red-eye home Saturday night, we've been playing catch up. My house looks a little bit like the aftermath of a tornado; piles of dirty clothes, clean clothes to put away and suitcases halfway unpacked. 

All three of us slept in until almost nine yesterday morning. It's only a four hour time difference but we're still having trouble figuring out when we're supposed to be doing what, especially Addy. She was glad to get back home to all her toys and her chores. She jumped right back into pushing in the chairs and organizing everything.

"This pantry hasn't been organized in days! Good thing we came home when we did!"

We're definitely having some Hawaii withdrawals. When I pulled into the bank today and rolled down the window, I swear it smelt just like the salty beach air and all Addy wants to eat are Cheetos. She might have picked up a few bad eating habits on vacation.

I'm slowly sorting through the many photos from our trip and hoping to get some posted soon. Until then, I'll leave you with a few pics of Addy taken on my phone. Question: When you travel, do you take a regular camera and your iPhone? I did both but looking back it seems a little unnecessary since I just have a point and shoot.

Aloha!

Colorado

One of the best things about living in the 505 is it's proximity to great places like Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Addy and I joined my parents for a fun road trip up to Colorful Colorado on Friday afternoon. Addy did great and slept the entire 4 hours in the car. She likes the Chief's pick up truck.

Matt was able to join us late Friday night after he got off work. He walked in to find us all in our PJ's hunched over a puzzle. We didn't do much more the whole time we were there. It was lovely!

We woke up to snow on Saturday morning; Addy's first snow!

The snow melted by mid-morning but it was still cold. I quickly learned that my energetic 7 month old does not have a lot of patience for dressing in layers but she sure did look cute in her socks and leggings.

My family likes to visit Pagosa at least once a year and we have a couple of restaurants we usually like to visit, but this time, we tried something new; a local brewery where they cook the food outside in a camping trailer. It may sound ghetto but the place was packed and they we're taking names for a waiting list.

On Sunday, we did a little shopping "downtown," which really means we went in and out of 4 stores that were all selling the same things they were last year. The shops are located across the street from the hot springs. You can't tell from the photo but it stinks!!! Those springs are popular but staaannnnkkky!

This was our 3rd time to stay in this house on the golf course right next to the lake/pond(?). We love the views, the geese flying over in the morning and the BEAutiful sunsets.

Does it get any better than this?

I came super prepared with everything Addy could possibly need including plenty of toys but what kept her the most entertained was this paper cup. I think Mr. Monkey might have felt a little neglected.

Besides a drive to Durango, we really didn't do much else. We did have some great time spent as a family though and we're hoping it was the first of many fun trips to Colorado with little Miss Addy.

Packing List

Complete this sentence: "I'm going on a trip and I'm taking with me......"

We're headed up to the beautiful state of Colorado today and I've been working on checking things off my packing list. It seems like since Addy came along, my packing list is like a mile long. That little lady requires of a lot of stuff! Besides the obvious essentials like wipes and diapers, some of the other must-brings on my list are:

A good book

(I'm giving this classic a try for the first time)

My Camera

Mr. Monkey for Addy's 7 month photos on Sunday

 And some needles and yarn

What fun things do you put on your packing list?

All photos from Pinterest

What We've Been Up To

Addy and Mawmaw

We've been in Las Cruces since Wednesday visiting my parents.

We've had a great time shopping, eating delicious Mexican Food and seeing old friends.

This evening, we head back to the 505, but before we do, I thought I'd share some random photos from our trip. Enjoy!

Good Morning!

Sportin' a new outfit from Grandma

Grandma and Addy reading

Addy's favorite new place to take a nap is on this gigantic beach towel. She slept for 2 hours!

Sittin' with the Chief, they're finally friends again.

Such a sleepy head

Pretty new pink outfit for church

In the LC

Addy and I made it to Las Cruces safe and sound last night thanks to a friend who we were able to bum a ride with.We drove through some pretty intense rain, which must have followed us into town. It poured here last night! These southern New Mexico roofs aren't used to so much water and my parents discovered a few leaks.

Addy has been making quite the impression on her Grandparents, sitting up and scooting. Scooting! Apparently, she does that now.

We've had a busy day; lunch with the ladies at St. Clair's Winery where we tasted their new Green Chile Wine (only in New Mexico) followed by a little shopping for miss Adelyne and then we came home to a snake in the garage. It's never dull around these parts. 

We're having a great time but already missing Matt and counting down the days till he gets here.

The Beach!

Linking up again with Gussy Sews!

I've lived in the desert my whole life but it seems that every summer is hotter than the last. This summer seems especially hot with a little one to keep cool. Going out in the middle of the day is no longer an option, which means we've spent a lot of time indoors this summer. Our new favorite thing to do on a Sunday afternoon is lounge by my in-laws pool, but I've been dreaming of the beach.

I'm a big fan of the beach and I'm a sucker for cheesy beach-loving songs. 

For this post I dug up some family vacay photos and the lyrics to my favorite Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band songs. Enjoy!

I've been dreaming about a "towel on a chair on the sand by the sea..."

"I want to look through my shades and see you there with me..."

"I want to soak up life for awhile, lay back and moan."

 "Been wishin' I were knee deep in the water somewhere..."

"Only worry in the world, is the tide gonna reach my chair?"

"Gonna put the world away for a minute, pretend I don't live in it..."

"Sunshine gonna wash my blues away."

"Not a worry in the world...

Life is good today."

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Katie on Pinterest

I just had to share this photo from the winner of Pioneer Woman's latest photo contest. Can you believe this was taken with a cell phone?