A day at Bandelier National Park

Today we headed to Bandelier National Park and did a little hiking and history exploring with the kids. Meghan was really into it. It was a fun and beautiful day up in the forest and a great way to spend our anniversary... 7 years of a great marriage we celebrated today. Michael and I had yesterday to ourselves while Grandma and Grandpa kindly watched the two kiddos. We explored Santa Fe and had a wonderful time.
This morning we picked the kids up and headed up to the forest about an hour out of Santa Fe, closer to Los Alamos. the place is beautiful and I was kicking myself for not taking my 'good' camera. Oh well, we had lots of fun collecting pictures for Meghan's sound of the week... the letter 'C'... You know, CAVE, CLIMBING, CACTUS, CREEK, CAUTION, CONE, etc. etc. It got a bit out of control after awhile with Michael and I trying to come up with every C word possible... but fun. Anyway, here are a few shots from our CAMERA :)

A visit with the Alpacas

Every time we visit Santa Fe, we go and visit the Que Sera Alpacas . The first time we went, Meghan was about 18 months and she loved them. They gave her kisses and were so cute. This photo of her was even used on their business cards and website. Last summer, she was quite fearful of everything, including the Alpacas so the visit was more about overcoming fears than anything. Today however, Meghan was having the time of her life playing with the baby alpaca as if it was another child. Several times the 2 month old Alpaca snuck up on her and nuzzled her neck, and once chased her around in circles around my legs. I felt like there were 2 three year olds in the pen instead of just my Meghan. When it came time to leave, Meghan was so sad to say goodbye and she begged for more visits. They are headed to the New Mexico State fair later this week.

Nathan is now Signing!

If you've never heard of using Baby Signs with your babies, it is the most amazing thing to investigate if you have young babies that are not yet talking. We used them with Meghan and at one point between 12-18 months she had about 40 signs she used to communicate. We've been teaching them to Nathan and just in the last month he has started using a few here and there. Today he started signing for dog which is a 'panting' type action. We were out and about with Grandma and Grandpa and encountered a dog. I noticed that besides Nathan's eager interest in the dog he was doing a funny panting type thing. I then realized he was using the sign we had taught him. He then repeated it later in the afternoon when we heard another dog, and again when I read the Baby Signs for Animals Book. I was able to capture him on video doing one of his first obvious signs... He has since learned two more in just one day... the sign for frog and for fan. It's just so darn cute and he is so excited to be able to communicate... Now we just need to work on the useful ones like more, eat, drink, all done!

More Smores Please

We (Meghan, Nathan and I) are currently visiting my parents in Santa Fe. What a lovely thing it is to have two other adults present and actually outnumber the children! Anyway, today we went up into the Santa Fe National Forest to go 'day camping'... no tent, and come home for baths at night, but all the fun of camping. We had a blast. We arrived and grilled up some hotdogs. After eating our fill, Meghan and I walked to a little bridge to play 'Pooh Sticks'... a favorite past time for Winnie the Pooh. Anyway, we got sidetracked by some beautiful wildflowers and amazing dandelions. They were the biggest dandelions I think I have ever seen and Meghan had a wonderful time blowing them everywhere so there will be plenty more of them next time we are there. Meghan and Nathan played nicely together which is always a wonderful thing to encourage. Meghan had a blast picking wildflowers and making a beautiful bouquet for Grandma. We also found some cool rocks (always a highlight), and by the end my pockets were full of things... seeds, flower petals, and rocks, and her hands were full of flowers. Time to return for Smores. Meghan of course LOVES smores. Tonight she told Grandma when she was getting tucked into bed that her favorite part of today was the Smores. Being that we are on vacation, I stretched the rules and Meghan probably ate more marshmallows than are considered healthy, but hey we're at Grandma's house, and rules can be broken within reason.

Girl Cheese Sandwich

Okay, sometimes you have to admit kids say the CUTEST things you just have to stop and laugh about it. This happened to me today when I informed Meghan upon picking her up from school that we would be going to lunch at Panera. The conversation continued about her morning lessons and other preschool happenings when I decided to determine Meghan's lunch order BEFORE standing in a big long line while holding a 22 lb squirming baby, backpack and Meghan's hand... So, I started discussing her options... Peanut Butter and Jelly, Bagel, Grilled Cheese, Turkey and cheese, etc. After thinking about it Meghan said, "Girl Cheese Sandwich, please". Nope, that's not a typo. She called it a Girl Cheese Sandwich, then leaned over to Nathan and said, "Nathan, do you want a Boy cheese sandwich?" I just had to laugh to myself and appreciate the fun little moments of being a mom... Oh and yes, Meghan ate all of her Girl Cheese Sandwich at lunch. Now if she would only take a nap!