Back from New Mexico

It's been over two weeks since we got back from New Mexico, and we know that our blog is overdue for an update. The Robertsons visited the Land of Enchantment for Dad D's niece's high school graduation on May 21. Congratulations, Kira! We are praying for you as you endure the gruelling feat of Army basic training.

Traveling with a ten-month old and a two-year old has its challenges. Yet we survived.

We were looking forward to nice dry sunny days with highs in the 80's and cool starry nights in the 40's--that is normally what Gallup, NM is like in the late spring. Unfortunately, Dad D's younger brother, Steve, and his girlfriend, Helen, decided to make the trip from Seattle, WA. As everyone knows, rain comes from Seattle; so Steve and Helen apparently decided to contribute to New Mexico's annual 9 inches of rainfall on their visit to New Mexico by bringing pacific northwest thunderstorms with them. It rained nearly every day that we were in Gallup! It actually became a bit amusing as everywhere we went, Gallupians remarked to one another, "Isn't this weather wonderful!" Meanwhile, Mom E and I grumbled under our breath. All of that is to say that I wish I could have posted great shots of the Red Rocks unique to my hometown and beautiful photos of New Mexico's ever expansive blue sky, but we missed the photo opportunities on the first day or so of dry weather. Plus, we were in Albuquerque for the majority of our first two days. Day one we visited the Albuquerque zoo.

Day two we went to the Albuquerque science museum, Explora!, with Steve and Helen. Also, just to make sure no one gets the wrong idea, we were thrilled to get to see Steve and Helen. We were extremely fortunate to be able spend some quality time with them in Albuquerque. Spending time with them and the rest of Dad D's side of the family was worth countless thunderstorms raining cats and dogs . . . and was even worth a house full of cats and dogs.

Despite rumors to the contrary, we were not able to turn Mom E into a cat lover on this trip. I guess we'll just have to try again! One highlight of the trip was that Little I and Mr C were able to meet their Great-Grandma Bea for the first time.
And, of course Grandma and Grandaddy were able to spend some quality time with their grandkids.

Another highlight was Little I's numerous encounters with cacti. Yes, he knows that he is standing in front of a Prickly Pear cactus.

He is still talking about cacti two weeks later, "I see prickly pear cactus in dry desert." Unfortunately, we weren't able to visit the other object that Little I associates with dry deserts--a hogan. Maybe next time, Little I, maybe next time.