Trip to Albuquerque

So we finally embarked on our first major road trip with Eliza. David's parents were driving up to Albuquerque, NM. so that his Dad could go hunting with his moms brothers like they have done every year for practically all their lives! They invited us to go, and even though David couldn't come because of work and school...we decided it would be good for Eliza and I to go so she could meet his family. We left bright and early on the 20th at 5 AM! Eliza did so so amazing!!! I am so proud of her! She didn't fuss or cry much the whole way....Just about the time she was getting ready to we would stop to use the bathroom, fill up on gas, stretch our legs, eat, etc... including one longer break for lunch at our halfway point in Amarillo. We arrived in ALB. at 4pm NM. time. It was a warm welcome from Grandma Baca, Uncle Frank, Marcus, and Arianna. It's so fun because everyone is so close there...literally. Uncle Frank and Marcus live with Grandma, and Uncle Johnny, Aunt Juanita and Arianna live across the street. So we got to see them everyday. Eliza with second cousins Marcus and Arianna

Marcus looks alot like David

Eliza and Ari were friends right away...Ari is such a sweet girl

and it was her 12th b-day the day we arrived

Happy Birthday Ari!!

First things first when we arrived...food!! Gardunos of course!! Yummy stuffed sopapillas with red chilli...just a preview of our eating habits while in NM. Def. gained a few pounds =/

The first night was a little rough for Eliza...and Me. She has really never slept overnight anywhere other than her own crib, so the strange travel crib, in a strange house wasn't cutting it. But she DID fall asleep and each night got progressivly better. And luckily even naps went pretty smoothly...as long as I kept the room dark. I had a hard time because I havn't slept alone for over a year and a half...pathetic, yes I know.

The next night we met Dads family at El Pinto. Everyone wasn't able to make it, but we were able to see Aunt Cindy and Uncle Tony, Uncle Brian and Brent and Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dennis.

Aunt Cindy and Uncle Tony

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Dennis with
their great granddaughter

Friday night was girls night! The guys left that morning for the mountains near Colorado to hunt, so we went to Uptown with Moms Sisters Joann and Sandra and Joanns Daughter Sammy and Grandma Baca. We decided to take a break from Mexican food and went to a nice Italian restaurant. Eliza was sorta protesting all the driving and staying out late, so dinner was a little rough. Poor baby, she is such a Trooper!! But it was still alot of fun=)

Auntie Joann, Sammy, Auntie Sandra and Grandma with Eliza

The ladies

Eliza has been getting ready to crawl for a few weeks now, and David warned her that she better not start while he wasn't there....so of course she did! Now she is everywhere!! It is the cutest thing to turn around and see her chasing after me!

Eliza posing at the Chili stand

Of course you can't come to NM. and not get fresh roasted chili! So we went to a place Grandma had been raving about where they sold green chili called "big Jims". Turns out they did have some awesome chili...and an owner who Grandma thought was really cute...haha poor Grandma we were giving her a hard time about "big Jim" the rest of the trip! She is so cute!

Posing by the red chili ristras

Eliza loooved playing with all of her second or third cousins....im not sure...they are her dads cousins kids. But she is not too far behind Jude (lil guy in the yellow shirt) so it'll be fun to get them together as they get older. David has a few cousins who just had babies so hopefully they will all get to meet soon.

And she loved loved Grandma Baca! Luckily she gets to come up for Thanksgiving=)

Sunday we went to church in the Ward mom and dad were in when they first joinded the Church 30 years ago! There were only a few members there that they recognized like the Thurgoods (Brother Thurgood married them, so that was neat). And Davids Sunday school teacher. It is always great to go to other wards and know that the church is the same wherever you go. I love that.

Eliza and Memaw bundled up at the Ore House restaurant in Santa Fe

Monday we drove about 45 mins to Santa Fe. It is such a beautiful Drive!! All of the mountains and mesa's...such a nice variation from flat Texas.

It was a long, pretty chili day.

We had so much fun even though it was a little cold and windy and we spent most of our time looking for someplace that sold stuffed sopapillas ha...we didn't know that in fall and winter all the restaurants close at 2!! Dont worry we did find someplace to eat. I cant wait to go back with David.

The guys got back Tuesday, and Dad had shot a deer! Way-to-go Dad!! They had alot of funny stories to tell, as always! What a great bunch of guys...I'm Glad Eliza got to meet them all=)

Getting ready to skin the deer...disgusting.

Wednesday we just stayed home, packed, and enjoyed our last day with family in New Mexico. We left at 5AM on Thursday and got into town about 5:30PM Texas time. We stopped by to see David at work because I was really anxious to see him=) Eliza was happy to see her Daddy too=) A week is a long time to be away from your hubby! But we had the best time!! Eliza was a little angel and loved meeting her New Mexico family! Hopefully it wont be long before our WHOLE little family gets to take the trip.