Exploring New Mexico!

   Almost hard to believe, but this week, Nick will celebrate the one year mark of living in New Mexico (Nora and I moved one month later but you get the point). Although it does seem that time has flown by, I do feel like we have sure done a lot in those short 12 months. As a family familiar with moves, we enjoy the opportunity that we get, to go and experience new places. Since we found out we were moving to the Southwest, we had already made a long list of things we wanted to do while living here.

  Someone posted on their facebook awhile back about the number of weekends you have with your child before they graduate from high school and usually leave you alone....(only 940) this just confirmed the fact to me that we need to make each and every weekend count with our baby girl. Of course, we along with everyone else have the normal weekend chores we need to get accomplished, but we make sure to schedule in our family time first!

I am always on the lookout or have my ears open to hear of local events, festivals or hot spots we need to check out. Of course, they all need to be kid friendly but the beauty of having a well behaved and adaptable toddler, makes it easy for us to maneuver pretty much anywhere around the city :) A few of our latest adventures include; hiking in the National Park called Tent Rocks, sight seeing in the scenic Placitas, attending the ABQ Food and Beer Festival and making a road trip to the Santa Fe Children's Museum. All of which we thoroughly enjoyed! ( I have included my favorite pics below)

I thought I would do a little year in review for the Steffen's as we close the one year mark of living in the land of enchantment...

June:  Moved from Texas to Albuquerque NM. Moved into temporary housing. My mom was here to help. Made our first trip to Santa Fe. Rode the Tramway and explored the Sandia Mountains. Ate New Mexican food for the first time.

July: Celebrated 4th of July with a parade and fireworks show. Attended the ABQ Lavender Festival. Spent many days soaking up the very bright sun and lounging poolside. Bought a house and moved across town.

August: Got settled into our new house. Nick's parents and grandmother came to visit. Made a road trip back to Kansas for a week and celebrated Nora's 1st Birthday.

September: Nora officially turned 1 and we had a big shindig to celebrate. Tailgated several UNM football games with the NYL crew. Continued to meet new friends and get familiar with our new area.

October: Attended the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! Also checked out the ABQ Arts Festival. Celebrated Nora's first Halloween Trick or Treating and she took her first steps!

November: Celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents here early and then made a week long trip to Durango, Colorado for the holiday. Began all our Christmas decorating and shopping (my favorite time of the year)

December: Nora and I flew back to Kansas for a week. Celebrated my 31st birthday! Had our first Christmas alone as just our family of 3 (we survived and even started some of our own traditions)

January: Celebrated Nick's 31st birthday! Attended the NYL black tie kickoff event.

February: Celebrated Valentine's Day together, Nick and I traveled to Florida for a week while both Grandma Mary's traveled here to watch Nora.

March: Nora turned 18 months old. Celebrated St. Patrick's Day. Had a visit from Nick's buddy. Did all our spring house cleaning and yard work to get ready for summertime!

April: Took a road trip back to Ft. Worth. Went to Great Wolf Lodge, the zoo and spent time with many of our great friends there. Celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Bought our zoo/aquarium pass and are frequenters there.

May: Hiked through Tent Rocks National Park and the Placitas and checked out the Santa Fe Children's Museum. ** Nora and I will be flying back to Kansas for a week after Memorial Day Weekend.

The rest will be updated as we continue with more adventures! Stay tuned as we have much more fun to come!!