Christmas Nativity

Our stake held a live nativity and christmas concert this week. Our primary was to act out the nativity scene and sing christmas songs. Isaac is standing inbetween Joseph and Mary and Evie is the littlest angel on stage.

Snow in New Mexico

We were told when we moved that we did get snow here. I'm not sure that I believed it but yesterday we had snow. It wasn't much and it didn't last long but the kids had fun while it was here. We can't wait to go home for Christmas and play in big piles of snow.

Santa

My kids have always been wary of people in costumes. They weren't brave enough to sit on Santa's lap. The funny thing was that Santa was Greg this year. Isaac walked out of the room and said "Mom, Santa sounds just like Daddy." We had to have a conversation on Santa and his helpers.

Twinkle Light Parade

We went down town to watch the twinkle light parade. It was a little cool outside but not too bad. There were 120 floats half of which were latin cars with christmas lights. We did like the Mariachi band with lights. It's really been fun to be in a different state with a culture so different from Utah.

Carlsbad Caverns, NM

Greg had to do some work in Roswell, NM this weekend and the kids and I decided to go with him. Roswell is a funny town, everything is centered around UFO's and aliens. It is allegedly the crash site of a UFO in the 1950's. The Carlsbad caverns were only another 2 hours south of Roswell so we decided it would be fun to check them out. They are the second largest cave system in the US. I can't even describe the wonder and awe at the emense size of the place. It took us an hour just to walk to the bottom of it and another hour to walk around the "big room". Isaac did a great job walking the whole way. Evie got a free ride in the backpack. All in all a worth while trip.

High Flying

I just recently got my old pentax film camera out of the closet again. I love my digital for most things, it's just too convienent. But I forgot how beautiful photographs on film can be. I took two basic photography classes at Utah State while I was there. There is just something pure and clean about film. If I could have a luxury item it would be a dark room for developing. Or maybe a potter's wheel and kiln...I can never decided.

A Fall for all

We had heard that the Fall's in New Mexico were the best time of year and they were right. It is simply beautiful.

Silver Lining

Although we lost the race we should look at the silver lining in all of this. Lacey was right when she said that what happens should happen. Heavenly Father is in control and watching us closely so we have nothing to fear. "...he that have the stearage of my course, direct my sail..." - Shakespeare. The next 4 years might be a rough ride but it's nothing that we can't handle with our families close and the true church on earth. The best we can do is pray for the men and women running our country that they will make informed decision based on the betterment of America and not themselves. So I have decided to be of good cheer and focus on the most important things in life. I think we live in a remarkable time on earth. We will see many great things come to pass and with the great, the terrible (The Great and Terrible by Chris Stewart - read it if you have not). I love my country and all the freedoms that come with it, I love my family and all the love and support that buoy me up, I love the gospel and the reassurance and guidance it gives me, and most of all I love my Lord and Savior for giving me every great thing that I have. Be of good cheer...the church it true!

Yes She Can

We are hoping for the best on Tuesday. In the last presidential election our state of New Mexico voted red but I am not sure that will be the case this time around. Greg and I voted early and the lines were so long. At least people are getting out there and voting. It's important to exercise your right to vote. We live in the greatest country in the world and have been given all the best opportunities. Many have given their entire lives and died for us to have this right. Don't forget tomorrow to vote for our country's future, no matter who you vote for. Just do it. I'll step off my soapbox now.

Chef Fullmer

We had the opportunity to attend a grown-up halloween party. We had a great time and Greg easily provided us with our costumes.

Father and son

I just thought that this photo turned out so well. I love my boys.

Belle and her knight in shining armor

I finished making Isaac's and Evie's costumes in time. They turned out great. The kids were so excited to wear them to the trunk or treat. It's nice to be outside without our winter coats. We had to make a treat for our ward halloween party and this is what we came up with.

October

We went to a pumpkin patch in the neighboring town of Corrales. I love the fall. The kids played in a "corn box" and had a hayride. They went to a petting zoo and picked their own pumpkins in the pumpkin patch. Grandma and Grandpa Fullmer drove down for a visit and that was fun. This time of year is balloon fiesta where hundreds of hot air balloon go up everyday for a week. We were so excited to go and had great tickets for Friday and Saturday. Unfortunetly for us the weather did not cooperate and they were unable to fly either day. I guess there is always next year. I am busy making halloween costumes for the kids and we are enjoying the wonderful weather. I just started to get cool here with 75 degrees durning the day and dipping into the 50's at night. It's perfect.

New Mexico State Fair

We had so much fun at the fair. It was so BIG. They even had bengal tigers doing tricks in cages. The kids had a great time on all the rides, it was like going to Lagoon but with more attractions. Luckily Isaac is tall for his age and could ride most things by himself. Evie had the most fun on the swings and ferris wheel. Greg and I just enjoyed the kids fun.

Botanical Garden and Aquarium

We were invited to go to our local botanical garden and aquarium this afternoon. The kids loved it and so did I. In the garden they have an entire area for kids where you shrink down in size and look at life from a bug's point of view. It was very imaginative. I think the kids favorite part was being inside the giant pumpkin. After the garden we went to the aquarium and checked out all the fish. Isaac was only interested in seeing the sharks. We were fortunate enough to be there while the scuba divers fed the stingrays and giant turtles which were bigger than Isaac is. Great adventure!

McCain Rally in Albuquerque

We had the opportunity on Saturday to attend the McCain/Palin rally here in Albuquerque. It's nice to live in a state where presidential candidate come and campaign. It is supposed to be a very close race here. I couldn't believe how many people were there along with all the protesters. Inside the convention center it was really energizing. We heard from our local congressmen and then Robert Duvall and his wife came and had some nice words to say about McCain. The crowd went crazy as McCain and Palin came in. All in all it was a great experience.

Pickin' raspberries

We were so lucky to find a raspberry farm in a small neighboring town. We are looking forward to having some homemade raspberry icecream. Evie had a great time finding the red ones and Isaac was busy picking BIG snails. So everyone was happy. I know the color is a little off but the pictures was taken with the camera phone.

UNM Football

What can we say...we are big sports fans. Although no matter where we go we will always be Aggie blue through and through.

Trip to Idaho

4th of July

Gregory Isaac Fullmer

Moonrise by Ansel Adams

This was taken in New Mexico, it's one of my favorites of his work.

Just relaxin'...poolside

"Sprayground"

The kids got to play at the "sprayground". It's a playground where everything shoots water. What a great idea and to top it all off they provide a free lunch. Now that's my kind of playdate.

Dance Party

I know I post alot of videos on my blog but we live so far away and Grandmas and Grandpas need to see the kids. Isn't technology great, just look what we can do!

Big Splash!

Isaac is doing a great job in the pool. He will be an accomplished swimmer in no time. He loves to show off that he can jump into the water without help.

Catching a fish!

Fishing at Manzano Lake

We were invited to go fishing on Saturday with some new friends in the ward. They have a little boy that is a year older than Isaac and they are already best best friends. I was a long drive to get to the lake. We passed through all of these tiny spanish town with really big churches. It was a cool drive to see the more historic parts outside of town. This weekend was FREE fishing in all of NM and so this was a perfect opportunity for us. Greg bought Isaac a new scooby doo fishing pole to learn on. We had packed a dinner so we sat around and ate food and chatted with new friends. There were a lot of people there so we weren't getting any bites. We did play with a crawdad and find a snake. The kids had such a great time. Evie spent most of her time picking up rocks and playing in dirt. The sun was going down and we were packing up to go. Greg told Isaac to put away his fishing pole (which was in his hand the entire time) and get ready to go. Isaac insisted on trying one more time for a fish. He cast out without any bait, just a hook. Greg noticed that Isaac was just starring into the water and then he saw the fish. Isaac had caught a fish with just a bare hook. The kids were all screaming with excitement. Isaac was so proud of himself. We packed up and drove home and went too sleep. The next morning Isaac said that he had a good dream about catching a fish and I had to tell him that it wasn't a dream he really did catch a fish. All in all it was a great adventure.

Happy Birthday to Grandpa!

It's Grandpa Erickson's birthday today and the kids want to sing to him.

Local vegetation

Sandia Peak Tram ride

Our apartment sits at the base of the Sandia Mountains. On Monday we took the Tram up to the top to do some hiking. It's is alot like Logan Canyon except we think that all the wildflowers come out in the fall instead of the spring. It was surprisingly cold up there. I think Greg said that the elevation at the top of Sandia is higher than Beaver Mountain. Although the ski resort there has to make alot of it's own snow. We had a great family hike. Isaac enjoyed running all over and Evie couldn't decided if riding or walking was better. We won't always have to take the tram to go hiking because around the backside we can drive a ways up the mountain and start a hike from there. From the top it gave us a great look at the city. It was kind of wierd to be in the desert with cactus one minute and then in alpine forest the next. All in all we had a great day together.

Old Town Albuquerque

On Saturday we went for a walk in "Old Town". It's a small strip of old looking building with great shops in them. We saw the San Filipe de Niri church which is the oldest church in Albuquerque built in 1706. It was a good site seeing trip that gave us a good feel of the city.