I just uploaded all these pictures backwards. I am unaware of a simple way to reverse them, so we'll just review backwards too.
CLEAR back in October, during Balloon Fiesta, Gary's parents came out to visit and boy did we have fun. Of course, like the great hosts we are, we make sure to take EVERY visitor to Dion's. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I LOVE Dion's. And pretty much everyone who comes to visit ends up liking it too.
Ice Cream...he loves it. Shouldn't have had it, but he did. It was a special occasion, Grandma and Grandpa were in town. Let us all hope he has long since forgotten the goodness of that treat.
We also stopped for a visit to a Mormon
Battalion Monument. I've driven by it a handful of times and always wanted to stop. We finally did.
We also went up to Santa Fe, and took a ride on an old old train. It stopped in
Lamy, NM. Never been there before, probably will never make it back. But the train ride was a once in a lifetime experience. Really fun!
One of the sights on the train ride. Some artsy lady wanted to build a house right there and decided to make it fit into the scenic mountainside. Had to get a shot of that.
Still on the train. It was about a 4 hour train ride.
Just about to get on the train. (Remember how these pictures are backwards?)
Balloon Fiesta...you'll see. So, they have Tom Thumb doughnuts. No one here really understands how fabulous these are. Seriously, I knew this little doughnut shop was around NM at various rodeos and other events, I'd follow it! They are at the Calgary Stampede...all over! And I remember having them every single year as a kid.
Yummers.
Yes, you need to come visit this coming October during the Balloon Fiesta. You just walk all around the field right up to the balloons as they are blowing them up and getting ready to launch. This really is another one of those once in a lifetime experiences you must experience. (If you are counting, that's two now)
We went REALLY REALLY early and each morning a few take off while it is still dark to check the wind and weather up in the sky. Such a pretty sight to see them all lit up in the dark sky.
Here we are arriving at the balloon fiesta park.
Walking around Old Town. Another place we like to take visitors.
Home of the red and green chili peppers.
Sam and Grandma.
This is Gary's Mom, Sam and I up at the top of the
Sandia Mountain. The Worlds Longest Tram (I believe that record actually was broken since this picture was taken) belongs to Albuquerque and is another one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences! (make that THREE!)
Sam spotted some HUGE horses at the Balloon Fiesta park and wanted to go pet it. I was seriously nervous the horse would bit his hand off!
Yes, we went to Balloon Fiesta twice. Why? Because it is just that neat...and because MY parents came out to see it too! The day my parents left, Gary's parents arrived. It was so fun to have back to back guests!
My parents and I.
I thought this shot was really neat. All these balloons set up right next to each other in rows and start blowing up...and they all just squish each other and then start taking off a few at a time as they get ready. Its so neat to watch.
This is just after Sam woke up and pulled the blanket off of him to see what all the
commotion was going on around him. He loved those crazy balloons.
Here we are arriving at Balloon Fiesta Park.
My parents and I also took a trip to the Zoo one day. I love the zoo!
Another once in a lifetime experience. Five Star Burger. No, seriously! Voted best burger in New Mexico and it totally has my vote!
While my parents were here, we also took a trip down to
Las Cruces, NM to watch my Sister play soccer. It was fun to see her and fun to see her play.
But not without a small adventure. We ran out of gas on our way down there.
Ooops. What's new? Gary can't even count the number of times he has ran out of gas...you'd think a person would learn. Nope, not this one.
Sam's first horse ride. Maybe a little young to get an opinion on this one.
And his first helium filled balloon...thanks to Sunflower Market, a place I frequent especially now because of the free balloon! :)
All Sam wanted to do all night was crawl over to this big blow-up pumpkin.
One of Sam's FAVORITE things to play with...if he even hears me unscrewing my lid he comes running!
Ok, he #1 favorite thing is his blankie. He loves it on his head, around his neck, over his arm...anyway he can get it to hang on him. 
We had lots of fun visitors for Thanksgiving. Gary's sister Liz and her family came and visited from Arizona. We also had some other local friends as well. We're just glad everyone fit!! And the food was amazing. Oh, I love Thanksgiving!
These two little cousins had lots of fun together. I bet now that they are even older they would have a blast!
We showed the Hall family Old Town. And did some dancing on the stage while we were there.
Also, visited Explora. Love that place!
Yes, I finished taking these for Sam's first year. They obviously got much harder to take as he got older and more mobile. But here he is at 11 months. 
This was on his birthday! We had some friends over for cake.
Getting ready for Christmas.
