Rocks

We wanted to see something in Alburqueque and the the only thing remotely interesting on the way out of New Mexico was the Petroglyph National Monument.  It was really just a big hill of rocks with petroglyphs on some of the rocks, but at least the girls had fun hiking.

Visitor's center

National Parks 101

Lydia hiking in a skirt; she's an odd one she is

Yellow man on top

Hill of rocks with petroglyph

More rocks

Trung really wanted to stop by the Petrified Forest since it was literally right off of the highway.  We only had about 20 minutes to see what we could see, but at least we got free admission with Lydia's 4th grade pass.

It was quite pretty with the sun setting

More rocks

Driving into the sunset towards Arizona

Taos to Santa Fe to Alburqueque

We spent the first few hours of the day skiing, but it got so cold and the kids had had enough, so the last couple hours were spend indoors. 

The view from the main lodge

Our car was covered in snow by the end of the skid day, so we had to take the time to brush most of it off in order to drive safely

My dinner at Cafe Pasqual's in Santa Fe

Of course, we got the chef's dessert plate which I remembered fondly getting two years ago during my girlfriend getaway.

Taos, NM

We drove ten hours to Taos, NM, and woke up bright and early to hit the slopes.  I had read everywhere that Taos was unique...the greens are like blues and the scenery is absolutely spectacular.  As much as I wanted to love Taos, I honestly wasn't blown away; boarding the ski lifts was frustrating for the kids because they came really fast and they kept losing stuff and it was freezing.  I'm glad we got to visit though, but probably won't again for another decade.

Beautiful Taos

The kid were happy to take a break after a busy afternoon of skiing

Can you see me?

Of course, the ski lift selfie

Snow storm

After church yesterday, we drove through a rain storm from Houston to Dallas, causing a drop of 20 degrees.  After grabbing a quick dinner at La Madeline, we spent the night at our old neighbors, the Eldredge's, house.

Sarah and I

Back on the icy road

Lunch stop at Dairy Queen where the girls had their first blizzard

I was driving to Taos and thought for sure there would be a gas station within 17 miles, but was dead wrong.  We had to turn back and fortunately made it to a gas station with just 2 miles left of gas in the tank.

More Family Time

Every time we visit Houston, we go to the Taste of Texas for dinner one night.  I always go early to put my name down, then go shopping, and then meet everyone at the restaurant.  This year was no different, except I got to spend some quality time with my Mom.

Shopping at Memorial City Mall

Ready to eat

Digging in

Our birthday boys (though Trung's birthday was a full month earlier)

Christmas traditions

Dim sum for lunch because Chinese restaurants are the only ones open

A friendly game of War while waiting for our dessert

Boba and more

Action shot

Cousins and Ozzy

Practicing her dribble

Happy birthday, Christmas baby Jason

Temporary Home

One first full day back in Houston and my mom put her grandkids to work making california rolls.  Then while my parents were at a church event, our family went to my brother's house to hang out.  After driving for so many days and miles, it was nice to do nothing for a change.

Rollin'

My nephew is a pro at solving the Rubik cube; everyone else...not so much

Texas Rangers

We leased a Mazda right before the road trip because it has way better mileage than the Acura.  The license plates, however, take a little while to arrive, so we had to take off without them.  Just after crossing the state border into Texas, I was speeding up a little to pass another car and forgot to slow down again and of course, a police car happened to be right there.  I got pulled over for going 5 miles over the speed limit, but mainly, I think, because I didn't have plates yet.  Fortunately, I only got a warning, but now I know to go less than 5 miles over.

Uh-oh, po po

A pretty rest stop in Texas caught at just the right time of day

Drive, Stop, Drive

On our way out of Colorado,we took a quick stop at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, where Trung and I visited at least ten years earlier.  Everyone was anxious to get back on the road, so we took a few pictures and were on our way again.  

Kissing "camels"

"Three Graces"

The park

Balance Rock

The scenery was pretty dull for the most part, but every once in awhile we would catch something amazing

The angle the sun caught our car made it look like an UFO

Aspen - Day 2

Sophie sleeping position #1

position #2

Lydia's favorite sleeping position

Our awesome hotel with televisions on both sides

The view from our room

Snowmass Mountain in Aspen

Selfie

The girls and I had some quality time while Trung hit harder blues

Sophie the snow queen

The girls

Snowball tossing fun after a great of skiing

Seriously, the girls' favorite part of skiing