Baumhover Babble: Ringing in the new year...

We had such a fun celebration over New Years in Sante Fe with some of our favorite people! I can't believe it's been a month and I'm just getting to this. The day after Christmas, we loaded up and made the trek to NM in record time. 11 hours and 45 mins. We literally stopped 3 or 4 times to use the restroom and to get gas, and that was it. We had packed food and ended up eating our meals in the car. No, we are not mean parents... the kids actually wanted to do this. We did, however, learn an important lesson... Aubrey does not do well when she eats in the car and we ended up with one car sick kid round about Lubbock. Henry had actually fallen asleep for once, and what a rude awakening he had. Other than that, the kids did great! It is getting easier and easier to travel with them. The DVD player did run most of the day, which certainly helps. Anyway, we were welcomed by my parents that evening with another Christmas celebration. Henry was ecstatic over his number shirt (a Colt McCoy Browns Jersey) and Aubrey was very excited about her fairy loot. We were all exhausted from the trip, but I feared the kids would have a hard time going to sleep like they did this summer (they were sharing a room.) I was wrong!!! They slept great to whole time we were there, which was a huge relief.

Three of Brian's best friends from flight school are Judd, Bob and Tyler. He has managed to stay close to all of them despite being spread over different parts of the world. They also happened to marry three fantastic women (Deena, Jeny, and Mary Beth) whom I have come to know and love. The last time that all of us were together was over New Year's Eve 2004. So, we threw out an invitation for them to join us in Santa Fe this year (with my parents' blessing, of course). We were so excited that almost everyone was able to come. Bob and Jeny were unable to make it (something about moving to a new house two days before Christmas and traveling with a 4 year old and 20 month old twins... excuses.) Jeny knows I'm kidding. I would have been distraught if I wasn't going to see her a week later at Disney. I did miss getting to squeeze on those babies (we missed you too Bob).

We spent our first day in Santa Fe before the guests arrived shopping, prepping food, and spending quality time with my parents. We were so excited there was actually snow this year! Henry made a complete turn around and LOVED playing in it, finally. Whew. The next day, my mom and I drove to ABQ to see her art in a gallery (way to go mom) and then picked up the Reppens... Judd, Deena, Jenson (5) and Mia (1). My dad went much later that night to pick up the Sherwins... Tyler, Mary Beth and Oliver (2). So... from then on we had 8 adults and 5 kids at the Casa Rio. We had an absolute blast!!! It was like no time had passed and the kids became fast friends, especially Aubrey and Jenson. He has declared they are getting married one day. Works for me!

We spent hours talking, watching the kids play in the snow, went snowshoeing with the whole crew, enjoyed some great food and wine, the boys plus Aubrey and Jenson went skiing, and we were even treated to a night out without the kids. We put all the kids to bed one night and headed into town for a great meal. Thank you Mom and Dad for staying behind with 5 kids during a power outage to hold down the fort!

New Years Eve was spent by the fire and not a single one of us made it to midnight. Things have changed a little since 2004! Thank you Sherwins and Reppens for making such a huge effort to get out to NM. We miss you tons and I hope it won't be another 7 years before we meet again.

Jenson, Henry and Aubrey

This next photos shows what Henry thought of the snow the last few years. Luckily, the only thing he was angry about this year was having to come inside (or maybe this was one of the many times who got a boot to the head courtesy of his sister).

Snowshoeing at Aspen Vista... ready for a trek.

Mary Beth, Tyler and Oliver

Judd, with Mia trailing behind.

All the kids

Everyone! Propping up a camera on a sled and getting everyone to smile (sort of)... priceless

Mary Beth, me and Deena

Tyler and Brian deep in thought

Tyler and Mary Beth

Very proud of their snowman. Thanks Judd for helping them.

I feel like this next shot could be on a tourism brochure! GReat shot Deena.

Lunchtime, with hot cocoa

Later, back at the ranch... food, wine, and a fire

The Casa Rio all decked out for the holidays

Behind the house, The Big Tesuque River

Our attempt at a group shot...

maybe one more time...

Now we've got it.

Aubrey skied for the second time and absolutely loved it! Somehow in attempting to reduce the size of this video Tyler took, it now shows up upside down. grrr.