New Mexico trip- Part 1

Easter week was spent in Albuqueruqe with Brian's side of the family. We flew from Intercontiental Airport (the big Houston airport) and enjoyed checking out the Continental President's Club and all its amenities before our flight. (This was one of the few restrooms that actually had changing table liners stocked up... VERY nice! Yes, I grabbed a few extra for the road.) Bella is a perfect little traveler, which I am extremely thankful for because I am not.

Happy Little Traveler on flight to NM.

We arrived on Wednesday evening, just in time for dinner! Gma & Gpa took us to El Pinto for dinner and it was fantastic. While waiting for our table, we checked out pictures of celebrities who had also dined there, and also numerous politicans...Hilary & Bill Clinton, President Obama, John McCain, and Sarah Palin. Besides just checking out the photos, the dinner was delicious.

The three of us in Santa Fe, NM.

On Friday we went to Santa Fe for the day, and it was the perfect day to go. We shopped in the plaza where Bella chased the pigeons and I bought some gorgeous earrings.

Then, we toured the Loretta Chapel where the Miraculous Staircase is located. The chapel was built in the 1870's and is best known for its choir loft staircase. It is called Miraculous due to its two complete spirals without center or side supports, defying engineering logic.

The staircase leading up to the choir loft.

After touring the Loretta Chapel, we headed over to the San Miguel Church, which is the oldest church structure in the US. The original adobe walls and alter were built by Tlaxcalan Indians from Mexico in 1610.

On Saturday, we loaded up the car and headed 2 hours west of Albuquerque to Gallup, where Brian grew up. We spent the weekend visiting with cousins, aunts & uncles and of course the Easter Bunny visited Bella too. She got three huge Easter baskets filled with toys, stickers, bubbles, plastic jewels (her favorite!), sidewalk chalk, books, and candy. She was definitely a happy, and VERY spoiled, little girl.

Happy (belated) Easter!