Boo!

The beasts of all hallows eve....

Born from the bones of a rotting bird corpse, and from the ashes of a fallen unicorn, the spirits rise for Halloween....

Bwa ha ha haaaaaaa.....

The Bird Skeleton hits the trick or treat trail.

The Ghost Unicorn needed a little help navigating the trick or treat trail. 

Thanks for the pumpkin, Auntie Cathy!

"The Day After Tomorrow"

Snow daze

It finally snowed in Albuquerque!

It snowed in our front yard!

 And in our backyard!

Some of us were more content to stay inside (mainly because she doesn't like hats and jackets).

Our new xylophone survived the snow.

Semilla had a great time bouncing around in the snow.

So did another little girl...

 Meanwhile, inside, towers were being constructed...

Howard is very proud of this one. 

a belated October....

Happy Halloween!

Yep, I know it's December, but here's a quick recap...

Paloma decided that she wouldn't be Snow White (again). This year, she wanted to be a robot!

In the meantime, Imogen decided that she wanted to be Imogen..... (This photo says so very much about her personality!)

After making costumes, the girls needed to limber up a bit with some yoga. 

And then it was on to more serious business...

Back in the costume department (i.e. Howard's studio): Imogen became a dead cockroach. 

She was pretty happy about it!

Our girls are getting along pretty well!

As part of the autumnal celebrations, we headed out to the maize maze (which is actually a sorghum maze, but no matter). 

We had to search for fractals in the maze. Is there one over there?

And then we pounded the pavement, trick-or-treating in our street:

Trick or treat

Smell my feet

Give me something 

Good to eat!

We still have Halloween candy left over....

Jumping castle

Last weekend, we went to ABQ Jump to celebrate Mia's fifth birthday. Happy birthday Mia! I can't believe our little friend is such a big girl already.

Anyways.... While we were there, our girls had a great time.

They were totally transfixed by the games (they probably have never seen anything like this before).





With a little help from Papa, they came home with AMAZING new necklaces and clip-on earrings. Paloma was joyous.

We also played on the slides. And when I say "we," i really mean all of us. Howard and I were the only grown-ups that went on the slides. Several times. Many times.

And here is Paloma (climbing in the pink pants).



And down she goes!!!



At the end of all the excitement, there was cake! And hats!



Imogen took it all in....




I'm happy to report that we all slept well that night.

Hello 2014!

Here are some of my favorite moments from the post-Christmas break...

Imogen is ready to take on the new year with GUSTO!

Paloma thought that Semilla should put a hat on before going out in the cold.

Santa surprised us with face paints for the girls. Paloma surprised us with a request to be a butterfly princess. And then made squinty eyes for the photo.

Peace at last....

May all of your Christmases be bright

It's been a busy year and it's hard to believe that 2013 is coming to a close. Howard and I sat down and looked through our photos. Here are some of the highlights. 

JANUARY

Howard went deer-hunting in the Capitan Mountains. The girls and I traveled down to meet him. Paloma had a great time in the Smokey Bear Hotel and Imogen enjoyed finding Papa in the wilds. 

Back in Albuquerque, we headed for the (foot)hills - up into the Sandia Mountains with Mason (and Aaron and Lauren) on a cold, wintery morning...

FEBRUARY

Ayesha headed down south for a day - a quick tour of Ted Turner's Ladder Ranch near Hillsboro.  

MARCH

The biggest highlight for March was heading to Australia. 

Paloma really enjoyed getting to know Rachel (and all of her awesome toys!). 

Paloma also enjoyed looking for fish in the Hopkins River - one gudgeon and one Gambusia to report. 

Getting our feet wet at Port Macdonnell. 

Paloma loves exploring with Grandpa. 

Traveling down the Glenelg River...

Look what we found!

The amazing beach at Nelson. Miles and miles, all to ourselves. 

More exploring of the marine world - the sea was too rough to venture in beyond our ankles. 

Ayesha showing Paloma River Bend. 

Paloma wanted to explore every nook and cranny of the farm. (She was trying to see if the sheep could get through the fence.)

Farm girl. 

Rouseabout. In training. 

A view of River Bend. 

Back home, it was still cold and we set to work again. 

Planting Imogen's nectarine tree, right next to Paloma's plum. 

APRIL

Happy first birthday, Imogen!

Los Pinos River, close to the Colorado Border. We were on a mission for our Lateral Lines posters. 

It was so cold in the morning that it hurt. (Look at that face.)

MAY

Imogen enjoys baking almost as much as she enjoys eating. 

Rio Grande del Rancho (outside of Taos) - with the world's fanciest camping/dining table (with many thanks to Mike and Stevia!). 

Paloma likes the concept of fishing, and Howard loves teaching her all of the fine points. 

Heaven. 

Paloma's first dance performance - she was wonderful!

JUNE

There's nothing better than sleeping in on a Saturday morning... 

.... and roughhousing on Saturday afternoon. 

Harvest time!

Such a happy girl. 

JULY

Welcome to the world, Baby Rainbow. Paloma is a wonderful mama. 

Howard's San Juan trip - he has a tough job...

Another fishing lesson.

The Rio Brazos was murky this year, so there wasn't much fishing success. 

The Brazos Cliffs looked spectacular in the cool morning air. 

Success! Trout from the fish pond at Corkin's Lodge. 

Uh oh. This is what happens when Howard is out of town and Ayesha is busy putting Imogen to sleep. Paloma rummaged through the bathroom cabinet and found the Halloween face paint. Awesome. 

AUGUST

A hike on top of the Sandia's to celebrate Ayesha's birthday. 

A muddy San Juan - the Brandenburdett boat (aka Corbicula) on the lower San Juan. 

Our garden at it's peak. 

SEPTEMBER

Paloma's art started to blossom when she moved into her new classroom - people! Her drawings continue to become more elaborate every day. 

Bear Wallow Ridge (near Taos), in search of grouse....

.... and firewood. Imogen and Paloma were very helpful, carrying BIG logs back to the truck. 

Heading out of Taos....

Imogen exploring the Denver Museum of Science and Nature (after a quick trip to Fort Collins). 

OCTOBER

Paloma is very focused on her homework (a new assignment every month). 

Imogen is just so silly and happy. 

GRAND CANYON! (The rapid that flipped Howard's boat.)

Rafting on calmer waters...

The Brandenburdetts headed to the San Juan for another rafting adventure in the good ship Corbicula. 

A team of champions, and a champion team. 

San Juan landscape (near Bluff, Utah). 

Paloma relished the task of decorating her own birthday cake. 

Howdee.

NOVEMBER

Howard and Aaron climbed in the Sandias.

Hooray! Paloma and Imogen happily reading together.

Stylish....

... and curious.

The beginning of the pecan harvest.

DECEMBER

Elk hunting in the Gila.

Success! It took two days for Howard and Mike to pack it out.

Imogen models this season's fashionable knit jumper (sweater) - thanks Aussie Grandma.

Paloma was very excited to decorate the Christmas tree (the tree was a surprise gift from our lovely neighbour Josh!).