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
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| 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. |
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| 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
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| 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.
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| Paloma really enjoyed getting to know Rachel (and all of her awesome toys!). |
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| Paloma also enjoyed looking for fish in the Hopkins River - one gudgeon and one Gambusia to report. |
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| Getting our feet wet at Port Macdonnell. |
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| Paloma loves exploring with Grandpa. |
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| Traveling down the Glenelg River... |
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| Look what we found! |
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| The amazing beach at Nelson. Miles and miles, all to ourselves. |
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| More exploring of the marine world - the sea was too rough to venture in beyond our ankles. |
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| Ayesha showing Paloma River Bend. |
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| Paloma wanted to explore every nook and cranny of the farm. (She was trying to see if the sheep could get through the fence.) |
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| Farm girl. |
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| Rouseabout. In training. |
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| A view of River Bend. |
Back home, it was still cold and we set to work again.
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| Planting Imogen's nectarine tree, right next to Paloma's plum. |
APRIL
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| Happy first birthday, Imogen! |
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| Los Pinos River, close to the Colorado Border. We were on a mission for our Lateral Lines posters. |
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| It was so cold in the morning that it hurt. (Look at that face.) |
MAY
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| Imogen enjoys baking almost as much as she enjoys eating. |
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| Rio Grande del Rancho (outside of Taos) - with the world's fanciest camping/dining table (with many thanks to Mike and Stevia!). |
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| Paloma likes the concept of fishing, and Howard loves teaching her all of the fine points. |
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| Heaven. |
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| Paloma's first dance performance - she was wonderful! |
JUNE
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| There's nothing better than sleeping in on a Saturday morning... |
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| .... and roughhousing on Saturday afternoon. |
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| Harvest time! |
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| Such a happy girl. |
JULY
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| Welcome to the world, Baby Rainbow. Paloma is a wonderful mama. |
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| Howard's San Juan trip - he has a tough job... |
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| Another fishing lesson. |
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| The Rio Brazos was murky this year, so there wasn't much fishing success. |
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| The Brazos Cliffs looked spectacular in the cool morning air. |
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| Success! Trout from the fish pond at Corkin's Lodge. |
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| 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
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| A hike on top of the Sandia's to celebrate Ayesha's birthday. |
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| A muddy San Juan - the Brandenburdett boat (aka Corbicula) on the lower San Juan. |
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| Our garden at it's peak. |
SEPTEMBER
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| Paloma's art started to blossom when she moved into her new classroom - people! Her drawings continue to become more elaborate every day. |
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| Bear Wallow Ridge (near Taos), in search of grouse.... |
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| .... and firewood. Imogen and Paloma were very helpful, carrying BIG logs back to the truck. |
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| Heading out of Taos.... |
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| Imogen exploring the Denver Museum of Science and Nature (after a quick trip to Fort Collins). |
OCTOBER
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| Paloma is very focused on her homework (a new assignment every month). |
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| Imogen is just so silly and happy. |
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| GRAND CANYON! (The rapid that flipped Howard's boat.) |
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| Rafting on calmer waters... |
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| The Brandenburdetts headed to the San Juan for another rafting adventure in the good ship Corbicula. |
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| A team of champions, and a champion team. |
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| San Juan landscape (near Bluff, Utah). |
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| Paloma relished the task of decorating her own birthday cake. |
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| Howdee. |
NOVEMBER
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| Howard and Aaron climbed in the Sandias. |
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| Hooray! Paloma and Imogen happily reading together. |
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| Stylish.... |
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| ... and curious. |
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| The beginning of the pecan harvest. |
DECEMBER
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| Elk hunting in the Gila. |
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| Success! It took two days for Howard and Mike to pack it out. |
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| Imogen models this season's fashionable knit jumper (sweater) - thanks Aussie Grandma. |
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| Paloma was very excited to decorate the Christmas tree (the tree was a surprise gift from our lovely neighbour Josh!). |
