In October 2019 the Stinson's (Tyler's sister's family) and Tyler's parents were going to the Albuquerque Balloon fiesta, and we decided to join them! We had gone there the year before and weren't originally planning to attend again, but we figured we may as well since we lived so close and family was going there too!
Tyler's parents flew in to the El Paso airport on Friday morning, and stopped at our house to say hello before driving the rest of the way up to Albuquerque. Grandma Carson made some had sewn name decorations for the twin's room, which they were very excited to receive.
Granddad Carson's toy invention, Calzador, made a cameo in the photos also.
It was lots of fun seeing Grandma and Granddad at our house again, even if it was only for a short time! They drove up to Albuquerque that evening to meet up with the Stinson's and see the balloons on Saturday morning. Because Tyler was working that Friday, we did not leave when they did but decided to join them the next day.
That Saturday we woke up and drive to Albuquerque to see some sights with Tyler's parents and the Stinson's. Our first stop was Petroglyph National Monument just northwest of Albuquerque. We went to the visitors center to get a map and some water and headed out to see the sights!
There was a loop that had a walking trail through the petroglyphs that we walked through
It was cool to see the different carvings and paintings on the rocks.
They were very old and interesting pictures
The kids had an equal amount of fun hiking over and around rocks, seeing the petroglyphs,
and spending time with their cousins, aunt, uncle, and grandparents.
After we saw the petroglyphs we drove to another part of the park that was an old volcanic field.
It was a bit of a hike from the parking lot
But thankfully there were some nice benches under a pergola to take a rest!
We had the carry the twins a little way, but otherwise all the kids did great on the hike.
We eventually made it up the hill
View from the top!
The kids had lots of fun exploring and playing with their cousins.
After that long hike we went to IHOP for dinner.
When we got to our hotel for the night we saw a few balloon baskets and trailers with balloons in them in the parking lot.
We went to bed early that night because we had to wake up at 5:00 am the next morning.
The morning was cold and dark but everyone did a good job waking up and passing the time until the balloons began to take off.
We brought lots of extra blankets and layers of cloths to keep warm.
The first balloons began to rise as the sun came up.
It was so cool seeing all the balloons again, and great to be there with family this time!
We watched as some balloons were unpacked and filled up right in front of us.
Up it goes!
It was such a spectacular sight to see.
Cheese!
The force was with those balloons.
Once most of the balloons had taken off we headed back to the cars to see the next sights.
We went to Albuquerque Old Town to see some of the landmarks there, including this old church,
and displays such as this old cannon that the kids really enjoyed playing with.
One of the shops in this square had a bubble machine blowing bubbles down from the second floor walkway. The kids had lots of fun chasing the bubbles.
And walking along the fountain.
Cheese!
We had a big busy morning and it was about time for us to head back home.
We stopped at the Stinson's hotel room to get lunch and play a little bit more before we left.
The kids loved playing with their cousins so much.
They made lots of good memories, and Calzador was in the middle of it all!
After we ate it was time to load up the van and head back to El Paso.
It was hard saying good bye, but we had an absolutely wonderful time together!
The kids were very tired out after waking up and having a big busy day and slept most of the drive home.
We are glad we could spend time with Tyler's family and see the balloons one last time while we were in El Paso!
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