The weather quickly changes.

It wasn't even a month ago, we spent the weekend in Taos. Mostly for work, but always for fun. Whenever we have to go to Taos, we always take Atalaya to Kit Carson Park. There's a great playground (I didn't really capture it's "greatness" in these photos), trees, grass and a fantastic view of the mountains.

::: Atty digs the swing.

:::The girl is in love with giraffes, so when we happened upon this sculpture in someone's front yard, we were pretty excited.

::: Walking with a red balloon.

::: Atalaya holds the sun.

::: Wrapped in mama's scarf.

::: At the Railyard playground in Santa Fe. All the girl wanted to do was open and close the gate. It was all fun and games until a sweet little boy actually wanted to enter the playground through the gates....gates swung open...then close....right on Atalaya's face. It was her first bloody lip!

::: Pre-bloody lip...

::: The casita on Thanksgiving. The light was perfect and I really wanted to get a few photos of our space to always remember it by.

::: Local squash gifted to us by our neighbors. They were promptly roasted and devoured!

::: Dirt + Atalaya = major good times.

::: Our 'crazy horse.'

::: Atalaya exploring the fall garden at Eldorado Market.

::: And today. We awoke to THREE FEET of snow! I don't think I've ever experienced a snow fall like that....at least not one that happens in less than 24 hours! I was totally amazing. Beautiful. Enchanting. Loads of fun to play in! Keenan was out first thing this morning, opening the barn and getting some paths carved out for walking and sledding. The landscape around our casita is rugged. Dotted with choya cactus, juniper trees and rocks. There was so much snow that you could walk and sled everywhere...cactus be damned!

::: This is our road. Please take note that the snow comes over Keenan's calves...ON THE ROAD! No county maintenance in these parts....we may be here for a few days!

::: Finally, Attles in the barn...making sure everyone is happy, fed and warm.

We're really looking forward to spending the holidays with family in Pittsburgh. I can hardly believe it's already that time of year again. Coming into a new year is always exciting to me. I believe that anything can happen...every slate wiped clean...every intention put into action.

RENEWAL.
Awareness that every moment is perfectly aligned.
Every challenge offers growth as the silver lining.
We're all intricately and infinitely connected.

I like that.

It's been a while

These last few months have been a whirlwind! So much has happened, and so much has stayed the same. We've been very busy with work and traveling for work, as well. Most of our recent trips have been to Taos, NM. If only we had *really* known about Taos before we moved to Santa Fe, I think we would've ended up there. It is incredibly beautiful. The perfect balance of mountains, forest and water. Perfectly small and charming. Every time we go there (like this past weekend), a little voice says, "oh come on, you know you wanna live here." If we could balance our workload and trips to southern NM with Keenan's school schedule (and my upcoming school schedule), I think we would make the move. But, we're not quite ready. Not yet.

In the in-between time, we're doing a lot of 'living.' Being very conscious of how quickly time goes by. The changing faces of Atalaya as she transforms into this amazing, clever and *awake* little girl. Remembering to see the world through her eyes, as everything is perfect (except when it's not!) and new and exciting.

There's a lot of love going around in this house.

Papa reading, while Atalaya 'massages' Ranger with her foot.

This girl is obsessed with rocks. Every color, every shape. I used to feel a bit sad that our house is situated on, well, a bunch of dirt. Not a blade of grass in sight. We'd take Atty to the park and get so excited to have her play in the soft, plush green of grass. And she loved it. But, she also loves dirt. And rocks. This girl will stop whatever she's doing if she sees rocks, just to pick one up to show you. She reminds me that every natural place is perfect...especially the wild, wild treasure-filled desert.

She's working on becoming the new spokesperson of Coconut Bliss Ice Cream.

The perfect combo: pajamas, dirt, rocks, a red pickup truck an a ball. Yep, perfection!

Perfect girl.

Sunday afternoon checking out the Aspens near Santa Fe Ski Basin.
Yaaaaaaaaay! Auntie DD, Jeffree and baby Ruby Jewel! These dear friends visited us for a few weeks before they continued on to Santa Cruz, CA. We had such an amazing time together. A reminder of how important a loving, supportive community is. We cooked delicious meals, laughed and talked into the night, explored and brainstormed what the future could look like. A promising future, where we're sharing and helping and encouraging each other to grow. We miss this sweet threesome, beyond word...we love you!

Atty rules the ranch.

Walking at sunset...pretty amazing.

Bike Santa put on an amazing bike awareness/Halloween party at the Railyard called Bike-O-Ween. As usual, Keenan (aka Kin Keezy) put on rock-the-block performance for all who attended!

The face of late night crazy baby!

Halloween in Madrid. Keenan as 80's Santa Cruz skate kid, Atty as a juicy strawberry, mama as gypsy hippie...only because I was wearing authentic 70's patched up bellbottoms care of my papa...thanks daddy-o!

That just about wraps it up for now. Many more adventures and treasure finding in the days and weeks to come. Life is beautiful and short and precious and wild.

Be grateful.
Be wildly ecstatic.
You are loved.
You are LOVE.

BE HERE NOW