I think I’ve decided I could live in Taos forever…but I know that is just this awesome winter working on me. I had forgotten how much fun playing in the snow is until this past month where we’ve had great snow and lots of activities so close. I so have the itch to go skiing once we get baby-sitting coordinated. Christmas was great for us. This was the first year that we spent Christmas at home with just our little family, and we made the most of it. Sage was so excited to go ice skating, and it was hilarious to watch her.
The rink provided these walker-thingees that were awesome for her. She pushed it all over the ice. She didn’t even want us to skate near her. She is definitely a better skater than I am, although she did biff it a few times, especially when she tried to say hello to other skaters. Too fun.
We also went sledding one afternoon, and we decided to make our own track down the hill. So of course, Sage got pelted with snow all over the front of her. We just played in the snow after that. Keiger didn’t enjoy it too much either. Poor Keiger. He sure puts up with a lot from us as we drag him along on all these crazy adventures.
On Christmas Eve, we took Sage skiing for the first time. We took her to a practice run at Sipapu so we didn’t have to buy lift tickets and we could just walk beside her. She did pretty good. It’s a lot to get the hang off for such a little one, so we’ll probably call it good for this year and put her on some shorter skis next winter. And, of course, Keiger tagged along in the sled. He’s such a good sport. Sage got the most fun out of watching people load onto the chair lift. She’s so into stuff like that.
We got her this marble run for Christmas, and she sits in her room watching it. You can just see her mind working to try and figure it out. Anyway. Christmas was really nice. It’s been neat to think of the traditions that we want to have. Sage did say over breakfast, “Wait. Santa forgot my puppy!” What do you say to that?
Christmas afternoon we went to the Pueblo to watch the deer dance. There was chanting and drumming and it got a bit chilly as we waited for things to really get started. We saw the clowns (kind-of the authorities for the day) all painted black and white and wearing straw hats with turkey wings and feathers. They built a huge bonfire and ran all over. Yes, they scared Keiger. The Pueblo women danced, and then the deer came. I guess all the men had been hunting the week before, so they all dressed in the skins and heads of the deer and elk they killed. They held sticks in their hands to look like they had four legs. Then they started to dance. By that time all we could see were bobbing antlers over the crowd, and we headed home to get warm. There is so much culture. I wish I understood more. You can’t take pictures of any of the dances at the Pueblo. I wish you could because it is so cool to see the snow draped over the roofs of the old adobes up against the mountain. Speaking of culture, we headed to the Bishops for dinner, and we just don’t quite fit in yet. It’s so funny. So for dinner there was posole with pig’s feet, enchiladas, spoon bread, shrimp salsa stuff, chips and salsa, chili, tortillas, tamales, and lots of chilies. And what do we bring? …Rolls. Doesn’t quite fit, does it? I love it. We had a great time and heard alls sorts of funny stories about the ward, like the time they used tortilla chips for the Sacrament or the Sunday the mariachi band played during Sacrament meeting, now known as “Mariachi Sunday.” Too fun. I love Taos. Honestly, the people here are so real and sincere, just who they are.
The rink provided these walker-thingees that were awesome for her. She pushed it all over the ice. She didn’t even want us to skate near her. She is definitely a better skater than I am, although she did biff it a few times, especially when she tried to say hello to other skaters. Too fun.We also went sledding one afternoon, and we decided to make our own track down the hill. So of course, Sage got pelted with snow all over the front of her. We just played in the snow after that. Keiger didn’t enjoy it too much either. Poor Keiger. He sure puts up with a lot from us as we drag him along on all these crazy adventures.On Christmas Eve, we took Sage skiing for the first time. We took her to a practice run at Sipapu so we didn’t have to buy lift tickets and we could just walk beside her. She did pretty good. It’s a lot to get the hang off for such a little one, so we’ll probably call it good for this year and put her on some shorter skis next winter. And, of course, Keiger tagged along in the sled. He’s such a good sport. Sage got the most fun out of watching people load onto the chair lift. She’s so into stuff like that.We got her this marble run for Christmas, and she sits in her room watching it. You can just see her mind working to try and figure it out. Anyway. Christmas was really nice. It’s been neat to think of the traditions that we want to have. Sage did say over breakfast, “Wait. Santa forgot my puppy!” What do you say to that?Christmas afternoon we went to the Pueblo to watch the deer dance. There was chanting and drumming and it got a bit chilly as we waited for things to really get started. We saw the clowns (kind-of the authorities for the day) all painted black and white and wearing straw hats with turkey wings and feathers. They built a huge bonfire and ran all over. Yes, they scared Keiger. The Pueblo women danced, and then the deer came. I guess all the men had been hunting the week before, so they all dressed in the skins and heads of the deer and elk they killed. They held sticks in their hands to look like they had four legs. Then they started to dance. By that time all we could see were bobbing antlers over the crowd, and we headed home to get warm. There is so much culture. I wish I understood more. You can’t take pictures of any of the dances at the Pueblo. I wish you could because it is so cool to see the snow draped over the roofs of the old adobes up against the mountain. Speaking of culture, we headed to the Bishops for dinner, and we just don’t quite fit in yet. It’s so funny. So for dinner there was posole with pig’s feet, enchiladas, spoon bread, shrimp salsa stuff, chips and salsa, chili, tortillas, tamales, and lots of chilies. And what do we bring? …Rolls. Doesn’t quite fit, does it? I love it. We had a great time and heard alls sorts of funny stories about the ward, like the time they used tortilla chips for the Sacrament or the Sunday the mariachi band played during Sacrament meeting, now known as “Mariachi Sunday.” Too fun. I love Taos. Honestly, the people here are so real and sincere, just who they are.
Sage made the ornaments for the tree and decorated a bit. She’s quite proud. All of the bottom branches of the tree are empty: the Keiger-zone.
Sage continues to play outside in the snow pretty much every day. This is the snowman she and Daddy made.
We had our ward Christmas party the other night. Pretty fun. Jacob and I were volunteered to play Mary and Joseph in the little play. I got some great looks from the primary kids when they saw my beach ball belly. We had tamales, posole, and tortillas for dinner. I so need to get used to hot food! The primary sang a few songs at the party. Sage was so excited to sing “Away in a Manger,” and she did a great job. Santa made an appearance. Sage asked him for a puppy. She might learn a bit about disappointment this Christmas.
Phoenix was fun for Morgan and the kids, and the trainings weren’t too bad. Nani, Papa, Shayla and Bryan were able to come for a while and it was great to see all of them. Sage and Morgan went to the Nutcracker with Nani, Shayla, Maile and Kalei, they had a blast. Sage and Kalei danced the night away, but paused and posed for a few pictures.
