what a blessing.......

This evening we attended our first New Mexican Posada. 

A Posada is a special Christmas mass held in a private residence honoring the journey of Mary and Joseph.

Tonight's Mass was officiated by Monsignor Olona

 Christmas music provided ambiance for the night

The Vigil family provided their beautiful and spacious home for the Posada.

Yummy cookies and biscochittos anyone???

After mass, the Vigils invited everyone to stay for a meal and dessert.

But among the veggie platter, the finger food and the chips and dip they had some New Mexican favorites like.......

Tortillas

Green chile stew 

Red chile carne adovada 

Super HOT green chile

Homemade tamales

With full bellies followed goodwill and cheer among the guests as they gathered about the house. 

The grown ups gathered around the table
to talk about their children and grandchildren

Others gathered in the living room for after dessert banter

Friends new and old were made

La tournament of ping pong was held in the garage 

 after dinner poker?!

Smiling faces proves to be contagious

Tonight we met some charming and lovely people while sharing prayer, song, great food and sweet biscochittos. 

We give the Vigil family many accolades for the beautiful Posada.

Thank you for sharing the special evening with us.

the mini chase crew

Look who got up bright and early.........

The air is chilly on this Sunday, last day of the International Balloon Fiesta.

We're

dressed in layers

 Sun block on our faces.

hand warmers in our pockets

breakfast burritos in our bellies
with our eyes to the sky

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 

ABQ International Balloon Fiesta

This is Hamlet the flying pig
 one of our favorite special shaped hot air balloons

Upon Hamlets' descent, Hamlet's chase crew gave us the privilege to deflate Hammy.

Hamlet's chase crew scrambling to tighten the under lying tarp

Hamlet needs help.........

Fifi is more than happy to help roll out the air from Hammy

Sweetheart is having a ball 

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' keep 'em kids rollin'....... 

Hamlet's chase crew along side my little balloon rollers.
Sweetheart, Fifi, Miss Katia--Sweethearts BFF, Cookie and Miss Deja--Fifis BFF

Thank you pilots and chase crew for giving my girls great memories.
It truly was an honor.

See you next year Hamlet!!

Doesn't this photo look like a balloonist trading card??

The girls eyes to the sky as they startle when the balloon's burners blast

The girls and the balloon's pilot
Miss Deja--Fifis BFF, Fifi, Cookie, Sweetheart, Miss Katia (Sweethearts BFF)

Hi Grandma-Great and Uncle Phil wish you were here.....

Trying to deflate the balloon, while keeping it off the cement
 is not an easy job UNLESS you have many little helping hands.

Sweetheart's tiny hands help well

Fifi and Cookie
hold the balloon off the ground

Fifi and Miss Deja stuff the balloon in the bag to the pilot's delight.
Cookie packs the balloon in by sitting on the bag.

That's the enormous hot air balloon all bundled up for next time

The "mini" crew and I had a great time chasing the big toys in the sky. 

We had fun this year and we look forward to next years International Balloon Fiesta.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures......

over the river and through the woods to grandma-greats house we go........

Every year we look forward to visiting the Greats in Dobbs Ferry. (the Greats are the children's Great Grandparents)

Cookie in front yard of "The Greats Estate"

The Greats reside in Dobbs Ferry in the Greater Westchester area. The village of Dobbs is so very beautiful, quiet and close to the New York City right along the Hudson River.
Our eyes are in love with the stone bridges, large green swaying trees, flowers, vines and historic homes........and our hearts are filled with love for the Greats.

Sweetheart says everything smells lovely here.....

"Here.... Squirrelly, Squirrelly"

We've seen so many cute beavers, friendly squirrels, fat chipmunks and gentle deers.

"They make me feel like Snow White or Cinderella" says Princess Fifi.

Today we'll spend the day relaxing with our Grandma-Great and catching up on.

"Grandma-Great is so super sweet and so loving...... the very best Great Grandmother in the whole world!!" says Cookie with love.

This picture makes me smile in my heart every time I look at it.

 Grandma-Great is known worldwide for her humanitarian work with the United Nations and woman's rights. 

http://www.hollins.edu/library/speccol/persinger.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildred_Persinger

http://www.worldywca.org/YWCA-News/World-YWCA-and-Member-Associations-News/World-YWCA-honours-Mildred-Persinger-at-World-Service-Council-Event

http://www.worldywca.org/YWCA-News/World-YWCA-and-Member-Associations-News/Honouring-Women-of-the-YWCA-Movement-on-International-Women-s-Day

A few months earlier this year our honorable Grandpa-Great left Mother Earth for Heaven.
Bams recalls that, "He was a lovely man with many great stories, lessons and knowledge that he enjoyed sharing with us."
He was bold and intelligent with a soft spot for his great grandchildren. 

"We miss you, Grandpa-Great"

RP on the left----RP on the right

Kindly read the history and legacy of our Grandpa-Great and his life time of accomplishments on the following memorial site. Our Uncle Phil is an acclaimed and accomplished writer. For whom we have to thank, for taking the time, effort and love to put Grandpa-Greats memoirs online to share with everyone.
http://persinger.com/wordpress/