The Summer Shift

Spring has officially turned into summer. The days are longer and hotter. We welcome the night's cool breeze, howling coyotes and sunbright moon.

We're busier than ever, it seems. ReGreen Marketing - the demo business we started 3 years ago in order to support our bus travels when we left Portland, OR - has unexpectedly taken off and we find ourselves immersed in the world of natural foods ("natural food"??? I like the quote, "if you grocery store has a 'natural foods' section, what do they call the other stuff they sell?). Keenan is also working as a rep for a friend in Denver and working for a company called Navitas out of northern California. So, our days are filled with work, paperwork and more work....which we are very grateful for. New Mexico has been grounds for some amazing opportunities. Yet, we are still making plans for a future that will most likely lead us away from here - grad school, to be more specific. Only time will tell where we will land!

Recently, our dear friend Tom visited us from Portland. We had an amazing time and and really appreciated having a friend in town! During his visit, we made the tourist rounds with trip to the plaza, lazy mornings filled with yummy breakfasts and a first-time-for-all stop at Tent Rocks. This is such a spectacular spot, and only 15 miles from where we live!!!

Tom

Tom is an amazing photographer and during his stay he did a family photo shoot. The next two are photos he took. We're still waiting for the rest....looking forward to seeing them!

above photo by: Thomas Homolya International Photography Inc. (c)

above photo by: Thomas Homolya International Photography Inc. (c)

You may notice that Atalaya wears this dress. A lot. Well, she does. She just looks so darn cute in it, I can't resist!

My favorite time of day is definitely in the soft light of the morning. Simple breakfast, coffee and talk radio. Yesterday, Keenan brought to my attention that I like to "talk back" to talk radio. Whether I agree or disagree with what's being said, I like to participate in the conversation. I had to laugh because I think I'm the only person in my family besides my Pup Pup that listens to talk radio! Those days spent at Gram and Pup's have influenced my life in countless ways....I'm a talk radio diehard and I love love love dancing in the kitchen with my daughter (just like my Pup Pu did with me!)

Atalaya prefers being naked to any form of clothing, including wearing a diaper. Getting her changed has become on of the most difficult tasks of the day! The next is a photo of her, freshly de-clothed, making her rounds around the coffee table. Her hair kills me....she looks like a mad scientist!

Oh yea baby....ready to hit the pool!

Father's Day was one of the most relaxing days we've had in a long, long time! We decided to take the day off completely and go the Sunset Springs. It's this spa/venue/pool/art/meditation spot that's about 10minutes from where we live. It's really beautiful with coi fish ponds and shady groves, but it's also bizarre in that New Mexico way. When we got there...it seemed like it had been abandoned. There was no one at the front desk and it was eerily quiet. After about 15minutes of waiting (and careful consideration of just 'sneaking in'), we were granted access to the grounds. We had the entire pool to ourselves, which we were really stoked about since it was Atty's first time swimming. We had a blast! She loves the water and it's always incredible to see her in new environments. She's teaching us so much about how to view the world. Fearless exploration. Complete non-judgment. Excitement at every turn.

Only 3weeks and 5days until Atalaya turns one year old. I'm already getting emotional(surprise, surprise). Sorting through photos of our pregnancy, her birth and the days shortly after she arrived. I can't. believe. it. She's been here for nearly a year. Yet, I feel like I've known her for lifetimes. The three of us will continue walking the path, accepting new adventures as they come holding hands. Always.