Ahh, Santa Fe! My "spiritual center" of the universe. Every time I go there, I feel as though I regain the balance in my life. It truly is one of my all-time favorite destinations. The week goes all too quickly, but leaves me wanting for much much more. Here are but a few pics from our week.
Our hosts, the Chicago Eleys (Tom, Victoria, TC, Teddy & Katherine) and the McCollum-VanHoosears during our annual President's Week pilgrimage to Santa Fe.
One thing we love to do in Santa Fe, ski & snowboard...I'm posing with TC who I could barely keep up with - to be 18 again!
Lucas learns to navigate the slopes! "Dad, I only fell thwee times!" Hit the "PLAY" arrow to see Lucas' first ski experience.
The Eley & McCollum-VanHoosear kids.
Everybody waits patiently for our table at the Plaza Cafe...
What the heck...kids on stilts with mustaches??? Welcome to Canyon Road Art Feast! A delicious way to see some of Santa Fe's finest art houses (as well as some interesting entertainment!)
Even an acordian player!
Miss Kate was bundled for the event...
The Santa Fe Farmer's Market is always fun to visit...
As well as the new Railyard Park adjacent to the market. Lucas LOVED the maze!
The merry-go-round was pretty darn fun as well!
These are two of the most handsome men in Santa Fe!!!
Lucas finds a new friend at Stone Forest...
We had a house party for our other visiting friends...the Weissmans from Seattle (Lucas plays the electric guitar with Lucas Weissman - not only did they share the same name, they even looked like each other! Lucas W is 13, Lucas MVH is 5.
Now its MY turn to jam!
No trip to Santa Fe would be complete without a treatment at 10,000 Waves Japanese Spa.
Is that a satisfied & relaxed customer or what???
Daddy poses with the kiddos...
We're ready to book next year's trip!
The party invitation...
I've waited a whole year for this! My first birthday cake from Suzy Cakes...
So THIS is what all the kids are talking about. Riding the train is amazing!!!
The Arellanos enjoy the scenery...
The Bairds enjoy the ride...
The Starks are headed to the farm & leave the driving to Amtrak...
Our greeter, a big fluffy Emu...
Suzy Cakes comes through! They were DELICIOUS!
The Party Favors...
Poppa has the snacks all set...
Drinks & decorations...
Just a simple little cowgirl hangin with her Poppa...
Grammy helps Kate feed a Guinea Pig...
Sienna the nurterer. You couldn't pry her away from her little farm friends...
The twins...Ava & Sophia...adorable!
Jackson & his dad fending off those unruly goats!
Get along, little Kai...
The newest member of Cecile's family, Mr. Thaddeus...
The Kunde girls get a little lovin' from Kate... 
Sophia is transformed into a butterfly spy...
Micah becomes a secret pirate agent.
Saige, the ever-elusive rainbow spy...
Our special spy-trainer, Brian Gillis - a magician - warms up the spies as they prepare for their special lessons. (Brian is AMAZING...ck him out at: 
The spies respond perfectly...
Macy is trained in the fine art of cards - Brian guesses the card she selected and posts it to his forehead.
Brian called up two of the biggest, strongest guys in the audience....Ray & Kurt. They were asked to lift Sue - at 115 lbs. They each did with no trouble at all as long as her eyes were open. If she closed them, she became as heavy as a house and couldn't be budged...a very bizarre phenomenon!
With Sue's eyes open, no problem...
Mallory has to write down the name of the first boyfriend she ever "french" kissed. She is embarrassed to have it guessed correctly in front of her parents - along with a sketch of him!
Wendy gets the old foam ball "dissappearing/reappearing act". 
