Pate's Full Circle: Back to the Burque

It is hard to believe that it had been over a year since Eric and I had been back "home" to Albuquerque. We made a special trip back so that several people in our family could meet Ansley and see how big Liam had gotten. This was the first time in a really long time that I was able to go for more than a long weekend. It was sort of strange to not have to rush back to work upon our return to Dallas.

Liam had been super excited about the plane trip. He had been watching an episode of "Calliou" where he goes on a plane, and I think he thought that it was going to be the exact same experience. He kept calling it "Calliou's plane." Both he and Ansley did great. And Eric and I didn't look too much like pack mules in transit. When we first arrived we went out for breakfast at one of our favorite restaurants, The Range Cafe. After breakfast, Liam was heartbroken to learn that we were not getting back on the plane to go back to Texas.

After breakfast with Eric's parents we went to my parents home so that my dad could finally meet Ansley. It was great to hang out with them and Eric and I kept joking that we were going to go take a nap while both of the kids were being adored.

Proud grandparents, Marty and Gladys Martinez


Liam playing in the sandbox that is the state of New Mexico.

Later that day, my best friend Stephanie, her husband Gabe, and their adorable baby, Annabelle, all came over to Eric's parents house for dinner. Stephanie is pregnant with their second baby, Everett. Guess who gets to be the God Mommy! Stephanie and I have been besties since we were in 7th grade. It is always so much fun to be around her, and I love that our husbands get along too! We vowed that the next time we saw each other, that neither of us was allowed to be pregnant! We had awesome green chile and sausage pizza (don't knock it til you try it) and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Gabe's repeated attempts to take our picture resulted in....really bad pictures. Here Stephanie is using her death ray vision to blast a hole in Gabe's head. This was the best picture we got. No, seriously.


Liam and Belle

While we were in town we also went to the aquarium. This was my first visit to Albuquerque's aquarium, but Steph has a membership so we took the opportunity to visit. It was....an experience. Between a very pregnant Stephanie, Belle and Liam being very active toddlers, and Ansley having all the needs of a hungry newborn without a morning nap, lets just say that we won't be going again for a very, very long time.


Liam trying to use the sea star as a seesaw. I was corrected several times by the employee in the room when I called it a starfish. It got to the point where I was like, "OK! I GET IT. Leave me alone while I try to stop my child from jumping off of your precious 'sea star'!"

I guess it was a big deal that this particular exhibit was open because it is rare. Personally, the thought of petting a stingray holds no appeal for me. I imagine it is like petting a large, deadly mushroom.

Once again, I was corrected by another employee for referring to the jellies as "jelly fish." They are, as I learned, NOT fish.

At one point, I had to go capture Liam, while Steph held a fussy Ansley. Annabelle, in tow with her monkey leash, took sharing her mommy very well. Very well.


I love Albuquerque's ability to embrace their ghetto-ness. Here is a special aquarium showing what the Rio Grande holds. Yes, that is an old tire, Coca Cola bottle, and other various debris.

Eric's parents took Liam for his first ride on a carousal at one of the local malls. Liam LOVED it. But as with all things, he does not understand that there must be an end to all good things. Especially when it costs a good chunk of change for each ride!

Not handling leaving the carousal very well. He cheered up when we "got" to ride the next ride: the escalator.


Grandma Becky bought Ansley lots of new headgear while we were in town. Here she is sporting some of her new accessories at breakfast at Wecks, another favorite restaurant of ours.

While we were in town my mom and dad had a big lunch for us and 35 of our closest relatives. Not kidding. We have a massive family! It was so great to see many of my family members.

Uncle David and Ansley

My Aunt Lydia and my mom

My other Aunt Lydia. She is a leap year baby, but she just turned 92!


My cousin Debbie, who has always been like a sister to me, and another cousin, Isaiah.

Since Eric's parents had been living in D.C. for the past few years, we had spent very little time at their house in Corrales. But now that they are back, it was nice to relax out in the country. They have a beautiful backyard and Liam loved playing, and exploring in it. He also loved playing with their new dog, Moses. Plus Eric's mom has kept a ton of the toys the boys grew up with. It was so much fun to see Liam and Eric play with his old cars, Lincoln Logs, Micro Machines, etc.