Thanksgiving in Albuquerque

Being in school definitely has its benefits! We got an entire week off for Thanksgiving! We left the Friday before Thanksgiving and had a great time! It was a much needed break for both Westin and I. We spent the first few days in Albuquerque. We ran the trails by Westins sisters home, went up the Sandia Peak tramway, visited the Albuquerque zoo and enjoyed several delicious meals.

Westins dad (Richard) lives in Zuni, a small pueblo about two and a half hours from Albuquerque. It was our first time visiting him since he moved there. Richard is an optometrist for the Indian Health Service and has been in Zuni for about two years, before that he was in Gallup New Mexico. We took the Amtrak train from Albuquerque to Gallup and Richard picked us up there, then drove us to his home in Zuni. Tuesday morning Richard went to work and we drove about thirty minutes to El Morro, an amazing national monument. If you haven't heard of El Morro, find out more info here: http://www.nps.gov/elmo/index.htm.

Every Thanksgiving we start the day off by running the Albuquerque Turkey Trek. It's a quick 5K run/walk and this year the trail was right by the zoo. It was quite the experience running past the elephants and giraffes. :)

People always say that when you marry you spouse you marry your in-laws. This was my third Thanksgiving with Westin's family and fifth trip to Albuquerque. I'm very lucky to have such great in-laws that I get along with. The transition from Palo Alto to Evanston has been hard on me, but being able to go to both Newport for Max's wedding and Albuquerque for Thanksgiving was a life saver for me. The only words that come to my mind are that I'm blessed, so very blessed.

Morgan playing with her cousin Aiden. 

At the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque.

This was Morgans first hike at a National Monument. 

Hiking El Morro just outside of Zuni. 

At the top of El Morro. 

We took the grand tour at the hospital Richard works at in Zuni, this is in his office. 

All pumped up and ready to trot like turkeys!!

After the race with Claire (sis-in-law), Rich (bro-in-law), Rachel (sis-in-law), and Jordan (Claires sis)

Enjoying a post-run breakfast at Frontier!

So cute on Turkey Day!

Family shot after a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. 

Cousin time after dinner.

Morgan and her cousin Clara holding hands at lunch. 

Westin and Morgan with his sister Rachel enjoying a beautiful Fall day.