Albuquerque Reunion!

Ah, Albuquerque, The Land of Enchantment! As I flew over the Rio Grande river and saw a hot air balloon it all came back to me. The mariachi band at the airport, the Zia, the green chili the road runners and even the tumble weeds brought back four years of memories. But even better than all the culture and good food I'd missed was reuniting with unforgettable friends!
Last weekend was so wonderful as I reunited with some of my dearest friends from Albuquerque, NM. I flew out Friday and was nervous to leave Lydia for the first time. I'm not sure why I worried, she had a blast playing with cousins Friday and spending the entire weekend with just her and her daddy! They went fishing, digging in the dirt, got Panda Express for dinner and took it to the park, where she tells me "we ate nummy chicken!" According to Lydia mommy spent the weekend "flying in airplane!"

My sweet friend Michelle picked me up from the airport I hung out with her family all afternoon. It was so fun to spend time together after not seeing each other for two years. We used to be next door neighbors and served in Young Womens together. It was just like old times and she will always be a treasured friend!
I actually headed to ABQ for the baptism of one of the most amazing Young Women I've ever known, Nohemi Aldaco. We met when she was 13 and just starting to come to church with her Grandmother. She is now 18 and able to be baptized. She was more prepared than any one I've ever known and has waited longer for this day than anyone I've ever known. Thus it was just as spiritual and incredible an experience as you can imagine. It was wonderful to be there for her. I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Cassie & Nohemi

I stayed with my dear friends the Regalados. They made me feel so welcome and spoiled me. We had fun going on a walk, going out for dinner, just hanging out and chatting and of course shopping!

Paul & Renee Regalado

Renee & Cassie

Renee also spoiled my kids by buying darling flip flops for little Lydia and our little man to be!

One of the highlights of the trip was Saturday's Girls Night Out! A group of my favorite friends from the old Manzano ward got together for dinner and then we stayed up late having fun chatting and giggling and like Michelle put it, " they are the kind of friends that come into your life and no matter how long it's been since you've seen them or talked to them, once you are back together, it's like only minutes have passed!"

My sister Emily once told me that when you travel it is not the places you see, but the people you meet that make your exprience memorable!