Thanksgiving in Durango, CO

For Thanksgiving we invited our friends over for dessert and mulled wine. Everyone got to draw their own Turkey. It was really fun, until everyone left. The next day we left for Durango, Colorado! About 3 hours north, the drive was pretty uneventful. It is amazing, however, how the scenery seems to immediately change once you cross the New Mexico/Colorado border. The best part was when Emily treated us to Starbucks Coffee and breakfast burritos! YUM! Also, we think the lady who worked at La Hacienda may have been the nicest lady we have ever encountered.

Upon our arrival, Emily's grandparents (Earl & Dorothy) offered to keep an eye on Zane while we hitched a ride on The Polar Express! Emily's uncle David was kind enough to arrange tickets for us, as he has worked at the Durango/Silverton train station since Emily was a little girl. I don't think Zane minded one bit- he thoroughly enjoyed relaxing by the fire in good company. He was right at home and grandpa loved him, although it took him about 2 hours to remember his name. For a long time grandpa called him 'Jane'. Grandma put a stop to that real quick!!! And then he said "Oh, with a Z!!!! Like zebra?" We thought it was pretty funny he thought of Z for zebra before he thought of Z for Zook!!! Patty and I shared a good laugh upstairs while eavesdropping on this particular conversation.

Here's a funny picture of Patty trying to kiss the giant blow up Polar bear. :) Obviously Emily needs to take some photography classes....This is Emily and Patty enjoying their ride on The Polar Express. It was extremely fun: hot chocolate, the most amazing chocolate-covered graham crackers from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Facotry, Santa, caroling, kids... THE WORKS!! We had a very nice time. Next time we will wear our PJ's!!! dThe next day we went shopping in Durango. It was a nice little town. It was good to see snow on the ground! On the ride home we got extremely bored. Emily was so bored she took out her make-up and painted a black eye on her face! hahaha. Looks real, huh?! Toward the end of the drive, we decided to stop in Cuba and get some snacks to tide us over. We got some coffee, junk food and scratchers.... Patty won $5 and Emily won another scratcher! Totally worth it. We did just get some white stuff of our own here in abq! The day before Patty's finals were due, it snowed allll day. Patty spent the day in her room writing a million pages and watching Zane watch the snow from her bedroom window. It was sooo cozy! Emily was so nice and made Patty scrambled eggs and coffee so she could study right through meal-time! Afterwards, Patty took a long study break and went to Gecko's with Tammie. Albuquerque in a snow storm seems so quaint! And it was extremely funny how everything shut down and I think we barely got 2 inches!! hahahah! Silly Southwesterners.

In five days we both leave to go home for Christmas. It's amazing how time flies!! Seems like just yesterday Patty and Billy pulled into the drive at 444 Carlisle for the first time. Now we will be apart for two whole weeks!! I'll miss you, roommate!!!!