We had a good trip to New Mexico. It was a relief that my mom didn't have ovarian cancer. Just the radical hysterectomy was enough to get through. The kids had a good time playing at her house and swimming. Isabel had no trouble getting into the pool. Another week later and it would have been easier for me to get in.

(Calvin insisted on taking everything off but the goggles. )

We also got to see Josh and Leah, who are now officially engaged to be married. They have a cute little dog, part Dalmatian, named Tope as in Spanish for speed bump, a good name for a dog. They seem happy, which makes me happy.

My mom got amazing flowers from our cousing Liz in California. Isabel posed with them, looking like some art-deco goddess in a 1920's painting.

And we got to visit some interesting sites in Albuquerque in the Old Town area. More on this later.