El Paso- Our Morning at the Hanger

October 27, 2013

We had a fabulous morning at the Hanger! The boys just love it out there with all the 'toys,' activity, and things to play with- it's the greatest place to be for us!!

First we played in the airplane and car that Capi and Gigi got them...

Then we found a ball ...

Then the excitement of the helicopter landing in front of the hanger- LJ was so excited as he was promised a ride (and me too!!)!

Uncle John had a perfect landing!

Evan was very interested too!

Then we noticed some sky divers about to land! Whoa!

First one landed- LJ was loving this! He has not stopped telling me that he wants to jump out of a plane now (oh no!).

Here comes the 2nd one...

Getting a little snack before our ride...

Evan did not want to stay in the apartment with all the fun things to do in the hanger!

Ok... let's go LJ!!

Buckled in and ready to go!

We're off! This was only my 2nd ride in a helicopter- and it was even more amazing than I remembered! I love the hovering - weirdest feeling every- and then you're off! It's so crazy!

LJ spotted a pond of water right away, and asked if ducks live there. I said yes, and then he began a 15 minute remix of one of his new favorite songs "Three little ducks went out one day.... " This was hilarious to hear over the head sets (and maybe a little exhausting too)! I think he just loved hearing himself over the head sets.

After a little sight seeing around the hanger, we headed over to Mount Cristo Rey. This is a big, beautiful cross at the top of a mountain in El Paso that people hike up to all the time. I have always wanted to go, but never have made it. I couldn't believe the sight from the helicopter though - breath taking!!

Coming up on the cross...

Amazing how many people you can see hiking up and around the cross. We couldn't get as close as we wanted because there were so many people.

Then we came around the front of the cross- Wow!!

Next we headed over to UTEP. We got a great view of the Sun Bowl and of all the new construction going on around the campus. I am so excite about all the great things happening at this university!

Next stop- a fly-by of my Grandma's condo. All the trails below in the canyon are where Barrett and I spent many many days hiking with our dogs- such great memories!

Then we flew along the mountain for a while and headed west... picture below is of Franklin High School (all the blue roof) where Barrett graduated.

LJ got tired of the head set and took it off... I think the initial excitement was wearing off and now I was having more fun then him! But he still enjoyed...

Capi landed on the ledge of a cliff just for fun... it was awesome!

Then a quick fly-by over the corn maze. They always spell out a message in the maze, so we took a picture in order to figure out the message later (was too long to read/ decipher then!).

And all too quickly, the ride comes to an end... back to the hanger we go (that's the hanger below)!

Happy little guy!

Capi and Gigi let LJ name the helicopter. His first choice was 'Sponge Bob'... They were pretty nervous! But this trip he decided it should be named 'Yellow Bird'... I think this name might stick (big exhale from Capi and Gigi!!).

While we were out flying, Gigi took Evan for a drive so he could nap. They got back just as we landed.

One more little adventure while we are out here: a ride around the airport in the Camoda!

Checked on Romeo- Capi and Gigi's 340 that is getting it's annual maintenance check. LJ yelled out "Look! It's Romeo" as we approached! He knows his planes!