El Paso Week One

On Friday morning- at about 5:45 am- we grabbed the boys out of their beds, loaded them in their cars seats, and hit the road -El Paso bound! Unfortunately, the boys did not sleep through the transfer to the car seat, so they were up the earliest I ever remember them being up! But they were happy little guys! LJ knew and expected to wake up 'driving to El Paso' and was so excited to be going! And they thought it was fun to be driving in the dark and watch the sun 'wake up'!

We kept him all snuggled up with his paci- but it didn't work! He stayed awake until after lunch!

After a couples hours, we made our first stop at McDonald's to get some breakfast. I realized this is the first time the boys and I have ever eaten at McDonald's! But I must say, our egg white sandwiches were delicious!! Watch out Starbucks!

Evan has been very into wearing his sun glasses- he asks to put them on all the time!

Still no naps- but happy and entertaining themselves with coloring.

LJ asked to play on the iPad for a while. This kept him busy for well over an hour (games and shows!).

And finally Evan fell asleep at about 12:30!

BUT it only lasted about 30 mins :( LJ never slept! But we made great time and arrived in El Paso before 3 pm. Overall, the boys did excellent on their first really long road trip (took us about 9 hours door to door with 2 quick stops for gas and food). Not a single tear or complaint- good job boys!

And we arrived and got to show the boys our apartment! They quickly found their new chairs and made themselves right at home with a snack!

Grandma and Gigi came by... and LJ showed Gigi the his 'big boy' bed! He picked the twin sized bed over the queen size, and said he was excited to sleep in it! Fingers crossed!

Boys attacking their Gigi!

Evan showing Grandma how he sits on the potty (which he does all the time- but has not ever successfully gone yet!), and LJ showing Grandma his favorite train whistle from Aunt Patsy and Tio. He insisted on bringing it "so he could blow it when he was done with his bath and I would know"! Silly boy!

Then we walked around the complex a little to show Barrett and the boys pool, workout room, etc... very nice grounds! This place will be perfect for the month! We are very lucky!

Selfies of me and my big one!

Then Auntie Lori and Aunt Patsy stopped by to see where we'd be for the month! LJ was very interested in seeing pictures of Lori's dogs! He loves going to meet animals!

And then we got our first delicious Mexican food dinner at Casa J with Capi and Gigi! Mmmm! Welcome to El Paso!

And finally- after one looooong day- we went home for our first night in the apartment! Boys did pretty well - went right to bed. LJ started out in his tent, but woke up around 2 am saying he wanted out. Then he crawled into his twin bed, and has been sleeping their ever since! The only thing he said in the morning was that he didn't like the 'white thing' on his bed (the rail to keep him on the bed). So I took it down, and he has been great on the bed! We will get him a twin size bed when we get back home (especially since we need his crib soon!).

Saturday morning we went for a great walk (our apartment is right in the middle of a long hike and bike trail) and then headed to the pool with the boys. I was cold- so we didn't last too long! But the boys were so happy to be swimming!

Saturday night Barrett and I went to Neon Desert Festival while Capi and Gigi watched the boys. Thanks again Capi and Gigi! We had such a great time- the event was awesome, and we definitely plan on going again next year. It was also so nice to catch up with so many old friends and faces!

Cuddle time with dad on the couch!

Sunday brunch with Capi and Gigi! Evan loving his Capi and his ice cream- happy boy!

Sunday we moved Evan out of his Pac n Play and into his queen size bed. He looks so little in that big bed, but I hope it will be more comfortable since we will be here so long! And he seems to be doing great in it!

Hard to see, but both the boys in big beds! Yay!!

Stopped at Grandma's to say hi- LJ screaming 'CHEEEEESE'!

Then off to the hanger for dinner.

These boys love the hanger! They get so excited to go out there, look at all the planes, etc... they are in heaven!

Not their helicopter but still had to check it out!

Monday morning (Memorial Day), we got up and did our long walk again... and we got our very own little air show as we walked! Thanks Capi, Gigi, and Bill! They even did smoke for us!

We LOVE being buzzed!!

Then we headed to a nearby park.

And then met Aunt Patsy and Tio for lunch at the Greenery (which is inside the mall). The boys love all the horse statues in the mall!

Loving on his Aunt Patsy!

Tio doing magic trick with LJ!

Back to the horses please!

Enjoying our banana pudding from Grandma! MMMMmmm! Evan and I pretty much ate the whole thing!

LJ sleeping in his bed- so proud of him!

Dinner at Aunt Sandy and Uncle Albert's house. Evan making funny faces with Uncle Albert!

Selfie!

Uncle Albert teaching the boys how to work some of AJ's old car toys. Love that we found them!

After we dropped Barrett off at the airport Tuesday morning (so sad he left us!), we went to an awesome park for a play date with some of my old friends. We will definitely be going back there!

Then we picked Grandma and Gigi up and headed to the PX for some shopping. LJ's 'cheese' face is getting pretty crazy- but Evan loves it!

Grandma let each boy pick out a new present at the PX. LJ got Captain America and Evan (with my help) got puzzles. LJ seems to like the puzzles most though! A little too hard for Evan right now!

Wednesday morning we met Aunt Patsy for a short walk and park/ play ground time. It was really hot though so we didn't last too long!

Capi taught LJ how to search for doodle bugs in the sand the other day, and now he is obsessed with looking for them!

LJ has been getting dressed completely by himself most mornings. I will just lay out his outfit, and he will put it all on- including his shoes! Yay! I will need this help in October!

That evening we headed back out to the hanger for dinner- and some playing!

Driving in the Kubota- Evan actually begged to do this (though you can't tell how much fun he's having with this wind-blown face!).

And they love sitting in the helicopter!

And pretending to fly it!

Thursday morning- happy little monkeys are still waking up way too early (6:30 ish) but at least we get going early!

Evan wearing his glasses everywhere!

After a workout at the gym (I joined yesterday and today was first day with boys. They did GREAT! Went right in and were very happy when I picked them up! Yay!), we headed back to the mall for another lunch at the Greenery with Gigi. But first we found these fun rides in the mall- and had to ride every one of them! The bus....

the boat....

the horse...

and the jeep!

After naps, we headed to Grandma's house to swim. Love how cool this little guy is- shades and his basketball! Ha!

First swim in Grandma's pool. LJ realized he can reach the ground since a huge portion of her pool his 3 ft deep, and he was SO excited!!! He loved walking around in the water, and finally ditched his tube!

Then we stopped at Aunt Patsy's for a quick hello and dinner!

Evan relaxing with Tio watching TV!

Aunt Patsy and the boys!

Friday
Went swimming with some friends at the El Paso Country Club. I had never been in this pool, but Barrett spent all his summers here! LJ was even more excited in this pool because they have a huge area that is 2 ft deep! I have to find one of these in Austin! He has SO much fun! And Evan was pretty relaxed too! Haha!