El Paso Trip June 2015

The boys were SO EXCITED to go on our first trip of the summer... to El Paso to visit all our family there!!! We had a count down going, and the morning of our flight they were so ready to go!!! They had helped me pack, told me everything special they wanted to take, and even picked out some of their outfits!

We started our trip to El Paso with an exciting adventure ... my first time flying with all three kids alone!

Barrett had to get to a meeting, so he dropped us off on the curb with the MOST CROWDED curb-side check-in line I've ever seen! But these kids did GREAT! The boys stayed right with me, held hands when we walked through out the airport, and even helped me keep track of all my stuff! I was so impressed!!!

And they continued to be great on the airplane! Of course, the airport was so packed, and our flight was completely sold out! If the flight isn't sold out, I can usually get an extra seat to put Ellie's car seat (even though I don't pay for her seat until she is 2). But not today! So all 4 of us were in a row of three seats! Ellie was on my lap, and although she needed a nap very badly, was so happy the whole flight! And the boys sat on either side of us, eating their snacks, watching their iPads, and telling me all about the plane! I can't believe how well everyone did on the 1.5 hour flight!

I kept Ellie eating a lot of the flight!

Sweet boys busy playing games!

Nothing like taking selfies to keep us entertained!

We made it!!!

Holding hands again as we leave... they were just awesome!

And right into Gigi's arms they went!!!! Yay!!!

Ellie was so exhausted after skipping her morning nap, she did not even make it to the car before passing out hard!!!

We headed straight to TECMA to meet Capi for lunch.

Hungry kiddos enjoying their food from Su Casa! Mmmmm....

Capi and Ellie!

Gigi reading to the boys!

Ellie feeding herself a bottle- she prefers to lay down and drink he bottles by herself now! I love it!!

Then off to the store to pick up some food for the week... and Grandma joined us!

Boys got to be pushed by Gigi!

Thursday morning we got to spend some time at Aunt Patsy's house... Auntie Lori got each kids these beautiful frames pictures of a Guardian Angel watching over 2 kids... I had it in my room growing up. Such a sentimental and beautiful image! Thank you SO MUCH my thoughtful Godmother!! We will treasure them!

Ellie got some fun time with all the boys! Cal and Tio Sergio!

And Cindy!

And Tio!

Group shots... Love all these people so!! Thanks for letting us come play!

Poor Evan- we stayed too long- he fell asleep in the car!

I was working on a Happy Birthday song for Gigi and tried to sneak in a good photo of the three of them... never easy!!

Ellie is going to be one tough kid growing up with these two brothers!!

Then tried for a cute shot of Grandma, Gigi and kids... Evan wasn't into it!

Me and my girl!

LJ taking pictures for us!

Ellie loves eating food and feeding herself! We fill up her tray now and let her go to town (especially at dinner when bath time is next!)!!

Thursday- Gigi's birthday!! Capi surprised her with a big gift as we were leaving. Of course boys had to help open it!

Wow!!! A Louie!

Off to the El Paso Zoo we go!!!

Love this Zoo and all the wonderful animals!

My dear friend Jenn met us there with her two boys (and 3rd boy in her belly!), Nico and Benjamin - both 6 months younger than my boys. They were so cute together and excited with all the animals!

Big tiger!!

And the FAVORITE animal of the day....... the big Sea Lion that kept doing 'swim-bys'! The boys loved it so much! They would jump up and down and get so excited every time it passed us!!

There it comes again!!!

Ben's smile (on the far left) made me SO happy!!! How great is that!

Boys!

Reptile time...

Ellie enjoyed the Zoo too!!

Home to rest after a fun and full morning!!!

LJ torn between playing with his new toy from the zoo and all his legos... what's a boy to do!

We have a special sitter we can use in El Paso, Elizabeth (ironically!), that we have used occasionally since LJ was 1. She came over right as Ellie went to sleep and stayed there while we went to a Chihuahua's baseball game with the boys! These boys were SO excited!!! We had their shirts from last year, but they were a little mid-drifty! Think we may need a run to the store here too!

Popcorn time... They shared a whole bucket of it!

Evan had a blast the whole time... and this did not end in the gift shop! He is my most opinionated dresser, and was in heaven with all the baseball gear and jerseys! He slept in the jersey and with the bat!!!

Thanks for such a fun night celebrating you Gigi!

Breakfast the next morning.

Yes... Evan is still wearing his jersey... wondering when and how we will get it off of him!

OK, jersey off, but new chihuahua's shirt on! And baseball bat in hand!

Ellie helping me pack up a few things as we were getting ready to head to Ruidoso for the weekend!

After Ellie's morning nap (during which we got the car all loaded up), we hit the road to Ruidoso... and little did Gigi know, Joe was waiting for her there!!!! She had been very suspicious of a surprise party since I arrived and Capi had mentioned the two of them going out alone on Friday night. And maybe I had been acting a little weird too- she even made me look her in the eyes while asking me if there was going to be a party!! I hate lying- and am horrible at it! But as soon as she saw Joe, she thought that was what all the fuss was about and forgot completely about her other suspicion! She immediately began crying with joy... it was very special!!!

Then we got ready and headed to the club to get dinner... but first we were going to stop at an anniversary party for their friends..... Happy LJ with his Uncle Joe in the back!

Walking into the 'anniversary' party... Gigi said, 'Wow, the tables look so nice. What a great party!'

But actually it WAS a SURPRISE party for GIGI!!! YAY!!!!! She was shocked! Joe was the best decoy ever!!!

Here's a video of us walking in... sorry it's not the best quality, couldn't let her know I was recording!! Haha!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GixNC9dS4eI

Love these two!!!

Had a blast catching up with my precious brother! We don't get to do this enough!

A little night cap by the super cool fire pit back at their house! What a fun time celebrating the most amazing woman!!!! Happy birthday Gigi!!!!

Same fire pit the next day...

Loved it at night, but also love when you can see Yellow Bird (the helicopter) in the back ground! We've not spent too much time at this house, but I will still miss it (they have just sold it and close next week!).

Breakfast time ....

Batman walking to the clubhouse to eat!

Silly boys! They love their new superman and batman shirts (with capes) from Gigi!

Pictures of the girl!

While Ellie took her morning nap, the boys went on an adventure with Capi and Gigi... lots of playing and even a horseback ride!!

Dinner at the club with Ramona, Victor, Brad and the family.

Such a beautiful evening... too bad my phone is not taking good pictures to capture the moment!

LJ slept in bed with me while in Ruidoso. He did so well- right to bed without me there and slept in with me! But he sleeps ALL OVER the bed- and me!!! The first picture is how I found him in bed- so sweet! The one on the right is him sleeping over my back (I took a selfie!).

Love back deck and view at this house! It's so nice here!

The boys exploring around the house...

We will miss this beautiful house!!!

Joe and I heading home with the kids on Sunday morning. Joe had to catch a flight and my parents needed to stay to figure out where they are going to move since they are selling their house this week!

More quality time with my sweet brother! Yay!

We got to surprise Grandma too... She didn't know Joe was in town, and I asked her to come help me get the kids down for a nap. She only had about 30 minutes to see him but at least it was something! Wish we'd had more time to see everyone else- never enough time!

Evan loves his naps... even in El Paso!! He sleeps in the corner of Capi and Gigi's room on an air mattress.

Sunday evening we got to go hang at Aunt Patsy's house again. And the boys got to go swimming ... they had a blast!!

Thanks for letting us come swim, play and eat!! And a special thanks to Aunt Tricia Ann, Aunt Brianna, and Cal for swimming with them! The boys had a blast!

Monday morning (with Capi and Gigi just returning from Ruidoso), the kids and I were up early and went visiting!!! First we stopped at my cousin Trisha's house (we hadn't gotten to see her yet).

Then we went to Grandma Rachel's house. Boys got right to building a huge lego tower.

And then we got to visit with Willie, Melissa, Jonah and Josh!

Right after naps, my friend Sara Francis came over with her absolutely adorable baby Tyler Jean. We were so happy to meet her! And so happy to catch up with Sara.

Tuesday morning, we attempted a birthday lunch with Aunt Sandy and Grandma.... but Farrah's had unusually horrible service!! We ended up not ever getting our entire order- a total disaster!! So disappointing as this is typically one of our favorite restaurants! Boo!!

So we headed back to the condo ... All the girls!!

Tuesday evening my PI from Grad school came to spend a couple hours catching up with me. She had only met LJ- we have grown since we last caught up! Loved seeing Dr G!! Wish I'd gotten a picture! Then we got all packed for our trip back home the next morning.

Wednesday arrived before we knew it, and we were already headed back to Austin. Only this time we have Gigi to help us fly home!!!

Evan being silly on the drive to the airport!