El Paso for Aunt Patsy's Birthday, January 2017

Our annual trip to El Paso to celebrate our precious Aunt Patsy's birthday is one of our yearly favorites. This was the 7th year in a row we have gotten to do this, and each year is so special and fun! 

This year, we decide to fly to maximize our time there (since LJ's absences now 'count'). So we took the first flight out on a Thursday morning, and guess who we saw!? The McDonnells, boarding their flight to Disney World! It was a very short minute that we had to hug and say hello/ good-bye, but it was still very exciting for us! 

Little Mini-Kate ready to go! 

Quick hugs kids! 

And off they go! 

Then we grabbed some breakfast tacos while we waited to board our plane. Despite being up very early, these kids were so happy and ready to be in El Paso! 

I got to sit with these two monkeys, and Barrett and Ellie were behind us. Luckily the plane was pretty empty so we had plenty of room to spread out! 

And after a quick and easy flight with 3 great kids, we landed in El Paso just after 8 am, ready for a full day of fun! 

Ellie LOVES her Gigi (as we ALL do!). 

We dropped Gigi and Barrett off at TECMA to get some work done, and then off to Grandma's house we went! The kids had fun seeing Grandma, eating a snack (she always has something yummy for them), and helping her feed the birds/ animals in the canyon below her condo! 

Then we grabbed lunch from Chick-fil-a and headed to Aunt Lori's to say hi! 

Evan took a cat nap while driving! 

The boys found Cal's boxing stuff and were entertained for a long time with it! 

Got to give Aunt Patsy her small birthday gifts! 

We stayed there until it was time for Ellie's nap. Then we headed to Capi and Gigi's house to get Ellie down. She insisted on sleeping in the queen bed again- no tent for this little princess! 

While Ellie napped, Gigi came home and went on a loooong, hilly walk with the boys! They all loved it, and got great exercise! I got sent this picture about 45 mins after they left! Wow! 

After Ellie was awake, we headed to Mesa Street Bar and Grill for dinner. This is one of our new EP favorites for dinner! Kids love their food, and we get great, fast service! 

Thursday night, I got to go out with two of my best friends in El Paso! We hadn't been out in together, especially just the 3 of us catching up, in SOOO long! We had a great laughs and a great time! 

Friday morning!! 

We were up very bright and early and ready to go visiting! We started at Grandma's house again, and she had ice cream ready for the three little monkeys! 

Next we headed to Grandma Rachel's house! The kids always seem to find so many fun things to do here, and they love her big, fun back yard! 

Had to attempt a selfie with our dear Grandma Rachel! Love her so! 

Then we headed back to the house to get this little sleeping beauty down for her nap! 

I went in the room to check on her and just loved how she was hugging her baby doll in her sleep! She loves her babies so much! 

After she woke up, we headed back to Aunt Lori's for dinner with the family! Most all my cousins that don't live in El Paso arrived sometime on Friday, so this was our first chance to all get together! I was having so much fun catching up and talking that I forgot to take pictures! So although between 40 and 50 of us were in and out of there (and thanks again to Lori for hosting all of us!!), here is the one pic I got that night!! 

Saturday!!

First, we headed to the park to meet the family for some fun on the play ground and sports! Always a favorite thing to do!!! 

Lovett and Ellie swinging next to each other! So cute! 

Auntie Lori cracking Ellie up as she races by her after pushing her! 

Boys in heaven playing football with a 'real quarterback'... Jacob is the BEST! 

Some were already gone, but here is a lot of the park clan!!! 

Ellie was a very good mama and her baby had a lot of fun at the park too!! 

Matching fleeces for me and my girl!! This makes me so happy!! 

Family races! Hah! 

The finish line- marked by Ellie and Jordan!! 

After a long time playing in the park, we headed to Starbucks. My sweet and awesome cousin Leader always treats the ENTIRE family to Starbucks!! We take over the place!! It's great and crazy! 

Love Uncle Leader- Thanks so much!!! 

Sweet kids enjoying their chocolate milk and pumpkin bread! 

After rest time, we headed to Peter Piper Pizza for dinner! Can't be in El Paso without going here at least once, and this seemed like our best night! The kids know this place well and got right to playing! 

LJ is ridiculously good at some of these games and always gets so many tickets! Haha! 

We had Grandma, Capi and Gigi with us... 

Back to the games after a fast dinner, and then we turned in our tickets. 

Prize time... 

Our favorite (and awesome) El Paso babysitter met us to start playing with kids. Since Aunt Patsy's birthday dinner didn't start until 8 pm, we got Elizabeth to come help us get the kids ready for bed while we got dressed and stay until they fell asleep. It worked out great, and I love for the kids to always get a chance to see/ play with Elizabeth! They love her!! 

A picture before leaving Peter Piper! 

Barrett and I got dressed and headed to El Paso Country Club to celebrate this precious lady!!! 

Then I got to get in bed with this little snuggle bear! Although we don't ever promote it, I secretly LOVE getting to sleep with my precious babies!!! 

Sunday morning!! 

We started the morning at my cousin Teri and David's house... and it was game day!!! Cowboys played that evening, and excitement was in the air!!! 

Adore this picture of precious Lovett in her Cowboys Cheerleader outfit! Evan would have been in Cowboys jersey too, but I forgot to pack it! Mom fail!!! Glad Lovett could still be his friend! 

One last stop at Grandma's to say good-bye!!! How is our trip already over!?

When I booked these tickets, they were on a huge sale, and I obviously had NO idea that there would be a HUGE Cowboys game ending right as we were supposed to be boarding! I thought Barrett would never forgive me... !! Luckily, the flight was delayed just a few minutes, and we were able to watch the entire end of the game before boarding. It wasn't ideal, but still kind of fun to watch in a big group at the airport! Everyone was crowded around and into the game! If only the Cowboys had won! :(

Well, Ellie was actually more into stickers than the game, but she was still happy!!! 

Another empty flight with lots of space! Yay! Ellie and I got our own row and the boys sat right in front of us. 

Quick and easy, once again! We were home SO late! Already after 9 pm, and somehow the kids are still being good! Waiting for our luggage and then we have to get them to bed! 

What a fun and fabulous time we had!!! Thanks for everything to ALL our amazing family!!! We LOVED getting to see each and every one of you, and hope to see everyone again soon!!! 

Happy happy birthday to our dear Aunt Patsy!!! 

This tradition is so awesome because we get to celebrate this incredible woman, the glue that is holding so many of us together so tightly!!! And we love our time with all our precious cousins! SOOOOO THANKFUL!!! And can't wait for next year!!