El Paso

We spent Christmas Day with my parents and siblings, then my Dad headed back to CA to get back to work and we went on with my Mom, Jaxon and Kelsie to meet up with all the extended family in El Paso. (Jake stayed behind to work and met up with us a couple of days later). It was so fun to spend time with Nana & Papa as well as all the aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pedi Party with all the girl cousins

One of the fun activities we did that week was go to White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. It is just what it sounds like--white sand as far as the eye can see, that people dig in, sled on, etc. The kids LOVED it (as did the rest of us). Such a fun activity and even more fun that we got to do it with all the family.

Brenn hamming it up for the camera, she was especially pleased with the Hot Dogs she got to have for lunch (something she loves that mom doesn't so much, so it was a special treat for her)

The kids would wax the bottom of the saucers so they'd go nice and fast down the hills

Brenn was especially thrilled with her thrill ride. Every time she'd make it down the hill she'd run to my mom who was sitting at the bottom, run to her with a big smile on her face and jump into her arms and giver her a big bear hug.

Brenn's Miss Independent came out later in the day as she insisted on both climbing and carrying the saucer up the hill all by herself. It was a pretty impressive feat for a newly turned 2 1/2 year old.

Jake and the boy cousins tried to take it up a notch by building jumps at the bottom of some of the runs. They must have done a decent job as one time it even made him lose his shoe.

Aside from the sledding and sand, the boys (and Kelsie & Brenn) got a nice little game of football going on.

We were also there for New Year's. The Ingles sure know how to party, there were fireworks a pinata and all sorts of goodies. Sadly I came down with a horrible flu so didn't get to enjoy the festivities as much as I'd have liked (and basically captured no pictures, so if any of the aunts have some they want to send my way...please do!)

Like I said I came down with a horrible flu so we ended up staying a day longer then we planned because I couldn't get out of bed and even the next day Jake had to carry me to the car for us to be able to leave (man, did I feel pathetic). Aside from the horrible bug, we had so much fun in Texas with the Fam. Love you guys!