This year for fall break we wanted to take the kids somewhere to visit family. We haven't really taken them anywhere in a long time and thought it would be fun. The sad thing is that once we were talking about it we realized that we have never been to El Paso to see Spencer's Grandma and Grandpa or his aunts who spend the 4th of July with us. Grandma Bea has never met any of our 4 children. That meant that it was very overdue for us to make the drive to Texas.
Our kids were all very excited. They were pretty good in the car. We were happy that the landscape was pretty bare so we could make frequent 'pit stops' for our potty training boy!
We stopped in Cortez, Colorado for the night on our way there and had plans to go out and see the area. Unfortunately, I was pretty sick with a sinus infection and strep throat, but was lucky enough to get in touch with one of my Dr.'s to call in a prescription for me. Spencer booked a hotel online and when we got there it was pretty old. Ezra walked in and immediately asked, 'what does it smell like!' and 'is this a grandma hotel?' From then on that hotel was the grandma hotel. The next day we packed up and finished our drive to El Paso. We drove straight to grandma Bea's house and the kids got a bit silly as we arrived. Ethan really liked the shape of the shrubs they had outside their house.
We had a very nice visit at their house with grandma Bea and grandpa Ralph. Lizett and Cindy came and brought take out for dinner. Ethan and Victoria were so excited because they had planned to stay with Lizett and Cindy at their house and not with us at our hotel. They were looking forward to meeting Lizett's 6 dogs, and Cindy's 3 dogs.
They had a good night and the rest of us were nice and spread out at our hotel! We met the next day for breakfast and to go see the school where they teach. That night we made the 45 minute drive to a cattle ranch restaurant named Cattleman's. It was a working ranch in the middle of nowhere. There were animals to see complete with a rattlesnake pit and buffalo. We walked the grounds before being sat in the restaurant.
There were playgrounds and stations to purchase food to feed all of the animals. It was a huge place.
The restaurant is the most delicious steakhouse I have ever been to! The menus boast that the meat that is served is cut the same day. It was amazing. Lizett and Cindy really outdid themselves. Victoria could not get over the bill for dinner. Spencer kept saying that this dinner was worth the whole drive!
The next morning we met again for breakfast. Victoria couldn't understand why all of the restaurants serve beans and Mexican food for breakfast! Ethan and Spencer were absolutely loving it. We then drove downtown to visit the 'Chalk the Block' that was going on. It was a very big event. Grandma had a hard time walking the whole way so we left her to eat her treats while we found a few of Lizett and Cindy's students.
One thing about Grandma Bea (or Grandma Bete as Ezra called her) was that she has a sweet tooth. She always had a treat in her hand. She was nice enough to share with Mason. She was so tender and sweet with Mason. She connected with him almost immediately. He shared her entire coconut Popsicle! She was a very brave grandma to share Popsicles with the Moose! That's something that usually only a mom or dad would do. I thought it was so darling. He was LOVING it.
One of the interesting things they had was a giant 'light maze.' We decided to give it a try. It was kind of strange, but very cool. Mase couldn't stay in there very long because it was pretty hot. All of the lines and color strips on the gray maze create colored light inside. It was pretty cozy and relaxing.
Ezra and Ethan had the most fun. They didn't want to leave. I just chased Ezra around and hoped that everyone else was OK! We spent some time relaxing. After we left downtown the kids wanted to go and see a movie. We spent our last night with grandma and grandpa at their house and were so sad to have to say goodbye.
Ethan was in heaven staying with Lizett and Cindy. Victoria joined us at the hotel on the last night. Ethan was in love with all of the dogs. He spent hours just petting and playing with them. It almost made me think about getting a dog. I decided instead to ship him to Lizett and Cindy's more often! He was pretty upset to leave.
He insisted I got his picture with each of the dogs.
Ezra loved the dogs and loved to follow them around trying to hand them their toys! Everyone of our kids asked us how soon we could go back. They all want to visit El Paso again soon.
We were just so happy to finally get to see where everyone lives and meet all of the dogs we have heard about for years. It was great to see the school we have been told about and especially to get to see Grandma and Grandpa finally.
It was a very long drive, but was very worth it.
Thanks for making us feel so welcome!
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