Spring Break 2013 - White Sands

On Tuesday of our trip, we headed out to White Sands, NM with Grandma and my Aunt Maureen. Michael and I had both been there once before, but not with each other, and we were looking forward to sharing it with each other and our kids! We all had such a good time! Grandma and Maureen prepared a picnic lunch for us and an Easter Egg hunt!! We flew a kite, we played in the sand...Jonathan didn't want to leave! He didn't understand why there wasn't an ocean attached to it! But we explained that it's like one big sand box and with that he said he wanted it in his back yard! We had such an amazing day! I promised Jonathan that we would bring him back, in order to get him to leave, so I really hope we do!

Our family pic!

Michael and Jonathan sliding down the hill. Maureen and Ben playing...or talking about the sand.

The guys up at the top of the hill.

Our picnic lunch!

Kite flying time!

JJ at the top of the hill! It's so beautiful there.

Benny and Maureen playing in the sand.

Where did Ben's feet go?

Michael and Ben going for a slide!

Down they went! Jonathan scooted down!



The sun was VERY bright, especially against the WHITE sand.

My Grandma let the boys wear hats that were my Grandpa's! I thought the boys looked so sweet in them. Ben liked White Sands, but his eyes were bothered by the bright sun and the sunscreen.

Ben had had enough, so Maureen took him back down!

Then we started the egg hunt!!! Thank you Aunt Maureen for the super fun treat!

Hunting for eggs! Grandma is waiting in the car. There was a cool breeze that was giving her a chill.

The eggs are hidden in the sand!

Still finding eggs!!!

Just having fun!

Me and JJ!

Me and Michael!!

Spring Break 2013 - Mountain Climbing

On our driving tour around Las Cruces, we went as close to the Organ Mountains as we could! I love these mountains, they are so pretty. Jonathan and Ben have never seen mountains like this, so I was hoping for an oppourtunty for Jonathan to get out and explore a little. Thankfully we were able to! Ben had fallen asleep, so Michael and Grandma stayed with Ben and parked at the base of the trail and Jonathan and I went "mountain climbing"...okay more like, we walked up a steep hill. But we had fun!

This was as close as we could get to the Organ Mountains.

I'm following Jonthan up the mountain. He has a rock collection, so we had fun collecting all sorts of rocks on our way up.

This was as high as we went! I told him to go over there and say, "I'M THE KING OF THE MOUNTAIN!"

Us on our way down!

There is the rest of the mountain...there was a ways to go to get all the way to the top!

The info board.

And the map.

Walking over the bridge to get back to the car.

Looking back at the mountains as we drove away...

Spring Break 2013 - Fun Day with Grandma!

On Monday of our trip we decided to take a more laid back approach and the four of us hung out with Great-Grandma all day! We had breakfast, she took us on a driving tour of Las Cruces, hung out at Great-Grandma's house, went shopping at Old Mesilla and the a super yummy dinner with the family! It was a great day!

Jonathan and I went for a walk around Great-Grandma's retirement community. This is in front of her house.

Breakfast with Great-Grandma at Cracker Barrel!

This is by the pool at the main hall at the retirement village. Jonathan liked climbing on the rocks. It was too cold to go swimming right then, so he has plans to come back in the summer to swim there! :-)

Outside the main hall at the retirement village, Jonathan and I liked these rocks, wheels and cactus flowers! He was sweet enough to pose for me!

This is another painting that my mom painted.

Ben made himself comfortable on Great-Grandma's bed!

Very generously, Grandma gave me one of the paintings my mom did! I love it and treasure it! Thank you Grandma!

Jonathan really liked the bell.

Latter in the afternoon, we went to Old Mesilla. An old square close to my Grandma's home. This was a very colorful and cool shop. I loved shopping around the square! Lots of fun things to look at! 

The boys dancing, to the tune in their heads. The Basilica in the background is my Grandma's church.

This is in the main square too! Interesting!

Back at Grandma's, she spoiled the kids with ice cream cones!! Yum!

Jonathan is hoovering over Ben, cleaning him up! So sweet!

That evening, we met up for dinner at Si Senor's with a lot of the family. This place is an amazing Mexican restaurant! Jonathan and Jaden were happy to be together again!!
We will bring Jonathan back to swim, if Michael and I can eat here again!! :) In other words, we liked it a lot!

My Aunt Susan, my cousin Angela, my husband Michael, and my aunt Maureen (That is Grandma's arm!)

Aunt Mary and Ben had a fun time at their end of the table!

 

Poor Mary didn't eat at all, she was so busy with Ben! But I know they both had a good time!

 My Grandma and me! We had such a great visit! I appreciate all her, and my family's hospitality!