My little Piece of Heaven: Family Vacation: Part 2: El Paso!

Well we made it to El Paso late Saturday evening. Isaac's sister Nidia lives there, but because she has a small house and my in-laws, Rosi, and Pati and her 6 kids were also going to be there, we decided to stay with the Flores family! Isaac is really good friends with Jerry and Omar (brothers) and practically grew up in this family's house. They were so kind and hospitable. We just loved staying with them. And while I was there Sister Flores figured out that she was my Mom's roomate, back in the 70's at BYU!!! What a small world! Here is a Picture of us with the Flores. We just love them!

Day 1: Sunday

So on Sunday we went to church at Isaac's old ward that he grew up in, most of the people he knew were gone, but a few were still there and it was fun meeting some of them. After church we went to go see his old duplex that he grew up in. Here it is. It is hard to believe that my in-laws raised 8 kids in this 2 bedroom duplex! I guess I have no room to complain. My in-laws are awesome! After this we had a nice family Sunday dinner at Nidia's house.

Day 2: Monday

Monday we went to visit Isaac's Grandmother. She is the Mother of Nena and at 92 still lives on her own with no problems! She was a nice lady it was fun to finally meet her. I only wish Isaac could have met my Grandparents. Her name is Esperanza Leal Rubalcaba.

4 Generations... Esperanza, Maria Elena, Isaac and Benjamin (and Isabel)

Our little family with Isaac's Grandma (my kids Great Grandma)

Esperanza with Nena and Tito and 4 of her Grandchildren (Pati, Rosi, Nidia, & Isaac)

A few of her MANY Great-Grandchildren

Afterward we went shopping at the "Chino" stores and saw the bridge where everyone crosses into Mexico

Day 3: Tuesday

Carlsbad Caverns

So when Isaac told me he wanted to take a trip to El Paso, my one requirement is that we had to go to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. It was 2 hours away and well worth the trip! My parents took me here when I was 8 years old and it was so impressive that I NEVER forgot it! I have always wanted to go back and to take my kids. The whole family thought it was a great idea and we made a day of it. It was the first time for a lot of my nieces and nephews too! This is such an amazing place! In my opinion, it should be on of the wonders of the world!

At the entrance!

Making our way down

And down...

And down into the dark. No strollers allowed, so Isaac had to pack Isabel on his back! Of course she fell asleep half way down with all that darkness.

The Whale's mouth

A lot of my pictures are fuzzy because of the poor lighting, but you get the picture

Heading into the Big room

Not as fuzzy with the flash on, but you don't get the full effect of the cave either

This is the same picture. On the left no flash on the right is with the flash

Witch's Finger

One of the few Stalagmites still "living" AKA water is still dripping on it and it is still forming

Twin Domes and some other dome

Temple of the Sun?? I think.

The boys in front of "Fairy Land" (When I told Abby this was called Fairy Land, she asked where are all the fairys?)

Rock of Ages

Day 4: Wednesday

This day was more relaxed. The ladies of the family when back to the Chino shopping center and did som more serious shopping. After that I took some time to do some laundry since we had been gone about a week at this point, and later that evening we had a family BBQ at Nidias house. Her husband Fabian was the grill master and it was AMAZING food! Seriously he could be a chef! It was so good I felt like I was at a restaurant! We also invited some of Isaac's friends but only Rene came with his girlfriend. He was great! It was fun getting to know him! But alas... I forgot to take pictures this day!

Day 5: Thursday

4th of July

This day was a lot of fun! We started the morning at a Ward 4th of July breakfast. Only in El Paso can you have a 4th of July Breakfast and be eating Egg Burritos and Pan Dulce! Love that about El Paso! Then we played at the park and then Isaac and Benji went to play Basketball with Isaac's best friends that he grew up with! Here they all are

Isaac (and Isa), "Machine," Ernie, Jerry, and Rene

Later we met back up with the family for Fireworks at a Park in down town El Paso "El Chamisal." Again only in El Paso will you see people eating chips con Tapatio, Elotes, churros, tacos, ect, while seeing fireworks for the 4th of July! All kidding aside, I saw more patriotism this day than I have seen in a long time. These Latinos love the USA, most of them are immigrants or children of immigrants and they understand and appreciate the freedoms our great country has to offer! This was a great day!

Jacob, Jairo, Benji, Abby, Jeffrey, & Nidia

4th of July Girls!


With Tia Rosi!

So often I get caught up taking pictures of the kids and I forget to take pictures of the adults! So today I made a point to do it. Here are some of my husband's awesome family!

My sister-in-law Rosi, my in-laws Maria Elena & Roberto; (Above right) My sister-in-law Pati and her husband Carl: (Bottom Right) My sister-in-law Nidia and her husband Fabian

Isabel watching the Fireworks

Happy 4th of July!

Day 6: Friday

Our Last Day

After some more shopping we went to lunch at the famous Chico's Tacos! My husband LOVES this place. I thought it was alright and a little over priced. But it was fun seeing Isaac reminisce.

Then we road the only Tram in all of Texas up to the top of one of the Peaks in El Paso. It was fun because you could see New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico all from the same spot! It was a fun adventure! Later that evening we went to see an outdoor Musical called Viva El Paso! It was awesome! Benjamin said the show was his favorite part of the the whole trip.