Finally: An Update

The last couple of months have been hectic for us. Barry was working 18-hr days, so when his leave started, we took full advantage of it. We spent 3 days in Ruidoso & Lincoln County, NM. We'd planned to spend a few extra nights camping, but Brady decided to catch croup. During our mini vacation, we visited Cloudcroft (in the Lincoln National Forest), San Patricio (where NC Wyeth's daughter & son-in-law Henriette & Paul Hurd lived--we saw several $100,000 paintings--without a chaperone!), Three Rivers Petroglyphs Site, Smokey the Bear's museum, and Lincoln County (Billy the Kid's territory).

When we arrived back to El Paso, we took the kids to the Amigo Airsho on Biggs Field. We spent the rest of his leave doing things together, simple things like eating at McD's and going to the park. We also marked this time by saying farewell to Nigel, our faithful yet moody English shepherd. (Sam's enjoying being in charge, by the way.)

My sister and brother-in-law flew out to visit last weekend, and we went to White Sands to sled down the sand dunes. Sydney wanted to have a birthday party before Barry left, so Erin & Dax helped us with the early celebration. Sydney received 2 pretty bracelets from Aunt Erin and a High School Musical game from us (yes, everyone had to play!). Brady's early gift was a TMX Elmo from Nana & Papaw. I think the adults liked watching Elmo's acrobatics as much as Brady did.

Then Barry gave each child an early Christmas gift. They love what he chose!

So we've tried to make the most of our time. Barry leaves tomorrow (Monday) for a year. I'll spend the next six months planning his mid-tour leave. And chances are, this blog will be updated more often since hopefully he'll logon to catch up with what his kids are doing!


What did Daddy buy Bryce? A skateboard!


Sydney said her Giga Pet was the best gift ever. :)


Bryan & Brady received remote-controlled Caterpillar vehicles.


Barry wasn't sure Brady would be able to figure his out, but he shouldn't have worried.



We visited the birthplace and gravesite of Smokey the Bear. Syd's upset because we wouldn't buy her a stuffed Smokey. :(


Bryan's our airplane boy, but this was Brady's expression the entire time we were at the Airsho.



We visited the Three Rivers Petroglyphs site. Funny that the NM Bureau of Land Management thinks these carvings are only a few hundred years old.


And here we are at the petroglyphs.