We woke up early, hit the local McD for a little breakfast and play for the boys, then Grandpa Stan, Uncle Steven, Daddy, Mommy, Cole, and Carson headed to White Sands while Grandma Mary stayed back to prepare Thanksgiving dinner.
We hit the Visitor Center and learned the phenomenon of the white sands is created by the crystal gypsum. The gypsum drains down the mountains with rains into Lake Lucero and dries in the desert, then flakes into the air and comes to rest at White Sands. The sands have only been around for 7000 years (not too long in comparison with the Permian Sea creation of Carlsbad Caverns) and grow from 3 to 15 feet each year?! Crazy, huh?! Thank you Junior Ranger Badge informational packet for your education.
We even got Grandpa Stan and Uncle Steven to the top of the dunes!
After a bit of exploring, we busted out the sled saucer for sliding time.
The boys played and played...
After many slides down the dunes, it was time for our picnic lunch followed by a great game of frisbee and bike riding around the picnic area. 4 hours later, the boys were DONE!
We hit the Visitor Center for our 3rd Hunior Ranger Badge of the trip and headed home just in time for a yummy dinner, game of Mexican Train dominoes, and early bedtime.
Day 5 - Thanksgiving Day
Well, when you go to bed before 8, you're up before 5:0 am...that's how we roll in the Schettler house. By the time we sat down for Grandma Mary's Apple Pancakes, the boys had already completed a 200 piece Lego build...
Curtis and I went for a quick 4.5 mile Thanksgiving Day run and started on Project #3....Pinewood Derby Cars. Cole is absolutely loving Cub Scouts! We have the most energetic and outstanding Den Leaders, and they make it so much fun for the boys. The Annual Pinewood Derby Race is in January, and the boys have allready thought of their car designs...Batmobile for Carson and Thomas The Tank Engine for Cole...no big surprise there! We got to work on the Batmobile.
Carson is pretty proud of his masterpiece. All it needs are a few Batman de las and he's ready to go!
We hit a few more local parks, challenged Cole to 20 loops around the Culdesac on his bike and headed in for an amazing Thanksgiving Dinner!
We went around the table sharing all we had to be thankful for, said grace, and chowed down. Mary worked so hard on dinner, and it was absolutely wonderful. We saved just enough room for homemade pumpkin pie and apple crumble, and hit the hay. We sure have a lot to be thankful for.....Carson is especially thankful for his 3 Junior Ranger Badges.
Day 6 - Hueco Tanks State Park FAIL
We woke up early to head on the 60 mile drive to Hueco Tanks only to find out they only let 70 people into the park at a time...note to self: make reservation to go to Hueco Tanks 3 months in advance. The ranger let us drive in and out for a quick pic.
We'll be back, Hueco Tanks, worry not...
We were super proud of Grandpa Stan for taking the hike with us. After the Nature Hike, we headed for the Scenic Overlook, and Mommy and Cole headed up to the top!
By the time we finished it was leftover lunch and naptime at the house.
We woke up and headed to Uncle Steve and Aunt Christine's house for cousin family time!
Just a little resemblance?! Can you tell?! We were sad we missed cousin Sandra in the picture, too. It was so much fun catching up with the family, and the boys had a blast playing with their cousins!
Family time is the best!!!!
The alarm went off at 4:00 am for 4:30 departure. With the gas prices down we counted 54 RVs and Travel Trailers just from Midland to Abilene. I bet we hit 100 by the time we get to Frisco. That will be us this summer!
We had such an amazing time in El Paso for Thanksgiving! We're ready for Advent and Christmas season. Happy December!
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