New Mexico Trip Part 1

I did something many people think I am crazy for. I took my children to visit their grandparents in New Mexico. I didn't think it strange, family is family. 

I thought both boys would love the airplane ride, but Hamilton apparently doesn't like roller coasters or airplanes. But he hung on tight and we made it safely. 

Early flights and lots of people, and we made the best of it! 

We changed planes in Houston which was perfect, but we needed lunch at 8am. Yes, lunch, we'd been up since 4am, you can eat lunch whenever you choose. 

We got to New Mexico early and the fun started immediately. Papa took them to an Isotopes game. They were beyond thrilled!!! 

Their mascots name is also Orbit, like the Houston Astros. 

Hollister thought we were cheating on our fav team! (hee hee) 

Great seats. A hot day, and unfortunately a loss for the home team, 

but still a super memory for them!!! 

The next day we visited their Mimi, Aunt and cousins. 

We found some indoor activities, we apparently brought the Texas heat with us. 

We went to the Aquarium and Bugarium. 

They may not eat vegetables, but they loved the maze with these huge ones! 

Hamilton and Ella on a very large ant. 

This is an amazing train display. 

There are multiple trains and many displays. 

The kids were really intrigued. 

I was seriously impressed! 

At the entrance is this huge tree with carpenter ants. They are working. 

You can see them carrying leaves and stuff. It's remarkable.
Aunt Mandy teaching Max and Hollister. 

About to enter the jungle! 

Such a good exhibit for them to experience. 

Found a big bug and by far the cutest as well! 

A spider expert on hand as well. Hamilton up close. 

Hollister, not so much. He likes them stuffed. 

This is the end of the Bugarium room, but see that "tree limb"? 

The ants from the front follow it and carry things along it. 

It's amazing!!!! 

more traveling 

and even more. I'm tired from watching them 

 Next was the Aquarium. 

Trying to hear the ocean in a shell. 

We found Dory!!! 

The whole aquarium was quite impressive. 

Afterward we headed to Peter Piper Pizza. 

Food and games, typical for my kiddos. 

We topped off the day playing a board game with their Mimi and Papa, 

kind of family tradition there. 

 The next day Papa took us on a train ride to Albuquerque. This was a neat experience for the boys, and me as well. 

We headed downtown to the Imax theater and watched a film on Space. 

Loads of fun. 

Next up: The Tram 

Next we went to Sandia Mountains Tram. Once again, Hamilton was not thrilled with the heights we were going up. We would be traveling up to 10,378 ft. The scenery was amazing. 

We don't see this in Texas. 

Hollister is thrilled while Hamilton is cowering in the corner clinging to my legs. 

Grandma Mary Ellen and Papa with Hollister

Hamilton wouldn't go near "the edge". 

Truly spectacular. 

He warmed up a little at the top by the rocks. 

This is how close he stayed most of the time. 

See the dark clouds in back though? 

We received a thunderstorm for a short time. 

Going down... can you see the beautiful rainbow? 

Again, scenery was amazing. 

Hamilton wasn't happy until we were on the ground, solid ground for him. 

That was half our trip. 

Next post will be the other half. 

Fresno Grizzlies

The Fresno Grizzlies are the AAA team for the Houston Astros. They are playing  in Round Rock. We headed out in our Astro gear in what we thought would be hostile territory. The Round Rock Express are the AAA team of the Texas Rangers.

Upon arrival though, we noticed so many people wearing Astro gear. Honestly, there could have been more Astro fans than Rangers fans at one point.

We sat directly behind the Grizzlies dugout. When we saw the line up, we got very excited. The lead off is the Astros #1 prospect, Alex Bregman. Remember that name, he'll be an Astro soon.
Then it was Tyler White and Preston Tucker, both players that have been on the Astros roster this year. The boys were  thrilled. They knew their names and have seen them play in Houston.

Alex Bregman 

Preston Tucker on first.  

After each inning when the team would come to the dugout, people yell for balls. Hollister got one in the 3rd inning from 2nd baseman, Jack Mayfield. He was really excited.

Then a few innings later, it happened again. He was thrown a ball by the shortstop, ALEX BREGMAN!!!! But this time, the ball was taken by an older guy. Since he'd already gotten one, I told him, come on son, just sit down. Then, from the dug out, ALEX BREGMAN called him over and gave Hollister a ball in place of that one. ALEX BREGMAN!!!! You remember that name? The #1 Astro prospect. That's a HUGE deal and Hollister knew it.

In the 7th inning, all of the sudden small pieces of gum started being tossed from somewhere. We noticed it was one of the players from the dugout. He threw gum to both boys. It was Joe Musgrove, one of the pitchers. They boys were overjoyed as he continued to nonchalantly toss gum to all the Astro fans. These players were making my boys' night super memorable. 

The game was great, The Grizzlies had 15 hits. Bregman did great. Tyler White hit a home run, Preston Tucker rocked and they won 8-1. 

Afterward, we hung around and got some autographs. 

PRESTON TUCKER!!!!

 Andrew Aplin 

Jon Kemmer 

JACK MAYFIELD!!!!! 

He's the one who threw Hollister the first ball! 

We have been to so many games at this field. So many, we can't even count. As we were walking out of the stadium,  Hollister turned to me and said, "This was the best game we have ever been to here!"

So much fun, we are going back for another game! 

Go Grizzlies!