New Mexico 2011, Part 1: Animas

The Jackson Family had not been back to the southwest as a group since moving to Nashville in 2008 (Charity had been to AZ for a wedding and Levi to NM for a funeral, but separately). Thus, prior to the Big Move to Austin, they decided it would be good to use their vacation time this June to visit family in NM. Because there is so much family in the area, they split the trip into three sections: Visiting the Masseys in Animas, visiting great grandparents in Silver City/Cliff, and visiting the Jacksons in Roswell. These blog posts will be split up the same way.

The trip started, of course, with the flight. Olivia was very excited. She's been on planes before (twice, actually, and several times while in the womb!) but doesn't remember it. She did very well through security, though was very concered about the fact that Kitty had to go through the xray machine without her. She enjoyed the flights except for the descent, which hurt her ears. :(

After landing in El Paso, TX, the family rented a car and started the 3+ hour drive to Animas. They stopped along the way at a favorite Mexican food restaurant in Las Cruces, NM, where Levi and Charity went to college. This was a must-do stop, since there is NO good Mexican food to be found in TN, and this restaurant is just about as good as it gets. :)

Then they were finally in Animas (after Olivia asked about a thousand times "Why does Nana live so far from the airport??"), where they visited Nana (Di Massey), Papa Dennis (Dennis Massey), and uncles Garrett and Gage.

Clockwise from left: Levi, Gage, Garrett, Olivia

It was very smoky in Animas, due to the nearby fires in Arizona. So much so that you could look right at the blood red sun!

 

Olivia had lots of fun with Lizzie, the dog, who is so ugly she's kind of cute (sorry Garrett).

One of the days they were there lots of family came in to visit from Tucson. It was a housefull but good to see everyone. Olivia also had lots of fun with cousin Molly (Erin's daughter). They played and drove a tractor with Nana! It was much fun. :)

Another day they all went to the playground at the elementary school. Garrett and Gage had as much fun as Olivia, it seemed!

After that it was on to Silver City and Cliff to visit Great Grandparents...but that's the subject of the next post. :)

The Jacksons with one of the Massey's crop circles in the background.