The Elliss Clan in New Mexico Part 2

Justin and AnnaJune came a few days later and that's when the real party began!

Off to do some manly activities. 

DJ Felicity strikes again.

JJ and her sweet little dog Chipotle (Chip) - that sweet dog has to be the most patient of her kind I've ever met. 

We love Seph, and we love her cooking! 

Add another amazing chef to the mix and it made for an extremely well-fed vacation.

An Elliss Family Gathering = Card/Board Games

These girls - they made a nest on the top bunk - full of silliness. I hardly heard from Lily and Lucy that week, except at mealtimes, they were too busy playing with their cousins. 

AnnaJune and her many talents. 

A gourmet cake by Allyson for a summer-birthday-celebration

My favorite picture from the week- Josh and Seph slept outside with some of the kids in a large tent - it caught a hiccup when a few of the kids got a nasty stomach bug and a few of the kid needed to finish the night inside. I was worried about Lily, who likes to sleep as close to me as possible, but she didn't give me another look and slept just fine out there 2 nights. Lucy was happy to stay sleeping inside - which was lucky as she ended up being one of the unlucky kiddos who was up in the middle of the night emptying her stomach at unfortunate places. 

Late night girls chat

Kaitlyn and little Lexi

Kimberly and little Lexi

One of the highlights of the week were the rockets and Justin brought - each kid got to assemble, decorate and set off a rocket (and then rummage through the sage brush to find it after it plummeted back down to earth).

Sweet Joci and Lexi

Sam brought a wonderful contraption to display treats, treats which needed to be earned by the kids for good behavior. They were absolutely delicious, thanks Kimberly!

Familiar Wii playing. 

The Elliss Clan in New Mexico part 1 (May 2015)

We took a lovely road trip to an Elliss family vacation at Josh and Seph's in Las Cruses, NM. 

Sunshine at the park

Lily and Felicity became instant friends. I was curious, with how different their interests are, if they would get along. However, they were best friends from the first minute we arrived and played the entire 1 1/2 weeks we were there, with Michelle joining in once they arrived a few days after us. 

Cupcake snacks

Happy, happy girl

It was suddenly quiet in the main room - upon inspection, we found that they had dumped an entire bag of goldfish on the floor. 

We took a trip to the Carlsbad Caverns, a 3 hour trip from Las Cruces - along with Jill and Allyson. 

We made the mistake of keeping Lexi in her pj's for the trip, with the intention of keeping her warm in chilly caverns - but we didn't think about how long the trails are underground and how much she loves to be independent and isn't very cuddly. 

Early morning dance parties - Felicity's a great DJ.

Happy, beautiful CJ

Jill's a great Grandma and played a good round of Duck, Duck, Goose with the little ones.

J.J. invited Lily into her secret hideout in the backyard - Lily was brave and got over her fear of dogs during our visit once she saw that both the big and little dogs were sweethearts. Lexi learned the word "Dog" while we were there and couldn't get enough of snuggling the little dogs. 

It was great getting to know the newest member of the family better - Allyson was great and came from El Paso to hang out with us even when Jared had to work. 

Classic running through the sprinklers. 

Josh and Seph's backyard is as good as a park with all the play equipment. 

Lots of play + refusing to nap = falling asleep at random moments. 

No trip to Josh and Seph's would be complete without some weapons training?

The Royal Elliss Baby Guard 

Felicity showing us how it's done. 

Changing time zones is rough - on all of us.