Why time with Pop Pop is special

I love having family come! It gives us the excuse we need to slow down and enjoy where we live and what is special about it.  El Paso has lots of fun little nooks and crannies...not the least of which I would have seen if it wasn't for my dear old Dad and his love for birds!

For those of you who don't know my dad he is an avid birder - his skill in this hobby is unmatched by many and we love him for it!  Bird Watching has always been a part of my life...as long as I can remember every trip we took, every where we went, there was always a bird to stop and look for...there was always a stop in a strange little place, for an unknown length of time, where a certain bird may or may not be.  It's been the fun and unique memory of my childhood and it's now being imparted onto my kids!! I love that!  Lily finds it a bit hard to understand though: "Mommy, why doesn't Pop Pop play with us? He's always looking for birds?" LOL Lily will soon realize that for Pop Pop, playing IS looking for birds  If you have a chance to watch the movie "The Big Year" it may help you understand the passion with which my father pursues his hobby. Although he's never done a Big Year, he has done a Big Day numerous times. :-)

Having Dad here is so fun - this trip we found a little reservoir with a park near it, we went to La Union Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze, The El Paso Zoo, Hueco Tanks State Park, Franklin Mountains State Park and Guadalupe National Park.  Below are a few pictures from our adventures.  As always, we just wished we could keep him for a little bit longer - we can't wait to see him again!!