Trip To Albuquerque

Back in January, we took our first plane ride as a family of five, and went to go visit Dan's brother, wife and seven children in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  We had five precious days together to relax and make memories.  Matthew had a blast running around outside with his cousins from about sun up to sun down.  I think I said 'hi' to him five times the whole trip. ;)
Poor Claire, unfortunately, got a bad sickness and was sick pretty much the entire time.  We are usually a super healthy family and this was the sickest Claire has ever been.  She had a cold, fever and stomach flu all at the same time.  Sadly, she just laid around most of the time and was quite miserable, and we didn't get to do some of the fun activities we had planned.  But even just being around the house together was special, because we love our Albuquerque family so much!  The four of us adults also got in lots of late-night laughs each night, staying up way later than we probably should have, but so worth it.

Here are some pictures of our trip:

At the airport, all ready to go!

We ended up waiting around for six hours in the Portland airport due to weather complications.  The kids were stars!

Finally on board!  (Matthew isn't mad.  Just looking tough.)

Benji handled the four total plane flights like a champ.  A sleepy champ.

Finally together!  They all got to meet Benjamin for the first time.

Benjamin got LOTS of cousin cuddles.

Cousin Daniel got a drum set for Christmas.  Uncle Dan enjoyed giving him a few pointers while we were there.

Reading before naps

Hours of fun were spent together on their trampoline!

 

Special time with Uncle Tim

Cousins in a row.

One of our few outings was to get frozen yogurt one evening.  (That night, Claire really crashed.)

Sweet Maddie and baby Benji

Dinner prep.  Hannah is the oldest, and quite a responsible young lady!

Two of my favorite boys in the world.

Benji is blessed with aunties who really love him - including this special auntie!!

Sickness means lots of cuddle time.

Looking down their street towards the beautiful dessert mountains (just below the clouds).

Watch out!  These were the four amigos that ran around outside playing guns whenever they weren't on the trampoline.

Cousins = Friends for life!

Another loving cousin to snuggle with Baby Benji

Two of my favorite girlies!

All of us around the dinner table (minus a few who were in bed)

The four Hickman boys

Flying home...Another opportunity to sack out...

We were so thankful we could all go visit our Albuquerque family.  We are blessed to enjoy each other so much and can't wait for the next visit!