An Early X-mas at Uncle Mike's

Our next December trip was the 4-hour drive South to El Paso, Texas, to spend the weekend before Christmas at Uncle Mike's house. Grandma and Grandpa Hayes flew in from Michigan as well, and with Mike's girlfriend Toni hanging out with us for much of the weekend, it was a pretty full house.

As we drove across the Texas border, signs advised us to "Drive Friendly, Texas-style!" I interpreted "Friendly, Texas-style" to mean "Give at least one warning volley," but fortunately, nobody pointed any guns at us during our stay...

We had a fun-filled weekend, complete with an early exchange of Christmas gifts. Without further ado, here are some pictures and videos...

Uncle Mike and Toni.


We drove into the nearby mountains for a Nature break.


Grandma gave Shreya a cool ball-run toy for Christmas (pictured in foreground) but Uncle Mike's stereo was so much more interesting!
(Back home in Albuquerque, she really loves this toy now.)

Shreya tries to communicate with Uncle Mike's fish.


Uncle Mike's house has STAIRS! (no sound with this video, sorry)


Shreya opens a present from Uncle Mike.