Santa brings stockings to the RV…and a note that everything else is in KC. Oh, the anticipation. Max now wants a BB gun thanks to the movie from last night and begins doing research on ebay, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s online. Mara is (and has been) texting her friends often…no break there even for Christmas.

Carlsbad, NM sunrise

After seeing a great sunrise in Carlsbad, we’re off on today’s adventure: White Sands – by way of Roswell. We are so preoccupied with the nasty vibration that has shown up since last night that I completely miss my photo ops with all the aliens! Good grief!

We survive the drive and arrive at White Sands National Monument (which is open – although the visitor’s center is not) and head into the dunes a couple of miles. We are not the only ones there, so it doesn’t even seem weird that we are doing this on Christmas. Mike and the kids have an amazing time in the sand – and get some great pics in the process. Mara wants to go back…maybe the next time with plastic saucers to “sled” over the dunes.

Max “jumping” the dunes

Mara enjoying the sand

Mike taking a flying leap

I get a pic of the kids by the sign…that nearly mirrors the one taken about 35 years ago of me and my brother when we visited. Holy crap…that makes me sound old.

In mid-afternoon, we pack it up and start the drive to Tucson. The highlight of the evening? Christmas Dinner at Denny’s (attached to a truck stop)! It was hard to outdo the Christmas Eve dinner at Wendy’s, but I think we might have managed it. We so rock.

Jen