We were on our way after that stop, and headed to meet my sisters, Sarah and Esther, along with their families at Peter Piper Pizza. Now, I left El Paso when I was 14--and Peter Piper was a big part of my childhood. This was the "special place"--we loved coming here as kids. And while we rarely got to play the games, they had a playplace and I remember enjoying it immensely. I also remember my dad always ordering 2 pitchers of root beer to go with whatever pizza we ordered. ;) So for memories sake, we had to come back...
We all filled up and then headed over to our old house. But before stopping in, we visited our old neighbor Mrs. Gross.
Mrs. Gross had the coolest house, from a kid standpoint. She had a beautiful pool in her backyard with a diving board, and when we were lucky we got to go swim there. She had the most beautiful, perfect white carpet, that we did not dare leave a mark on. Her walls were filled with plates and antiques, and she had special treats for us when we went over. We loved their home. Mr. Gross has since passed away, but we loved surprising her and dropping in for a visit!
Then it was time to visit our old house.
This house is full of memories for me. And I was so hopeful we would be able to stop in and see the house. I even wrote a letter to the current owners telling them when we would be coming by and asking if we could stop in. I never got a response--despite giving every email and phone number possible. I was a little heartbroken.
I still remember when my parents were looking at buying this house. Our handprints are in the backyard cement and alongside my dad (really my dad did the work and we attempted to look helpful) we built the big shed in the backyard. I remember picking green beans from the garden, playing cops and robbers, having numerous picnics outside...I remember the day my dad was mowing the backyard and spit a tiny pebble from the mower that shattered our back door. That was right as we were getting phone call that his dad had passed away.
Our backyard was the COOLEST--it was divided into 4 sections. We had the "patio yard", the basketball yard, the trampoline yard, and the garden. It was just so awesome.
We know someone was there, but they wouldn't answer the door. Mrs. Gross told us that they never answer the door--they keep to themselves, and had a dog in every available space in the backyard--it was sad to see our beautiful backyard transformed to some kind of strange angry dog kennel, but it's not our house anymore...I know.
The pecan trees in the front yard were planted by us for a Family Home Evening many years ago, and there is a time capsule somewhere in the roots of the tree that shares our information of where we were at as small kids. It's funny to think that I saw that house as almost a holy ground...but I have such a love for the memories made there and seeing a little piece of my childhood.
We of course had to drive by our old swimming pool--every summer we spent here, day after day.
\And it was such nostalgia to see our old elementary school again! I remember playing wall ball every morning and having to run the field...blech!
And of course, we stopped by our old church building. This was where we had friends that were more like family than anything else. We have a special place in our hearts for many of our lifelong friends that were made in the El Paso 8th ward!
While the kids swam at the hotel my sisters were staying at, I hurried to visit a sweet friend, Erika. She is an amazing woman and it was so fun to see her all grown up with 4 kids of her own now! It was so fun to visit and reminisce. :)
That evening we went to Hudson's (my dad and I, with the kids). Hudson's is the place I have always tied my dad to in memories of eating out. :) I remember one time in particular. I had to leave school early because I was sick (if I remember correctly I had pink eye) and my dad took me here on the way home. We shared a malt--it was the first time I ever had one. I still remember the same area / booth we sat in and how special I felt.
And although there are no pictures (which I am baffled about!) but I was able to stay with my friend Roni and her husband (and their 4 beautiful kiddos!) I met Roni at girl's camp some 20 years ago. Good grief. Nothing dates you like a 20 year mark. :) She has an amazing home and incredible decorating style, and is super talented in many ways! I was so grateful for a place to stay and for fun friends to visit with! Made visiting my old stomping grounds feel like coming home.
