Mexican Thanksgiving

We went to Mexico over Thanksgiving break this year. I'm pretty sure these pics are all out of order. Here is what you need to know:

• Tulum (near Cancun, in the Riviera Maya or Mayan Peninsula) is beach paradise and I don't even like beaches. 
• Dahdo, Pam, plus Pam's son Hunter and his girlfriend Rachel
• We released 100+ sea turtles into the ocean the night we arrived
• We had LONG travel days...drove to Houston, flew to Mexico City, then to Cancun after a long layover, then a shuttle to the house in Tulum. To save (a lot of) money. Kids were travel troopers.
• They could swim and play in the pool and on the beach FOREVER.
• I could eat homemade guac and sit in the hammock and read FOREVER.
• Kyle could explore and snorkle and (one day, scuba) FOREVER.
• Owen has embarked on Harry Potter
• We need more than 1 screen for these 3 to share when we travel (*we have since remedied that). But still - troopers!
• I got sicker than I can ever remember being at the airport in Mexico city during our layover on the homeward bound day. Let's just say I now have experience with the little bags in the seat back pockets. Montezuma got his revenge - or Carl's Jr.
• Putting a kayak in a swimming pool is actually pretty fun
• Kids figuring out how to take slow-mo videos is pretty fun, too 
• We missed traditional American thanksgiving food, and seeing the rest of our family, but it was SO good to slow down with the kids for the week.
• Until next time...

 Now that you know everything you need to know - here are a bunch of our of order pics with very little description :)

(bucket o' baby sea turtles about to be released)

November randomness

November November. 

Well, we voted. That's all I can really say about that. Sheesh. What a year - kids - google it, or better yet just ask us. Homeless, party-less. Everyone has gone absolutely crazy. This is not our home. That's all I can say.

A momma friend texted me these from something - I don't even know. My boy is pretty cute.

Nope, not cold. Picnic + some sort of sarong castle here...

Maggie helping Kate with some work. Or Kate helping Maggie with some work. Looks the same either way.

Holy moly this deserves its own post. Kyle was confirmed as an Elder at our church - Austin Stone Community Church. He'll specifically serve with these other awesome guys at West Campus - Blake, Kevin, Justin, Larry, Kyle, John. They, and their families, are some of my favorite people on the planet. His role with them is weighty and an honor and a total blessing.

Yes, I really am transitioning from eldering to Rebecca w/ Vader. Lots of Vader pics.

Right before Kate moved out in January we had a kid-puke-fest one night (when Kyle was at the hospital) - she stepped right in like any good aunt and literally helped me clean up vomit. Here she is a couple of months before helping the kids give Vader a bath...the foundation for service is strong with this one.

Maggie and Andres courtesy of Sela's snapchat. How cute are they???????

Oh my gosh, more Vader. Vader in a catapult.

Park in the dark. One night Kyle was working and I was desperate for some activity so we literally went to a park near our house in the dark and the kids played by the light of my cell phone. It was the biggest hit. A week or two later we actually planned a Park in the Dark night and this was Rebecca's packing list and all the stuff she packed. Oh man - surprises are better with this one.

 

A "bonnet" she made out of some paper plates, some tool and a little jewel on top. How very 'old-timey'.

There was supposedly a SUPERMOON back in November. Apparently we went outside in the evening too late because by the time we were really looking at it, it was only a BARELY BIGGER THAN USUAL FULL MOON. We loaded up and went to the top of a bank parking garage a few blocks away. The moon was underwhelming. But the kids' awe at being at the top of a 4-story parking garage was not. Also - somehow we loaded up and drove there and then I realized Maggie was completely naked except for underware. I guess when I yell "come on everyone - let's get in the car right now!" I need to be careful to specify that everyone should be clothed. It's the little things.

Oh, this one and her dragon mask. Poor little asthmatic lungs. Trying to keep on top of it. But we have days like this. She's a trooper.

First grade Thanksgiving Feast = Rebecca as the MOST ADORABLE PILGRIM EVER. Am I right? I am right.