Jaxen's Mexico

I went to Mexico for a great vacation this spring break.




The ocean crashing in on shore. Ruining a great sand castle you have been proud of, but now it's gone.




Waves packing up a bunch of broken coral and little shells and sending them to the shore. Sometimes even jellyfish, dead fish and other cool things.





Going fishing over bumpy waves. Trying your luck at different parts of the ocean. Not knowing where the good fish are or where they are bitting.




Lizards, crabs, fish and other cool creatures hiding under rocks, coral, sand, or just blending in, all waiting to be found. Having
a search for these tricky creatures is a good game to end this wonderful day.



Many thing to see, do and wonder in Mexico.

Una Vacacion Grande!!!

La Casa Que Canta....our home in Mahahual.


Jason and I went to Akumal last year, and the entire time we were there, we were wishing our kids could see the amazing Coata Maya. We wanted them to see how different life is in another country and to gain some perspective on the world. Well, call it brilliance or call it insanity, we decided to get them some passports and make it happen. Never mind the fact that we have a two-year old. Never mind that the kids would have to miss more school. Never mind that Jason had to work 14 nights in a row in order to get the time off of work. We were determined. A week long trip turned into 13 days due to the cost of plane tickets, so we just filled them up with more adventure! We were also very fortunate, that some other brave souls were willing to take this trip with us. Extra hands, extra eyes and extra playmates made this a doable, nay an AMAZING experience for the WHOLE crew. Here a few shots, more to come after the unpacking is done!





Jason and I finished our Scuba certification on this trip. So we are official!!!! It really is addicting....join us and let's plan a dive trip!

The turtles who lived en la casa, kept our kids entertained.....we were so glad they survived the week.




The boys' big catch....3 barracuda.

Sisters

Digging through a drawer tonight, I found a mangled old envelope and at first tossed it aside, with all of the other stuff from my mom's that I need to go through. But, I couldn't stop the curiosity. Sitting on the floor in my storage room, I found some amazing photos that I had never seen. These two made me pause.


Two sisters......twins! Born into a good family during the depression. Looking and acting NOTHING alike. My grandma is the one on the right.....the one with the smirk!

Grandma Helen had a hard time disciplining us. Her best, most angry phrase was....."Oh you rotten kids!" After which she would leave the room to go cool off. Her cupboard was always stocked with Ding Dongs and Hostess Cupcakes. She also invented the peanut butter and mayo sandwich. (on white bread and with Lays potato chips of course)

She collected copper kitchen ware and elaborate costume jewelry. She was married at 15 and a mom at 17. She liked to sit and drink coffee in the morning and spent hours caring for her beloved rose bushes. I never remember her being upset at me. I just remember her making me feel like the most important, talented, gifted and beautiful girl, whenever I was with her.

My auntie Carol, then, is the one on the left. Blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skinned to the max. My memories of her include her hilarious laugh, which left her almost in pain in her attempt to hold it back. Her little dogs ( Mitzy and..... help me out here family), her shag carpet and a painting of "Little Boy Blue" that kind of gave me the creeps as a kid.

One Easter, she had the grand idea to give my sister and I, two baby rabbits and two baby ducklings. How cool of an auntie is that? My parents had no recourse, they just took them and became quick students of rabbit and duckling husbandry.

I miss them both! I have so many questions to ask, questions that I didn't take the time to while they were still alive. I wonder if they spend a lot of time together now. I wonder a lot about their parents and their big brother Wes, that they admired so much. I wonder if they are laughing along, as our kids do and say the craziest things. I wonder how it felt for them to be free of the afflictions that made their last years such a challenge.

I guess my heart is just full! I am so grateful to know that they go on, that they are still learning and growing and that our family bond continues. (Note to self: buy Ding Dongs for FHE.....my kids need to know the joy of not only diggin' into a d- dong, but dunking it in milk, as we did at 2003 Beach Court in 1983.)

Nine!

Miss Madeline. Our happy, never-complaining, extremely helpful and thoughtful girl. For her birthday, she wanted nothing more than a Wonder File. She loves to write on her calendar and keep us all on track. She is upbeat, always doing her best and trying to please. I'm afraid she has a bit of my perfectionism, and I worry about her sensitivity. She is an avid defender of Santa Clause and all things magic. She still listens to musicals and Disney, having no idea about what is popular or cool. I love her innocence and hope that she has an easy transition into the realities of life. She is often overlooked and under appreciated, but those who take the time to know her, will find a friend for life. I am so interested to see this girl discover her talents, increase in confidence and use her tenaciousness to right all the wrongs that she finds in life . Happy Birthday to my girl!

Sippin' and Painting

To celebrate Nedra's 40th, we had to do something special......something creative! We sipped on water and munched on M&M's as we were taught a painting class. The work we attempted was "Sea side". Marcia, a true artist, did her own thing, while the rest of us stuck with the instructor. So fun.....love these ladies. Love to Nedra, happy birthday!

Eleven!!!

I'm a bit late, but it was not forgotten. Jaxen turned 11 on the 9th. What a year of changes and maturing for him. There was a time a few years ago, that I wondered if he and I would ever see eye to eye. He is still strong willed (same with me), but we have really found a good place. With girls starting to call and him feeling like the only kid in school without a phone, our parenting roll is definitely evolving. I'm not worried.......not yet at least. He's got a great group of friends, good boys, who are respectful and polite! (making mama happy to have them all over)
His birthday included, a ski ditch-day with dad, cinnamon rolls and dinner out with grandma and grandpa. For his party he just wanted to play basketball.....oh yeah and have ICE CREAM CAKE!!
(We were out of candles. Hence, Jro's solution)

BIG POWDER IN VAIL

BRRRRRR!!!!! With a slow start to winter, we are freezing and the snow is coming in droves! With two days of school cancelled, most good parents wouldn't take their kids out of school again that week to hit the slopes........but the Rozeski's do.




Lucky for us, our good friends invite us up to their family's house in Vail, so we can avoid the long drive and just get to some serious snow play. The first day was fun, all kids, 5 and above (and pitiful me), went for a nice/FREEZING day. That night, several feet of fresh powder fell. The big dogs took the big boys (jax and jay) out for a monumental day of double black diamonds and trees, in knee-high powder.

As for the rest of us, we dug snow tunnels, ate lots of kettle corn and told ghost stories at 11AM. Thanks Davis'!!!! You keep us living the high adventure life!