Maya

My brother and sister-in-law had a beautiful baby girl last Monday.  They called her Maya, which I think is just about the prettiest name ever.  I got to see Maya in the hospital, but the kids were sick the day she was born.  So this weekend, we all went out to meet Maya at her home.   Ethan was worried that she wouldn't be little anymore, but he was pleased to see she was still itty-bitty (6lbs. 14 oz. at birth).  Congratulations David and Jessica and thanks for sharing her with us! 

We each had to take a turn and of course have pictures to prove it!

Our Tree

It has kind of become a tradition for our family to pick, cut and carry our own live Christmas tree home for the season.  We started this about four years ago when Ethan was old enough to have a picture taken with the tree and have done it every year since.  I am still pretty attached to my fake tree though, so despite it's current dust collecting properties, I hesitate to get rid of it...you never know, right?!!  I mean there is a part of me that feels bad that we are cutting down a tree each year when we have a perfectly good fake one in the attic...clearly I have some issues to work through. 

Issues aside, the family outing - process of picking the perfect tree, cutting it down (or watching Reuben do this) and then enjoying cookies and hot chocolate before hoisting the tree on the roof of our car to bring home to lavishly decorate - is...well, special!  :)  And for that I am thankful!   

At home in our living room...time to decorate!

Mexican Cruise

On November 7, 2010, Harold took our extended family on a cruise.  It was chance to get away and spend some time connecting and sharing joyful memories again.  It was also the fulfillment of a promise he had made to Colleen.  We planned and eagerly anticipated the holiday knowing, however it would be bitter sweet.

Our flight left early on Sunday morning, November 7.  Jonas and Ethan were wide awake the entire flight...

We arrived in Los Angeles and boarded the cruise ship.  The ship was incredibly large, huge in fact.  There were so many activities on board including, rock climbing, mini golf, ice skating, inline skating, an arcade and a  few swimming pools ... we definitely were not going to have any trouble keeping busy.  

We made plans to meet as a family for dinner every night and really enjoyed spending time together while enjoying great food and phenomenal service.

Our first port of call was Cabo San Lucas.  We were excited to get off the ship and explore Mexico.  We spent most of our time in Cabo shopping (Ethan for a ukulele) and exploring the port while drinking Mexican beer.  We had wanted to go to the arches, but didn't have a lot of time in port and the whole transportation system (taxi boats) was a bit ... overwhelming.  The drivers were really forceful and in-our-face as they tried to solicit our business.  It was intense, but calmed down significantly when the police presence was more noticeable. 

 Ethan with his ukulele.

Our next port of call was Mazatlan and by far our favourite city.  A few of us took a taxi into town and headed for the beach.  On the beach, we paid for an umbrella, bought some margaritas and spent the rest of the day enjoying the sand and sun.  Reuben and Andrea got a bit adventurous and went para-sailing.  They loved it, said the view and experience were both amazing.  They tried to convince Nancy and I to try, but we were not interested... honestly heights and I really don't get along, so I enjoyed the view from the comfort of the ground...also amazing!

A beach vendor hung around Ethan for awhile trying to convince him 

that he wanted a parachuting spiderman...and he did...

Our final port of call was Puerto Vallarta.  We shopped a lot for souveniers and tequilla , but also headed for the beach.  We had such a great time in Mazatlan that we couldn't pass up our last opportunity in Mexico for some sun and sand.

We spent our final days aboard the ship sick, yes sick...Ethan, then Reuben, then me and finally Andrea got the stomach flu and felt pretty awful for about 12 hours.  Thankfully it was short lived and we were quickly back enjoying our holiday.  Time at the arcade, enjoying the ocean, relaxing the pool, and ice skating filled our final day before we were back in LA and on a flight home.

We enjoyed our trip and the time we had together with our family.  The memories will last forever, just as Colleen would have wanted.  Thank you Harold for spoiling us!