Christmas in Mexico #4: Golfing, Hiking, Boating & Games

Erin and Ryan.  Babysitter in training!

Everyone crammed into the hot tub one night

Day 5:

Mom and Heather in San Juan Cosala

Heather, Ryan & me at  San Juan Cosala

Still trying to master my Grandma's almond rocha recipe

Mike set up a mini golf course for the kids using metal hangers and Isaac's new golf clubs.  They had a blast following the course around the house

Teaching Erin how to golf

Isaac was excited for his new toys - a stick and a ball.  Doesn't get better than that!

Figuring out her next move

Isaac was so cute with these new toys

Ryan, Heather & Isaac

Cuddling with my Erin in the hammock

Day 6:

Seriously, I don't think the hammock was ever empty! 

More swimming

Mike & Isaac

One morning me, my Mom, Heather, and the girls (and the youngest boys) went shopping at the market in Jocotopec.  The boys (and Jen) went hiking in the mountains while we were out

It was fun to see roosters just wandering around the market like it was no big deal

I wish I could buy my vegetables fresh from this market every day

Selling fish...not sure I'd want to buy my fish from there

I love this picture my Mom got of this man with his vegetable basket on the back of his bike.  Just hangin out

The kids weren't big fans of papaya and passion fruit, but I'm glad they tried it!

Me and my kiddos on the streets of Jocotopec

We went through raspberries like crazy, and my Mom was so good at keeping the fridge stocked with them!  One of these containers was only about 60 cents!  And they are grown locally, so they were so fresh.  I ate a bowl of raspberries every day for breakfast and was in heaven!

Buying raspberries.  I think we bought like 10 containers that day..,.and we were back every few days for more!  Yum!

Selling flowers

This lady is selling radishes out of a wheelbarrow!

sticking out their tongues at each other

The plaza in Jocotopec

While the girls went shopping, Mike, Trevor, Jen & my Dad went hiking the hills behind my parent's house

Mike, contemplating all of life's mysteries

Mike, Jen & my Dad

That afternoon the rest of us went swimming while Mike & my Dad played tennis together.   They're a good match for each other - I think they each won the same number of games - actually I think my Dad won one more game than Mike, but we'll say it was even, for the sake of Mike's pride :)

It was fun to watch them play

I love this picture of the two boys in the tub! 

Day 7:  We went to the other side of the lake to see a fish farm - a man in my parent's ward received a grant to experiment in farming fish in Lake Chapala.  He took us out on boats to see the location and explain how it works.  Then we went to some ruins of an old Fort on an island.  The fort was used during the Mexican War of Independence. 

pretty picture, thanks to my Mom

We rode in two separate boats.  The kids were so excited for a boat ride!

Me & Isaac, Jen & Gavin

Boat riding on Lake Chapala

Cute sisters excited for a fun boat ride

Lots of great photos of the week, thanks to my Mom!

Cute family:  Heather, Ryan & Trevor

Mom & Isaac

We stopped at an island and met a family of 9 who live on a small island on the lake and have helped with the fish farm.  It was fun to get this picture of all of our kids and their kids together. 

This is the fish farm out on the lake

Continuing our "practical jokes" on the trip, Erin & my Dad are dumping water on family members down below

Elaina was kind of upset about having water dumped on her, so we contrived a situation where my Dad would walk down below her and she'd have a chance to get him back.  She thought it was so great when she was the one playing the practical joke!

She was so proud of herself

me & my Mom

Deep in conversation about something

Mom & the girls

Lunch time!

Mexican musicians.  Mariachi music originated in this part of Mexico.  I'm not sure if these men were in a mariachi band, but lots of times we'd see Mariachi musicians out playing or walking out of a gig together

On the drive out we were to see a spot with hieroglyphics on the rocks

Uno Moo is one of our favorite toddler games.  Gavin got it for Christmas this year, so the girls are teaching him how to play

My Mom has been telling the girls that we didn't play "Chutes and Ladders" as kids, but we played "Snakes and Ladders."  She found our old Snakes and Ladders game to prove it and they had fun playing

One evening we wanted to go out for dinner, so we hired my parents' maid to come babysit the kids.  She didn't speak any English, and they didn't speak any Spanish so we were a little worried how it would go, but it turned out great!  We had a great time that night and good food too

This drink is made with whatever fruit is in season.  

It tasted ok, but mostly it just looked cool