Halloween 2010

 Despite the POURING rain David was an AWESOME dad and took the kids out trick-or-treating.  I got a phone call about 20 minutes later for an emergency pick-up since the wind had made the umbrellas pointless.  From then on David took the kids from house to house in the van.

 I decided to be the "best mom ever" and dress up for the kids Halloween parties at school.  I usually prefer to be a witch but ended up with this Cleopatra costume that Sarah refused to wear.  I had to head to Stef's house in the morning to get my make-up done - fake eye lashes and all!!!

By 2 o'clock I was ready to rip the eye lashes off- wash my face and put my jammies on.  I'm not cut out to be fancy!

 She is SOOO good at being a kitty.  Meow!

The kids made a killing even with the wet weather.  While they and the neighbor kids watched Harry Potter an enormous candy bomb went off in the living room.

Scouts RULE!

This week we went to the Highland Fire Station for our cub scouts activity.  We were able to tour the station and see where the fire fighters live when they are on duty and learn about fire safety.  While we were learning about the different kinds of fire engines the fire man got permission to take us ALL on a drive around the block in the ladder truck!

 I don't think there was anyone more excited than BUBBA.  He got to sit in the front seat with me while we drove around the block in the HUGE black ladder truck.  The fireman even put the siren on!

SNOW Already!!!!

Yeah - this is what we woke up to two days before Halloween.  A STINKIN' winter wonderland.  It is suppose to be FALL not WINTER!  I'm not ready!

Mexico City - Last Day :(

On our last day we went to the ruins called Teotihuacán outside of Mexico City.  It is one of the world's most important archaeological sites. It was the largest city in the Americas, and during its heyday around 500 AD, its population was greater than that of Rome at the same time.  Mexico has two of the world's three largest pyramids: the third largest is here in Teotihuacán - Pirámide del Sol - The Pyramid of the Sun. 

 

David and I with the Pyramid of the Sun behind us.

 When we first got there we went to the Pyramid of the Moon which is at the far end of the Avenue of the Dead.  In the picture below David is at the top of the Pyramid of the Moon.  You can see the Pyramid of the Sun in the background and the Avenue of the Dead that leads a mile away to the Temple of the Feathered Serpent at the other end.

 

There are also many sheltered ruins that have beautiful and colorful murals and sculpture.   You can only imagine what this must have looked like thousands of years ago.

Here we are with Spencer and his wife Danielle on the middle tear of the Pyramid of the Sun.  In the background is the Pyramid of the Moon.  

(The photographer forgot to remind David and I to suck it in.  We look like we just ate a large lunch!)

 Later that night we got all dressed up and went to see the Ballet Folklórico de México.  It was AWESOME!!!!!

Look how the smallest guy has the largest guitar!  Ha Ha!!!  I wonder what is he compensating for!

Mexico - Day 3

 On Saturday we went to a huge craft market.  We spent several hours shopping and browsing the tiendas.  The doorway is decorated with fresh-cut flowers.  I found myself a double mochajete (guacamole squisher for you gringos) and the girls a charm to add to their bracelet.

 I decided to become a  scary vampire "luchador".  Actually I got this for one of my boys.  All good households have a lucha libre mask!

 After the market we headed back to Polanco and had lunch.  We ate . . .  you guessed it:  Mexican food!  It was VERY good.

 A close-up of our tacos.

 After lunch we went to the "central park" to tour the castle at the top of the hill.  It was built during the Spanish occupation.  Inside is a museum of Mexican history and also had many of the original furnishings of the castle.

I know it's hard to tell the difference between the statue and me.

 On our way back to the hotel we stopped to try a mission favorite of Spencer's called "elotes".  Danielle had heard that they were SOOOOO good from many people.  It was worth a try.

They take a corn cob and cover it in mayo with lime juice and then sprinkle cajan pepper and seasonings and cheese.  It doesn't sound that bad . . . if you like mayo.  But you have to imagine the little cart with the HUGE tub of mayo sitting out in the sun all day.  Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.  It didn't smell that good either.  Danielle managed a couple bites before it got dumped in the trash.

More Mexico-A Day of Sightseeing

We started our day at the crack of 10:00 am, David on the phone working and me at the gym getting my run in. Then we headed to eat a quick breakfast at the "executive lounge" eating fancy food. Afterward we headed to the local department store to buy me a WOOL COAT because I have been freezing.



Here we are in the lobby of the hotel with my fancy new coat, riding boots and skinny jeans. Who knew that I could be fashionable!

David's colleague and his wife arrived around noon so we went back to the hotel and met them. We then headed to the "historical district" and ate lunch at a restaurant in La Casa de Azulejos. The whole building is covered in hand painted blue tiles. It is stunning!




Inside the building with Danielle and Spencer. The inside is a huge open courtyard.

Close-ups of the tiles.

Eating again!!




This is inside the National Cathedral in the Zocalo "the public square". Everything has been dipped in gold. Quite opulent.




These are the doors into the cathedral.



This is an old confessional. I just thought it was cool.





As we were walking around we saw this street performer. He is a silver skeleton and I couldn't resist a photo.




Behind me in a glass box is a skull and bones. SPOOKY!

Viva Mexico

There is nothing better than getting away for the weekend WITHOUT children. David and I headed to Mexico City so he can show me his "home away from home". When we arrived it was overcast and COLD. Now, understand me when I say cold. I'm coming from fall in Utah where it has been in the mid 70's with clear windless skies. Here, in MEXICO, it is overcast, windy and 60. Burrrrrrrr. I didn't bring my coat. I brought my swim suit hoping to get a tan. Well, thankfully there are other things to do here than sun bathe.

We hit a lot of traffic from the airport to the hotel so we were pretty hungry when we got there. When we got to the JW Marriott there were 30+ security guards in the lobby. David found out that the future president of Mexico was having a conference here. It's a little intimidating to walk into a place under national security. Thankfully we didn't look threatening and passed without incident.

We got checked in and then walked to a great Japanese restaurant around the corner. Apparently the rich Mexicans in Polanco don't actually eat Mexican food but prefer more foreign cuisine.









We ordered edamame, algae salad, fried rice and a mixed tempura. I am trying to eat more adventurously and really enjoyed the seaweed salad. On our way back to the hotel we stopped at a chocolate shop. You can never go wrong with chocolate!!!!!!









Of course David was able to get us an upgraded room. We have a corner suite overlooking part of Mexico City's "central park". What a stunning view!!! The room is pretty swanky too, although thankfully there isn't a hammock in the shower!!!

Location:Mexico City

BYU's Homecoming Game

Dave got season passes this year to BYU football and has had a great time bonding with the boys each week. This time I decided to go with him and make it a date night. The Chandlers came with us and THANKFULLY BYU actually won a game! We stopped at Burger Supreme on our way there and had awesome hamburgers, fries, onion rings and milk shakes. You just can't get better than that!

Location:Provo, Utah

Josh Conquers the Pancake

David and I had an appointment during Josh's "dad's and doughnuts" at his school so we took Josh out of school to IHOP for lunch to spend some one-on-one time with him. This is his favorite restaurant and he was determined to eat ALL HE COULD EAT in pancakes. It was fun to hang out with him. He really felt special. Unfortunately carbs are my enemy so I had to pass on the pancakes. I tried to drink my weight in Diet Coke - I might have even done it!!

Bubba experiences Chili's

I called Dave on my way home from the temple this morning and he said that he was heading to lunch with Bubba. I said that I would be right there - to wait for me. When I got in the car Bubba said we were going to Costco to get hot dogs and Slurpees. With much persuasion I convinced them to go to Chili's instead. Bubba was NOT happy. He said he "hated Chili's" and wanted to go to "Hi Hop" instead.

Needless to say, we went to Chili's. He was still able to get a blue Slurpee and LOVED eating ribs, chips and salsa and French fries. It was fun to spend some quality time with Bubbs and Dave!!!

Bubba's birthday continues

Daniel was super excited to spend his "dollar" at the store he got from Grandma Susan.  While we were there he kept on picking out the $40 toys and I had to remind him that he couldn't "afford" it with his $5 bill.  It is still a hard concept for my older kids!  He did finally pick this AWESOME lego helicopter.  We had fun building it together!

THANKS Grandma Susan!!!!

My Talented Daughter

 Sarah made this super-cute apron in Young Woman's this week.  She picked the fabric out a couple of weeks ago and has been working on it for personal progress.  She is also planning on making an angel and devil costume for Halloween.  I better dust off the sewing machine and practice my deep breathing, relaxing techniques!!!!

 Sarah has been a favorite patient at the dermatologist office lately getting 10 moles cut off, mostly from her back.  (She is her mother's daughter after all!)  She also had one between her fingers.  OUCH!!!!   This one on her arm had to be dug out and is quite a LARGE incision.  Hopefully we are good for another year!