king for our next adventure during our Winter Break. I was feeling quite tired since it seemed like I was moving from one event to the next without real rest. But I was excited for our adventure.Just a side note: I don't think I fully appreciated the times I had with Arden at home. What I mean is prior to his school career. This is why: I used to take off with him whenever I wanted to. Last year in February we went to FL for 3 weeks. This year, even though we were SICK of the inversion, we could not escape it because Arden had school...and I had to work. Or just taking off any time during the year. We used to just go. Now we have to wait for breaks...now I'm starting to get why some mothers home school their
children...still, not enough of an incentive for me. This is kind of a funny story, although I didn't think it was funny at the time: Anyways, that Tuesday a snow storm was supposed to hit. According to the forecast it was supposed to be kind of bad. We were planning on leaving after Newel came home from work Tuesday...he was planning on leaving work early. However, my father-in-law insisted that we head out earlier because it wasn't a good idea to be in the storm. We should leave first thing in the AM. So, I ended up cancelling out to babysit for a friend of mine and we agreed we would leave around 9AM or when the children woke up. Newel and I wanted to make sure the children were well rested since we had a long day driving with them. We asked my father-in-law to not wake us up...
...
...about 6:20AM a loud thump wakes me up. The noise
comes from upstairs. I figured my in-laws were awake, but I try to go back to sleep. About ten minutes later, my father-in-law wakes us up and says that the storm is going to be pretty bad and he doesn't want to get caught in the storm, the roads will get closed and we'll have to stay somewhere, etc. It's way too early for us to be up, especially since we had gone to bed late finishing the packing and cleaning the house before we left. We kind of ignored him and try to go back to sleep...
comes from upstairs. I figured my in-laws were awake, but I try to go back to sleep. About ten minutes later, my father-in-law wakes us up and says that the storm is going to be pretty bad and he doesn't want to get caught in the storm, the roads will get closed and we'll have to stay somewhere, etc. It's way too early for us to be up, especially since we had gone to bed late finishing the packing and cleaning the house before we left. We kind of ignored him and try to go back to sleep......
May be another ten minutes go by...he comes to our floor and wakes us up again. This time his talking woke up the children. I was mad. I even threatened to commit murder.
We got ready and before 8AM we were on the road. The trip to Vegas was uneventful and no one died, including my father-in-law. The children were great.
We spent two nights over my sister-in-law Mary's house. It was my first time visiting her house. It was a lot of fun to hang out with our nieces and nephews. We had the chance to get to know them better. They are a cute bunch of kids. We took my niece Annie with us to the Hoover Dam. It was my first time visiting. It was awesome. So much cement...so much history.
We spent two nights over my sister-in-law Mary's house. It was my first time visiting her house. It was a lot of fun to hang out with our nieces and nephews. We had the chance to get to know them better. They are a cute bunch of kids. We took my niece Annie with us to the Hoover Dam. It was my first time visiting. It was awesome. So much cement...so much history.
After our two night stay at Mary's, we continued our journey to LA. Our plan was to catch a plane from LA to Mexico City. My only real desire was to see the beach and see the sunset.
It was a bit chilly and windy, but it was still fun to run around and play. We had the beach to ourselves.
Okay another story: Good thing no one reads this blog. They would be sick of these stories.
Our flight to Toluca, Mexico was great. The pilot was hilarious and we were excited to go. Once we arrived to Toluca, we took a bus to Santa Fe, which is in the outskirts of Mexico City. From there, we planned to take a taxi to our friends, the Ocampo family. It was Christmas night (not eve) when we arrived. There wasn't a lot of traffic, neither were there a lot of taxis. So, after we got off the airline's bus line (does that make sense?) we got our luggage and looked for a bigger size taxi. Nothing was available. It was about 10PM
. Finally, we decided to load up 3 large luggage, 5 carry on bags, 2 children, 1 set of parents, and 1 set of grandparents in a 5 passenger taxi. Oh, plus the taxi driver. How did we all fit? I don't know. All I know is that we could hardly move or breathe. Maya had the best seat in the house and after 20 minutes of sitting, she said, "No fit."
. Finally, we decided to load up 3 large luggage, 5 carry on bags, 2 children, 1 set of parents, and 1 set of grandparents in a 5 passenger taxi. Oh, plus the taxi driver. How did we all fit? I don't know. All I know is that we could hardly move or breathe. Maya had the best seat in the house and after 20 minutes of sitting, she said, "No fit." However, we did fit...just barely. The taxi had to go through some speed bumps. The driver did an amazing job maneuvering the vehicle with only minor hits to the bottom of the taxi. He was a great driver. Thank goodness Mexico doesn't have maximum riding capacities in vehicles!
It was so nice to see the Ocampo Family. They are such wonderful people. My vocabulary is not good enough to describe the Ocampo family and how wonderful they all are.
The following morning, after eating a wonderful breakfast, we headed to Teotihuacan (the pyramids). Unfortunately, we took the wrong bus route and it took us longer to arrive to Teotihuacan. We went with Chinito and his family. We absolutely love his family. Chinito was one of Newel's missionary companions, when Newel served a mission for the LDS church 10 years ago.
The weather was fabulous. It was a perfect spring day weather, about 75 degrees and sunny. Such a change from the cold and snow.
My in-laws were very excited to be there. Especially for my mother-in-law. This was her first time out of the United States, I think.
The weather was fabulous. It was a perfect spring day weather, about 75 degrees and sunny. Such a change from the cold and snow.
My in-laws were very excited to be there. Especially for my mother-in-law. This was her first time out of the United States, I think.
We had so much fun walking around the pyramids.
As the day progressed, we got a bit hungry, so we stepped out of the park and walked around the nearby town to find a place to eat. We found this makeshift restaurant and we thought 'why not'. Ha, what a mistake! The food was awful. It was by far the worst Mexican food I've ever tasted. I don't know what happened. But we sure had a lot of fun making fun of the place later on. Luckily, we didn't get sick.
Since, it was also Christmas break in Mexico, Teotihuacan was full of people. To climb the Pyramid of the Sun, we actually had to make a line. Last time Newel and I had visited the pyramids we didn't need to make any lines.
Regardless, of the waiting, the hike to the top of the pyramid and the view were awesome.
Here we are hanging out while Newel and Chinito wait in line for us.
We were goofing around with the arrows and bows. Don't we look legit?
This adorable baby is Chinito's youngest daughter, Elisa. She was just a darling.
Finally, here's the shot of us at the top of the pyramid of the Sun.
Chinito with Eliza and Newel with Mayita.
After lunch, we relaxed for a little while. The children colored and played some board/card games.
We knew we didn't have much time in Mexico, so we couldn't waste any of it.
So, with Chinito and his family, we went to Xochimilco.
We were goofing around with the arrows and bows. Don't we look legit?
This adorable baby is Chinito's youngest daughter, Elisa. She was just a darling.
Finally, here's the shot of us at the top of the pyramid of the Sun.
Chinito with Eliza and Newel with Mayita.
On the background of this photo is the Pyramid of the Moon. After our Teotihuacan hit, we headed back home. This time the bus trip was a bit shorter, but not by much, since it was rush hour. We still had the metro and pesero to take, but it was no problem for our group.
Our camera was not working too well, so I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked. So a lot of this will be a narrative of our events.
After a delicious homemade dinner, we enjoyed a semi-relaxing evening. The following day was Sunday, so in the morning we got ready and walked to church. 
It was fun walking to church throughout the streets of Mexico City. Every now and then, as part of the street we would find the shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was nice to go to church. Maya went to nursery and Arden went to Primary. He even offered to say the closing pray in his class. I think Maya had it with good behaviour during nursery, that at the end of church, as we were talking to people in the patio, she decided to undress. We could not convince her to get dressed. Oh well, when in church...
Our camera was not working too well, so I didn't take as many photos as I would have liked. So a lot of this will be a narrative of our events.
After a delicious homemade dinner, we enjoyed a semi-relaxing evening. The following day was Sunday, so in the morning we got ready and walked to church. 
It was fun walking to church throughout the streets of Mexico City. Every now and then, as part of the street we would find the shrines dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was nice to go to church. Maya went to nursery and Arden went to Primary. He even offered to say the closing pray in his class. I think Maya had it with good behaviour during nursery, that at the end of church, as we were talking to people in the patio, she decided to undress. We could not convince her to get dressed. Oh well, when in church...After lunch, we relaxed for a little while. The children colored and played some board/card games.
We knew we didn't have much time in Mexico, so we couldn't waste any of it.
So, with Chinito and his family, we went to Xochimilco.
It was pretty relaxing. It's amazing that such a cool relaxing place is just barely in the outskirts of one of the biggest cities in the world. 
Being in the water canals with Arden and Maya made me a bit nervous. I could almost imagine Arden falling in that water. Oh, so scary.
Luckily, no one fell, meaning Arden and Maya. Do you see that boat? It has my name on it!
We tried to get a family photo. Not such good luck with my camera, but grandma got a couple of good ones.
Being in the water canals with Arden and Maya made me a bit nervous. I could almost imagine Arden falling in that water. Oh, so scary.
Luckily, no one fell, meaning Arden and Maya. Do you see that boat? It has my name on it!
We tried to get a family photo. Not such good luck with my camera, but grandma got a couple of good ones.
After our super fun trip, we headed back home. But before being home for the night, how about some dinner at the mercado? Now, that was some really good food!
Oh, so so so good!
Before I forget...so our children had a good time, but as some of you know, they get a little crazy for a few days when we go to new places. So, Mayita, who was nap deprived...or would refuse to take a nap, was a wild child!
Oh, so so so good!Before I forget...so our children had a good time, but as some of you know, they get a little crazy for a few days when we go to new places. So, Mayita, who was nap deprived...or would refuse to take a nap, was a wild child!
Thank goodness Chinito has the magical touch and he was able to tame the Mayita hurricane.
The following day, the six of us headed out on our own with our super guide tour, Newel. He is so good at knowing how to get around. He has good sense of direction and can remember directions.
That morning, we got on the metro and other modes of transportation, including our walking feet and headed to the Palacio Nacional. I loved walking around and looking at the beautiful, yet sad murals painted by Diego Rivera.
I say beautiful and sad since his murals depict the history of Mexico, pre-colombian and Columbian time periods.
His artwork is amazing. It was almost like being there in Mexico City also known as Tenochtitlan over 600 years ago. Rivera also painted the distruction of Tenochtitlan by Hernan Cortes, such a sad mural. We walked around the rest of the Palacio and ran around the grounds. Then, we went on a hike to find a bank to exchange dollars for pesos. After all of that walking we were famished, so we went on a hunt for a cheap place to eat at the mercado/park. Once again, super yummy food. Even Arden and Grandma found some purslane to munch on. After our tummies were satisfied. We headed back to the Zocalo (the center part of the city where the Palacio Nacional and one of the oldest cathedrals in Mexico is located, along with Aztec ruins). We walked around the cathedral and looked at the ruins. Then, off to the market (El Mercado Ciudadela) to shop. That was so fun for me since I found some pottery I wanted. Arden found some fun toys and an awesome mask.
Arden really liked playing with his blue lizard that he bought at the Ciudadela market. He was so good at the market. He bought and shared his goodies with the girls.
So much history...
So much art...
So many artifacts!
I took a ton of photos and then my camera started to die, and Grandma's camara fell and broke. What a bummer!
After the museum, we continued our walk through
Chapultepec. We found a place to eat. While we waited for our meal to be cooked, the children played at a playground and they got so filthy and were covered in red dust. After lunch and an attempt to clean up our children, we continued our adventure on to the Castle of Chapultepec. It was impressive, although I didn't see most of it. Mayita had enough. When she gets tired, she gets hyper and somewhat violent, like trying to beat up her mommy. So, I snuggled with her, and within minutes she fell asleep. 
I held tiny girl in my arms while the rest of the crew toured the castle. I was glad she slept. Poor baby.
Then, Chinito held Mayita for a bit, while I walked around some of the more impressive parts of the castle, like
the rooftop garden in these photos.
I think Arden liked the clean floors. He also claimed it was his castle.
The following day, the six of us headed out on our own with our super guide tour, Newel. He is so good at knowing how to get around. He has good sense of direction and can remember directions.
That morning, we got on the metro and other modes of transportation, including our walking feet and headed to the Palacio Nacional. I loved walking around and looking at the beautiful, yet sad murals painted by Diego Rivera.
I say beautiful and sad since his murals depict the history of Mexico, pre-colombian and Columbian time periods.
His artwork is amazing. It was almost like being there in Mexico City also known as Tenochtitlan over 600 years ago. Rivera also painted the distruction of Tenochtitlan by Hernan Cortes, such a sad mural. We walked around the rest of the Palacio and ran around the grounds. Then, we went on a hike to find a bank to exchange dollars for pesos. After all of that walking we were famished, so we went on a hunt for a cheap place to eat at the mercado/park. Once again, super yummy food. Even Arden and Grandma found some purslane to munch on. After our tummies were satisfied. We headed back to the Zocalo (the center part of the city where the Palacio Nacional and one of the oldest cathedrals in Mexico is located, along with Aztec ruins). We walked around the cathedral and looked at the ruins. Then, off to the market (El Mercado Ciudadela) to shop. That was so fun for me since I found some pottery I wanted. Arden found some fun toys and an awesome mask.
It was Monday, so we had FHE with the Ocampos. What a neat FHE. There was so much love in that room and the Spirit was so strong. I hope I will never forget what a neat FHE we had.
The following day we wanted to take it easy. Instead of traveling all over town, we went to the weekly traveling market. I think it's called Diangis and it's located at the end of the Ocampo's street. This market comes once a week, it is at least 20 blocks long, and you can find just about anything. It was really fun to walk around and see all of the yummy food and interesting products. I think most of the stuff we bought was food, with the exception of our 10 peso cds. The food was so yummy! It was nice to have some down time. We did laundry, the children played, and we even took much needed naps. Maya played so nice with Dana and Pamela.
The following day we wanted to take it easy. Instead of traveling all over town, we went to the weekly traveling market. I think it's called Diangis and it's located at the end of the Ocampo's street. This market comes once a week, it is at least 20 blocks long, and you can find just about anything. It was really fun to walk around and see all of the yummy food and interesting products. I think most of the stuff we bought was food, with the exception of our 10 peso cds. The food was so yummy! It was nice to have some down time. We did laundry, the children played, and we even took much needed naps. Maya played so nice with Dana and Pamela.
Arden really liked playing with his blue lizard that he bought at the Ciudadela market. He was so good at the market. He bought and shared his goodies with the girls.
That evening we went to the Mexico City Temple. Overall, it was pretty laid back. Although, at one point our children were being too noisy at the Visitor Center and they kind of asked us to keep it down. 
Overall, our visit to the Temple was great. We was some paintings we hadn't seen before. It was so nice that Chinito's dad drove us all the way there.
Our time in Mexico was coming to an end, so we needed to make the most of it. The following day, we traveled to Chapultepec, Mexico's version of Golden Gate Park...lots of museums, playgrounds, and entertainment.
Our first stop, El Museu Nacional de Antropologia. I could have spent the entire just in that museum. It was eye candy for me.
Overall, our visit to the Temple was great. We was some paintings we hadn't seen before. It was so nice that Chinito's dad drove us all the way there.Our time in Mexico was coming to an end, so we needed to make the most of it. The following day, we traveled to Chapultepec, Mexico's version of Golden Gate Park...lots of museums, playgrounds, and entertainment.
Our first stop, El Museu Nacional de Antropologia. I could have spent the entire just in that museum. It was eye candy for me.
So much history...So much art...
So many artifacts!
I took a ton of photos and then my camera started to die, and Grandma's camara fell and broke. What a bummer!
After the museum, we continued our walk through
Chapultepec. We found a place to eat. While we waited for our meal to be cooked, the children played at a playground and they got so filthy and were covered in red dust. After lunch and an attempt to clean up our children, we continued our adventure on to the Castle of Chapultepec. It was impressive, although I didn't see most of it. Mayita had enough. When she gets tired, she gets hyper and somewhat violent, like trying to beat up her mommy. So, I snuggled with her, and within minutes she fell asleep. 
I held tiny girl in my arms while the rest of the crew toured the castle. I was glad she slept. Poor baby.Then, Chinito held Mayita for a bit, while I walked around some of the more impressive parts of the castle, like
the rooftop garden in these photos.I think Arden liked the clean floors. He also claimed it was his castle.
Isn't this such a cute family? Maya is standing in for Elisa, who stayed home with her grandma.
This is one of the last photos we took, but our adventure was not over yet. Once we got home and ate dinner, we went over to Margarita's mother's house. Margarita wanted us to meet her family, but they were out of town until that morning.
This is one of the last photos we took, but our adventure was not over yet. Once we got home and ate dinner, we went over to Margarita's mother's house. Margarita wanted us to meet her family, but they were out of town until that morning. It was nice to meet her family. They only live about a mile away from the Ocampos. Margarita's mother is a merchant and sells pottery and other goods from other parts of Mexico. So, her mom showed us some pottery and other craftmanship. All of if was beautiful, but my very favorite was this red ceramic vase. I loved it and she sold it to me for an amazing prize. They were so nice, not only because we got these wonderful gifts from them, but because they were so hospitable. That evening, they took us to a taco stand that sold cow tongue tacos. No, I didn't eat any of the tongue, but it's Paka's favorite. He was is cow tongue taco heaven. We ate other delicious foods, too. They even invited us for brunch the following morning. That morning, when we arrived at their home, we experienced the best red enchiladas ever! What a great way to end our trip to Mexico City.
Our trip back home was pretty unevenful, with the exception of when we arrived at the hotel where we had parked the van, the batteries were dead. So as it struck midnight and the new year was starting, we were paying a taxi driver 20 bucks to recharge the battery. We were so lucky to have his help. We drove out of LA and around 2/3AM we checked in a hotel for the night. The following day we got home safe. Oh, we did make a quick stop in Vegas to see Mary and the cousins again. We dropped off their soveneirs from Mexico and welcomed Phil back home from his deployment.
Overall, a tiring, yet wonderful vacation. I'd have time to rest, once I went back to work.
