*M E X I C O*

It has been a little while since we have been home from our trip and I thought I would throw some pictures out there. I LOVE Mexico City! I LOVE the people! I LOVE the food! I LOVE everything about the place...so far! We are fortunate in that we have family that lives there and takes us to all the fun, beautiful, safe places to visit. They are so wonderful and so accommodating. I really love that the people don't have much, but what they have they take care of and they use. Family is the most important thing to them, as it should be for all of us. Well, let's get on with the pictures!

Our niece and her family took us to this outdoor restaurant that was surrounded by a wooded area. It was nice, cool, and of course the food was great! As you can see, I LOVED what I got.

We were invited one evening to our nephew and his family's house to eat. Clockwise from me is Jose, my sister in law, Brenda and Monica her daughters, and Lorena, my nephew's wife. Their home is beautiful! It is very simply decorated and of course the food was so good!


One morning we went into the heart of the city and had churros and hot chocolate for breakfast. That same day, we had these very greasy, yummy tacos, and that night had some very rich food for dinner. Well let's just say that the next day I was miserable, and stayed in bed the entire day. Happy to report that it only lasted one day.

Tommy and I were able to attend a temple session at the Mexico City temple. The grounds were beautiful and the taxi ride was a hoot! Luckily, our taxi driver was so nice, his car was clean, and he was funny. It took us over an hour to get there and about 1.5 hours to get back.

This is Armando and he is getting dinner ready. On Easter we had a feast! Carne asada, grilled nopales, onion, beans, chorizo, tortillas, guacamole, and more. It was so divine!! I'm telling you it is all about the food, and they do it up good!

Monica and her family took us to the university to show us where her and her husband Paco work. It was such a nice relaxing day and we ate at the coffee shop there. On the grounds near the admin. building, all of the people that live nearby bring their dogs to run around. We aren't talking mutts either. Pure bread golden retrievers, st. Bernard's, and all other kind. I love dogs and I was in hog heaven!

We drove up to this small village to see the largest rock formation in the world. I know, boring, but the walk up had all these wonderful shops to buy all sorts of fun things. I really wish I could have brought a uhaul with me so I could by all the wonderful junk to bring home. Oh, yes, Montezuma decided to visit the day before, but I won the battle and climbed all the way to the bottom of the rock formation. Take that Montezuma!!

Before the hike to the rock thing, we stopped and ate at this hotel. It was so quaint and beautiful. I loved the arches and details on the arches. Above in front is Paco, then Armando, Jose, Monica, Armando Jr., Lorena, me and Tommy.

After our shopping trip, we went to this resort and spent a night and day. It was gorgeous! The pools had a natural hot spring and unfortunately, I didn't bring my suit. I was so tempted just to jump in. Note to self, never go anywhere without your suit! In the picture is Tommy, Karen, Rick, Iris, and me. Rick and Armando Jr. are twins.

We found this outside restaurant that served barbacoa, which is......drum roll........goat meat cooked in a pit. It was yummy and the soup they made from it was better than any soup I have ever had. They also made fresh corn tortillas. Once again, it's all about the food!!

On the way up to the resort we stopped and took a picture of all of us. Paco and Monica own land just outside the resort and will start building a vacation home this year. Can't wait!

This is a picture of the resort as you come in from the road above. Its so nice and secluded.

After the kids had eaten, the parents made them walk a few laps around the pool so they wouldn't get cramps. It was so funny watching them all walk around and around. They all got along great, and not one time did they fight with each other. Yes, there is only one boy cousin, but he's a good sport!

I can't wait to go back and I think I could even live there for a summer or maybe even long enough to serve a mission there. Hopefully we can get back, soon!

Mother's Day

With Mother's Day approaching I wanted to pay a tribute to my mom. She had a tough life, and was sick most of the time that I remember, but I still have some really great memories of her. My mom suffered from depression and had a bi-polar disorder that she battled most of my childhood and adult life. But considering all that she went through, I think she did a wonderful job of being a mom and wife.

Wasn't she a looker! She was a very pretty young lady and as she got older, and aged, she still had the prettiest skin ever. I remember her telling me to always wear sunscreen even though not much was known about sun damage and skin cancer. Every night she would wash and clean her face with ponds cold cream. I think that's why she had such pretty skin.

This is my mom with my sister, just outside their new home. My mom really loved us and she was quite the talented lady. She sewed most of our clothes, and taught me how to sew when I was in 6th grade. She made some beautiful dresses for me and my sister. Every Easter we were always decked out in matching dresses, shoes, and gloves. She also taught me to crochet and cook. I love to crochet, and really hate to cook so I guess the cooking lessons didn't help me too much!

My mom worked for Dr. Telford, a dentist in downtown Mesa as a dental assistant. She truly loved her job and was really good with people. I remember that when I was younger, she became a Welcome Wagon Hostess and would be gone 2 or 3 days a week, welcoming newcomers to the Mesa area. She made a lot of friends doing this and kept in touch with them long after she quit. She had a special talent of taking care of the elderly, and even though she sometimes complained about not having enough time for herself, she would faithfully go over and do whatever it was they needed at the time.

My dad worked night driving a truck and he would be gone for 2 nights at a time. Those were the nights that we had all the good stuff that my dad didn't like to eat for dinner. Like french toast, eggs, popcorn, and sometimes it was Sandy Drive In hamburgers. The best were the nights we would head to the drive in to watch movies. My sister, brother, and I would get dressed in our p.j.'s and always would fall asleep before the 2nd movie was over.

I was rather sickly when I was a child and these are the times I remember her the most. It didn't matter how tired or sick she was, she was always there to make sure I was okay. I remember having pneumonia and had been cooped up in the house for over 2 weeks. One night she decided that we were going to go for a short drive to get Dairy Queen and just get me out of the house to see some new scenery.

When I had braces on my teeth and had just been to the orthodontist, she would make me pancakes that night for dinner. The school's I attended were just down the street from our house. So come rain or shine, I walked to school, but when it was cold and rainy, my mom would meet me at the door with hot chocolate and a blanket to wrap up in.

As she got older and couldn't care for herself, she lived with me for 3 years. I really don't think I did her justice with the care I gave her. I was not very patient and I complained a lot. If I had to do things over again, I would have quit my job and taken care of her the way she deserved.

I love you and miss you! I hope that you will forgive me for complaining.

Mothers Day Certificate

Okay, I am still in Mexico and usually don't enter raffles, but I would like to win this one. If you are looking for a great gift for you or your mom, visit the link below. It has some great deals!

http://codystephsunderhaus.blogspot.com