Pyramids in Tula

This is the top of a pyramid. These pillars are believed to be Toltec warriors which held up the temple.

More photos to come tomorrow.

This is a playing field where the people played a sport similar to volleyball with a very bouncy ball, but they hit it back and forth with the side of their hips. Maho had to have a photo here. This is where he'd have spent most of his time, had he lived in those days!

Bizarro Laurel

We went shopping this afternoon and Maho found this package selling glasses. He was teasing Laurel that it looked like her. We were laughing so hard as we had her pose next to this picture. Ha! Laurel's much cuter!

Some photos of Abuelitos' home

Ellie and Abuelita in her kitchen.

They have potted flowers, tomatoes, and herbs on their front porch and on the steps going up to their home.

The next photo (Brianna and Tessy) is taken from the front window. They have a huge security wall that surrounds their entire property--a very common thing to do. From outside the yard you can only see the top of the house. It is very private.

They don't have a big yard, but they make such great use of the space and have vegetable plants growing beautifully on the edges of the grass.

In Mexico it is very difficult to get a loan to buy or build a home. So most people build as they have the money. Abuelitos took 4 years to build this home. But now they don't owe a penny on it!

Isn't it charming? The inside is so colorful. Every room's a different bright color, sometimes with two bright colors in a room.

Tessy is standing in another corner of the yard. You can see more veggie plants behind her, a peach tree above her, and a net tied from a pole on the ground to the roof over top of her holds the start of a vine that will soon be a lovely green canopy.

Finally in Mexico

Got up yesterday at 4 am (having slept only 2.5 hours!), got packed, loaded up, ate complimentary breakfast at the hotel, changed some dollars for pesos, crossed the border, got permits for the ninas and I to stay in Mexico, and were finally truly on our way around 8 am. It was a pleasant drive with no incidents whatsoever. This photo is at the halfway point in Matehuala, Mexico. We stopped here for lunch. We finally arrived a la casa de los Abuelitos just before 9 p.m. This is a fairly new home for them and it is just so charming!! I'll get more photos today in the daylight. Here's the fam just getting ready to eat some yummy dinner. Abuelitos are at the head of the table. Erika is also in the photo (between Brianna and Whitney). She is their cousin who was going to school here for a semester.
Their home is in Tula, which is just northwest of Mexico city. We are clear down into the heart of Mexico. It has been an eye-opener for the ninas. The buildings and homes are so different--all made of bricks and/or concrete, many of them very run-down and not well maintained. And building codes are few or none, so you can imagine how odd some of these homes a businesses look. Quite a mishmash.

There are stray dogs all over the streets. Last night we fell asleep to the sound of dogs howling and barking. We woke up, though to the songs of birds I had never heard before. That was fun.

The tempurature here is just like that of San Diego--cool and balmy. It is lovely.

Laredo, Texas

Swimming at the hotel in Laredo. The best thing about this hotel, which is really nice, is that Maho got it using his hotel points from his travels, so it didn't cost us a thing! It's hot and humid here. Right around 100 degrees.


While Maho was across the border getting the car permit and such, we girls walked to the mall (very close to our hotel). While Laurel shopped at Forever 21, I took the rest of the ninas to a play area. We also stopped at Claire's and Bath and Body Works, where Tessy must have tried every tester in the store!! We all walked out of there rather fragrant!
We leave first thing tomorrow morning for Mexico City (near there). We are staying 5 min from the boarder. And for all you worriers, don't! Maho has gone back and forth a couple times. It is very safe. We will be to la casa de los Abuelitos before nightfall tomorrow.

White Sands Dunes in New Mexico

This place is so incredible! Near Las Cruces, NM, it is an area full of these massive white sand dunes. We stopped here before heading to Laredo yesterday, June 20th. The dunes are formed by a combo of 3 factors: gypsum (a mineral), hot dry climate, and wind. Gypsum dissolves in water, so when it rains, the water washes the gypsum in the mountains down to a lake below. Then as the hot sun evaporates the water in the lake, small crystals form a little crust on the lake's surface. The wind blows the crystals off, forming the dunes. So fascinating to see and play!

The ninas and I took turns rolling down the dunes. We had just put sun screen on, so after rolling down, we looked like sugary gum drops!


Tessy. She's wearing Papa's hat because it was so hot (100 degrees) and BRIGHT (with the sun reflecting off the white sand), the ninas without sunglasses could hardly keep their eyes open!

Ellie borrowed Laurel's hat. Sorta big, eh?

More Fair pics

Up, up and away on the sky ride.

On the sky ride.

The ninas got to waterpaint.

This guy is a one-man band. He was amazing. Took requests and everything, and really sounded like a whole band! He had "back up singers" too, with a mic that made his voice sound like there were 3 of him harmonizing!

Can you believe this rooster?! There were so many interesting chickens and roosters!