Mexico Day 1

 We went to Mexico for Thanksgiving with a lot of my dad's side of the family.  We all stayed at the same all inclusive resort, which was unique to say the least.  Its built right inside a jungle and they've managed to maintain a lot of the natural beauty and definitely the wild animals.  It also has 3 natural cenotes right on the property.

 We had to cross this bridge many times a day getting from our room to different areas of the resort.  Often times we saw turtles, B checked each and every time we crossed.

 And these Coatis were EVERYWHERE.  They are overbred and overfed at this resort, climbing on counters, crawling out of trash bins and being fed by kids and families who chose to ignore the enormous signs saying DO NOT FEED ANIMALS.  

 B loved the self serve ice cream.

And taking his daily nap by the pool on top of one parent.

Aquarium with just one kid

 The big guys were at a friends house last weekend so Brian and I took B to the aquarium.  He was into measuring himself against the fish.

 And the birds in the cage.

Little Monkeys

 It was a snowy cold day yesterday and the boys had a lot of energy so we went rock climbing at Ubergrippen for the afternoon.  I had no idea they could do this so well!

Playdate for B

We met some school friends at Lava Island last week for a little playdate.  

Lots of Running and the Great Wolf Lodge

 Last weekend, my friend and I did the backcountry half marathon on Saturday.  It was snowy, windy, extremely muddy (like inches of mud we were trudging through) and very cold, but we finished.  

 And the next day, the boys and I did a run in memory of the little brother of one of A's classmates who died from DIPG (an extremely aggressive form of brain cancer that affects young children).  It was very cold, but we bundled up and did it anyway with lots of friends.  B happily rode in the stroller and the big guys ran most of it.

 And after the run, I took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge.  They had a 5 day weekend and Brian is in Thailand so we took advantage of the time off and headed to the springs for some fun.  There were a few other families going also, but LT didn't have any good buddies that were going to be there, so he took a friend.  It was B's first time and he loved it (though when we were leaving he said, "Next time, lets just go to Mexico!")

 We usually get the crappy view rooms, but we lucked out this time.

I think it wore B and mom out, but not the big guys.

Halloween

 Halloween week is always nutty.  There are halloween parties at each school, costumes to ensure are ready to go and more candy than any kid needs to consume readily available.  However, we survived.  On Tuesday B had his trick or treating around the school (parents not invited, whew, one less thing to go to!)  He had a blast and came home proud of his new items he collected around the school.  Wednesday morning we all went to the big guys school parade, which is quite an ordeal.  They parade around the gym by theme (ghosts and goblins, animals, TV characters, food etc) to loud music.  B wanted to go around with A, both dinosaurs.  He happily accepted all the high fives from the kids as he paraded around.

  A fraction of the candy brought home.

Halloween night we went with our usual neighborhood friends plus a few other families.  B really got the hang of trick or treating and the big guys were out to set world records on the number of houses they could get to.

And the halloween candy, while annoying, has been good timing for bribery for the little one to poop in the potty.  Its worked.  And A had spacers put in last week in preparation for his braces next week, which has limited the candy he can have (no sticky, tacky, chewy etc).

Celebrating a little different

 Elsie would have turned 4 this week.  She's very much a part of our family and our day to day lives.  The boys talk about her (B asks lots of questions about her) and Brian and I visit her tree regularly (sometimes alone, sometimes together and often as a family or parts of our family).  Her birthday/anniversary is always a day that we spend as a family thinking of her and celebrating her (not the way we had intended, but have found our own traditions).  If you know me, you know I dislike balloons, A LOT.  Its a joke amongst everyone I know, including the kids who constantly make fun of me.  Ridiculous fear, I know.  However, on her special day, Brian takes the boys to get pink balloons for each of us and we attach a little note and send them away.  B thought she might like an orange balloon and chose an orange one for her.  I don't think she wanted that because that's the only one that popped before they flew away.  

 While her death is always sad, and the day definitely triggers emotions, I realized this year I wasn't crying so much out of sadness and missing her (though that was part).  But rather out of joy for the love and support I still feel from friends and family.  After 4 years, I still woke up to texts and emails with the kindest messages.  She's not forgotten by people closest to us and my tears were more out of gratefulness for what we do have and how much we are surrounded by a tight community.  

 Without fail, when we go to the gardens, A clears off her plaque immediately.  Little B has started following and helping.  Its especially difficult to see this time of year with all the leaves, though also a beautiful time to visit.  A and his friends left her some candy the other night and wanted to see if it was still there.