Lydia and Dave's Wedding

And the reason that we all gathered in Mexico--

It was a beautiful ceremony.  There was not much beach so we had to stand behind the families.  And there were lots of beach walkers that stopped to check it out.  And everyone in the ceremony got their feet wet.  The bride was holding up her dress for a little bit.  Very cute and it wouldn't be a good wedding unless something went wrong.

After, the light was so perfect, I opened a brief portrait studio on the beach...

Tulum ruins

Day 2

Up early to hit the shuttle to check out some Mayan ruins.  This day, we have pictures...

Entrance

 

Chrissy

Lydia and Liz with a photobomb from Dave

Hard to tell iguana from rock

There they are

Brent

Chrissy finding shade

Liz in shade

One of the original archways

Pizzi Family

Andre

Really nice, but small beach

Note the difference?

Exit

There is a slight possibility that I took too many pictures of iguanas.  Possibly.  And of a redhead in a purple shirt.

Also, I was having some lens problems so you can see a definite change in effect when I got everything working properly again.  I do kind of like the more contrast, less color--if I was more in control of it.

Playa del Carmen

WOO HOO!! Mexico here I come!

I haven't traveled outside the country in several years (Canada doesn't count).  So I pestered my friends for advise because, well, it is Mexico.  The country got its bad reputation honestly.  Basically, they all said the same thing--be careful and don't drink the water.  Ok, I can do that.

One precaution I almost took and am glad I didn't was to use only my passport card.  I failed to note (even though it is on bold on the website) that it is not good for air travel.  I got all the way to the gate before finding this out.  Fortunately, I brought my regular passport as "backup."

Also, boarding on time is strongly encouraged on international flights.  I was not the last to board but very close to last.  The poor guy with my Duty Free had to wait by the door for quite awhile.  I got there and the steward said, "You must be Sarah."  Yeah, that's me.

I had a fantastic flight--the row completely to myself.  And the credit card machine had been stollen (WTF) so the flight attendant gave me wine 2 for 1.  I arrived ready for vacation!

I arrived just a 30 minutes before the "big" SF flight.  Karen had generously arranged transportation for all 11 of us from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen.  Elder, Shandra, Wonder, AG, Greg, Chrissy, Sean, Andre, Brent, Karen and me in a van with a bottle of tequila.  Esta bien.

Karen and I shared a condo at Villas Sacbe which is associated with Porto Playa where the main group was staying.  Too bad we didn't know that when getting dropped off.  We had to haul our stuff back to Porto to check in, but Jonathan (bell boy) was kind enough to haul it all back to Sacbe for us.

Dinner was a very large group meeting up with Lydia and Dave on 5th St. (the main tourist drag).  We ate at a huge Mexican restaurant, the sort that made you wear a sombrero for a group picture.  The food was meh, but the company fantastic.  I miss all my SF buds.  After dinner drinks were at Deseo, a rooftop bar with canopied beds and a pool.

Karen and retired to Villas Sacbe to listen to pounding music coming up the street from 4-5 clubs on our block.  Karen went straight to sleep and I managed after reading awhile.  The clubs close at 4:30am.  Esta mal.

Happy Birthday Owen!

Owen celebrated his 1st birthday a little early this year.  I set up a kid's height photo booth for the Sebels' with a remote controller.  Here are some good ones...

Mel's test shot

Birthday boy

Nola is making friends

Bubbles with Daddy

Awww, the cuteness

Grandma gets in on the action

Who doesn't love balloons?!?

Mommy thought she was getting a kiss

What's up there?

Daddy's boy

Catch up

I haven't posted anything in awhile.  Sorry.

Thanksgiving into Christmas was hectic and January was recovery time.  I hosted Thanksgiving again this year.  9 people--Mom, Dad, Jason, Paul, Gail, Dan, Susie, John, and me.  Everything came out well.  I tried CB's turkey rub with the brine this year and it was fabulous!  The loose herbs fell into the pan and made the gravy highly flavorful.  And it is always good to include some friends as well as family.  I was thankful to be surrounded by them (also, always thankful for Jason who cleaned the entire house beforehand).

The madness of Christmas in retail did not hit nearly as hard in the new location as it did in the mall.  A nice break for a change.  I think every gift I gave was in a black and white CB box.

I hosted Christmas as well.  My Dad protested that I shouldn't have to do both, but I enjoy hosting so I was happy to do it.  I decided on a ham since I have never made one before.  There are a LOT of varieties of ham that I had never thought of before--bone in or out, water brined, fresh, dry cured, spiral sliced, whole, butt end or shank end... I went with a water brined, spiral sliced, bone in 13 lbs ham.  And then I burned it.  DOH!  Fortunately, I caught it early so I cut off the burned bits and continued on.

Uncle Matt was kind enough to come over and pull Jason duty (aka, cleaning).  He helped me get everything set and ready and then afterwards, stayed and washed the dishes.  That is a very sweet man. Dinner was another success with another 9 people--Mom, Dad, Uncle Matt, Paul, Dan, Susie, Ellen, Ashley and, of course, me.  Ellen said, "I have never had a holiday meal with so many vegetables.  Well done Sarah."  Yay me.

Christmas is also a time for visitors.  In addition to getting to spend time with my favorite uncle, Nolan and Tennille were in town for a long visit.  I picked them up from the airport and had drinks with them and the older Leakes.  Then all five of us went to Fat Matt's Rib shack on Saturday for lunch, a first for them.  Tim and Mel threw a Christmas party so I got to catch up with them and every body else there.  Good times with good people!  And Fielding, I only see you once a year, but yes, I love you too.

Sorry that this is a picture free post.  I was also fighting some depression over the holidays and the camera usually gets set down during those times.  But I am doing much better and will have more to post soon.

I hope the holidays were full and joyous for all of you!