Baby Sienna Taylor Grace Mathison

She is here weighing in at 6lbs 6oz and around 20". All is well and as you see Grandma and sister Meira are pretty excited!

Feeding the deer at Buffalo Point

My Mom has had a cabin at Buffalo Point on Lake of the Woods for 28 years. We were able to spend a few days there this summer when the saskatoon berries were ripe. My Mom and I went to pick and the deer decided it was a good idea to join us.

Home again, Home again!

Stayed at Salem Oregon last night and after breakfast this morning we will do that last leg of our journey. We were welcomed by rain sometime yesterday afternoon with a little hail mixed in.

We hope to be in Abbotsford this afternoon. What a trip it has been!

We drove out of Mexico this evening !!!!

Yesterday mid morning we left our friends Don, Diane, Bill and Marj (Diane's parents) at the fantasitc Inn at Loreto Bay, on the Baja, where we were pampered enough to almost forget the ferry ride from Mazatlan to La Paz. We got to Guirdo Niegro by late afternoon and early this morning continued our travels north toward Tijiuana. Driving Baja California takes you through spectacular terrain and along both the Gulf of California and the Pacific ocean. Don and I encourage you to drive it some time.

Around 7:00 pm we were over the border and gladly driving into San Diego. We are in Carlsbad, Cal. tonight, a place we have stayed before on none of Heather's spring break get aways. It is home to Legoland and hugs the Pacific coast. Tomorrow will be another day of travel and closer to home!

Some pictures of our travels.

We made it to Loreto Bay ....didn't drown on the ferry

We'll post pictures later today as we are off to tour the Inn At Loreto Bay development with our friends Don and Diane Delves.

Happy Birthday to Heather....we miss celebrating with you today!!!

Don's Birthday is today!

Since it's Don's birthday today I thought I'd have pictures of some moments he experienced here and yes, he even did dishes on this special day. Tonight we are sharing supper with friends from the apartment building and watching the sun set one more time from their 7th floor and then going to a fundraising jass night at the girls orphanage.

Tomorrow we pack up and load onto the Baja ferry for La Paz, hoping to arrive there on Friday morning. We'll let you know how it went.

Monday, Monday!

Yesterday we attended the Iglacius church. Two young children, aged 7 and 10, played their violins for the audience and are taking lessons at the music school there. The father of one of them sat beside me and spoke very good english. He said his son had only taken lessons for 6 months and was very shy. You could tell he was very proud of his son's progress!

It was a quiet day spent reading, walking and making supper with food I'm trying to clean out of the fridge before we leave.

Today I'm at aquafit, having lunch with friends at the Panama and then going to yoga. Don is hoping to put two new tires on the 4runner as our tire is non-repairable. Don went to the kitchen to have cereal and the milk is sour! Well what will we do about breakfast!

Vange's Birthday Party

Thursday evening we celebrated Vange's Birthday at Topollo's, our last group meal before everyone goes home. Yesterday morning we drove Steve and Vange to the airport for their return trip and today it's Ed's turn.

We picked up a large chunck of metal in our left tire the other night while coming home from the Mayan Sea Gardens that required a stop on the side of the road and a spare. Don is now having to have two new tires mounted. We have already purchased a gerry can to fill with gasoline for our trip down Baja California on advice from those who have done the trip. I guess our thoughts and efforts are turning homeword. We once again have a to do list!

El Quilite and La Noria tour today!

Come along with us to El Quilite and La Noria. Couldn't have been more beautiful weather for a country drive!

Kids will be kids!

Yesterday some of the women from our apartment block felt it was time to spend the day together at Stone Island. Nadine brought her bubble equipment and with the breeze at the beach bubbles were sent sailing down the beach. It was a great day with new friends!

Today my day is full. Water arobics in the morning, meeting Vange for some shopping, farewell party at the Golden Gate Conversational English school and then Angela Peralta Theatre at 8:00 tonight. Who says you can't get busy on holidays!!!

Memories of the way it used to be....(can you hear Barbara Streisand?

My cold is getting better and fortunately Maryann only bruised her hand.

Steve's party was a wonderful success with a whole group including family and friends. (unfortunately the pictures are a bit blurry). If you want to see more pictures go to Maryann Janzen's facebook page.

We said good-bye to three of our group this afternoon but from the picture you can see that they look ok with it. What wonderful memories of Mazatlan in 2008!

Sick said the Doctor!

I got a cold flu that hit me Tuesday night and I'm still aching all over and not really fit for any human involvement. Sorry but no pictures of me lying on the couch, having naps, or popping tylenol.

Fortunately I don't have any commitments until tomorrow. Tomorrow we are celebrating Steve's 60th birthday which is today. Congratulations Steve!!!!!

Maryann, however, is going to the hospital today to see whether she broke any bones in her hand when she took a nasty tumble. Tumbles, broken bones and injuries are quite common here because the steets and sidewalks are often irregular, not well maintained and can have holes in the most unbelievable places.

Steak that could be cut with a plastic knife!

Enjoying BBQ on our deck and supper at our apartment last night. From there to the Elvis show (aka Corny Rempel from Steinbach) to dance and be entertained and he is wonderfully entertaining. Sorry no pictures of that to post.

Sunday at Stone Island

Way out on the kayak are Steve and Vange, Maryann is sporting a new tattoo and Janet and Maryann are checking for sharks and feeling the water temperature! What you don't see are Steve and Vange getting dunked when a wave capsized them at the shore and the slightly sunburned bodies at the end of the day!

First Suppper, Not the last!

More wonderful friends arrived. Our friends Dennis and Carole remembered my muttering about licorice and sent along some wonderful licorice treats. We are basking in the pleasure of both.

Better walk this morning before it's too hot!

The meteorologist is predicting temp. around 90 degrees over the next few days so Don and I walked up to the lighthouse this morning early hoping to avoid heat stroke! Here are a few pictures taken along the way.

Keeping in touch just get's easier!

Today Don picked up a headset and opened a Skype account. We don't have a phone no. for you to call us but we can call you. If you have a Skype account let us know and we can talk. I had the joy of talking to my Mom this afternoon. A few years ago when I wanted to call home we would get a bill of $80.00 and now I can talk for 10 min. from the comfort of my home for about 25 cents.

A picture of our friend Dennis more than ready for home, the ferry we hope to take mid-March to visit friends Don and Diane Delves (hope they appreciate the luxury cruise!), and Don making his first call on Skype.

Mondays, we love Mondays

Today was quiet and after puttering for a while Don and I decided to walk down the malecon. We walked for 2 to 3 miles until we reached Valentino's. From there we walked to the new Mega grocery store and picked up a few necessities. Their new store even hosts a coffee shop and I bought expresso coffee beans to make a good cup of coffee. Tonight we had a simple supper and tonight we may try to find our friend Ed and see if he wants to go to open mike at Canucks club. Otherwise, we'll enjoy an evening of quiet and reading.

By the way, I forgot to tell you that a cleaning lady did come two weeks ago and I am expecting her again tomorrow! It is a nice bonus to come home mid-afternoon to a spotless place!

Coming and Going

Pictures from previous days as today was taken up going to the airport to take Dennis and Carole for their homeword flight, some tidying up our suite and picking up Ed from the airport this evening and dropping him off at what will be his home for the next few weeks. Good day of comings and goings.

Saying goodbye to friends

We've had a ton of fun with our friends and sadly they are leaving for home tomorrow. Here's a picture to show you that we don't just eat while we are in Mazatlan, we drink too!!!

Sunday will be a busy day, helping our Mazatlan friends prepare for their yearly party on the deck of our complex. This year 100 people are invited and our friend Ed will be here in time to join.

Happy Valentine's Day

I loved preparing for Valentine's Day. Didn't you just love that book of cards that came bright red, cheerful and gave you the fun of punching out, signing and taking to school? Looked for those books here but couldn't find any.

In honor of those childhood memories, here is a wish for you! Try to imagine it on a valentine's card.
Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
When we think of how much you mean to us
We want to hug you too.
Happy Valentines Day!

Today was country tour...for you lady, almost free!

Sorry no pictures for today as our friends borrowed our camera for a few days. Their camera got left in a taxi cab and it has not been returned.
Pulled out of Mazatlan around 9:30 am this morning and returned around 4:30pm from a full day in the country. The tour always includes a number of stops which range from brick making to a home based bakery for fresh cinnamon buns. It was a full day of sun and exploration. One of the favorite lines of vendors on the trail is "for you lady, almost free".
Upon returning home I washed all the dust off and now am ready for an evening sunset and a good book!

Joke from last night at Canucks Club told by a senior who visits other seniors homes to entertain them. I was visiting a senior at his home when he turned to me and said, "I never slept with my wife before I married her", "Did you?" I said, "I don't know, what was her maiden name?" Hahaha

What happens in Mazatlan, stays in Mazatlan

There is a famous saying here, "what happens in Mazatlan, stays in Mazatlan". That could be true for those who don't own a digital camera and create blogs every day! Yes, we did go see the Garth Brooks impersonator with friends and neighbors. Who is Carole making friends with? I can't say because "what happens in Mazatlan, stays in Mazatlan". Now, with a few pina colada's under one's belt a person could be convinced to talk!

I was glad Dennis was around at supper today when Don took a nice slice out of his finger with his favorite knife (I hate that thing) because I don't do well with body fluids and medical emergencies....just ask my kids. A crisis was averted and he is sleeping well, expecting to be ok tomorrow.

Don and I will play tour guides tomorrow when we take our friends on the country tour, stopping in a no. of communities and ending up in a mining town about 1 1/2 hour from Maz. Famous banana cream pie is on the menu there.

Random things on Sunday

There is a new mayor in Mazatlan as of January who is upgrading some of the infrastructure and redoing the wall and sidewalk in front of our complex. Last week they came and painted the curbs right where the rubble is now!

It was time to make a pot of borscht...it was good.

This morning we went to La Pontilla (the pelican) for Sunday brunch. We ate many interesting things and then headed to the Jaurez market which is a giant flea market/granville Island style event. Picked up a fresh watermelon, strawberries, etc.

This afternoon found us lounging around Carole and Dennis's pool area....great place to tan and swim.

Tonight we are heading to Heather's place for their turkey dinner served with brownies for desert. Heather moved here from Surrey a no. of years ago and offers homestyle cooking every Sunday. This evening it comes along with Garth Brooks (impressionist). Should be fun....a no. of us are going.