Dear Mr. Obama

This video was in the news because it's had over 11 and a half million hits on youtube.

Mexico: Day 3

Hola!
We went into town today and walked down by the marina... It was quite the experience. Lots of interesting things to see.
These guys (and many others) go from place to place, mostly restaurants, and play for money.

Note the back of the blue boat. There are a lot of pelicans here flying overhead. They're kind of funny looking, like they have a sense of humor. And it reminds me of Finding Nemo...

This guy was rolling along what I think was a marlin in his cart. It was huge. You can see his tail sticking out one end and you on the other end the big spear-mouth was sticking out of the cart.

This little guy was playing "football" (soccer) in the heat while his mama worked to sell her pottery.

One of the stands was posted with signs "Take a picture with a baby lion" and pictures of lion cubs along the top. When I got closer, this is what I saw.

I guess they ran out of lion cubs... or it grew stripes! Either way I'd say their sign needs updating.

And speaking of signs... I had to take a picture of a little girl sleeping under this one. The mothers keep their children with them while they work. The kids either help sell the items or they lay out sacks for the kids to sit or sleep on. This sign I had to go back for a picture of. I was already past it when I realized what it said. It made me laugh but I'm still not clear on what the intended message was... Stands of things for sale. The building in the background you see is under construction. Mom and Dad said it has been like this without changing for 2 or 3 years, now. This did not whet my appetite. The marina: We ate dinner along here. There are 4 or 5 restaurants and each one has waiters standing out front to compete for your business. They all try to get you to come in and eat at their restaurant. We picked one called Alexandars and they all clapped when we chose theirs. The food was very good. We went to the mall, too. The dog in this picture was in the mall, waiting outside of one of the stores for his owner. He was the first one I've seen on a leash, most of the dogs follow their owners around as close as they can with no leash, although they were smaller than this dog.

One of the stores: Outside the mall We stopped for a coffee treat. No Starbucks here but very good and cheaper, too! On our way back this boy came up to Dad and started walking beside him. Pretty soon he was leaning against Dad and staring up at him with his big brown eyes. He was selling gum. "One dollah one dollah?" Dad said he'd give him one dollar for 2 pieces so the little boy took that and went away. Then a little girl about 3 or 4 years old came up while Dad was opening his gum. She stopped right in front of him and said, "I wan one." She was pretty darn cute. Dad said, "Okay let me open it and I'll give you a piece." So she waited. He finally got it open and offered her a piece but she shook her head. "I wan one. Dollah." She didn't want gum, she wanted a dollar, too. Dad told her he didn't have anymore. She glared at him, whipped around and slapped him right on the bum before running off!

The children selling things with their parents was pretty common. They are all really cute and much harder to say no to than the adults. As in the picture above, if they aren't helping sell they are quietly sitting or sleeping. I didn't see any of them whine or complain and their work is very serious, no laughing or playing. Smiles are rare. The money they earn helps their whole family and they work hard for such little kids.

Anyway, that's my report for the day. Being in the sun all day is tiring, I'm off to bed!

Cabo

Reporting from beautiful Cabo San Lucas, Mexico!

We flew in yesterday afternoon. It's warm and humid but we just learned today that it's usually dry most of the year, between 0 and 5% humidity, like home! The week Mom and Dad always come is right after monsoons so it's greener and about 65% humidity.

Today we went to the grocery store. It was very interesting... The whole store smells good because of the rack of spices near the back... All kinds of spices and powders, especially chilli and peppers. The baggers are little boys, there were three of them, maybe 8-12 years old. Two brothers bagged our groceries. The older one was very eager to help us out with our groceries and asked us, "Taxi? Taxi?" and ran to get one for us. He had a cute little crooked-tooth grin and kept checking on our cart to make sure everything was in place. He worked hard for his tip. I'm not sure but I believe the money they make they give to their parents and it helps their whole family.

Just a few pictures before we head out to lay by the pool!

This was taken on our way from the airport to the resort. Nobody here (or few people) wears their seatbelts and the white lines down the road are really more guidelines. Sometimes the road is one lane and you drive down the middle, sometimes its three and you pass all of the other cars. Sometimes people let you in, sometimes your taxi driver pushes his way in.
I took this picture at a stoplight... There are three adults in the backseat and 2 in the front. The little girl is sitting on the lap of one of the adults. I also saw a pick-up truck with 3 people sitting in the back and a pick-up truck with a driver and two people squished in the passenger seat.

The lobby: The walkway out to the pools and the beach: Lunch. Prices are listed in pesos. Move the digit over one place to the left and you have the gist of it in dollars. Still pretty pricey.

These guys are resort pets. They're in the pond. They have a baby, too, but he couldn't fit up onto the rock and kept swimming around it in circles.

The beach by our unit:You can't swim in the beach we are staying on- It's too rough and dangerous with rip tides. The waves don't crash on the shore, they BOOM. It's awesome to hear. sunset on the beach Adios!

Kyle

For Kyle:

Your golden birthday... 25 on the 25th!
I wish I could be there...
I love you!!

Guess Who

Can you tell which one is Bree and which one is Ellie? Both of these were taken on their first visit to Grandma and Grandpa's house and both at 4 days old- they are even wearing the same outfit! There are differences if you know them but they definitely could be sisters...

More Ellie

Ellie Jade

It's been a busy two days but I finally have a chance to introduce my new niece! Ellie Jade was born yesterday, October 20th at 12:47pm. 6 pounds, 15 ounces, 19 and a half inches long. She is absolutely gorgeous and the general consensus is that she seems to take after Shannon and her side so far. My first thought was that she has very long lashes!

We've had Bree staying with us the past couple of nights. We took a picture of her just before leaving for the hospital yesterday to meet her baby sister... She was very excited! Driving in the car she said, "Grandma Karen, is baby sister still in mommy's tummy?" Mom told her no, she isn't. Then Bree said, "Grandma Karen, honk your horn!!" She also said, "I'm a really REALLY big sister now!"

The family in the waiting room. Bryan came out to take Bryanna in so she could meet Ellie first. The rest of us waited impatiently for the exact 6 minutes that Bryan told us to (Renee timed it) and then followed.
A big yawn! Bree will make a great big sister. She's been a big cousin for 2 years and has had lots of practice! Jhett will be a good big cousin, too. He's only 8 months older than Ellie and has lots of practice at baby stuff, too, like... Well, just read his shirt. Jhett was very excited to meet his new baby cousin! Bree had some questions about her mommy being "at the doctor". Bree's Grandpa Dave and Grandma Sue held her up for a good view of "Baby Elwie". Auntie Jessica and Uncle Kevin with their new niece. Jhett wasn't sure what to think of his daddy holding another baby. Ellie's daddy Bryan showed Uncle Jeff her full head of beautiful dark hair. Bree liked to tell everyone, "That's my baby Elwie!" Who wouldn't be this exhausted after such a big first day?