A few weeks before Thanksgiving we got a call from our good friend Chet Thomas, inviting us to join them, the Payne and Marsh families for Thanksgiving in Mexico. We were immediately on board and determined to make it work. We jumped on passports early the next morning and had them expedited - arriving just a couple days before we needed to leave. Wednesday morning, the 23rd, we set off for Ensenada. The traffic was terrible and it ended up taking double the amount of time it usually takes to get there, but at least we crossed the border before dark. I loved hearing our kids reactions to being in Mexico - noticing how it looked different from the U.S.
It was dark and hard to see - and a miracle we found the place. We arrived right at dinnertime. Each family was in charge of 2 meals (a breakfast, lunch, or dinner).
Weston's picture of sunset Wednesday evening:
Thursday morning we were all anxious to get up and explore.
Our house was pretty amazing!
Such gorgeous views . . .
Thursday morning after breakfast, Weston led a cross-fit work-out . . .
. . . . followed by a beach run.
Of course I made all my kids participate!
Then we cleaned up, packed up, and headed back down for some beach play.
Our walk to the beach seemed a little scary to my kids at first.
Steep rocks steps . . .
which curved around a bend.
Then we had to cross over lots of rocks - timing it with the tide coming in.
But thankfully there were big kids (our kids were the youngest of the whole group), who were HUGE helpers!
It was such a gorgeous day, full of sandcastle building, waving jumping, shell finding, beach fun!
Just before sunset we headed out for a true Mexican Thanksgiving dinner. It was so perfect - the friends, the view, the food, the whole ambiance was magical.
Cal was so happy to hang out with all the boys (Jaxson's missing from this picture) . . .
there he is!
Madi and Elle loved hanging out with these awesome girls! They all shared a bedroom at the house too.
We even had a dolphin sighting during dinner!
After dinner we walked back to the house for our evening fireside, game, and bonfire!
Friday was another magical day of games, beach, volleyball, . . .
Only setback of the day was Weston stepping on a stingray.
I couldn't remember the last time I felt so perfectly relaxed. I felt so lucky to get to spend time with all these amazing people!
The kids took a break in the afternoon to make some crafts.
And Madi took a break for some studying, journal writing, and reading over lunch.
I was so impressed with the group of kids/teenagers we got to hang out with. They were ALL so sweet, respectful, inclusive, helpful, and kind. One of my favorite things about the whole trip was my kids getting to associate with the rest of these kids.
Hanging out with these amazing gals was also a major highlight for me.
As we walked back to the house at the end of the day on Friday I couldn't help but feel sad that our time in Mexico was coming to an end. It had been perfect in every way.
I wanted to savor every second as I watched my kids so bravely scale the rocks that just a day before they were too scared to do alone.
The sunset was incredible and even with James in the Bjorn on my front, and a chair on my back, I wanted to capture every second.
James also wanted to enjoy the sunset!
After dinner each night (we were there for 3 nights), a different family was in charge of doing a devotional. It wasn't until our last night that I realized I wanted these devotionals documented. They brought such a sweet spirit into the house and were the perfect way to end a perfect day.
Madi happy to lead the music!
Lots of volunteers . . .
This is from the Payne's fireside on listening to the still small voice and avoiding getting stuck in traps along the way (mouse traps had been set up and Isaiah was leading Madi through them).
Then Avery had a chance.
Games always followed our fireside. Here's Chet leading a game of Tenzie!
Saturday morning we were all busy packing up. Thankfully James had his own entourage of ladies waiting to keep his attention!
Saturday morning breakfast... wish I had taken pictures from all our meals.
Oh how I love this group of kids and the examples they were to my kids.
I also with I'd taken pictures of the room we stayed in. I took one out our window at sunset. . .
And one of our bathroom view before checking out.
We lucked out with 2 gorgeous days, and then the clouds rolled in just as we were packing up to leave.
It was so perfect it almost looked fake.
We left the house and headed 20 minutes south to Ensenada.
It was so nice traveling in a big pack with Weston, Chet, Mike, and Spencer - all Spanish speakers who were comfortable with the area and where we were going.
Calvin was so lucky to have several cool older friends to look out for him!
We spent some time exploring the fish market.
Weston bought a bag of sardines to entertain us with some bird feeding.
Then we headed out for fish tacos . . .
Then onto the best tacqueria!
After lunch we headed back towards the border - we knew it was going to be a long wait. Took us 4 hours to get through.
We stopped by an In-n-Out as soon as we crossed back into the States. Cal and Elle passed out mid bite of their cheeseburgers! Signs of an awesome, action packed day and amazing Thanksgiving weekend!
