africam safari

Yes, I know it looks wrong, but I promise it's spelled "Africam'" not "African." We had the debate in the car and couldn't figure out why, either... so don't lose any sleep over it! Anyway- 2 hours away in the city of Puebla lies a safari zoo full of wildlife you can see while you drive in your car. A little bit of Africa in, well, Mexico.


Popocatepetl, in all it's volcanic beauty, stands approx. 17,500 feet above sea level. On a good day you can see it in the city, and from Puebla it's quite radiant.


Due to non-stringent seat belt laws, Reyn got to see most of the safari from this point of view. Don't think horrible of me- I promise we never exceeded about 5 mph.


The kids in the van.


I know it's blurry- but I had to include this picture because it's a bear! Right there next to us!


A lot of my pictures have parts of the car in them. I know it's not pretty, but I did it on purpose to show the proximity of the animals.


Ayzha's favorite- the white tigers. We were happy to finally reach this exhibit, because that meant we didn't have to hear anymore questions about when we were going to see them.


This donkey stopped in front of the van for a while, then when Ben tried to pass him, he came and stuck his head in my window.


Lioness.


Ben was terrified it was going to bite him while he was looking at the camera. Ostrich are pretty freaky birds, you know.





After the drive-through, we went to petting zoo. I was really excited to see how my fearless one year old would react. She didn't disappoint.


I love this picture. She was leaning over talking to the goat.


And these are some vids of the kids picking up rabbits.

pinata take two

Do you see any improvement?



In case you have ever wondered how to utilize a broken pinata...




And in case you were wondering what the heck is on Ayzha's face:

I caved

That's right... after two months of cleaning the supersized wood floors, washing the endless windows, and living without a dishwasher- I'd decided I'd had too much. Time spent with the kids was sparse, and they were being babysat more and more by the tele. Enter Carmen. A humble, sweet (and very short, I might add) 23-year-old from Veracruz, that decided she'd put up with us and moved into our maid's room Sunday night. She's the oldest of 11 children, has been working as a maid for 6 years, and she has worked magic on our home already! It has only been a few days, but I am really enjoying the freedom of being able spend more time with the kids, and I'm able to run to the club or the store if I need to. Do you know how amazing it is to shop without wondering where your three year old has run off to, or watch your one year old phenagle her way out of yet another shopping cart seat belt? Having Carmen here really is a small price to pay for a little sanity. I only hope that we can help give her a fulfilling few years here in our home.

happy birthday USofA

it's raining, it's pouring

I have no complaints about the rain here. It rains hard, but usually for a short period of time, and only for a few months each year. Plus it is that cooling rain- not like the rain in St Louis where it just makes things hotter. Lately it has been during the night (which lulls me to sleep). The thunder and lightning? Yummy! I love the sound of it pattering on the roof, the smell of it, the feel of it. Yay for rain!

talented teeg

check this out, grandma!

Surgery? No way!