Christmas 2011

Well with the arrival of December 1st we began the advent season. One special memory of this time was the day our family acted out the Christmas story complete with Shepherds, Angels, Mary, Joseph and the Wise-men. Magically at the right moment a ray of light shone in the window…

Our Little Shepherd Girl

And suddenly there was an Angel...

During these days we also joined in the festivities of the Dia de La Virgin de Guadelupe on December 12th.

Iglesia de Guadelupe

Rides to Celebrate Dia de La Virgin de Guadelupe

Celebrating our 2nd Christmas in Mexico

Christmas Party at INESIN

And then another set of festivities began with the arrival of the Gingras family from Vernon, BC – Robere, Michele, Luke, Caitlin and Oliver (who celebrated his 3rd Bday Mexican style).

The Gingras' Travel to Mexico

It was great to be able to reunite with one of my sisters after more than a year…we visited, shopped, laughed and yes when she left we cried.

They rented a house close by in the barrio of El Cerrillo and we spent much of the 10 days together walking around San Cristobal, playing at the cancha (bball courts), trips to San Juan Chamula and Rancho Nuevo, but perhaps more importantly simply visited in our homes and enjoyed good mexican food!

Christmas Day shoot-around

We all celebrated a memorable Christmas Eve on the 23rd at our church where Jacquie sang in the choir.

Noche de Paz, noche de amor, todo duerme en derredor; entre los astors que esparcen su luz bella, anunciando el ninito Jesus, brilla la estrella de paz, brilla la estrella de paz.

For the 24th we headed out to Rancho Nuevo and took in caves, horseback riding, the big slide, some good eats, and the ladies snuck in a bit more Christmas shopping.

Oliver´s First Love - Mango

Weeeee!

Christmas Eve we took some time to sit around the tree to share the Christmas story, exchange gifts and in good Mexican style headed out to the street to set off some firecrackers.  While I didn’t include a picture to prove it, we also worked hard Christmas day to put together a yummy Turkey dinner.

Thanks for the gift Cuz

Everyone got into the Firecracker Action

Earlier in the week we went on a tour of Pinguinos – a great experience for all but especially interesting for the big cousins and Robere (a teacher) to see a very different school setting.

Visiting Pinguinos

For our last couple of days we headed to lower altitude and even hotter sun to enjoy two really relaxing days together in Tuxtla, including a trip to Zoomat, a zoo dedicated completely to flora and fauna of Chiapas.

Poolside in Tuxtla

the boys checking out the iguana

Walking at the Zoo with Auntie

Yes, it was a full and wonderful time together, great for siblings and cousins to have time to play and reconnect and for the Gingras to see life here in San Cristobal.

Day Hike at Moxviquil