Mexico and Matrimony

This past week, our little family flew to Cancun, Mexico to attend the wedding of Ken's youngest sister, Donna's, wedding to a lovely young man named Darcy (does anyone else think of Pride and Prejudice when they hear the name, Darcy?). Anyways, between sunburns, tantrums (and I mean from Russell not Donna), naps, naps, naps and room invading centipedes, we were able to have a fantastic trip. The ocean was gorgeous, the snorkeling was awesome and the wedding was simply perfect. We couldn't be happier for Donna and Darcy and we're sure glad to have shared in the moment with such incredible friends and family. Although I will say that I never want to go on a "vacation" with a small child again haha! Now we need a vacation to recover from the vacation!

Aahhh...the beach was so relaxing...

...except when we were chasing this little rascal.

Donna being given away by her Dad - so beautiful

Cutting the cake...which, by the way was sooo delicious

The Conrad Mariachis

The very bold and friendly Coatis

I freaked out when I saw Russell almost touch one...eeek

The boys on the beach

Our sore feet...

and the jungle!

The wedding was supposed to take place on the beach but a class 2 hurricane ruined those plans. However, it was just as beautiful in the old Spanish chapel. It was fun but it sure feels good to be home!

-J

Park n' Play

We had a perfect day at the park today. There was lots of running, chasing, sliding and discovering. For example, Russell chased some pigeons and discovered that they were not afraid of him in the least. It was so warm, it didn't feel like Fall at all.

- J

Reading List

I have become very well-acquainted with the community library here so I thought I would share with you some of the books I've read thus far - the good, the bad and blah:

1. The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oates - From the very beginning it was a very depressing book, although it did become more hopeful. The writing was excellent and the characters were interesting, but I'm on the fence on this one.
2. Host by Stephanie Myer - My beach companion. It was an easy, fun, science fiction read. The main character got a little annoying but, overall, enjoyable.
3. Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth - Oprah pressured me into reading this book and, although, it didn't exactly express anything new, it was insightful and interesting.
4. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway - It sort of reads like a poem or a parable. It has it's beauty but got a little tiresome. Good thing it was short.
5. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston - Awesome! The dialect takes some getting used to but once you get into it, you can't get out.
6. The Dream of Scipio by Iain Pears - Woven plots lines, mystery and literary allusion = a great read. I don't think this book is for everyone but I loved it.
7. Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut - Not what I expected at all. An anti-war, science fiction novel with dry wit and dark comedy. Very, very good.
8. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand - This book was so long but sooo powerful. It's great but you really have to commit to it because it's 1,168 pages long in small font!
9. On the Road by Jack Karouac - Sorry to all the beatniks out there but this was a snooze to me. I guess I'm just a traditionalist but I just couldn't get through this one. Why waste time on something you don't enjoy when there is a whole library full of books just waiting to be read. *finger snaps*.

What have you been reading? Any suggestions on what I should read next?

-J