Ciudad de Mexico - Mexico City- Day 1

My organized sister Rachel posted in her blog right after we came home from this trip.  I on the other hand have waited for 7 months.  so I am going to borrow her posts and hopes she forgives me!

Tyler and I had an amazing opportunity to visit family in Mexico City.  What an adventure!  we had a blast seeing art and broadening our world view as we learned about the Mexican culture.  We ate delicious food.  We had perfect weather during our visit. it would rain a little each night, so we had no pollution, but blue skies every day for our excursions.  We met very nice people and took a lot of pictures.  


We all came in on red eye flights.  had some bleary eyed breakfast and Grandma and Grandpa's little pink casa house.

Grandpa was just wonderful to hire a very nice Mexican brother Benjamin to drive us all over the city.  that way we could all relax.  Benjamin was so helpful in so many ways.  he told us about the sites we saw. he taught us Spanish words and phrases and helped with translation. He was pleasant and funny and remembered everyone's names.  he helped with bargaining for souvenirs.  He also was an amazing driver.  I don't remember ever seeing such intense traffic with loose rules.  along with that, I've never been to such a densely populated city before.  no grass between the houses, just built touching each other.  children used playgrounds that were next to busy roads because that's all the play space that was available.  

  As were were all jet lagged, we spent the day floating down the canals at Xochimilco (So-che-milco)  You can buy a song from the vendors, as we did here.  you can buy roasted corn for cousin Spencer

The Island of the Dolls

The canals are left from what was an extensive lake and canal system that connected most of the settlements of the Valley of Mexico. These canals, along with artificial islands called chinampas, attract tourists and other city residents to ride on colorful gondola-like boats called “trajineras” around the 170 km (110 mi) of canals. 

taking a break to find a banyo (toilet).  standard procedure is cost of 5 pesos each person and don't flush the paper.  lots of greenhouse nurseries because of the water.

we were in the sun a lot this trip. 

walk through a market

grandma got some radishes

Ely liked this flower display and the baby animals in the next shot.  

so many merchants making fresh tortillas as we walked past! amazing.

 I saw a couple of dogs on leashes, but mostly not.  this vendor was one of many selling chicken.

When we ate at the commodore (cafeteria) at the Missionary Training Center (CCM), we dressed as the missionaries do.

The two doctors on staff to serve these young folks.

Grandpa's office.

shopping for snack food at the Tienda (store)

June- Schools out!

As much as a love traveling and going places I hope I dont ever have a summer as busy as the summer of 2016.  I was gone more often then I was home. And thats awesome and hard.  

A few highlights

Going to a reptile exhibit and holding a really *yucky* snake... but I was a brave mom and told them how cool it was... but I was secretly dying inside. 

Bounce house school party in the Larkins backyard.  So fun.  We have to bring one yummy treat for adults and one party treat for the kids.  so much wonderful junk food!

Ang plays in a band with "old guys".  She is right in front with the yellow guitar.  She sings lead with another guy.  They closed down a road in sugarhouse and had a full on street part.  We loved it.  

Darren got a few amazing rides in.  Park city always is beautiful.  I planted a garden and loved watching it grow.  (and then I was gone all summer so Darren had to water it all and keep up on it)

Abby took a few less naps this busy summer.  Mostly she would just go and go until she crashed! She liked to dress herself and draw love notes for everyone.

We got to go to Cowabunga Bay with cousin Megan for a birthday party.  We loved it.  Especially that Jenny was here from Chubbuck to live and that is awesome.

Lots of Mid week mnt bike races.  The girls would do the short rides for kids.  Tyler stepped up and did the longer beginner course. And of course Dad would go hard (and nearly kill himself) doing the long Pro course.

But we love love love that Nellie got engaged.  Jordan is super great.  Kind of love this picture a lot.  Great engagement picture.  They both love music.

Organ Opportunities for Tyler

In June Tyler got to go have hear one of the organ recitals at Temple Square.  Bonnie Goodliff is one of their organists.  After the concert she invited Tyler and the other students of Jan Clayton to come up and get an up close tour of the organ.  They didn't get to play it but they got a picture sitting at the Conference Center organ.  

Little did we know that in July we would come home from a trip and be given a really great organ for our house.  

So we had our first little recital at our house with Grandma and Grandpa Balls.  (they came down to wish their son a happy belated birthday but an impromptu organ recital was good too)

Our organ teacher tries to give us as many opportunities to try playing on different organs.  This was an amazing pipe organ in Pepperwood.

A special note his teacher sent me…

 I just wanted to report that Tyler is doing fantastic.  The Keeler exercises are developing the fingering and pedaling skills that he has needed all along.  I truly see a great future organist in your son and hope he will keep up the enthusiasm he has now.  He did just great on every piece today, including a great start on “All Creatures.”  Keep up your encouragement.

Thanks,
Jan Clayton