vamos pa' tecate

What a weekend.....What a weekend! Como se dice...AMAZING!

This weekend we headed to an amazing ranch near Tecate, Mexico with our favorite little Vieyra family. They invited us to join them for a weekend retreat for pastor’s and their families. As always in Mexico, the weekend was lleno de exciting activities and occasions. It’d be a novel to describe the whole weekend, but here are some highlights....

-After school on Friday, we rushed from Yuma to the border. The plan was to park the car and walk across to meet the Vieyra’s for the 2 hour drive to Tecate. Samy decided to play a little prank on us and as we were walking the streets of San Luis, he snuck up behind us yelling “Hey, hey”, making us think we were either being pan-handled or robbed. We just walked faster and ignored him until Wes finally realized it was our infamous Samy Sosa.

-After a delicious breakfast on Saturday morning, both the kids and parents were stuck in conferencias, so Wes and I had the morning to ourselves. We explored the camp property until stumbling upon our friend and camp host, Israel. Before you knew it, Wes was fixing Israel’s moto and doing his favorite thing...working with tools. After a quick fix, we got to take the scooter for a test ride all over, exploring old ranchos in the middle of nowhere. It was amazing...and un poquito romantico. (I felt like I was in chick flick, riding on a little scooter with my hottie.)

minor road block 

-On Saturday afternoon I decided to revolutionize an entire country and show some Mexicanos that women can play soccer. The men were all playing a pick up game of soccer, while the ladies were sweetly cheering on the sidelines. I walked over to the field, ripped off my sweatshirt and showed those men how it was done. My two goals were the talk of the town (camp) for the rest of the evening. Like I said, it was my Mia Hamm moment. I revolutionized their minds. Haha. 

-After soccer, we went for a cool down hike to watch the sunset. Otra vez, muy romantico!

-We spent several hours playing with our favorite Cisnero boys. Here's just a few photos of the youngest, Caleb.

-Mama Lety beat me in Checkers. I’m still bitter about this one, so I’ll keep it short. She cheated. 

Wes secretly documented the cheating

-Sunday morning, my favorite little tour guide Isaac took us on a hike through the cerro (mountains). The views from the mountains around the camp are incredible and our camera/photos simply do them no justice. We met Isaac when he was 2 years old. Who’d thunk, 8 years later we’d be exploring the Mexican cerro with him. It was a sweet and surreal moment. We etched our names in the moss and made our way back down the mountain for some carne asada tacos. I think I say this a lot, but...rough life, eh?

-We were supposed to leave on Sunday at 1 pm, but didn’t get out of their until about 4:30 (oh Mexico’s sense of time!). We had an amazing road trip home, through the mountains and stopped at a panaderia (bread shop), where Samy asked me “Why do American police men eat so many donuts?”

Like I said....what a weekend. 

Side note: Our weekend took a quick turn immediately after crossing back into the U.S. late on Sunday evening. We learned that our dear friend, pastor, and grandpa to many, John Koekkoek past away. Can I just say that we wouldn’t have even been in Mexico this weekend, if it wasn’t for this man, who taught us years ago how to “improve our serve”. So to all our dearest Wright’s, Koekkoek’s and Lipp’s, we love you more than you even know...more than you even know!

if i were a boyyyyyy......

Somedays, I swear I am still stuck in my grade school tomboy phase. I am such a boy....or shall I say...I am so not girly in so many departments. Here are some reasons why....


Reason #1: Scentsy Party
A few days ago, I was invited to a Scentsy party...you know, those waxless candle-alternative thing-a-ma-jigs. I went. I thought it'd be good to be social with my co-workers and hang out with some females. While everyone was spending several dollars on the products, I was simply uninterested, thinking, "Why would I waste my little paycheck on this?" Anyways, I found myself flipping aimlessly through the catalog reading about the company's history just to pretend I was looking at the merchandise. 


Reason #2: Car Talk
On the way to the store this morning to print some photos for my classroom, I listened to NPR's "Car Talk", a radio program where they sit and comedically talk about cars. Wes rolls his eyes when I listen to this.


Reason #3: Football!
Today, the Oregon Ducks are playing and I desperately want to watch the game. Wes was convinced it wouldn't be on any channels locally and thought he'd just spend the day working on his motorcycle. I called our local sports bar, found the game, and decided to go. Wes wanted to stay behind to work. I literally had to twist his arm and beg him to come with me. Even if he wouldn't have come, I would've gone alone. Yes, a little 5' girl, sitting alone in a sports bar, watching football. I am such a tomboy sometimes.

tomboys

mexico trip #20ish

Yesterday we headed to Mexico. Due to road trips to Tuscon & San Diego, it’d been about 1 month since we’d been and we were simply due for a trip (rough life, eh?). Our short 6.5 hours were filled with fun, yet random events. This seems to happen every time we travel south.

After a typical morning at church, we headed back home (our Mexico home) and watched some football. No....not futbol (the Spanish version of soccer), but American football. Before you knew it, I was teaching Lety (our Mexican mama) the ins and outs of “futbol americano”. Go Ducks!

Shortly after teaching words like “touchdown” and “quarterback”, we were off to the veterinarian. Poor little Orejas (Spanish for “Ears”), the family puppy, was sick. We drove to San Luis only to arrive at a closed vet’s office. Luckily, a man was working in the back and was willing to give Orejas a shot. Sometimes though, when we are in Mexico, I forget to translate things to keep Wes in the loop. When he saw the man coming outside to the curbside with a needle, he thought we were putting Orejas down to sleep...for good! He quickly said, “Well this is random and sad.” Oops. Sorry, Wes!

Hanging out the vet's (this is when Was was un poco confused)

Orejas, pissed off that he's about to get a shot

Orejas, feeling a little perkier after his butt shot

On our way back to Islitas, we stopped and grabbed some delicious puerco (pork). We supplemented the puerco with homemade tortillas and salsa at home. Why is authentic Mexican food so stinkin delicious? Seriously!

Wes & Orejas picking up the puerco

After lunch, we headed over to Margarita’s for some Vieyra family time. Ironically, the kids and men got busy and Wes managed to get stuck watching Space Jam with a bunch of middle aged women. Haha. Awesome. Samy really made fun of me though, when he found out that the Space Jam soundtrack was sitting in our car. I can’t wait to crank it up next time he rides with us.

Even though we had to endure a 2 hour wait at border crossing on the way back to our Yuma home, there is nothing sweeter than having friends and families that love us so very much...and spoil us with delicious food.

5-year old thoughts

One of the rewards in my classroom for good behavior is "lunch with the teacher". For some odd reason, children are beyond fascinated with eating in the classroom with their teacher. Even though it means that I miss out on my 30 minute break of the day and the chance to pee, nothing is sweeter than spending 1 on 1 time with students. It is during these moments that you remember that they are five, cute, and sweet little babies. 


Anyways, today I was having lunch with one of my students, J, who happens to be my most gifted student (translation: she's a little genius) Her vocabulary is just incredible for a five year old and her chatty Cathy personality keeps me laughing all day long. I seriously had to get out a pen and paper just to write down everything she was saying. Here are just a few of her thoughts...


"Mrs. Bryant, do you know what is just so magical? Brushing your teeth."

"I love sugar. I just cannot resist that stuff!"

"My dad works for border patrol. Yeah, pretty much he kills all the bad guys. Mrs. Bryant, I know that may be difficult for you to swallow, but it really is the truth."


Comedians can't even compare to the hilariousness of 5 year olds. 

and the wife of the year award goes to......

and the wife of the year award goes to......

ME!!! (McKenzie H. DeBow.....side note: my middle initial is not H and my last name is no longer DeBow, but this is what Wes calls me for some random reason).

Anyways, last night Wes mentioned that he really wanted to go to some vintage car race thing. If anyone knows my husband, then you know that Wes’ other girlfriends are vintage cars (and motorcycles). I had no idea that this event was taking place and I was just planning on lounging at home and watching the 48 Hour Mystery Special on Amanda Knox while working on a puzzle (I know, I am a complete and utter nerd). Instead, I enthusiastically told Wes that I wanted to go to the races with him. 

For 4 hours, we watched old fast cars drive around a 1/2 mile track. The soccer player in me kept wondering where the goals, penalties, and red cards were and when the crowd would start booing the ref or chanting “Ole”. It never happened. They were just driving around in circles....for 4 hours. Occasionally, I feel the same way about long distance track running. However, my husband had a wonderful time and I did my very best to pretend that I was beyond interested and excited.

 I think I was the only nerd who wore ear plugs. My thoughtful husband packed me cute purple ones. 

On another note, yesterday we went for a bike ride. I just had to post this picture to brag that we are wearing shorts and tank tops and it’s October. Yeah!

weekend bliss

Although it was a bye week for Duck football this weekend, we still kept ourselves plenty busy. Never a dull day in the life of Los Bryants (ok, that might not be entirely true).

Event #1: Friday Night Lights

We started our weekend with some “Friday Night Lights”. Yes, we relived our high school days and checked out a local high school football game. Yuma High Criminals vs. San Luis Sidewinders. Ironically, the cheerleaders were dressed in long sleeve turtlenecks (c’mon girls, it’s frickin 95 degress outside). 


Interesting Historical Fact: The Yuma Criminals got their name because the high school used to be in the Yuma Territorial Prison. School was literally a prison. I'm sure my kindergarteners feel this way occasionally during the mid-afternoon when they're practicing letter sounds rather than eating snacks and taking naps.


Event #2: Hiking Gila

After sleeping in until a whoppin‘ 7 am, we  started our Saturday morning with a hike through the Gila Mountains. Ever since watching a 20/20 special on that guy who had to cut off his own arm while hiking in Utah, I always make Wes text somebody to let them know where we are. Well...this time, he opted to text his parents and here was the conversation that followed....

Wes: Just to be safe, we’re hiking in the Gila Mountains.

Wes’ dad (Wally): What to you mean “to be safe”?

Wes: So they know where to search for our bodies.

Wally: This is just what your mom needed to hear.

Haha. Nothing like giving the in-laws a minor heart attack. The hike was awesome. Oh, and for part of the hike it randomly rained, even though it was 90-something degrees. Weird.

Event #3: Algodones

After hiking, we hustled home to clean up in time for our lunch date in Mexico. One of Wes’ car buddies had invited us to cross the border and eat at a sweet restaurant in Algodones. While walking through Algodones, I got called my two favorite nicknames many times, “Guerita” (translation: Blondie) and Moobie Estar (translation: Movie Star).

Event #4: Sock Mishap 

     

We had a relaxing Saturday evening at home. I lotioned Wes’ hiked-out feet and after 1+ years of marriage, I learned that I am incapable of putting on male socks. We laughed for quite awhile about this discovery. We finished the evening with the a total girl power movie, True Grit.

Event #5: San Diego

On Sunday morning, we made our way to San Diego to meet up with our wonderful friends Kelly and Tristen. I love me some Tristie-Poo time. We showed up in San Diego a little earlier than expected, so we wondered the beach while waiting for our lunch date. Rough life, eh? After a wonderful lunch date, we had an entire day to “waste” in San Diego, as Wes had to wait for a guy to call him concerning some motorcycle parts. Important manly business stuff. We wandered San Diego aimlessly with no plan (our spontaneity is a serious Los Bryant talent). Here’s how the day unfolded.

2 pm 

We stumbled across the San Diego Zoo and thought, “Well....why not?” Our plans were quickly demolished when we discovered it would cost us 80 bucks just to enter the zoo. We may be spontaneous, but we are not rich. We took this picture and made up our own FREE zoo visit.

3pm

After the zoo, we decided to explore Old Town San Diego. Best decision of our life. Ok, maybe just of our day. Anyhow, there happened to be a huge event and the streets were crowded with artists, musicians, vendors, and everything imaginable, even old Model A’s for my little car fanatic, Wesley. We strolled the streets for hours, explored old historic buildings, bought salt water taffy, and enjoyed some ice cream, of course.

5pm

We still hadn’t heard from the craigslist motorcycle man and decided to hit the beach yet again. This time, we made our way out to Coronado, a peninsula off of San Diego. Another great decision of our completely unplanned day. And guess what....I FOUND 2 FULL SAND DOLLARS! I put this in caps simply because approximately one year ago on our honeymoon, I whined to Wes about how I never find sand dollars. Ironically, I found them both within a matter of 1 minute and the picture above doesn't even express how ridiculously ecstatic I was. We watched the sunset as we wandered the beach. What a night.


Conclusion: The craigslist man never contacted us, but after a day full of adventures, frankly....we didn’t care (ok, take that back, Wes was a little bummed). We grabbed sandwiches for the road and headed back to the desert land of Yuma.

Do I really have to go to work tomorrow? Ugh.