Its October here in Vallarta (unlike wherever you are), and although the leaves are not changing the weather is...and for the better! Less heat, less rain, really wonderful and the old guard here tells us it is just going to continue to get better - very exciting. I am still anxiously awaiting the wind but need to be patient until January, until then we are still really enjoying the family trips to the different (and amazing) local beaches (details, stories and pictures).

This year Ollie is really excited for Halloween ; and why wouldn't he be? A chance to dress up, to eat junk food, combined with a visit from Uncle Foffy has the whole house pumped for this weekend.

All the more reason for me to hurry up and post some images from the 3rd Annual Picketts Pumpkin Carving Party!

3rd Annual Pumpkin Carving Party from markpicketts on Vimeo.

Here is some history:

• 2008
• 2007
• 2006, 2006 (otro)

wow, i really like looking at those but it makes me feel OLD!

Although there was a plethora of reasons for our relocation to Mexico, near the top of the list was being closer to our California family. Toronto-PV and Toronto-DR is really a wash but the difference from San Francisco is massive. We have not been disappointed and last week were spoiled with the second visit from Kristy this year. Ollie and Ella hammed it up in the pool with Aba non stop and both show new tricks in the water daily.
Another Sunday passed and another beach this week: Los Muertos - Sayulita.

Kristy's Visit 09.09 from markpicketts on Vimeo.

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Monday mornings ASPV has a very cool flag ceremony in the elementary school. This week Ollie was recognized by his teacher. I know i am bias but i thought it was pretty cute:

Flag Ceremony Final Version from markpicketts on Vimeo.

Sometimes you have to hit reset...this is one of those times. I created this blog as a place to share memories with friends and family - and although i have a ton of footage left to share from the summer and from our first six weeks here in Vallarta the backlog was getting a little heavy.

I kept wanting to finish a video and post it before moving on - chronologically like...it may seem weird but its just the way that my brain works; but we are in Mexico now the things we are seeing, smelling, experiencing, and lets not forget tasting are happening now.

So i am hitting the reset button.

This is us, last weekend:

Last Weekend in September.m4v from markpicketts on Vimeo.

Some explanations:

1. We could have left that CD on repeat Friday night - he would have sung us through until monday...
2. Cirque-de-Backyardigans...an experience that truly defies explanation
3. Playa Camarones y Chilaquiles (the list is growing)
4. fun in the rain and some new swimming skills

I really will try and share some of the great stuff that is now backlogged but not at the cost of falling further behind.

in other news i think i am officially done with YouTube; been wanting to go to Vimeo for more than a year now but resisted and resisted but no mas!

If you subscribed in YouTube, please redo so in Vimeo (if you still want)

img from: http://blog.heritage.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/reset_button090324.jpg

So just shy of October, i am posting for some good times in June and the start of July.

There are lots more coming soon but for those of your living in "real time"; please know that Mexico is fantastic! The four of us have never been more happy. We have a house, friends, jobs which we are loving, and then there's the food....

We go to a new beach every Sunday and have a new love: chilaquiles. I am tracking these beach adventures (and will get them posted - with pics - here soon enough).

So 'nuff talk...

IronIan's Triathalon...

yeah its a cheezy name but trust me he has had worse and when you beat his time i will consider your thoughts on the issue.

ironman from markpicketts on Vimeo.

Well it is been awhile since i have written here; and it isn't like nothing has been happening. Perhaps in a later post (or more likely posts) i will have a moment to reflect on selling 95% of our posessions, leaving our home & the friends that remain like family in the Dominican after five years, blasting through Canada, then California, before driving to Puerto Vallarta, with a brief stop in Cali, Colombia, meeting new friends, starting a new job, and beginning to get settled in our new home.

However, if that happens it will be on another day.

Today is Oliver's first day of school, and although we have no idea how it is going it was a memorable celebratory morning - that i simply had to document

Here is my last email as the Academic Technology Director to the staff at CMS:

From: Mark Picketts
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 4:56 PM
To: All Users
Subject: the secret is out....

I can’t hide it anymore.

The real reason for the academic technology successes over the past couple years has been revealed:

We have loved our time in the DR and will miss you more than you could imagine. Our CMS family are always welcomed wherever we are.

Follow us at: http://karliandmark.blogspot.com/ and please stay in touch

con amor,

Karli, Oliver, Ella y mark

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Mayra has been a part of our family for the past three years and she will be missed by all of us, the only thing keeping us going is the thought of a reunion with her in Canada or San Francisco soon. Some Mayra moments: