Ollie is no longer in the youngest class at ASPV!!



and he is a little excited about it. (mom's sentiments)

What a difference a year makes: el año pasado

So its true. Living my life is officially taking all my time; leaving me unable to fully document it...at least not in a timely fashion.

November was kicked off with a Halloween visit from "Uncle Foffy" who made the journey laden with the finest of TraderJoe's wares, which we enjoy and appreciate every day. We also had a visit from Granny & Boppy before celebrating our 4th year of wedded bliss and American Thanksgiving with our new friends here in Vallarta.

Throughout all of it we have laughed, loved and continue to feel like the most blessed people on the planet.

Here is some images from our month:

Geoffrey, Granny, Boppy & Halloween from markpicketts on Vimeo.

The end of November brought visits from our past: Ecua-peeps. Ollie and i helped launch Nutmeg for her return voyage to the Bay Area. Then visited with John, Olivia, Ceci, and pending as they celebrated an extended dia de gracias in one of our favorites: Sayulita.
This incredible day was launched into unforgettable when our sunset cocktails were interupted by news of sea turtle hatchings about 20 meters from our seat. We endured the walk and watched as these little ones made their run for the sea (footage). Modern odds are stacked against these tortugas and it was a pretty amazing thing to witness; especially when Ollie (unprompted) carved a road into the sea to help the little tortugas (meanwhile mom used all of her strength in holding Ella back).

As we head into December it is difficult for me to comprehend how fast time is passing...and (unlike me) it shows no sign of slowing...
We hope that this finds you and yours well and look forward to being in touch over the holiday season.

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

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