What a Welcome

Woo-Hoo!!!  We finally made it to Mexico City!

As if the flight wasn't long enough, we had a ridiculous long walk to baggage claim, a crazy long wait for all of our bags to finally show up, and then we had to walk over to customs and wait there, only to wait again for security to check our bags!  The point is... it felt like forever until we were finally cleared and ready to greet our family!

But the amazing greeting we got was well worth the wait!  

Jei & I both got some quick hugs and kisses...

but then we were immediately ignored... for obvious reasons!

It was only a matter of time... until Michele couldn't take it any longer and picked up, held and kissed her future Godson for the very first time!

With Jorge and William out on an all day duck hunt with some friends... the rest of the family was there to give us one very warm welcome, and of course to eagerly meet the new addition to the family!

We finally made it to the car where a super excited Leo took his turn holding Allen.

We had eight people, one baby, six bags of luggage, one stroller, and one Chevy Tahoe to fit it all in! Uh... yeah, only in Mexico!

It was definitely a tight fit... but we made it work. 

Luckily it wasn't too long of a drive... but even if it was, we certainly had a little someone to keep us all entertained!

 "Uhhh... Seriously???  Who are all these people?!"

Since everyone was super hungry...

what better place to stop for food than your very own restaurant!

Jei & I both thought it was just the coolest thing... finally seeing and getting to eat at Jorge and Michele's restaurant!  And we couldn't wait to stuff our faces with Jorge's delicious food!

"Gee... Whats it take to get some service around here?"

Allen Jess and his crazy Cousin Leo.

Three of the prettiest young ladies in town!

Michele had waited a very long time to do just this!

We snacked on chips and salsa...

 while the real food was being prepared!

It just doesn't get any better than this!

(My mouth is watering just remembering this meal!)

Finally, Jorge and William make their grand appearance after a long day of hunting duck!

And just like the girls...

they both were super excited and happy to see Allen Jess!

Of course we were just as happy and excited to them too!

Trust me... Sofia is as tall as she is beautiful. Not quite as much as her Uncle (tall that is!), but I sure did get a kick watching her look down to both Jeilene and her Mother! 

Long story short... we'd like to think that when the restaurant closed and the party started, with more and more people we didn't know showing up, was all for welcoming us to town... but unfortunately, it was all for a going away party for Jorge's Brother Pablo and his wife. But regardless, it was a party, and Pablo and I made sure to said cheers and enjoyed the night right!

Did I mention it was a party...

Inside the closed restaurant...

In Mexico?!

...need I say more?

Now I know why all our offspring are so darn cute and good looking!!!

Let's just hope Allen doesn't take after his crazy father!

William and Leo made sure to give us the tour of the kitchen.

With their family finally in town and all their friends around having a good time... it was hard not to be happy and have a big smile on their faces!

A new environment, new people, new sounds, new voices, new smells, practically new everything... we found it amazing that Allen Jess did so well! (Credit to the Mexican in him I suppose?!)

Leo couldn't wait and was all excited to teach me how to play with the Mexican version of a Yo-Yo! And while I was quite optimistic, considering how well I do with the American version, I totally sucked with the Mexican one!

The ladies give Jorge "the look", as he gets some quality time with Allen... and continues to teach him all the bad words in Spanish!

Allen Jess got passed around like a plate of freshly made tortillas that night... but he always seemed to land right back around in Michele's lap!

Just as the party started to wind down...

some people were beginning to get their second wind!

"What do you mean the party's over?!"

Michele and Jorge's future Godson had finally arrived... and with a full week of fun activities planned and just being together enjoying each other's company, I don't think either of them could have been any happier!

It was hard to leave such a good party... but it had been a long day and I think we all were in need of a recharge. So we made the short drive home from the restaurant to find some really creative and cute welcoming signs in our room from the kids!

But that wasn't the only surprise that night. Little did Allen Jess know, he had a huge gift basket waiting for him on the table! Of course once he found out it was for him, he was all smiles!

What a crazy magical day! First with a plane ride, and then a ride in a clown car, and then meeting a whole bunch of strange people in such a strange new place. You'd think he would've been super cranky and tired throughout the day and especially when we finally got home... but much to our surprise, he was one happy little boy! Just a perfect ending to a perfect day.