Mi Familia

One of the things Jeilene really wanted to do this year... a goal you might say, was to see her Dad, Oscar Sr. Of course for that to happen, she'd have to travel down to Mexico... and that's exactly what her and the Boys did this past February.

When things are meant to be... they're just meant to be. Not only did Jei find some cheap airfare to go down to visit her Dad, but Momma Soch was able to take the time off and tag along... and their visit down south just so happened to coincide with a trip her Sister & her family were taking to the same town for a wedding. Needless to say, Jei and the Boys were super excited to see Oscar Sr... as well as Michele, Jorge, Sofia, William, Catalina and Leo!

One of their first stops together was to visit Wela's vacant house...

where Jei & her family spent the majority of their years growing up.

A little dusty... but Allen sure did give it his approval.

Hungry for some lunch? All they had to do was flag down an old guy on a motorcycle selling coconuts!

No motorcycle of their own...

but they could definitely improvise!

Jei, Wela & the Boys all got to go to the family wedding too... which provided an excellent opportunity for some great Cousin pictures!

No doubt two of the best lookin men there!

Jack... such the social butterfly.

Jack & his Nino Jorge gettin their groove on.

And while everyone else is having fun out on the dance floor,

Allen sneaks in a quick snack!

Just a couple of handsome cowboys...

hanging out with Lady Gaga I think?!?

Once night fell, Allen grabbed his mask and his balloons

and hit the dance floor like a true raver! 

Jack sure as heck wasn't going to be upstaged by his older brother!

If it wasn't a mask, it was a hat.

Jack was changing identities faster than the DJ could change songs!

And if he wasn't entertaining crowds around the table...

then he was entertaining them on the dance floor!

The next day Jack finally got to meet his Granddaddy!

Jei & the Boys drove out to the family ranch to meet with Oscar Sr., or "Tata" as he's referred to by the little ones... where they all got up close & personal with lots of livestock.

Oscar Sr. and his son 'Tano" show Allen how to feed the cows.

Meanwhile, Jei & Jack relax and enjoy a little down time.

Wela introduces Jack to his 94-year-old Great Grandmother,

'Mama Cuy'.

Allen keeping a close eye on all the chickens roaming around.

Thank God for Tano being there... as he & Allen bonded and played around the ranch together. Otherwise, Allen would've had to make friends with one of those chickens! 

Oscar Sr. bonding with his Grandson.

Just because they were there visiting, didn't mean they could

get out of doing some work around the ranch! 

Allen & Tano helping Oscar Sr. pull fruit from a tree...

While Jack enjoys quite literally... the fruits of their labor.

A full bucket of fruit and some happy little helpers.

Allen & Jack meet Mama Cuy's parrot "Currito"...

and feed him his daily dose of Jalapeno Cheeto Balls!

We sure do hope Currito is still alive and well, as Allen thought it would be a great idea to also treat him to a gummy bear!

Jack joins the women to lend a hand deshelling peanuts. 

One of the coolest things the modern world has brought to the ranch (aside from a working toilet!) is network television... which includes Disney Junior and Nickelodeon to entertain the kids. Certainly something Jei and her siblings & cousins would never have dreamt about having when they were that age visiting the ranch!

 Besides seeing family and all the animals around the ranch...

the best part had to be getting to see and climb on all the cool tractors!

Needless to say... Allen was in tractor Heaven!

Jack on the other hand... wasn't all that interested initially.

"Come on Jack... hurry up and get in here before they see us!"

But once he finally got on one, he realized just how awesome it was!

Jack had a lot of fun both on and off the tractors...

but eventually he just got all tractor'd out!

There wasn't much to play with there at the ranch...

but the boys improvised quite nicely.

Oscar Sr. takes the crew over to the family mausoleum on the ranch...

Where they watered the flowers and payed their respects. 

Allen gets a few pointers from his "Tata"

on how to take care of some flowers.

Allen loved hanging out with Oscar Sr...

and no doubt the feeling was mutual.

Allen hugs, kisses, and says goodbye to Mama Cuy...

and thanks her for the wonderful stay.

I don't think Jeilene could have been more thrilled or satisfied with her trip down to Mexico. Not only did she fulfill her goal of seeing her Dad and having him meet Jack for the first time... but she & the Boys also got to see and spend some time with Michele, Jorge and the kids! Doesn't get much better than that... well, maybe if I had tagged along, and I certainly wish I had... but somebody had to stay home and pay for the trip! =)