Santa Maria

This is Santa María de los Ángeles my dads town.
It is in the state of Jalisco, where Tequilla comes from.

I grew up going here every September for the local holidays.
They still ride on horses and donkeys and everyone is somehow related.

The area was discovered by the Spaniards in 1546. They lavished the local
indigenous people with gifts hoping they would accept their military and their church.
In 1810 they got their independence from Spain.

Get your fresh tortillas here

This is the entrance to the city hall


The chairs they use for partiesThe local Huichol indians posing with my sister Chacha



local aqueduct

Dad's funeral

This holiday was a bit hard for me. My father fell ill and I had to rush to Mexico. I was able to make it to the hospital. He knew I was there. The following day the Lord took him.

There is a 24 hour vigil where all the town people
come and stay all night




It is customery for the family members to serve drinks and food, here Chacha
is freezing and wrapped a towel around herself. It can get down to 30 degrees at night.

May my father rest in peace

Ann's Birthday

Went to London for my mother-in-laws birthday.



This is George Abbot an ancestor of Michael's who helped translate the bible.

You can make a whole pie out of one apple
Yummy!

Hartwood with the lawn frosted over

Guildford


enjoying a warm soup at wagamama

Like the creative name


Christmas in the air

A delicious Thai celebration



Happy Birthday Ann!

Swim meet

Tatiana had her first swim meet, she wasnt nervous she really didnt know what to expect.

Neither did we.

The snack bar

Swim team

First race

Tatiana is ahead!

She wins!

Backstroke

Swam like a champ, came in seconds behind a 10 year old.


Showing off her gold medal

Tatiana won 3 medals. 1 first place and 2 second place. Not bad for her first time.

Our Story

Monolithic Mass

Today was a special Mass, it was held in the Monolithic Church. This church was built around the year 800. We have about 2 masses a year there.

At one time all the walls were painted, I cant even imagine how beautiful it must have been.

The boyscouts selling cookies. There is a big problem here with boyscouts.
There is a waiting list for the kids. There arent enough scout leaders.
Your kid can be on the list for years and never get in.
Which is why it is a privilege to be a boyscout.

Yup, its raining