Recklinghausen

Dad still has no luggage. Mouse still does not think that is a problem. They both spent a lot of time at Peek and Cloppenburg department store buying a couple of days worth of clothing (for Dad, not mouse.). They found this cool riding toy on the way back to the hotel.

Don't let the mouse use the weapon!

Mouse plays with the Decor at the Best Western Parkhotel Engelsburg in Recklinghausen. Dad thinks it is a great hotel. It is a former 17th century manor house.

Where is Dad's Luggage? Mouse only brought a carry on (oh, wait, he was a carry on!)

This is Germany?

Right now, I am over the Atlantic Ocean (in theory!). My flight to O'Hare took so long to finally leave Houston that I would not be able to make my connection. I am trying again tomorrow, this time through Newark. Mouse seems a little burnt out, but is expected to still make the trip.

Hangin' at IAH

Dad and Mouse's long day has already started with a delayed flight. Something about securing the cockpit door so mice could not get through it - we are not sure what the concern is.

Mouse helps Dad catch up on email.

Mouse tests the new Zhu Zhu pet track before he and Dad take off on another adventure

Lost Pictures of 2010

Dylan Boyce turns 1, devours cake

Mouse Place - Elissa the birthday girl was elusive...

Maybe because dad was spending too much time with the ponies

Sean's first race, the Friendswood Holiday Hustle

Dad and Sean taking up the rear

Helping Nana cook

Where is the EVOO?

Sean's 4th Birthday Party

Sean had a great birthday party.  We had Jennifer, Carol, Todd, Tiffany, Kerry, Mary, Grandma, Dziadziu, Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Jo, Rhonda, Joe, Amy, William, Jennifer, Jewels, Keri, Nick, Heather, Tadd, Denise, Kevin, and Greg representing adults, Alton, Eli, Ian, Cami, Kasey, Mason, Morgan, Conner, Ike, Madeline, Abby, Sean, Ethan, Aiden, Avery, Braden, Tyler, Elissa, Dylan, Gillian, and Mackenzie representing kids.

 Sean making cupcakes for his party

 

Sean unwrapping presents

 Todd playing with the Christmas train set by himself

Grandma finds a baby to love

Older kids had fun too

 Darlene mans the balloon covered hallway

Kids attack the balloons

Christmas Evening with all the Boyces and Pastas

 Elissa and Sean Play Together

 Dylan searching for the playroom

 Elissa and Sean with iPod Touch

Christmas Afternoon with all the Boyces

 Nick, Sean, and Elissa hand out presents

 Dylan - the presents are over here!

  A present for Grandpa

 Elissa helps Dylan out

A new TV for Grandpa and Nana (and David, Barbara, Nick, etc. when visiting Kerrville!)

Christmas Brunch

Christmas Stocking Lottery Tickets (a Pasta family tradition - so is losing on all the lottery tickets!)

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...

Sean: "This is what I always wanted! What is it? "

Joanne and Sean passing out gifts

Christmas Morning

We celebrated Christmas Morning at our house, with Nana, Grandpa, and Tadd

Kazoo!

Legos!

Cruise to Mexico Day 4

The fourth day of the cruise we woke up in Cozumel.  It had grown quite a bit since the last time Dave was there in 2001. We walked around the downtown area and then took a taxi to Playa Mia.  Playa Mia was a great resort beach – very nice facilities and nice sand and beautiful water.  After several hours we taxied back downtown and did some touristy shopping.   

 This wave won't get past me!

 Moving water

 Barbara's happy feet

Worn out little boy

Sean on Beach in Cozumel

With sand: over here I'm thickening up bread crumbs with eggs. Here I'm making chicken with EVOO.

Cruise to Mexico Day 3

In the morning we docked in Progreso.  We took a 30 minutes bus ride to the Mayan ruins of Dzibilchaltun and climbed all over the ruins – allowed and encouraged.  We heard from the guide that you can no longer climb the Mayan temple at Chichen Itza (half-way between Progreso and Cancun) which Eric, Anida, and Dave climbed during our diving trip to Cozumel in 2001.  For lunch we went to a restaurant and horse ranch where we ate lunch and watched a horse and Mexican dancing show.

This window is not as high up as it looks 

6 horsemen of the apocalypse 

Sean plays the classic game of "punch the pinata"