Christmas 2014

For me, Christmas in Sayulita is a totally different event then it was back in the States.  If you never went into Walmart, Home Depot or ventured into Puerto Vallarta you may never even know the holidays were here.  That's ok with me.  Not being exposed to the "marketing machine" this time of year is just fine.  We don't even have what some would consider a normal Christmas tree.  This year the kids decorated our "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree and they were just as proud of it as anyone could be.

We usually have two Christmas events.  One event for when Ashley is home and one for when Santa's presents arrive.  This year was no different.  As usual, Ashley was scheduled to work Christmas week so we had a small present opening before she left for Atlanta.  This way she can see some of the gifts she bought for them as well has gifts from her family.  Christmas morning Santa's gifts are opened as well as other family gifts.  Lego Friends and Logo Chima were high on the 2014 wish list.

Christmas Morning

This year, our fourth Christmas, it really started to sink in how different it feels down here during this time.  I grew up in cold weather climate all my life so what use to be a snowy, mid-winter, warm drink holiday is now a sun soaked, palm tree, surf, sand and tequila holiday.  It's like drinking a diet soft drink.  The flavor is still here just not full strength.  Granted the holiday is about family and friends and good will and there was plenty of that going around but the fact that I was running around in board shorts and a T-shirt give the holiday a different feel for me and I miss what use to be the norm...at least for a day or two.  Then, I would be happy again putting my feet in the sand and going for a surf.

I will say the same thing I said last year.  Without the marketing monster, our kids are very happy with the few items they get and we love that.  Bigger, better, more is just not the way the roll.  No countdowns, no tears, no jealousy, no comparisons etc.  Once again they were very happy and appreciative with anything that was placed under the tree.  In the end, I really don't have any complaints other than Ashley being on the road during this time of year but that's just the way it is again this year.  Next year may be different we hope.  For now our family is healthy, happy and looking forward to the things we have planned for 2015.