Christmas in Mexico was something we’ll always remember. 🤍

It had been four years since we last visited our family in Mexico.

We don’t go every year, but four years already felt like too long. Life gets busy, schedules get complicated, and before you know it, time passes. But we knew we had to make it happen. Visiting family isn’t just a trip for us—it’s a way to stay connected to who we are and where we come from.

My dad is from Guadalajara, Jalisco, and my mom is from Zináparo, Michoacán. That history matters to us, especially as parents. We want our daughters to see it, feel it, and understand it.

So about a year in advance, we started planning. Slowly. Intentionally. One thing that kept coming up was the Monarch butterflies. It had always been on our bucket list, and this time we decided—we’re doing it.

✨ Mindflix Films created this beautiful video of our vaction please take a moment to see it and enjoy. ✨

The Journey There

We flew out on December 13th, landing in Guadalajara after working straight through December 12th and wrapping up our final event of the year. By the time we left, we were exhausted and more than ready for a pause. This trip felt necessary—a chance to slow down, reconnect, and come back feeling refeshed again.

Travel days are always the longest. We woke up around 1:00 AM to make it to the airport by 4:00 AM, knowing the day would be spent moving from one place to the next, step by step, until we finally arrived.

Once we landed, we took a taxi to El Llano, Michoacán, where my father-in-law is from. That taxi ride took about three hours, and it was bumpy—very bumpy. I got dizzy, but honestly, that’s part of traveling. Part of the experience. Mexico isn’t always smooth roads and fast routes, and that’s okay.

We stayed most of the time with my in-laws in El Llano. Their home is very special to us. My father-in-law was born there—his parents lived there, and the home has been passed down through the family. It sits right in front of a cerro, a small hill, and what makes it even more meaningful is that all the Ochoas—brothers and sisters—live on the same street. There’s something really beautiful about that.

They recently renovated the home, and they made it incredibly comfortable for us. Each child has their own room, we had our own bathroom, and even with all that comfort, you still feel that sense of history and family in the walls.

“Welcome to El Llano.”

This beautiful banana tree growing right in there garden, overflowing with abundance and beauty.

Life in El Llano

December 12th marks the beginning of the celebrations for La Virgen de Guadalupe and Christmas, so when we arrived on the 13th, the town was already alive.

Almost every night, we made our way down to the plaza. We’d dress up, hang out, eat tacos, wander through food stands, and look at handmade crafts while people danced and vendors sold everything from snacks to little treasures. With music, lights, a carnival, and constant movement, the town felt festive and full of life.

As night settled in, the plaza came even more alive . We always stopped at the same local taco stand—our go-to spot every night. His tacos were simple, familiar, and so good.

Live bands played, kids ran around, families gathered, and laughter filled the air. It was the kind of nightlife where you could catch up, make new friendships, and truly be present. Those nights in the plaza quickly became some of our favorite moments of the trip.

Morelia & the Monarchs

After days of celebrating and enjoying El Llano, we headed out on December 21st to Morelia. I intentionally didn’t bring my camera this day—I wanted to simply take it all in and be present.

The drive took about three hours, and we stayed at this beautiful beautiful Airbnb by el señor Ángel. This stop was our jumping-off point for visiting the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in El Rosario. It’s a long journey to get to the butterflies, but absolutely worth it. The road trip itself was gorgeous.

Morelia, the capital of Michoacán, completely won me over. It’s historic, rustic, and almost European in its architecture—stone buildings, narrow streets, and a vibrant energy throughout the city. I really loved the vibe. It felt romantic and full of character.

I only captured a few quick moments on my phone here. If you’d like to see more from our travels, feel free to follow along at @twocreativetravelers.

The next morning, we woke up early once again and drove another three hours to El Rosario, where the Monarch butterflies migrate. They’re high up in the mountains, and getting there is truly part of the adventure. The day we went was gloomy, and since the butterflies only come out when the sun is out, that was the one small disappointment. Still, the experience itself was unforgettable.

We ate at a small local resturant, rented horses to help us up the mountain, and moved quietly through the pine trees. There were signs everywhere reminding visitors to be respectful and keep their voices low.

Because of the cold, the butterflies were mostly dormant—but they were there, resting and waiting. We spent about three hours simply taking it all in.

It was peaceful. Green. Still.

Instead of riding the horses back down, we decided to hike. Even though it was tiring, it was nice. Being able to walk, hike, and experience something like this together reminded me how grateful I am for our health and for moments like these.

That night, we went back to the Airbnb completely exhausted, ordered pizza from Domino’s, and crashed out.

Quiroga, & Christmas Dinner with the Ochoas

The next day, we headed to Quiroga, known for having some of the best carnitas in the world. It was my second time there, and it didn’t disappoint. We ate, shopped, walked through the markets, and soaked up the energy of the town.

After that, we headed back to El Llano to celebrate Christmas.

Christmas was low-key, exactly what we needed. My mother-in-law made pozole and ponche. I made a cold Mexican pasta, and we spent the day resting, eating, and just being home. Christmas night was simple, warm, and full of love.

All the Ochoas gathered together for Christmas dinner, and it felt really special to be surrounded by family after so much time apart. Carmen made tamales that were so good—filled with chicken, cheese, and chile—one of those meals you remember long after the night is over.

Another tía, Mónica, made tinga tostadas, and they were just as delicious. There was something about everyone bringing a dish, sharing food, laughing, and sitting together that made the night feel complete.

Those are the moments that stay with you.

Zamora

We were always going back and forth to Zamora, the closest big city. Zamora has everything—fresh fruit, food, artesanías, vendors, and movement. We picked up gifts there to bring back home with us.

What really stood out to me was the entrepreneurship. Everywhere we went, people were working, smiling—selling fruit, cleaning shoes, setting up small stands, offering food, and sharing what they had with so much pride. It was inspiring to see how passionately everyone showed up, creating, selling, and building something of their own. There’s so much heart in that kind of work, and it left a lasting impression on me.

Lago de Camécuaro

After Christmas we made time to return to El lago de Camécuaro.

Camécuaro is one of those places that photos don’t do it justice. Trees grow under the water, the water is turquoise and incredibly clean, and the entire place feels calm and magical. We had a picnic, rented a small boat, and just enjoyed being surrounded by nature.

One last stop Zináparo

We also made time to visit family in my mom’s hometown of Zináparo, about an hour from El Llano. It was a simple but meaningful visit—spending time with a cousin, an uncle, and my nieces. We visited the beautiful church, shared pozole, and caught up over a quiet meal. It was one of those moments that felt easy, familiar, and full of love.

The Hard Parts (Because They Matter Too)

Not everything was easy—and that’s part of the story.

I got sick, most likely food poisoning, and it hit me harder than I expected. I felt weak, drained, and completely out of energy. Even though we were careful and only drank bottled water, sometimes your body just reacts differently—to the food, the environment, the long days, and the lack of sleep.

We were in Mexico for 18 days, and at times, I felt homesick. Sleeping in a different bed, being away from routine—it all eventually catches up to you. One morning, I woke up feeling sad. Sad that I didn’t grow up experiencing these celebrations, the parties, and the culture in this way.

But that sadness brought clarity.

Gratitude Above All

I’m deeply grateful that our daughters experienced the authenticity of Mexico. That they got to see where our family comes from. That they felt the culture, the traditions, the food, the celebrations—their roots. They loved it and soaked in every moment.

We came back tired, full, emotional, and incredibly thankful.

Four years was a long time—but it was worth every second.

This photo was taken right in front of my in-laws’ home in El Llano, next to the town sign that welcomes you in. It’s one of our favorite spots to stop and take photos.

Of course we had to do a family photoshoot!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for stepping into our world for a moment. It means so much to share a small glimpse of our personal life, our roots, and the experiences that shape who we are. I hope this story gave you a deeper appreciation for the beauty of Mexico—its people, its culture, and the quiet moments in between. Thank you for being here and for allowing me to share a piece of our journey with you.