Mexico On My Mind!

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A little under 3 weeks ago I returned from an amazing trip with 3 of my long time friends to the Cancun area of Mexico. We had such a great time! We stayed at Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar in Playa Del Carmen. 

Beautiful Resort Grounds and Lobby Areas

 

Peacocks were only one of the many different kinds of wildlife we saw on resort property. We saw Coati, cats, parrots, turtles, flamingos, peacocks, and many other types of birds

This was my 1st time staying at an all inclusive resort. I have been on two cruises, which have all inclusive food and our cruise excursion to Cozumel had all inclusive food and drink, but each place is different. Here at the Iberostar properties if you are staying at the Beach or Del Mar side you can book 2 a la carte restaurants for a 4 night stay. We chose Japanese hibachi based upon online reviews and it was delicious, the best meal of our trip! The 2nd a la carte we chose was The Brazilian Rodizo. It was okay but nothing amazing. We ordered room service once for desserts and wine and that was a lot of fun and a tasty treat. We booked a room with 2 beds at the Beach side but they put us in a room with 1 bed so we ended up moving to a room at the Del Mar side near the lobby. We were near the Del Mar lobby buffet so we ate every breakfast there. The food was satisfactory. Nothing amazing but a huge spread and since it was all you can eat you can keep going back until you find something you like. For lunch we either ate at the beach or the pool buffet until the last day. The food at the pool buffets was definitely not as good as the lobby buffet. We had a really nice lunch at the Beach side lobby buffet our last day. We weren't that impressed with Star Rock Cafe or the Taco place in the shopping center but did have yummy crepes and coffee at the shopping center.

Japanese Hibachi, delicious food and entertainment

Parasailing, one of many activities they had at the resort

Jumping for joy! We love the beach!

The star of the resort, a gorgeous soft, sand beach. We could have spent all day relaxing on the beach

Our room was quite a walk to the beach but the grounds were lush with vegetation and gorgeous and we didn't mind the exercise. There were snacks, a bar, and bathrooms right at the beach. Depending upon the time of day the beach could be crowded but with a little persistence we could always find 4 lounge chairs. Each day there were different activities at the beach. We participated in yoga on the beach on day and Zumba on the beach another day. Both were a lot of fun. We also heard staff rounding up guests for pick up soccer and volleyball games. The water varied from very rough to fairly calm when we were there. The sand was very soft and never hot. There were hammocks near the beach and outdoor beds so plenty of space for relaxing. was seaweed but it wasn't overtaking the beach. There were rocks in some areas but the lifeguards kept swimmers to one area where there were not rocks.

Our 2nd favorite spot, the gorgeous pool. It was huge and had sun loungers, spa jets, quiet areas, and multiple swim up bars.

Swim up bar!

The pool area was a huge surprise just how vast it was. It wasn't super wide at spots but went through the property almost as a river. The pool started with the hot tub at the far enter in a covered area. and went most of the way to the beach. There were a lot of comfortable lounge chairs and shade by the pool, outdoor beds, and areas to relax. As you got closer to the beach there were bathrooms, swim up bar, ice cream counter, sun loungers, and jetted area of the pool. One pool was a little more lively and had the games and activities at it. One day we watched guests compete to try to stand up on a surfboard and jump over a rope strung across the pool. That same day they gave a short dance lesson by the pool. Plenty to keep you busy if you like to be busy. Plenty of opportunities to relax if that is what you prefer.

Best of friends on vacation!

The best part for me? Getting uninterrupted time to catch up with my girlfriends. I have known these ladies for 20 or more years but life has taken us all different directions and it is not often that we get to really catch up. The fact that Cancun has a direct flight from Denver and Minneapolis makes it as easy as getting to the east coast. Going through customs as quick and easy and we had arranged to a bus to take us to and from the airport with cheapcaribbean.com when we booked. Rain was forecast most of our trip but we only had one downpour and a couple short sprinkles. Mostly we had gorgeous sunny and 80 degree weather. We truly had an amazing time and I know it won't be a question of it we'll be back but when we'll be back!

Happy Birthday Phoenix!

Happy 8th birthday baby girl! I can't believe the baby of our family is 8 years old today. Where has the time gone? Eight is such a fun year, still sweet and innocent, still believe in magic, yet maturing and becoming more independent, more grown up with each day. I'm afraid I am going to blink and all three of my kids will be grown up. Here's to celebrating you Phoenix, and the day of your birth!

Can you believe that chubby, bald baby on the right is my teeny, petite girl?

Phoenix on her 1st Birthday

Bath time fun

2006, Brennan and Wynter 5, Phoenix 3

Little FiFi at our wedding, 2008

My beautiful baby girl on her 1st day of kindergarten

March 2010, her 1st trip to Disneyland

2010, my beautiful ballerina

Christmas 2010, looking cute as can be!

Happy birthday Phoenix! I love you!

One Decision Can Change the Course of the Rest of Your Life

5 years ago today my life was very different. I was a young, divorced, single mom, who had recently left her long time job in banking to go to the University of Colorado full-time to pursue my dreams of becoming a lawyer. I had been dating on and off for the past 6 months but nothing really materialized.

I went on Match.com at the urging of one of my best girl friends, one of her friends met her husband through a similar site and she thought it was worth a try. After 3 weeks on the site I started talking to a young, cute, single dad who lived about 50 miles from me. After emailing back and forth and several long phone conversations, he asked me on a date.

I was nervous to go meet someone in person I had only talked with online but I had a good feeling about him. He seemed so sweet and we had talked on the phone for hours. We decided to meet at Starbucks. He didn't have a cell phone so we set a meeting time at a Starbucks about halfway between both our houses. I showed up and waited and waited and waited and then checked my phone only to realize I had a voicemail from him saying he was at Starbucks and was wondering if he was at the right one. I didn't even realize there were two in the area! I quickly called my sister (who lived in the area) and got directions to the other Starbucks. Luckily I made it to the other Starbucks before he decided he had been stood up.

And the rest is history...

Nate and Michelle since December 30, 2005.

Nate and I, March 2006, Las Vegas, Our 1st Trip Together.

May 24, 2008, The Day We Became Husband and Wife.


September 2009, Still Happy Together!

Saying Goodbye

How do you say goodbye to a loved one when you know this will be the last time you see them on this earth?

How do you prepare your children for the death of a beloved family member?

Dying is inevitable, none of us will live forever, but it doesn't make it easier.

Last Monday, on December 20, 2010 we lost my husband's grandma JoAnn. It was a tough blow to take. My husband was close with her, my kids were close with her, I adored her. We had just lost my husband's mother a year earlier and it seemed to make this even harder to deal with.

JoAnn was a loving grandmother to my husband and to my children and doted upon them day in and day out. Nothing brightened her day more than seeing the children. My kids spent a lot of time with her, weekly family dinners, babysitting when she was in better health, just stopping by to check in on her and say "hi". She was 82 when she passed away and lived a very full and happy life. She was a joy to be around and I very much enjoyed spending time with her. We will all miss her very much!

Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. ~Author Unknown

The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God. ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart,
and my portion for ever.

Psalm 73:26

August 2010, Brennan, Wynter, Phoenix, and Grandma JoAnn

August 2010, Wynter and Grandma JoAnn

Our wedding ceremony

Grandma JoAnn being escorted down the aisle at our wedding

Our Wedding, May 24, 2008, Photo of all Nate's grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Grandma JoAnn is up front with the pink pants and white sweater, next to Wynter and Phoenix, Nate is two rows back, next to his dad.

2008, Brennan, Addison (my niece), Phoenix, Wynter, and Grandma JoAnn

Nate and his grandma JoAnn

Happy 1st Day of School

5th grade, 4th grade, and 2nd grade, oh my!

Wyn is becoming such a beautiful young lady.

I may be little but watch out 2nd grade because here I come!

B and his friend (and our neighbor) are in the same class this year. Can there be too much of a good thing?

And off to the world I send them! No longer babies but still my babies!

Family Photos

A couple weeks ago we had the privilege of having professional photographs taken outdoors at Federal Hill near the harbor in downtown Baltimore. Our photographer was Kenneth Clapp and he and his wife Mia did a great job with my wild children. I am not sure if it because the pictures were outdoors or what but my kids were uncharacteristically hyper. Sure they are normal kids but they aren't usually THAT hyper. They still managed to capture some great shots despite the wild children and the wild wind that was blowing that afternoon.

Here is the link to view our photos: http://www.pictage.com/711121

One of my "Besties" is Coming to Visit

I have a list of blog topics I have been thinking about, some very exciting, some political, and even some controversial but I spent tonight working in the yard (which I hate) and one of my best friends is coming to visit tomorrow so I am going to blog about her and friends.

I am very lucky to have a great group of girlfriends. I know a lot of women can't say that they are close friends with 5 of their friends from high school or before. I truly feel blessed.

We have been in Baltimore since March and April (my friend) is our first Colorado visitor and I am very excited to visit with her and show her some of the local sights.

April and I met in 9th grade. We quickly became friends and started hanging with the same group of friends. April introduced me to some of the finer things in high school such as partying. High school was a great time in my life. April and I always had a blast together. While April and I got ourselves occasionally into trouble, OK I always got into trouble with April somehow, I was lucky enough that my parents never found out and was able to make it through high school as the "good girl" (until my mom reads this).

I have many memories with April. Most of them are pretty mischievous and not internet appropriate but April is a great friend and I feel blessed to have been her friend for these past 12 years. April is the kind of friend who will tell you what you need to hear whether it is what you want to hear or not. Isn't so important to have true friends that can be honest with us about ourselves, our decisions, and even our thoughts.

Here are a few snapshots. Sorry the high school ones are MIA.

Left to Right Michelle (not me but my BFF with the same name), Becca, April, Me, and Catherine (2005)

Jamie, April, Katie, Catherine, and Me (2003)

Looking back on 2008

As the first day of 2009 comes to a close I want to take a look back at 2008. This past year held many memorable events for our family.

The biggest event was our wedding on May 24, 2008. It was a beautiful, memorable day, which brought our family together. Married life is wonderful. Here are some pictures from the big day:

The kids

We were so lucky to have our ceremony in the beautiful Colorado mountains. The weather was amazing!

We took an amazing honeymoon to Maui, Hawaii for 8 days, 7 nights. I had been when I was a teenager but it was so wonderful. I can't wait to go back!

The road to Hana

I also took a mommies trip to California over Labor Day weekend with my BFF Michelle. It was her birthday, I surprised her, and we both loved the little getaway. We kept it low key, stayed with my grandma, and spent most of the time laying on the beach, but it was so wonderful. Are you beginning to see a theme? I love to travel and wish I could do it more!

Michelle and I at the Hermosa Beach pier. For anyone who has been there wouldn't you love to live in one of the houses along the Strand?





Also significantly life changing, I quit my full-time job at a law firm in downtown Denver to stay home with my kids full-time this past August. I love being home with them. I love baby boy and all the kids at church. I can honestly say I am 110% happier. I still have laundry and dishes to dig out from under but at least now I have my sanity!


My husband graduated with his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering on December 13th. He did it 75% of the time as a full-time single dad to the two girls, finished his 138 credit degree (18 credits more than my political science degree) in exactly 4 years, with honors, and passed the EIT exam (the first step to being a Professional Engineer with the state of Colorado). Have I mentioned he is one of the smartest people I know? He rocks!



My kids also did lots of memorable things:



B was chosen for the Gifted and Talented/Advanced class of 3/4 graders at his school.



All three kids have awesome teachers this year.



The girls played soccer and kicked butt again this year!



B played basketball and had a blast.



The three kids took swim lessons this summer and Wyn and B swim well now!



We took a weekend trip/job interview for Max to the Eagle County. We swam in the hot springs pool and stayed in the historic Hotel Denver. It was a blast!



FiFi learned to ride a bike without training wheels.



FiFi started kindergarten (how much easier this is with your third child than your first).



We also celebrated kids birthdays, many holidays, and wonderful day trips to the zoo, to the park, to the amusement park, the water park, the museum, the skating rink, and much, much, more.



When I look back at 2008, I know I will ultimately remember it as the year Max and I were married but it was a year of much, much more, and it was wonderful year. I hope 2009 brings me and my family much peace, joy, and love and wish the same for your families.

Creating Memories

More often than not I feel like my kids have to fit into my schedule not that I have to fit into the kids schedule. Don't get me wrong, I do spend my days driving back and forth to the school, soccer, gymnastics, basketball, and Cub Scouts. How often do we really get time to do something special and enjoy the day with our kids?

Yesterday was one of those days. We are on a tight budget and while there are many fun kid friendly things I would love to take my kids to we often can't afford them and stick to free or low cost things like our zoo and museum membership, the library, and free skating passes the kids get from school. Last night we got to spend the evening all 5 of us having fun. Since my husband has been in school full-time since we met and just graduated Saturday, he was often gone most evenings. So we said heck with the budget for a little fun.

We went to Fish City Grill, and the kids ate free. Then we went to Color Me Mine, the local paint your own pottery place by our house. We made handmade presents for 5 people as well as 5 ornaments for our tree. The bill was outrageous but it was so worth it. I can't remember the last time my kids had so much fun and I got to sit down and enjoy the time with both my kids and my husband. The kids probably told me thank you for taking them there 10 times each.

If that isn't worth it, I don't know what else is?