Cancun trip, part 1

We just got back last week from an amazing family vacation.  We went to Cancun Mexico!  The kids and both of us had so much fun.  We all got to do something we wanted to do plus there was a lot of time for just plain relaxing and resting. 

 

It took us a whole day to get there and a whole day to get back.  The flights were relatively easy and the kids were entertained by movies, coloring or other electronic gadget. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And when we woke up the next day – all we did was play in the pool and discover what was around us.  We stayed in the Villas Del Mar 2 in Puerto Aventuras, which is about an hour south of Cancun.  We had a really nice zero entry pool and a nice condo.  The beach was right on the far side of the pool and the weather was fantastic.  We all got right to relaxing on our vacation and pretty much did nothing that first full day there.  We found a dive shop, found a grocery store, got the lay of the land and explored the beach. 

 

Alex really wanted to figure out his snorkel and mask and by golly – just like Alex does so well – he figured it out!  He was snorkeling in the pool before long and was so fun to watch.  It was fun to see him do this and we were excited to possibly try snorkeling on this trip.  We thought he would love it – and more on that later.  He also discovered coral on this trip and saw the coral on the beach and we had many conversations about coral.  We had the great idea to suggest he does his annual science project on coral this year, so we’ll be learning even more!

 

Sara was LOVING the pool.  The pool was not heated and was probably 70 degrees, my guess.  The ocean water was about 80 degrees, so it felt so warm compared to the pool.  But, that girl swam and swam and swam.  Alex would get cold and get out after a while – she would stay in longer than him by far.  Over and over again.  She loved that pool.  The floaties we brought were perfect.  She didn’t quite know she could swim/float with them at first, but quickly learned her freedom and took full advantage of that over the vacation.  She was often the first one in the pool and the last one out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basketball

 

Basketball is in full swing and the difference between first year playing and second year is amazing!  Alex is having so much fun and Lance is the coach!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas recap

 

 

We had a wonderful Christmas this year.  We started off Christmas Eve with Sara and I going to the Nutcracker and PNB.  I have been many times and I took the kids this year to a local Nutcracker in Kirkland.  They loved it!  I loved sharing this with them for the first time.  I can see this becoming a tradition for us!  Anyways – back to Christmas Eve – I was given the tickets and they were very nice tickets!  We were in box seats at McCaw Hall.  So off Sara and I went…  The boys went to see a Dinosaur movie. 

 

We arrived early and looked at all the things there are to look at and it was time for the ballet to start.  Why are the boys holding the dolls (and pretending to shoot the girls?) and the girls holding the toy guns (like babies)?  Why are there funny crazy costumes and why does the mouse king have a light saber instead of a sword?  Why do the snowflakes throw snowballs and then make snow angels?  Well, turns out the Christmas Eve production is a silly one!  It was so great – it was like watching a new ballet all over again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas pajamas!

 

 

 

 

Our Snickerdoodle cookies, carrots for the reindeer and a letter to Santa showing him which ones for whom. 

 

 

Christmas morning was a blur – Alex opened all of his presents as fast as he could.  He even fell down the stairs pretty hard racing down to get there.  We made a deal the night before not to get up before 6:45, and thank goodness they kept it!  Alex got a 3DS (game player) and Sara got a golden treasure box from Santa.  And this year was the first year that Sara was able to write who the present was to and who it was from by herself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another gift Alex got was a remote controlled helicopter.  It was really cool!  He was flying it in no time, but not even 8 hours into the day and it was broken.  I had a broken hearted boy.  Apparently he wanted Lance to come outside with him to do the helicopter, but we had already been outside for quite some time.  He decided he would go out by himself and play with it.  Before we know it he comes in crying and saying it was broken.  Sure enough, one of the wires snapped and a wing broke and it wouldn’t fly anymore.  It was a tough lesson.  He decided he liked it so much that he wanted to buy it with his money that he saves from his allowance.  We decided that we would go in 1/2 and 1/2.  We’ll see how long this one lasts…

 

 

 

I saw these streamers and instantly thought of Sara.  They were perfect.  Rainbow, sparkly handles and full of imagination.  She loved them!  Running up and down the street with them and even Alex loved them. 

 

 

 

 

All in all – it was a really great Christmas!