Summer Vacation Part V

The day before the big Mexican Fiesta, we had a bit of a battle with the stomach bug. It ran through all of us save Grandpa and Brahm, but we did not let a little bit of toilet trouble get us down. In fact, we all made it to the Fiesta, even though anything that went into Simon was coming back up and out for all in the buffet line to see.

Another highlight for us was braving the heat and humidity in order to see Simon's favorite animals, the dolphins, on our last day before leaving. The children ooh'd and aah'd as the graceful creatures playfully leapt and raced across their pools with their trainers. Even though walking there with Nicholas on Jess' back meant a completely sweat soaked shirt for him and despite the constant complaining about the heat from the kids, the memory was was well worth it.

All good things must come to an end. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Mexico with Grandma and Grandpa Hanks.

Overall, we did a lot of relaxing:

Nicholas napping out by the pool.

Brahm hiding in the hammock.

Brahm sleeping on the chaise lounge.

Ava relaxing on the poolside canopy bed.

Jess and Nicholas swinging and playing in the hammock.

Grandpa relaxing after swimming.

We also swam everyday:

Ava

Brahm

Simon

Grandma and the boys



Nicholas and Grandma



Most evenings, we walked on the beach:

Grandma and the kids wading in the ocean water.

Warren family

Grandma and Grandpa smooching on the beach.

Sunset walk.

I took quite a few pictures:

Mommy and Ava

Capturing a photo on the beach.

We ate delicious food:

Ava at the Mexican Fiesta.

And, we had gorgeous views:

Grandma and Simon on the balcony.

The view from our balcony.

Simon posing in front of a waterfall.

A view of the Grand Mayan resort..

Sunset.

Summer Vacation Part IV

Grandma turned 62 while we were in Mexico! To celebrate her birthday, we decorated the hotel room with streamers and balloons. Everyone was given a party blower at Grandma's special breakfast. Jess made one of his Mexican specialties - huevos con salchicha (English translation- scrambled eggs with sliced hot dogs). In honor of Grandma's birthday, Grandpa took the entire family to a Mexican fiesta on the beach. A huge buffet of traditional Mexican fare was served including: tamales, mole, carnitas, tacos, quesadillas, fresh fruit, and every imaginable salsa. The desserts were just as yummy: rice pudding, flan, churros and rosettes with chocolate dipping sauce, crispy candy apples, and Mexican hot chocolate. While we feasted, a 10 year old Mexican boy created hats, swords, and animals out of balloons for the kids. At dusk, we enjoyed watching the performances of Mayan dancers, Mariachis, and folkloric acrobats who swung upside down from a tall pole all the while playing traditional flutes and drums.

Grandma's "Happy Birthday" streamers.

Nicholas loved playing with the balloons.

Ava wearing her balloon hat at the fiesta.

Brahm and Ava at the fiesta.

Dangling and playing instruments at the same time.

There was a lot of "Ay ay ay ay!" from the audience while the Mariachis performed.

Simon and Brahm eating their crispy candy apples a day or two after the fiesta.

I loved the Grand Mayan resort, because there was absolutely no need to travel outside of it. A lazy river, a wave pool, a Mayan pyramid water slide, water spewing fountains, and several swimming pools kept the kids occupied for the entire week. The resort offered complimentary activities such as yoga, volleyball, water aerobics, Latin dance classes, and craft making. The afternoon poolside games and dancing kept us (onlookers) very entertained.

Grandma with Simon and Ava in the lazy river.

Grandma, Simon, and Ava nearing a waterfall.

Jess and the kids in the lazy river.




Climbing up the pyramid steps to the water slide.

 

The water slide.

Here comes Ava....

.....and Simon!

Simon and Ava in the wave pool.

We were witnesses to a beautiful beach wedding reception one evening. The night prior to the reception, we watched two men sculpt the Virgin Mary out of sand for the event.

The wedding reception.

The Virgin Mary.

The bride greeting her guests.

More to come.....

Summer Vacation Part III

The next morning, Jess came back from his run and happily reported that he had sighted huge iguanas.  He took the kids to see these docile reptiles lounging in the trees.  We later were surprised to see a huge grouping of iguanas foraging on flowers next to the pool where we were swimming.  Most of the morning, afternoon, and evening was spent in the pool.  When the two youngest boys had to lay down for naps, Ava and Simon swam in the private pool on our balcony.  Grandpa brought his ukulele along with him and serenaded us every day.  He sometimes sat on the balcony for hours practicing chords and songs.  We were very thankful to have Grandma and Grandpa Hanks with us.  With a nursing baby, there was no way for me to keep up with the older kids.  I usually was late coming to the pool or early leaving because of a nursing or napping child.  Grandma and Grandpa always stepped in to help us out.  Jess especially loved golfing with Grandpa 5 out of the 7 days that we were there.  Some of our favorites were: virgin pina coladas and nachos by the pool, ice cream bars at the Sun Market, rides on the golf cart shuttles, the larger than life statues that greeted guests as they entered the Grand Mayan hotel, walks on the beach in the evening, Jumex juice, chocolates placed on our pillows at night by the maids, the giant sunflower shower head, Grandpa's rendition of Your Cheatin' Heart on his ukulele, and the Disney channel dubbed in Spanish. 

Sunrise;  The view from our balcony.

An iguana by the pool.

Simon

Grandma and Nicholas

Brahm and Daddy

Ava and Simon in the golf cart shuttle.

Nicholas and Mommy

Nicholas playing in the water of our balcony pool.

Grandpa playing his ukulele.

Mommy and Nichlas at the beach.

At the beach at sunset.

More to come......