Feliz Cumpleanos

For my birthday this year I wanted to do something big as it was a big year for me. I would be turning 30 and we never have done much for birthdays. For Chris's we spent the weekend at Lake Owen camping and then in Milwaukee for a Brewers Weekend. So Chris and I started throwing some ideas around like Vegas, Florida, the Bahamas. Then we found out about an offer that was too good to turn down for a week in Cancun. Mexico was never on my "must see" list but for the price offered I was willing to go anywhere as long as it was warm. So, we agreed and immediately thought of taking some friends with us. We couldn't take the girls with this time as neither had passports and the long flight with their ages just didn't seem like the right mix this time. One couple couldn't go but the Meyers were up for it if they could get passports. A lot of work went into it but in the end they got the passports and it was Viva Mexico!!

The view from my beach chair! It was warm, breezy, and a little piece of Heaven!!

Chris and I outside of the villa we stayed at. We were heading out to dinner and thought we would try to get a nice picture of us with the beautiful beach in the background.

The Meyers joining in the fun at Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville. They were good sports for wearing the shark hats. It was at Margaritaville that I discovered my love for guacamole. I had never had it before but quickly found out how much I loved it!

Chris and I outside the Resort.
A beautiful sunrise from the balcony outside our room. We spent every night and morning out there. It was beautiful!

We spent one day at an Eco waterpark called Xel-Ha. It was beautiful- we snorkeled, went tubing, and Cory, Chris, and Jolene went cliff jumping. I was too chicken and knew it so I didn't even attempt to try. I'm ok with that. I know what I will and won't do. Jolene was super brave and did it quite a few times!

All over Xel-Ha were these huge iguanas. Just ask Cory about them- he practically stepped on quite a few of them. This picture probably doesn't do justice to the size of them.

A view of the water at Xel-Ha.

Chris and I on the last morning in Mexico. The wind was super strong the last 2 days that the resort staff couldn't keep the sand from getting on the pool deck. Almost everyday someone was sweeping and hauling away sand but that day it was just too much. It was everywhere- the pool deck, the pools, the restaurant.

A little tribute to my birthday!

Chris writing the girls names in the sand when we went walking for sea shells to bring home for them. Ry was really excited to see the shells even if she can't say sea shells quite right.

So, after 5 fun filled days in Mexico it was time to head home. The flight home was a little stressful as Atlanta was getting hit with a snow storm so our connection would be missed but the people at Delta were great and upgraded us 4 to a non-stop flight home to Mpls. Bonus as we didn't have a layover and got in 3 hours ahead of planned. I was happy as I missed my girls so much and wanted to get back to them.

If it could only have been as warm in WI as it was in Mexico.

Thanks to Chris and the Meyers for helping me celebrate my birthday. I had a ton of fun and will remember this always. Thanks guys!!

A Magic carpet Mom!!!

My work held a family afternoon at Trollhaugen Tubing Park on Feb 6th. The weather was pretty good considering it was February. We decided to brave it and took both girls with as they had a kiddie hill that Quinn could go on. It was a nice night and there was a good turn out. While Chris and Ry checked out the hill I went in to pay. It was quite spendy I thought considering I had to pay for Quinn to go even though she was too small to ride alone. Although they tried to tell me that all riders had to be in their own tube- meaning Quinn was going to go down alone in her tube. Um, don't think so. I held Quinn on my lap and only went down the kiddie hill while Chris and Ry braved the Magic Carpet and went on the big hills.

Chris and Ry at the top of the "big kid hill"

Miss Quinn and I on the kiddie hill. Even the little hill had us going pretty fast for a 1 year old. I was a little nervous but Quinn had a blast and laughed the whole way down.

Miss Quinn and I warming up for a few minutes while Ry and Chris head down a few more times.

Miss Ry hamming it up for the camera!

Chris and the girls on the final run down the kiddie hill before heading out for home.