Cancun October 2007

This was Eric and my first real vacation away from our kids. We were worried about missing them, which we did, but we also had a ton of fun! We got wild and rented a car for a trip to Chichen Itza and Ek Belam. Ek Belam was a temple/pyramid complex similar to Chichen Itza, it isn't developed yet though (as in developed for current tourists). It was one of three Mayan pyramids that could see each other (Coba, Ek Belam, and Chichen Itza) from the tip of the high pyramids. I really wanted to see it before there were hordes of tourists, as there inevitably will be. So Eric was kind enough to drive us and it was so worth it. Another highlight of our trip was Isla Mujeres, which is a small island you can ride a ferry to. Once there you can rent a golf cart for 35 bucks and have a blast driving up and down the island. There is a great temple to Ixchel (sp? she is the moon goddess of the Mayans, fertility, etc.) at the south tip. The north tip has the greatest beach on earth, called North beach. Basically walk for ever and still be chest high, calm, warm, star fish in the water, and lots of little restaurants with $1 cervesas. Just my opinion, but far better than Waikiki. Why? Because there is hardly anyone there!!!! And, ah, just some other inexplicable quality. Worth its weight in gold.

We also went to Xel Ha and snorkeled for the first time. Another experience I can't believe I put off for so long! How beautiful it was... there is now way to describe it, but it was ideal conditions for snorkeling. (We got stung repeatedly by jellyfish when we snorkeled in Puerto Vallarta 9 months later! It sucked!) Eric saw a sea turtle and we saw a ray, and so many gorgeous tropical fish it didn't seem real. Worth every dime and more, can't wait to go back! We want to bring the kids there next time!

Puerto Vallarta July 2008

We had so much fun on this trip! My mom watched Maia so it was just Eric, Devon, and I on Devon's first trip to Mexico. Our resort was Villas de Palmar, it was very nice and had an awesome pool scene and also a good beach with kayaks and a trampoline. PV has this sculpture garden along the malecon (boardwalk) that is so spectacular. We went kayaking at least 200 yards from land (woo-hoo!) and Devon and I went zipling on the best ziplining tour in PV (Canopy Tours de Los Veranos), my God it was SO FUN!!!! And I am so afraid of heights I was shaking and queasy as I forced myself to go through with the first "baby zipline"! After a few minutes we were ziplining over this magnificent rainforest gorge with a river running through it. I think there were like 13 lines alogether, you are definitely tired when it is over yet still disappointed that its all over. I am still nervous around heights but I am so glad I didn't chicken out on that tour, it made our trip. Eric wouldn't zipline but opted for the "beer at the bottom of the hill option" which involved sitting on his butt holding the fort down, enjoying muchas cervesas at the bar/restaurant. At least we knew the restaurant would still be there when we got back....we all rode on one big happy bus to the canopy site so all was well. Oh yeah and we got to hold squirrel monkeys too, that was fun!

Christmas 2008

Devon had an Xmas of science and video games. So far we have been doing even more experiments than usual, thanks to some great stuff from the Xmas fairy. And the games are all really fun too! This year was Maia's first year sort-of grasping the Santa Clause concept. We took her several times to see him at the mall, but she would freeze and stare at the floor as soon as he looked at her. Poor little thing! On Christmas morning she wouldn't come out of her room because she was afraid that Santa might still be here. I had to chase her down and carry her out to the tree while she covered her eyes, hiding. Alas, Santa was gone, and many presents were under the tree! Soon the fear of Santa was gone and she just wanted to unwrap more 'babies' which is pretty much all that was on her list to Santa.