MEXICO::I HATE SAND

A little known fact about me is that I don't like sand. Like at all. And I fight my feelings about the ocean. Everywhere I vacation there is this ocean. I love to look at it. I love the creatures that live in it. I like to float on it. I can totally put my big toe in it. But that's about where I draw the line. It's a very scary place for me. Especially when I have to be a Mother around it. I turn into a freak. This trip like so many others, I did not swim in the ocean. And letting Tyler take my two boys snorkeling about put me on meds, even though I tried not to show it. I'm pretty sure before Tyler left with them I said " Tyler, I swear if you let anything happen to my boys...our story will be on Dateline." 

:BEACH DAY:
(Not surprisingly my kids wonder about the sand too.)

 Drew lost his swimming trunks in that one. Never to be found again...

 

Later we headed to our favorite restaurant Pipi's. Pipi's is the highlight of my life. I just love their food. Over the years we have taught the kids the importance of Mexican food and Pina Coladas. You either love them or you remove yourself from the family.

MEXICO::SUNSETS & TURTLES

As soon as we checked into our hotel the kids wanted to swim of course. That first evening had the most beautiful sunset. The kids were beyond giddy at this point so we just let them loose.

That's when a resort staff member approached us to let us know they have 50 something {two hour old} turtles they need help releasing into the ocean. WHAT? How awesome! The resort actually has a baby turtle nursery where they protect baby turtle eggs until they hatch. We had to wait a good half an hour because of seagulls watching us.... But then they gave each of our kids a turtle (and other guests). They drew a line in the sand that we couldn't go passed. Then all at once we put the baby turtles on the sand and just watched and waited for them to get a little energy to make their trek to the sea. Some were more determined/coordinated than others but we sat patiently until every single one of them was safe in the ocean's wave. It's crazy how they all knew exactly what to do and which direction to go. It was an incredible memory. 

The resort had no more hatchings the week we were there so we felt pretty lucky we got there at the perfect time.

MEXICO::PLANE TRIP

Everyday I tell myself, life is going to slow down. I'm going to get a moment to blog. It never flippin does! People always told me when I had only babies and toddlers, to just wait life gets even busier. I was like yah right, there is no possible way. It does. I'm a believer. 

This family was SO excited to get out of the cold and onto a beach! My goal was to have some real quality time with the 6 of us for an entire week. A week where I wasn't blogging, I wasn't internet shopping, I wasn't walking around Target aimlessly, there were no calls for "Bishop", there were no calls from the office, no homework, no sports, no laundry, no cleaning, NO NOTHING. Just time for us.

Goal was accomplished. 

Nobody was sick, nobody drowned (I only had to save Esther's life once, freak), nobody was kidnapped and sold into trafficking, nobody got a parasite, nobody even got hurt, nobody wore seat belts or sat in car seats (and we lived) and nobody got SUNBURNED. It was incredible actually.

The kids did great on the flights. I booked flights with a short one stop plane change. Plus they are just good. I finally have kids at a great age to travel. I don't feel I have to entertain them or keep them quiet. These pictures say it all. It's the story of my life. These people slow me down! I'm ready to party and I look to both my sides and find this... I guess the party will start when we get there.

half-pipe

I love school projects. They're my favorite. There's nothing I would rather do with my time really. Why can't we have school projects every single day.

Ugh.

It was Drew's turn this time and he needed to come up with a simple machine. He chose an incline plane. Exciting right? Nope.

Well it did get a little exciting when his final project turned out super cool. I was the brains, Tyler was the carpenter and Drew was the artist. And we made a half-pipe for his finger boards.

 Drew's a good little aritist. I felt the need to take pictures of him drawing so the teachers would believe we didn't help him one time. 

Our cute neighbor came over and tagged Drew's name on it. Drew was so proud to show his class his project. It was the cutest thing. And the best part was that it didn't just end up in the garbage. He actually still plays with it.

New Year's Eve

Before we party party, we have a little celebration for my Dad. He would have been 52. Now that Tyler and I are in our 30's, it's hard to believe that my Dad died at 39! Way too soon. We miss him every single day.

After my Dad's celebration we left the kids home and met some friends for some non-stop bowling!

I suck at bowling. But I can't believe how much fun it was! Perfect way to bring in the New Year.

I guess Andy couldn't think of a nickname.....?