NOVEMBER 2008...Our Mexican Vacation

Our trip started last Sunday at 3:20 am when we woke up a little late to catch our 5:40 flight out of DFW airport! We quickly got all the kids up and made it to our flight with time to spare! WaHoo!! We were off. Flying was a new experience for Zach. He's been on a plane before, but he was too young to remember. He was excited watching the guys load the luggage, but as soon as the plane started moving, he was terrified! He had to hold my hand during take off, and he had to have the blind closed on the window. This became our routine for all future take-offs and landings. It was rather indearing and nice to be so needed and to know that I had the power to take away his fear and to have him believe that everything was going to be ok.

After flying through Atlanta and changing planes, we arrived in Mexico to see a rainstorm! It didn't stop us from heading to the beach the moment of our arrival. Everyone was excited to see the ocean and to play in the sand. We didn't want to be too rambunctious on a Sunday, and it was raining, so we did a Christensen Family Favorite, and threw rocks in the water.

We stayed at an all-inclusive resort about an hour south of Cancun. We had all the smoothies and food we could possibly want. So much so that Cami and Spencer got sick the first day after having too much! It was nice to have buffet meals with lots of choices and a few nights, we made reservations at some of the nicer restaurants for dinner which was fun, too. We basically spent our time going between the beach and the water park at the resort. Brian and the older kids enjoyed snorkeling and swimming. Cami's favorite things were the smoothies, building sand castles, and going to the kid's club activities. Emma loved the ocean, watching some of the fun contests organized by the hotel, and making friends in the kid's club. Spencer loved snorkeling, swimming, and playing sports with the other boys that were staying there. Will and Zach liked the kid's water park. Brian liked doing activities with the kids, snorkeling, and walking along the beach, and taking care of Zach when he woke up at 5:30 am! I loved watching the kids enjoy new things, and lying in the sun reading a book. Brian took us on a small hike through some jungle to see an ancient Mayan temple located just off the hotel property. It took some coaxing to get the kids to leave their new friends and activities, but once on the way, they were having fun. Like any family vacation, we weren't without some squables, some tears, and some cross words, but looking back, it was great. The kids did well during meal times, and during the flights, and even during the long lay-overs, and the drives to and from the airports. I'm afraid that we left Mexico without having really "seen" it. Our kids have this distorted view of what they think Mexico is like. To them, it's this fancy hotel where everything is available when they want it. We had a great time and it was a much needed break for all of us.

View our pictures by clicking on the link below!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/rachelekc/MexicoVacationNovember2008#