Viva la Mexico!

This is the view from our friend, Shelly's, balcony

This is looking at the resort from the beach

here's our room!  It was very cozy and we loved the bed

here's the view from our room.  It was a bit overcast that day, but it was a good view

one night we visited a different resort (owned by the same company as ours) and ate at the French restaurant.  It was so worth the visit!  

Charlie and Ken share a post meal port, one of Charlie's favorites!

Here is our group!  We had 5 from KC, 4 from St. Louis, 1 from Wichita, and 2 from South Dakota

here is Shelly and me enjoying her cabana on the pool deck

last year we have a super fun picture from our Jamaica day of all our feet, so we decided maybe we should make it an annual tradition.  This one was hard to get without shadow though :(

another group shot by the beach

our friends Shelly and Don

by the pool with Kelly and Shelly

one afternoon Shelly and I were sitting on the beach talking about Shelby.  I looked up and saw this giant heart shaped cloud.  I took a picture of it and it immediately disappeared.

Every year Charlie and I try and take a trip with our friends and leave the kids at home.  Luckily we have super awesome family who is so willing to help us out!  I try to make it as easy on them as possible, but I know it's hard work! :) Mom, Sue, and Anne all took kid duty for 2 days--Thanks, guys, you are amazing!!!  The kids had a super fun time (surprise!) and loved every minute of their Stay-cation.  In fact, Sophia was at a friend's house when we came home and refused to leave after she found out we were home...sheesh, chopped liver much?!

In the past, we've gone on cruises but this year decided to try and all inclusive in Mexico.  It was fabulous!  There was some group discussion over which was better, and ya know, put me anywhere to hang on the beach with my  husband and no kids and I'm just fine, you guys go ahead and decide! :)  I'm sure we'll start making plans again soon (so, Mom, Sue, and Anne...calendars ready?!).

I literally laid in the sun every day.  It. Was. Awesome.  I read a few books, relaxed, chatted, sipped fruity drinks, and napped.  Charlie scheduled us for two spa days and that was also heavenly!  We had a very romantic Valentine's Day massage, a holiday that usually goes virtually uncelebrated at home, but I wasn't going to turn down a spa day!  The only time we left the resort was to go to another resort about 10 miles down the road.  We were excited to eat and explore since this resort was a little more high end and was said to have a fantastic beach, but as soon as we finished dinner there was a sudden and heavy downpour.  Some of our group got stuck in it and others were lucky enough to have not left the bar yet! ;)  

We did miss our kids so at least at the end of the vacation there was that to look forward to, but truth be told, I could have handled just a few more days in paradise!