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February 16, 2009

Playa Del Carmen-Jan 2009

Ethan and Justin swimming in the ocean after the wedding
Erika and Jeff, the bride and groom
Erika and I before the groom's dinner
Ryan, Ethan and I at Ipanemas Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse
Ethan experiencing Senor Frogs our first night there

Our trip to Playa Del Carmen for Erika and Jeff's wedding in January was one of the best vacations I've been on.  We had a great group, 21 I think we counted with kids, perfect weather and a purpose...a Mexican wedding!  Ethan joined us for this trip and got to experience his first plane ride.  He was so excited that when we were taking off, he could hardly talk because he was giggling so hard!  He really enjoyed himself and was great with everything.  Though we were in a foreign country with much to see and do, he was most excited by the fact that he did not need to be in a carseat, he could go to the swim up bar for "heena" coladas as he called them whenever he wanted and that he could have ice cream at the ice cream bar at 3pm each day.  He loved vacation so much that he told us he really wants to live in Mexico.  I told him to ask his dad about that!  Erika and Jeff got married on Saturday morning on the beach.  It was a perfect day.  The ceremony was very nice, cake and champagne afterwards and then Jeff carried Erika into the ocean, wedding dress and all.  Following them, all of the kids ran in with their wedding clothes on and had a blast running and jumping over the waves.  It was one of the neatest moments I've ever experienced at a wedding.  Sunday we spent the day at a place south of Playa called Xel-Ha.  It was a park of sorts where you could snorkel, tube, swim with dolphins and relax.  Everyone enjoyed themselves, well, except for Leah.  As we were cliff diving, she stubbed her toe on the edge of the cliff and thought she had broken her toe!  Although vacations always go too fast and it is hard to come home, we missed Brynn and Max so much and were excited to see them.  Thank you to G&G Talley and G&G B. for watching them while we enjoyed some quality time with Ethan and friends!!

(Late) Recap of Christmas!!



OK, so I'm really not punctual on this lately at all.  You know how the saying goes...better late than never!  Hopefully I get a few points of forgiveness for having three kids 5 and under and have a total lack of time!  Anyway, our Christmas was fabulous and here are the pictures to prove it!  We celebrated with Dad, Sue and Nativa at Haley and Matt's during a major snow storm.  Thankfully, Ryan, the kids and I went up Friday night instead of Saturday or I'm not sure we would have made it.  The guys had fun anyway on a spur of the moment snowmobile ride that lasted well into the wee hours of the morning!  A few days later, we visited my grandparents and had a wonderful lunch with them and my dad.  I cherish the time I have with them as there is just not enough of it.  They are such kind and wonderful people and I'm so thankful that I have and still have them in my family's life.  Christmas Eve was spent here with my mom and Jim (Haley and Matt also) and then to Spanier's on Christmas Day.  Thank you to everyone for making it a great Christmas season!!  We are so fortunate to have the family that we have and always have so much fun hanging out!!  Love you all!