Cancun

I promised the girls I would blog about our Cancun trip, a trip we will never forget.

We chose Cancun as our summer destination this last summer.  I was originally planning a trip back east to take the family to Hill Cumorah Pageant and Niagara Falls, but it was pretty booked by the time I got to it, and this Cancun trip ended up being less expensive and fabulous.

Beautiful view from our window.  We stayed in a Villa at the Westin Lagunamar.  I spent some time researching and asking friends about nice places to stay.  I would definitely stay here again, especially if you have more then 4 people.  We didn’t do the all inclusive since we would’ve had to get two rooms, and we had excursions almost every day, which usually included meals.  

First day in Cancun, exploring the grounds.  Can’t wait to get in the water.

Time for a siesta, flying to Mexico is exhausting. Sure love these guys!

Ready for a midnight swim?  Ha, ha- curly humid hair.

Just close the door for a little privacy.  I liked the European style of room.

Reading the rest of Elizabeth Smart book (towards the end of our trip).  I paraphrased some of the book to the kids, such a terrible thing that happened to her and she remained so strong!  Our new hero!

Me and my best boys!  My babe and my youngest boy, can’t believe how tall he’s gotten! 

Perfect beachside lounging, doesn’t get much better then that!

Enjoying the sunset from our room

Exquisite

We were lucky to see the USA Soccer team at the Texas airport as we were leaving, they were heading to a tournament in Mexico.  They signed our girls ball and posed for a picture.  My girls were thrilled!! Soccer girls stick together!

 

Beautiful sunset from the plane.  Bye for now Cancun, we’ll be back! 

Excursion posts to come.

Sweet Sundays

Yup, we’re still here… 

Now that these cuties are in school, my office cleaned and organized, house back in order, I can get caught up on the girls blog.  So here’s to some speed blogging and catching up with my favorite bloggers!  Some summer happenings for now...

  pic from June when Sage broke her arm mountain biking

Summer tans, just ignore those white legs

It’s a twin thing.  Although they are very different, so cute how they do things so identical.

Love this with their dad!

Sweet mountain views.  They’re building a park in this field behind us.  I like the field, but the park will be nice.

Sage retrieving her ball.  They never leave home without their soccer ball.

Our summer in a nutshell:

Girls- Soccer camps, Lateovers, Tournaments, Gymnastics, B-day parties, Swimming... Trevor- Drivers Ed, EFY, Care4Kenya, Mountain Biking Team, Scout Camps, Youth Conference…  Family- Cancun, Service projects, BBQ’s, Backyard Camping…  Me- Education Week, Soccer Mom, Chauffeur, Enrichment Counselor, Teacher, enjoying my family!

It’s been a great summer, looking forward to keeping the memories alive!  Hope you all (my whole 2 readers left, jk) had a wonderful summer!! 

Happy Birthday Sophie and Sage- PJ Party!

Can you believe they’re 11 already?  In August, it will be 8 years since our daughters have been home, I remember it like it was yesterday.  Such blessings!!

As busy as May is for mom’s and kids in school w/- year end school projects, testing, team tryouts, tournaments, volunteering, Spirit week, teacher appreciation (along with selling/ showing a house)…, we didn’t let that stop us from planning a fun b-day party for our girls 11th birthday.  It came up fast, right after Spring Break, so I let the girls do most of the planning.  We had fun putting it together.     

 

They wanted a home party, originally thinking of a Waffle Luv party, having the mobile truck park on the private lane and the girls can enjoy their delicious waffles, but WL was at their school just the other day for Jogapalooza (big school fundraiser), so we went with plan B, a fun PJ unslumber party.

They wanted to invite their soccer and school friends, so I had to limit the number (not easy, they wanted to invite more).  But a total of 20 was the limit.  It’s sometimes hard mixing friends, but Sophie and Sage made an effort so everyone felt welcomed and had fun, and they blended great together (soccer and gymnastic/dance girls).  They are loved and truly have wonderful friends!!   

 

Peanut Game VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

They started with a get to know you ball toss game, then played the peanut game.  When planning, my girls asked about birthday parties I had while growing up (what fun memories), they wanted many of the same games.  Such fun traditions!

Balloon pop!  Hmmm, Sage’s balloon is awfully small, lol

Sophie & R are out- heart her smile!

Water balloon toss, a Family Reunion favorite.  Awww, out of all of her favorite friends, Sophie ran and got Trevor to be her partner.  Although, I think they had something up their sleeve, planned while they filled the balloons, look at that pass.

We have a winner.  Good job R & K!

After the Treasure Hunt, was a bubble gum contest with a twist… 

the gum hidden in whipped topping, no hands

Sage- too busy giggling to blow

After pizza,watermelon, etc., they had some fun outside before singing happy birthday and opening gifts.

Cute soccer cupcakes with ice-cream bars.  Simple and sweet!

S & S thanked us many times for the fun party, saying it was their best birthday yet!  We’re so thankful for great friends. 

Happy Birthday Sophie and Sage!  As your awesome piano teacher put it… we hit the jackpot when we got you two!  Couldn’t agree with him more.  Love you forever, love you for always!

Mother’s Day & Hubbies B-day

Every once in awhile, Paul’s birthday lands on Mother’s Day.  We get to share our special day! (now I know how our girls and other twins feel on their b-day).  I admit, it took a little getting used to earlier in our marriage, since we both wanted some pampering that day, but now I love it.  It’s double the celebration, and what a great Mother’s Day gift Paul was to his mom being born on Mother’s Day. 

Nothing better then homemade cards from your kids! 

Not sure who was teasing who here, but love their smiles and sense of humor!

Trevor gave me a great card and an “IOU”.  He surprised me with a beautiful designer bowl he made in his ceramics class (waiting to be fired).  So pretty and a great keepsake! I use it to hold my jewelry each night.  Thanks Trevor for the very thoughtful gift!

Sophie and Sage got me a Sippy Cup.  Yup, my very own Mommy’s Sippy Cup.  I use it all the time.

 

They know what I like… homemade cards and chocolate.  We encouraged the kids to keep the gifts simple, since our main gifts were nice quality mountain bikes for the family.  Trevor made the school’s Mountain Biking Team (yahoo!) and with all the great trails around, we decided to do it as a family.  A great family activity while getting your workout in, that’s my kind of exercise!

Happy Birthday Dad!  Hmmm… wonder if Sage was thinking about Dad’s pancakes when she chose a spatula?

 

Sophie knows her dad is the Grilling King, so her gift was a knife to cut the meat.  Trevor got him some of his favorite treats (love the wrapping blanket ;) 

Happy Birthday Dad, You’re the Best!!!

Nice surprise, beautiful Lillie's delivered on Saturday!  Totally brightened my kitchen and made my day, thanks for still dating me baby!

It was a delightful day going to my parents for dinner.  One of those rare occasions we had them to ourselves, such nice visits.  We made a yummy Pork Loin and they did the sides and dessert, even made a cake for Paul!  Then an enjoyable visit with Paul’s mom and Uncle Mike.  (wish I took a few pictures)  

Hoping everyone had a good Mother’s Day!  I know it’s not always a favorite holiday (as a mom, I get that and feel that at times), but best wishes for the wonderful mom’s in our lives and celebrating the best job ever- Motherhood!