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!! 

Chinese adoption summer BBQ

It’s always nice getting together with this great adoption group and having our children get reacquainted on special occasions throughout the year, here we are making Won Ton’s. 

Came straight from our girls soccer game, no time to change.  I didn’t grab my camera either, at least the cell phones nowadays have such good cameras, I’m liken my Galaxy Note 2.  I’m behind the camera in all pics, just where I like to be :)

Cindy graciously offered her fun backyard to host the event.  When I saw Sophie and Sage swinging on her swings (should’ve got a picture), it seemed like just yesterday they were on those same swings, at age 3 1/2, swinging for the first time ever, and you should’ve heard their giggles.  Such great memories.  And I’m glad my teenage boys joined us, thanks Cindy for letting us gather in your beautiful backyard!

 

New friends…  so cute as she walked up and asked if she could play with my girls, then joined right in.

Tramp time…

Trying to crack the egg…

Tasty Potluck.  Many brought some authentic Chinese dishes.  I brought my kids favorite, Orange Chicken.

Listening to this cool conversation in Mandarin, between my son and Cindy’s cute boy, enjoying how well they were speaking.  Josh has done great with the language lately, and is teaching a little to the girls.  Sophie and Sage are excited to take Mandarin in 6th grade.  Although they spoke Cantonese in China, they have learned some Mandarin from some after school classes, I think they’ll catch on quick!

Water Balloon Volley Ball. 

Funny, a few days after, a friend messaged me on facebook saying a little birdie told her to tell my son to text the cute redhead he met at the BBQ, small world.

Love that my girls like to be partners with their biggest heroes, their brothers

Oh my gosh, these two little Polynesian toddlers are stinkin’ cute!  Her adoption story is pretty miraculous, what one can do with desire, love, and perseverance!  Such blessings!

We had to leave early, so this sweet friend made a quick duck tape wallet for Sage.

Such wonderful people that has been a part of our lives through adoption.  Adoptive parents are some of the best!  I’m not tooting my own horn, I’m talking about all those I’ve come to know through adoption, personally and through adoption blogs.

Sweet Soccer Summer!

Warning: there may quite a few soccer pics (catching up), and a little well earned mom bragging below.

Yahoo!  They won their first tournament (with Avalanche) this summer in the LaRoca Cup.  Playing hard, after losing their first game in the four game tournament, they stepped it up and turned it around to win the rest.  Great smiles on their faces with such an accomplishment. 

This was a tough one, but they did it again in the challenging Sparta Cup.  Coming in as the underdog against Sparta (Sophie and Sage’s old team), they played their hearts out and took first!  It was so fun to watch, Sophie made the first score.

Class act coaches!  They build character, team playing, and respect, while developing great soccer players.  Thanks Coach Jimmie  (gentle giant) and Katie!

A sweet frozen custard celebration at Nielsen’s for Sophie’s hat trick and Sage’s many assists!  Trevor’s always there to cheer his sisters on, and vice versa.

Sophie’s smile after a tough score.  She’s pretty stoic on the field and takes the game serious although she’s loving it.  She doesn’t make a big deal after she scores, but every once in awhile, after battling through and making a tough score, you see this great look on her face.  Way to go Soph, with your killer left foot! 

congratulating her with some high 5’s

off to win the ball, speedy girl!

using her whole body. 

Hmmm, I wonder what team the background parents are rooting for?  They don’t look too excited :)

Dynamic Duo, the two forwards.  Sophie may be the top scorer, but Sage helps with great assists and goals.  They read each other so well on the field, it must be a twin thing :).

Back rubs after a game (Sage), getting ready for the rewards ceremony

On a roll, they won the Mayor’s Cup.  Winning gold in all their summer tournaments.  Well done girls, and great coaching Jimmie!

Enjoying…

 

BFF’s

Sage left her medal in the car

With the Avalanche Soccer Director

Love our soccer girls and their fun team!