Mexico....the cure for the winter time blues!

*****Warning******The most pictures ever to make it to one single post. Scroll at your own discretion!!!

So we went to Mexico....it was wonderful....I want to go back. Here is how it all started. Almost 12 years ago me and my friend Jamie (who will be pictured later) found ourselves on a plane across the ocean to attend a school we had never visited. That school was BYU-Hawaii. It was one of the funnest years of my life. While we were there, we made wonderful friends with a girl named Kayte. A fun-loving, easy-going girl from Elko, Nevada. Well our blissful year in the sun came to an end. Jamie and I headed back to Utah and Kayte was off on many adventures, the last one ending her in New York City working as a multi-media guru for the cable channel Bravo. I have seen her only a few times since that tear filled good-bye in Laie, but she felt inclined to invite us to attend her wedding in Tulum, Mexico......what a perfect excuse for a vacation. And here is our adventure!

Day one: The beach
On our first walk to the beach we were surprised to see an Iguana. We got real excited and pulled out our cameras thinking this might be our only opportunity to see one so close. Funny thing....we ended up seeing dozens of them. Still cool!

Me and Jamie.....even we hadn't seen each other in a couple of years. She had to go off and move to Wyoming so it was sooooo good to see her again!The beach....aaahhh!

Our handsome men posing for the camera.

Day 2: Snorkeling at a Cenote (underground river...in a cave) with the wedding party. Here we are with our friend Kayte.

The buildings were pretty third world.

Lunch afterwards. We were freezing. We were wet, it was overcast and we were afraid it was going to be a yucky weekend. Luckily we were wrong!

Me and Jamie working it....We are hot I know! :)

But Ryan and Darin are even hotter!

Here comes a storm.

Our hotel grounds. It was huge. Three hotels in all. They had little golf carts to take you around if you didn't want to have to walk. It took about 10-15 min. to walk to the beach from our room. We usually walked however....this was an all-inclusive...we ate...a lot!!!

Pre-wedding dinner. Yummy authentic mexican food!

Funny story. Jamie ordered a virgin Margarita....the waiter apparently didn't understand "virgin". One sip had Jamie reeling with disgust....she wondered what awful thing had been put into her drink. Apparently alcohol....I think that will be the last sip she takes. In case any of you are on your way to mexico....say "sin alcohol" (without alcohol) rather than virgin. They understand that a little better!

Our friend the gecko outside our room.

One of the many Iguana's.

The sun really did find us!

Day 3: The wedding

Kayte and Jon had a traditional Mayan ceremony complete with conch shells, drums, incense and flower petals. It was the most unique wedding I have ever witnessed. One I will surely never forget!

The groom waiting patiently. Little did he know Kayte was stuck in town still getting her hair done. We all started to wonder if she had got cold feet!

Beating the drums.

Still waiting for the bride.

Here she is. Doesn't she look pretty!

It really was a beautiful ceremony!

The wedding party: Pretty decorations, very yummy food, good conversation and even salsa dancing lessons. It was quite the party!

Day 4: The ruins at Tulum

Darin saw this bike and needed a picture. He is in love with Nacho Libre these days.

The ruins were spectacular. I felt like I was walking through the book of mormon. They are also right on the beach and the scenery was breath-taking!

Darin got to hold this igauna and have his picture taken. When it was all said and done the man only wanted $5. I guess we better love this picture.

Ryan had to get in on the action as well!

Day 5: One last morning at the beach.....going home!

So sad to leave!

Darin contemplating the fact he would be back at work tomorrow :(!

And last but not least.....the sunscreen! Darin was adament he not get sunburnt like we did on our last get-away to hawaii. We should have packed some, but in all of the rush we forgot....

And this is how much we paid. Unfortunetly this is in USD not in Peso's. We will know better next time!

We had such a great time. Darin and I felt like it was one of our greatest trips yet. Great company, tons of relaxing and lots of yummy food! What more could you ask for! Thanks to all of the family members who shuffled our kids into their busy lives so Darin and I could take a break and remember why we liked each other so much! I hope we can do it again soon!

---for some reason my blog will only show this one post, I guess it was a little lengthy. You can click on older posts to see three other new posts as well!----

First official friend birthday bash!

My kids get their first friend birthday party when they turn 5 and then every other year after that. Carter has been looking forward to this day since Camden turned 5 almost two years ago. His choice in theme....if you know him at all you won't be surprised....construction. Everything and anything to do with trucks, tractors, building etc. He is a little builder waiting to sprout. Since his birthday is in Feb. I was getting a little anxious about the thought of all those little boys in my house. So I decided to get the church instead....what a great plan, it was much better having room to run around and be crazy.

We let them each build something with play-dough...

Then we had relay races to see how fast they could pick up and dump out blocks in their wheel-barrows...

We had a block building contest...

And finally a pinata....my boys favorite!

It was followed by cake and ice cream and presents.

We had great time and Carter loved every minute of it!

Carter's big number 5

Carter's big day. First stop, McDonalds play land...a parents nightmare and a child's dream! We had fun! His birthday fell on President's day this year so it was a double bonus....no school!

That night the family joined us for pizza, presents and cake. What a fun night we had celebrating a fun little boy!

Pretty impressive cake huh. I was pretty proud of myself and the $20 I spent having Macey's make my day a little less stressful!

Happy birthday Carter boy!

Random winter fun

I have been a terrible blogger this winter, but we really have been doing things. So as I scrolled through all of my pictures from this winter here were just a few of the highlights from our freezing, foggy, long cold winter......yeah it's March....we survived!

Camden played his first year of basketball and loved it. He was our little mustang.....can you believe I am cheering for the great orange and blue.....my old trusty cheer outfit is rolling over in it's grave....I really do still love you Sky View :)!

My three little stooges!

We went to SLC for my birthday and stayed in a hotel. We had fun!
We also took the kids to the Discovery Gateway. They loved it! When we use to live in NSL we had a season pass to the old Children's museum (remember the good old days Katie?) It wasn't nearly as fun or clean :) To bad we don't get down there more often!

My camera battery died after the first exibit....not quite use to having to recharge my camera battery yet....use to the trusty AA's. It was a really fun morning!

And here are just some of my favorite photo's of the past little while.

Happy birthday to my fun loving, squinty eyed, always saying I love you, best snuggler in the world, imaginative, playful, truck loving 5-year old! I can't believe he has grown up so much! Where did my baby boy go? We sure love you Carter and hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday!

The Loves of My Life

By Darin

First: Little Myah. Oh how precious you are. You are my little princess. It is true that you've already got your daddy's little finger wrapped tightly around. One of the most favorite parts of my day is when I come home from work and you come out of hiding and say "boo" with the biggest smile on your face. Oh how I love that little face of yours. You will always be my little princess. I love you Myah girl.--Daddy.

Second: Carter Boy. You sure are a cute little squirt. You make me feel like a true daddy when you come and snuggle with me. I love that so much. It's so much fun to see you grow into a big little boy. And the imagination that you have. I love it! Don't ever let it go away. You are such a sweet and caring little boy. I will always love that squinty little heartmelting smile of yours. Remember--try not to smile!! I bet you can't. I love you Carter--Daddy

Third: Camdoni. You are growing up lighting fast. I love how much fun we have together. I have a great time playing the wii together and throwing the football around or shooting hoops together. I love spending time with you. I don't get enough of it! You are a very special boy. You are such a fun kid. You will always remind me of how to be a kid. I look forward to watch you grow into a fine young man. Don't ever forget that you are Daddy's first boy. You will always be very close to my heart! I love you Camden--Daddy

And last, but certainly not least: Joanna, my first and forever true love. Wow, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are an amazing woman. I can't believe how much more beautiful you get every day! I look at myself and question how I got to be so lucky to have you, my true valentine always and forever! I certainly am a lucky man. You are my best friend. You will always keep my heart pumping forever and ever. You are my inspiration, the love of my life and the most exciting part of my every day. You have a way of making me smile in any situation. In fact, even when I try not to smile, I just can't hold it back! You are not only beautiful, but you are a very hot, attractive and sexy wife. Joanna, I can never thank you enough for saying yes that day almost 10 years ago. You have made me a better person than I could or I would have ever been able to do on my own. Thank you. Thank you for being you. I will never let go of you. You are my valentine! LYAAF--Darin