For Jessica and Tate's birthday we flew them to Austin for Memorial Day weekend. We are so happy they could take some time to visit us here.
They arrived late Thursday evening but it didn't seem that late - we were so excited to have them come. Cayson and Ainsley were great little travelers! That's such a relief.
Friday morning Grandpa babysat Cayson and Ainsley while Betsy took Tate and Jessica Ziplining at Lake Travis adventures! We had such a great time talking and zipping over the lake! On the way back we, of course, stopped to get Diet Coke and Coke (Jessica).
At home we grilled b
For Sandy's Birthday, I flew to Baltimore for a long weekend. I flew in late Friday night. Unfortunately, we arrived 20 minutes late, and then they lost my luggage. It took another 20 minutes to find my luggage. YIKES! Luckily, Sandy picked me up at the airport, and she didn't mind waiting for me. She only lives 10 minutes from the airport - it was nice! She lives right on a main street (called East) in a 3 room apartment above a second hand store. Across the street is a local restaurant and bar, a home, a car repair shop. The apartment is really cute. There is a lot of room but she doesn't have much furniture. Each room has a desk, but there are only a few chairs - no sofa or anywhere for guests to sit. To get to her apartment, there is just a red door on the side of the wall the same color as the brick - you would pass it if you didn't know to look out for it.
We stayed up a few hours talking on Friday night. I slept until 12:00 PM (mainly because Sandy listens to a podcast of people talking all night which made it impossible for me to get to sleep until she left for a walk in the morning).
So this past week has been one for the books.
I flew into SLC on Saturday to spend the week taking care of Cayson and Ainsley for Jessica and Tate. It also happens to be the weekend of Mother's Day so I am excited to be here with my kids too. Unfortunately, Marissa and Michael couldn't come down because they are singing on Mother's Day in church with the rest of the Rhoton family (to Susanne). And Tate bought a trip to Moab for Jessica's Mother's day present.
Luckily, Devon and Sierra are available during the weekend so I spent Saturday and Sunday with them. Saturday afternoon Sierra and I went shopping while Devon did some things around the apartment and took a nap. We started off with getting smoothies
I had my MRI for my neck - the doctor said their wasn't much change except for some stenosis in the upper neck (C3-C4, C4-C5 & C5-C6).
Before my neck issues were only C5-C6.
It is good news, but it doesn't explain the new intense pain in my hands and continued pain and lack of strength in my arms. I hope we find some answers soon.
Monday
We are so excited to head off on our trip to Cancun. The flight was fantastic, but as we flew into the island it started raining... what??? Luckily this was the only rain we saw the whole week. We had a bit of a struggle trying to find the transportation, and then they didn't have our reservation, but luckily the hotel gave us free rides to hotel - it took a little finagling, and it really helped that Michael speaks excellent Spanish.
The hotel is magnificent - so luxurious. We got checked in, and signed up for all the excursions we want to do - We will snorkel and take a day trip to Tulum. Our rooms assignments are perfect - Marissa and Michael are across the hall from us. We are in 4149 and they are in 4148.
Our luggage was taken to the room - we have a beautiful view out to the ocean.
After getting settled into our rooms, we walked over to the Steak House (pool side restaurant) for a delicious dinner. We each ordered something different. Since it is an all inclusive resort, we feel completely comfortable ordering whatever we want and as much as we want. Haha. Everything was great, but now we are all stuffed. Following dinner we walked to the main lobby to watch the show for the evening. I didn't think Mark would like it because it was a bunch of modern break dances, but it was so spectacular. The performers are so athletic!!! I was so impressed.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning we took a golf cart over to the Grand Palace for a tour and free breakfast. Breakfast at the Grand Palace was amazing: omelets, smoothies, and local fruit platters filled our appetites to satisfaction. Michael found a drink he loves. From there we went on membership tour that took over 3 hours (promised it would be 90 minutes - I hate these). We were not interested, but in the end Mark and I bought two 1/2 price travel deals with the Moon Palace. Even after we bought those tickets, we were approached by a lady to purchase the membership - she was very upset that we weren't interested. It was so good to get out of there.
We had a buffet lunch back at the Moon Palace before going to relax and play at the pool. The buffet has food from all around the world. So many choices - so little room in the tummy. This is definitely not going to be good for Betsy's waistline and hips.
Betsy, Marissa and Michael did the Flow rider. Marissa and Michael really got the knack of it. Later that afternoon we played singles and doubles tennis together. We were having such a good time on the court that we almost forgot our dinner reservation at the Japanese Tapenaki Restaurant. What a great time! The chef put on quite the show and we all enjoyed a delicious dinner with unending drinks. Mark and Michael love this unique drink that is only served at a few restaurants - luckily this is one of them.
After dinner we laughed and played through a round of 18 holes of mini-golf outdoors. The weather is perfect. Such a good time. Mark and I decided to go to the Mexican Dance show while Marissa and Michael headed to the Arcade. The dance was fantastic - such colorful costumes and dramatic presentation of culture! Mark and I went to the arcade after the dancing. I crushed Mark at air hockey (3-0), but then he beat me at ping-pong. Unfortunately, the sun was super strong today and Marissa didn't realize how much sun she got - she is burnt. Betsy brought After sun gel that she gave to Marissa to ease her discomfort.
Wednesday
Although all I wanted to do was sleep in, we arranged to go snorkeling at 9:00 AM. To make the morning go smoothly we ordered room service. Marissa and Michael did too. Theirs came 10 minutes before ours. Unfortunately, they messed up our order so we only go a smoothie and some fruit. Mark really needed more than this to settle his stomach with the motion of the boat. I didn't have time to eat. It was a perfect morning for a snorkel trip. The sun was up, the waves were smooth and the fish were out. Unfortunately, the 10 minute boat ride was more like a 20 minute boat ride and the captain drove super fast - aka - Mark started to feel motion sickness. We had an incredible time seeing fish, coral, and even a sea turtle while snorkeling. Unfortunately, Mark ended up getting sick (puked in the water) which then made me sick (I puked in the water - just a little). YIKES! Luckily, as soon as that happens, we both felt better. The captain took us to two locations to snorkel. It was fantastic!!! The ride back to the hotel was shorter, and welcomed!!! I was so happy to be back on dry land, so was Mark.
We saw this huge lizard and stalked it for a while. SO funny!
Pool time and lunch time! We all walked over to the pool - we got Mark a lounger out of the sun so he could lay down (he's still not feeling well). Marissa, Michael and I laid out and then joined Mark to order some pool side food. The best part about being by the pool is the continuous frozen (virgin) drinks. I rotate between a strawberry daiquiri, Pina Colada and a new drink called a Miami Vice (mix between a strawberry daiquiri and Pina Colada). Lunch by the pool was so fun - we each ordered something different and shared bites here and there. The cheeseburger was the best.
Mark is feeling so much better. Thank goodness! Mark and I adventured out to the beach with Marissa and Michael. We decided on taking the sail boat out for a ride. Wow! This was a blast, but I will say, Mark made me a little uncomfortable with the angle of his turns - but it all worked out. We only sailed a few runs with them to teach them how to operate the boat, then Mark and I jumped ship so they could sail by themselves for a while. While they were out we went kayaking! It was a great adventure!
In the afternoons it's super fun to get some handmade ice cream. Michael, Marissa and I enjoyed different flavors - my favorite is the mint. This was the perfect energy boost before some tennis.
The four of us headed over to the courts to have some shots and games with tennis. Marissa has really improved and I'm so stiff. Luckily we allowed enough time to enjoy a long session of tennis before going to the fancy Italian restaurant at the golf course. We took the golf cart ride to the restaurant. When we arrived the sign saying "Beware of Alligators" caught our eye. The landscape is spectacular! Lush, green, ponds, trails! So amazing! Dinner was super fancy... three course meal. Great for Marissa and Michael, but I just can't eat that much! The portion sizes were so random. Marissa only received 5 ravioli, but I had a big plate of pasta (I didn't like my pasta) - Michael and I ordered the same item and we both didn't care for it. He then ordered some tempting meat but it seemed undercooked to me. I had a few bites, but then didn't feel comfortable having any more. It wasn't my favorite restaurant, so far.
The rest of the night bedazzled us - we played games at the arcade, "anyone for a game of pool?" Did I tell you Mark is a pool shark? Yep, and I stink! oops! But I ruled the Air hockey again! We enjoyed passing our time here before attending the outdoor Fire Dance show. WOW! Spectacular! Amazing!
Thursday
Today I am so happy that we added another day to our trip. After today we would be going home if we didn't, but thank goodness we did. There is just so much more to see and do. Today we had breakfast delivered to the room, and headed over to the EXPO center to catch our transportation to Tulum! YES! We are going on a days excursion to Tulum and then to Rio Secreto! I'm so excited.
The drive down was long - luckily Mark did great! Tulum is AWESOME! It's right on the beach - so many
Today we went to the Tulip Festival with Tate, Jessica, Cayson, Ainsley, Marissa, Michael and Sierra. I've been looking forward to this for some time. Jessica goes every year with Debbie or Alyssa and it looks so beautiful in the photos.
Today was fantastic. The park has probably 2 miles of pathways decorated with so thousands of pretty Tulips everywhere. There is a duck pond, streams, bridges, and a sculpture museum of Jesus Christ right there.
