One day I saw a friends pictures from a resort in Mexico that they brought their similarly aged kids to and showed Justin..."That looks fun." A couple weeks later we booked and were flying there?!!? What just happened! I hadn't ever vacationed in Mexico because all I knew of it was Tijuana and that's not the nicest place. Anyway, Everett was only 4 months at the time and we hadn't gotten his passport done yet...so I was a bit nervous to book any tickets before we had his passports?! Justin said it would all work out. And it did...because Everett and I drove up the morning before we left and picked it up at Passport Canada Center in Downtown Calgary (I felt like such a big girl driving to the big city in the winter by myself -well with Everett). Luckily it all went rather smoothly and we had a great time up there just the two of us. 
Oh yeah, and we conned...I mean asked Justin's parents to come with us to have fun! And help with 5 kids 7 and under. :)
The fun is only beginning!! :)
We were more than happy to leave snowy Calgary in the beginning of February and fly to sunny Mexico! It is so weird how different weather is just a plane ride away!
We've never stayed at an all inclusive or done a cruise before. Can I just say this was AWESOME! It was truly a vacation even for the mamas because there is no worries about food! The kids had their own little buffet bar and they could get food and drinks pretty much whenever they wanted!
This was our table and view most of the time. GORGEOUS!
You lucky kids.
I thought it was so funny (and annoying) how the vendors would try and get the kids so their parents would have to say yes. They really wanted to braid my girls' hair...all week. I left it up to the girls but told them I doubted they would want to keep them in and that they could be itchy. They always take their hair out by the end of the day so for sure they would have taken the braids out. Kate was just politely declining over and over again.
We decided not to bring a stroller or carseat with us for Everett. Bad idea?! We ended up walking to the Walmart nearby and buying the least expensive stroller we could find. Better than nothing! This boy was pushing 20 lbs by then!
This was the awesome kiddy area they had. The kids loved it!
Fancy ladies. Love Addie's "smile" here. Cynthia just can't decide which one to buy.
Sadly this picture doesn't capture the red rooftops and the stark white buildings and bright green trees. The view at the end of our hall. We had a pretty cool room that was 2 rooms with 2 beds each connected by a living area.
Zach is never cuter than when he is wearing his goggles!
Love Kara's star dive here.
The kids made a friend that shared his dolphin with them. Loved this infinity pool with the chairs in the water and a great ocean view. Pass me a drink.
We let these guys relax sometimes.
UNO was the game of the week. And Kara sure continued her lucky streak. She is like her Dad that way! A little skill and a lot of luck!
Addie was hilarious with the sand. She kept running and playing in the sand and then realized her feet were dirty so she ran back to the shower to rinse them...then back to the beach...then defeatedly back to the shower...SO MANY TIMES! Had to reassure her it was okay to just be sandy and play! Ha ha!
They look comfortable right?
I cannot get this picture to load the right way! Too bad because it's a better effect.
We didn't have any internet connection there. Chose not to pay for it. And it made it so much more of a vacation! We just had to eat and play with our children...all week! And I didn't have to make one meal.
Uno again!
This girl is such a water-baby! The only thing that wasn't super fun is the digression we made on potty training. She was good for a month, but the excitement of all of the swimming and stuff set us back. Yuck.
Just a great picture of everyone.
Enter VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
That's right. February 14...and all my kids got kissed by a dolphin that day?!
LUCKIEST KIDS EVER! If any of you go to Mexico do this there! It was pretty affordable, an awesome adventure, and was at a waterpark so we swam and played all day too.
Addie and Bama got to go first. They didn't swim with one but got to touch it and play with it.
Papa getting his Valentine's kiss. The dolphin even closed its eyes.
This was my dream come true too!! Growing up in Southern California and going to Sea World all growing up always saw me envisioning myself as a dolphin trainer. :)
Zach's a really great kisser! Ha ha!!! Lucky dolphin.
Bama and Addie watching from the waiting area.
This girl wants to be a dolphin trainer when she grows up!
I was really proud of how excited and brave the kids were! They did great and loved every second! This dolphin push was pretty amazing. SO MUCH POWER!
She kinda caught me off guard. :)
Pretty little Scarlett.
What a coolio.
Aw! Sisters. Love this one.
And this guy was just a trooper all day long!
These sea lions look a lot different than the ones in California!
The MASSIVE male!
Another favorite part of the day...floating the lazy river! Love those things. Especially with this giggly girl on my lap. :) Justin and I also went zip-lining at this place too.
Everett had to wear Addie's sun shirt to protect his delicious silky smooth white skin from the tropical sun.
Right before our Valentine's dinner.
Oh baby!! Still really love this guy.
Are you kidding me?!!! View from dinner. Amazing sunsets every night.
They had these cute fancy swans for dessert.
And this AMAZING strawberry juice, special for Valentine's Day. I think I had at least 4 glasses.
Not a great shot, but my natural curls loved the humidity!
That night they had a special kids show with a bunch of Disney Character costumes that all of the workers danced around in. It was hilarious.
Olaf had a tail!
The kids had a great time! Especially with their fancy drinks. PINK PANTHERS!
They REALLY wanted a picture with "Tinker Bell."
Well deserved rest!
TO BE CONTINUED...
