Happy Birthday Me

Viva Mexico!

One trial Heavenly Father has not given me is dissension or dysfunction in my nuclear family.  We’ve just spent 8 days together as siblings and spouses in beautiful Playa del Carmen Mexico.  8 days with no fights, hurt feelings or contention.  We have shared experiences, weaknesses, questions and concerns.  We've laughed our heads off.  We’ve competed at everything possible.  We’ve eaten ourselves silly.  Here are the highlights:

Tuesday: left the house st 4:00 am, last ones to the airport.  Met Tyler and Chelsea in Denver.  Arrived at Iberostar and indulged in our first buffet.  Walk on the beach.

Wednesday:  We start the day with a run on the beach.  Tony discovers ping pong and spends most of the day with his new Argentinian ping pong friends.  I like the water aerobics, the pool, the beach and lots of talking.  Dinner is Japanese grill.  I discover octopus and can’t get enough.  Try the show-not so great.  Better things to do in the room.😉

Thursday:  Pilates class kicks my butt.  I discover grilled bananas in honey sauce.  Tony discovers the hot chocolate.  All the guys compete in competitions at the pool.  Tyler wins the contest, Dustin wins the contest.  We have delicious Paella on the beach.  We play volleyball on the beach during a rainstorm.  I manage two points and envy Stacey’s  competitive edge.  We have dinner at the Italian restaurant and it is amazing.  We go to the show so the guys can get their certificate and we can cheer them onstage.  Tony can’t resist the chocolate desserts.  We stay up late in the lounge talking and laughing.  

Friday:  Tony and I swim laps.  Tony and Stacey play tennis and more ping pong.  More competitions, This time Cam wins the kayak contest.  We do water aerobics, we dance the salsa, we eat tacos on the beach.  Jeff tries banana smoothie in coconut ice cream-delicious.  

Dinner at the Mediterranean restaurant.  Dad orders salmon, again.  We talk in the lounge and listen to a fantastic lounge singer from Venezuela.  We line up Frederickson to Rippy.  Cameron receives his certificate and wears his Winner T-shirt.  

Saturday:  We all go to Xcaret.  Swim in the Cenote, attend a class on chocolate history and making, see the butterflies and the birds. Snorkel with the sting rays and fish.  Watch a horse show and eat a really good Mexican buffet.  Best Spinach salad ever.  Churros are pretty good too.  Attend an amazing show, but die of heat stroke.  Back to the hotel and collapse.

Sunday: sleep in, breakfast, church.  Beautiful, inspiring testimony meeting.  Lovely ward.  Spend the afternoon relaxing.  Take family pictures.  Dinner at the steakhouse.  Try to resist too many bloomin onions.  All the girls stay up until 1:00 am eating ice cream and discussing controversial subjects. 

Monday:  Boot Camp with Louis for Tony and I.  Quick shopping trip.  Overspend on gifts for the kids.  Swimming in the pool, ocean, pool.  Dad and I go sailing.  Mom gets a cold, spends the day in bed😔  Dinner again at the Italian restaurant.  I discover focaccia with grapes and rosemary.  Tony has the best lamb chops ever.  We present Mom and Dad with a certificate for 50 years from the starfriends.  We dance the victory dance and reminisce family vacations.  We attempt to sing 4 part harmony and discuss Adam Ondi Ahmen. 

Tuesday:  morning volleyball game, leisurely breakfast swim.  Deep tearful conversation with Kimberly.  Last lunch at the buffet, checkout.  Back on the plane

Halloween and Homecoming