Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Mexico 2010

We just returned home from our Mexico Vacation and we really loved it.

Dann and I went with our good friends Jamie & Brock.
We stayed at the Grand Palladium Resort just south of Play-Del-Carmen.

We thought we would celebrate Dann's 40th Birthday (2 weeks early) and fun was had by all.

The white sand beaches are amazing and just as we remembered them when we visited the area 12 years ago on our honeymoon.

Those pink flamingos are the real deal not like the lawn ornaments you see in Alberta.

The resort was very big but it had a lot to offer and we worked off some of the calories (booze & food) walking to different pools, beaches & restaurants.

Here's the crew heading out for Italian night.

Some of the tropical flowers blow me away.
I truly was meant to live somewhere HOT!

The beach at our resort.

Dann & Brock taking advantage of non-stop, all you can drink, alcohol!

One of the pools at our resort - The Colonel
(there were a few different choices, including adult only pools)

Dann, Jamie and I decided to get some henna art done for the beach. Dann got an arm bar, Jamie got a wrist band and I got this flower on the middle of my back.
It lasted the whole week and we got a free touch up before we left.

This is a photo of the "Royal Suites" at our resort.
I am not sure how much more it was to stay there but they looked amazing.

The swim-up bar at the "Whitesands" pool!
Dann & Brock spent just a bit of time here... lol!

Our house keepers name was "Gustavo" and he made us terrific towel animals daily.
We bought a bunch of dollar store items for kids and left a couple gift bags for him to take home to his kiddies.

Here we are just before our feast at the Mediterranean restaurant. I got a lot of compliments on this dress.
Funny part is I bought it from the Avon catalog 2 years ago for dirt cheap...

We made 2 separate trips into Playa-Del-Carmen to shop.
Our first trip Dann asked a police officer for a photo.
He was hesitant but let us take the photo.
Notice his hand on his leg sidearm while Jamie snapped the picture!

After a lot of walking and shopping we made our way to the beach and pulled up the best table & deal to drink beer.
Our waiter was "Francesco" and he was a lot of fun to talk with.

One big happy family... so to speak!

More photos of the spectacular view.
Jamie & Brock and in the back ground, ever so faint, the Island of Cozumel.

Can we move here Dann?
(that was what I was thinking when Brock took the photo)



This is what we looked at every day on the beach at our resort.
In the afternoon we would make our way to the pool.
Notice all the pool loungers emerged (built in) in the water...
I spent many hours reading & baking in them!

Our last night we went to the Mexican restaurant and it was delicious! We celebrated Dann's 40th that night and he was serenaded and everything!
(love the hat)

HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY DANN!

A couple mornings were really windy and the white caps were evident. It did not stop the friendly critters to come out and sun themselves...

I can only assume another Canadian was at the resort recently.

I loved these cabanas and the bar was only a few feet away!


These last two photos should have been at the beginning but I messed up. I guess they are a perfect ending to a perfect trip. We were all goofing around at the beach side grill & bar and that really sums up the trip...

GOOFY, FUN and RELAXING
(just what the doctor ordered)!!

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Team Canada Fans

Emma & Ethan were GOLD medal fans for Team Canada these Winter Olympics.
They loved watching all the events.
I do believe our TV was on 24-7 for 14 days... lol!


Uncle Dean & Auntie Claudia sent the kids gift cards for Christmas (Hudson Bay Company), so they bought some Olympic gear.




We were out on a road trip and stopped for a photo...


On a different note,
Ethan really enjoys colouring and he is doing a great job staying in the lines.

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Monster Truck Jam

Ever since we took Ethan to see "Bigfoot" this past summer, he has been obsessed with Monster Trucks.
I was surfing around Ticket Master one day and noticed the
"Monster Truck Jam"
was going to be in Edmonton.
Dann quickly jumped on that train and I got some tickets for a "boyz" weekend. Dann's co-worker tagged along and all three of them had a blast!

This is Ethan in the morning of the show at the hotel...
he was so excited and gave Dann the thumbs-up!

Aaron & Ethan waiting for the festivities to begin!

By shear accident the boys found themselves down in the pitt before the show started. Ethan got to see all the trucks & motorcycles etc.
(if it was not for Ethan running through the legs of the man in front of them in the line, they would have been turned away)
Ethan was thrilled... as the photos depict!

"El Toro Loco"

"Donkey Kong"

"Monster Mutt"

Ethan's favourite monster truck is "GRAVE DIGGER" so it was extra awesome that it was at the show and MINI GRAVE DIGGER came along for the ride as well.
Ethan was as excited as one little boy could be!
(when we got tickets, we did not know which monster trucks would be performing)

Dann & Ethan
in front of...
"GRAVE DIGGER"

I do not think Ethan will forget this weekend with Dann any time soon. I might add, after nightly prayers, Ethan adds Monster Truck prayers...
"God Bless Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Monster Mutt, Donkey Kong, Hot Wheels, Blue Thunder and special prayers to all the other quads and motorcycles...
AMEN"
It is so darn cute... it melts my heart!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Emma's 7th Birthday... via Edmonton!

Emma asked if we could have her Birthday in Edmonton this year, so we packed up the van, made a few phone calls and started to make our way to the city.

Our good friends, Jamie, Brock, Reese & Taryn met us for the excitement!

A trip to Edmonton would not be complete without a visit to Galaxyland!

The kids had fun on all the rides.



Emma, Taryn & Ethan

The next day we were off to Chucke Cheese's for a little Birthday Party. We invited some of our friends from Edmonton and one of Emma's classmates was in town too, so we had a great turn out.

Ethan, Reese, Emma & Taryn

Emma & Haylee

Dann followed Ethan around and he had the camera, so there may be a few more photos of Ethan than the B-Day girl.


Brooklyn, Nicholas & Maryn
(the twins have grown so much)


After Chucke Cheese's we met family & friends at Boston Pizza for a B-Day feast.
A Birthday would not be complete without cake...


Grandma with her grandkids

This year was no different...
Emma asked for cash donations for the food bank in leu of presents.
After we got home she took her $130 (thanks to everyone who donated) and went shopping for food. She really learned how to stretch $1.
Here is Emma with all of her food donation before dropping it off at the food bank...

(10 bags of rice, 10 bags of pasta, 10 cans of spaghetti sauce, 144 packs of noodle soup, 6 jars of peanut butter, 6 cans of vegetables, 2 boxes of cereal and 24 packs of Mac & Cheese)

GOOD JOB EMMA!

In light of the latest tragedy in Haiti, I am glad Emma is learning to give back to less fortunate.
After all, not many kids are willing to give up Birthday presents for others!
MOM & DAD ARE SO PROUD OF YOU EMMA!!