Cancun - Wednesday to Friday

Wednesday was our anniversary and we were actually awake to try and catch the sunrise outside that morning.  Yes, it was early...6am ish!  But Ben so graciously went down with me to lay oceanside and watch.  Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy so we didn't even get to see it above the water.  In fact, that is how each day usually started out...cloudy and then sunny.  We also had plans for the evening to go to the Laa'kech Grill for dinner since this place is known for their steaks.  We thought it would be the perfect dinner date since it was outside under some huts...the steaks grilled right out in the open to watch.  The place is surrounded by greenery...palm trees and such with hanging paper lanterns and small lights hung throughout.  It really was beautiful. Until then, though, we hung out by the pool again.  We even got to the pool early enough to grab a poolside bed that had an awesome view of the ocean.  That is all this vacation was about...taking time to be with each other and not do anything.  Yes, we could have done plenty...there was snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, sea lions and manatees, parasailing and jet skiing...but we opted not to do any of it.  Instead, save that for when we bring Gabi :)  This was just fine with us...sit by the pool and relax.  Shopping in between, and of course, occasional naps.  Laa'kech was wonderful.  Ben had the New York Strip and I opted for the Ribeye.  Can't get any better than that.  And it was good....contrary to some stories about the meat.  We were impressed.  It was a perfect anniversary celebration for us.

Thursday was our last full day there so we wanted to take full advantage of the sun.  We collected sand and shells along the beach and swam in the ocean.  Ben even got in a couple games of volleyball (they had planned activities including volleyball and horseshoes each day).  I had to chuckle when Ben tried to explain walleyes to our serves, Julio and Roger :)  Miami Vices and Pina Coladas all day.  One thing that happened a bit interesting was that a hawk actually attacked one of the Mackaws that the resort brings out each day to fly around.  We were saddened to learn that the Mackaw that was hurt was lost.  Fortunately, they found it two resorts down a few hours later.  He was a bit shaken up and may have been a bit hurt, but he was okay.  Last minute shopping to round off the day and we just took in the sights.  All of them.  The colors.  The sounds.  The smells.  I really wanted to bottle it up and bring it home!  Nothing beats sleeping with the sliding glass door open at night to feel the warm breeze and hear the roar of the ocean.  Will most definitely miss having this alone time with my honey. 

This was definitely an anniversary we will remember forever.  Beautiful and relaxing...just what we needed! 20 years is something to celebrate and give thanks for.  And that, we did!!!  A HUGE thank you to my parents for watching Gabi and Maizy; and to dad R for taking her to school each day.  We couldn't help but remember this as we saw land to the United States from our plane...

This could not have been possible without your help!!!  Love you all!  And Mexico....please don't forget us...WE WILL BE BACK!!!!!!! :)

Cancun - Sunday to Tuesday

Ben and I finally got our get away together for our 20th wedding anniversary this year.  With the boys away at school and Gabi able to stay with my parents (with help from dad R taking to school each day), we were able to leave everything behind in good faith all would be well.  We looked at several different places through bookit.com and decided that for the money, Cancun, Mexico, would be the best place to go.  I have to say that we did hear some horror stories, but we also heard some really great things about Cancun as well.  Many of the people we talked have gone back several times because they loved it so much.  The one thing we did not want was a party place and we were not disappointed.  Our hotel was an all inclusive, all adult resort.  More of a spa atmosphere than a party zone.  All of which we wanted.  It DID NOT disappoint at all.  In fact, we would love to go back, maybe this time to it's sister hotel that allows kids so Gabi can go.  Mexico was GORGEOUS!  We stayed at Live Aqua on the hotel zone in Cancun, between the lagoon and the ocean.  We had beautiful weather.  No rain at all.  85 degrees every day with a low of maybe lower 70s.  Didn't have to wear pants at all.  Did I mention gorgeous? ;)
We left at around 6 am on Sunday morning, connecting in Minneapolis (will not go through there again)...they had to de ice the plane which put us in the plane for a mere 5 hours.  Arrived in Cancun around 3 pm to sunshine!  Our room was ocean view, but the one we got was along the side and a bit lower than we wanted.  Couldn't see the ocean as well as we would have liked so we asked to change.  We couldn't that night, but they would move us on Monday.  Fine with us...we were tired anyways and wanted to check out the resort.  We ate at Azur (one of 5 restaurants on site) that evening.  They actually were serving lunch but we were hungry so we enjoyed the seaside eating arrangements. 

Monday morning we had plans to lay by the pool and be waited on!  We ate at the breakfast buffet at Siete and was astonished at the buffet items.  One of our faves was the bread pudding!  DELISH!  Everything you could think of...from about 20 different bread and danish items to omelettes and waffles.  Headed to the pool from there.  LOVED the infinity pool.  Just beautiful.  With the warm breeze coming off the ocean it was just perfect.  We actually talked to a couple who had been there a while prior to us and recommended the Cevicheria restaurant just off to the side where you sat down by the ocean - all open.  The fish taco was to die for!  Ben was, however, a bit surprised that after ordering tuna, he was brought raw tuna!  He ate it though!  After finding out that Michelle Bernstein from Iron Chef founded the MB restaurant we decied to try that in the evening.  Very upscale place with tiki torches situated around the greenery outside.  A very romantic atmosphere. 

Tuesday we decided to take a walk along the hotel strip to see what the place had to offer.  The mall was right across the street and it was cool to see many of the stores you would see here in the US.  Prices were a bit higher...we actually had to buy suntan lotion (spray) and the average cost was $28!   We found a cool lobster place also along the way where an actual 10 foot crocodile sat outside the place on the lagoon side.  Pretty cool to see.  This was the day we finally saw an iguana.  And it was pretty good sized too.  Decided to lay around the pool that afternoon with poolside menu.  Ate at Siete (same place as the breakfast buffet) where we fell in love with the 3 milk cake for dessert!

20 Years

20 years with my lover and best friend....I couldn't ask for more.  Looking forward to the next 20 ;)

Copy of Blake Shelton - God Gave Me You

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"God Gave Me You"

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
And watch as the storm blows through
And I need you
Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
Gave me you

There’s more here than what we’re seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
And I’ll be the flattered fool
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

Cause God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
And for when I think I lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
He gave me you.

Alan Jackson - Remember When

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"Remember When"

Remember when I was young and so were you
And time stood still and love was all we knew
You were the first, so was I
We made love and then you cried
Remember when

Remember when we vowed the vows and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
Was the music we danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookin' back, it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are, where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when

Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when

Remember when
Remember when

21-Adulthood

Can't believe this "little toe head of a boy" is now a 21 year old man!  He has it pretty good with the spitfire ways of his daddy and the good looks of his momma ;)  We are pretty proud of this kiddo.  He has had it a bit rough this past year with having to let his passion of wrestling go.  He has learned to redirect that passion from being able to actually do it, to coaching and reffing it.  We knew it would eventually come down to this, it just happened a bit earlier than he wanted it to.  BUT, he is adjusting well.  He is going to school and studying to be a physical education/wellness teacher.  He has his certification to ref wrestling so he has already been doing that on the side and he also plans to coach.  He has plans.  He is focused.  That is all we can ask.  Being 21 is a big step...officially an adult.  Wow.  I just can't believe I have an adult son.  And that concept is something that will take time for me.  Because deep down, that 21 year old adult, will always be my "fiesty, blue eyed little toe head running around in Ninja Turtle underwear, playing the Red Power Ranger and singing 'Layla' on his air guitar."  I will never let go of that.  Those are memories I will NEVER forget.  Happy birthday, to my first born boy.  The one who came as a big surprise, but I would NEVER change.  It all happened for a reason and knowing my son for 21 years and knowing his future plans are exactly that.  I couldn't imagine my world without him.  The laughs, the tears, the hugs, the discussions, the love he has brought to me could never be replaced, nor forgotten.  I love you more than life itself, son!  Happy birthday!!!  And please be safe!!!  

First Pro Game

We had the privilege of going to see Trenton for his birthday early yesterday and going to watch one of his favorite teams - the Chicago Blackhawks!  This was a generous gift from Uncle Dave for his 21st.  Little did we know that a winter storm system would move in the same time we would be leaving.  Our normal 2 hour drive to Naperville took 4 1/2 hours!  It was rough.  We wanted to get there an hour early to walk around and also to see the whole pregame deal but just couldn't do it.  Guess we will have to make another game to check all that stuff out.  We grabbed Trenton around 8:45 pm (game started at 9pm) and headed for the United Center.  Missed the first period and the Hawks were up 2-0.  I was mostly astounded by how large the Unted Center was...and the seating...steap.  It was pretty awesome.  A positive was that we were able to actually see the Hawks score and the crowd went wild.  Blackhawks ended up winning 3-1.  We were home and in bed by 4 am ;)  Had a good "quick" trip to see our boy who will be 21 on Tuesday.  Still can't believe it.  Thanks Dave, for taking us - had a great time!!!!  Let's catch another game though...in it's entirety!!!!