At 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2009 the alarm sounded and we were up and ready for a week in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, with our children (Alex and Joy, Melissa and Amy). We had no idea the week would or could be as great as it turned out to be. I think I can sum up the week with these words: eat, lay by the pool, eat, lay by the beach, eat, drink, enjoy the shows, sleep. The week was extremely relaxing and our family ties were strengthened.
Here are a few pictures telling the story of our week together. (If you want to make the pictures bigger, just double click on them)
Our morning started at 3:30 a.m. so we could get to Kansas City International Airport at 5:15 a.m. for a 7:15 a.m. flight to Cancun. We arrived at Cancun International Airport and were greeted by Lomas travel who swept us right off for our resort.
As you can see, Melissa was anxious to start having fun.
30 minutes after we boarded our van, we arrived at:
We loaded up our luggage and headed for the registration desk. 
The registration process took about 5 minutes.
And we started having fun!
We ran outside to this beautiful view.
Kids of all ages were having fun.
Every day we had new towel animals.
We sunned ourselves at the beach.
We dressed for many wonderful dinners.
We ate off the yummy buffet.
We attended the shows.
Some of us went diving.
Some of us swam.
We watched the native rodents. (anyone know what it is?)
Bruce was the international champion bingo player.
Ate yummy soup.
Watched the native animals.
Swam in the ocean (see Alex looking for fish?)
Read books.
Some of us were not real happy to see the camera again!
Watched the construction of sand castles.
Went kayaking.
Walked downtown.
Look, it is Hotel Melissa!
Got up early to watch the sunrise.
Waited for the buffet to be filled.
Shopped across the street.
Slept in our hotel.
Dug for treasures in our beach bags.
A view from the ocean.
Bonded!
Made new friends (Gaye and Henry from British Columbia)
Drank the daily special.
Enjoyed our last dinner together.
Displayed true talent.
Looked at that grey rice.
Smoked chocolate cigars.
Left the hotel
Waited at the Cancun airport to come home.
We had a great time and praise God for safe travels and good health!
Yesterday this little redhead joined our family. Her name is Belinda but we will call her Lindi. She is an 11-month old, long-haired, red, miniature dachshund. She weighs in at about 8 pounds. Lucky for us, she fits right into all of Jasmine's stuff. We adopted her from 7 Bells Sanctuary in Montrose, MO. Bruce picked her up on his way to the lake yesterday so he's had her all to himself. I think this was his way of making sure that she likes him better than me! He says that she is a beautiful little girl that is just as sweet as she can be and is unbelievably soft. He has yet to hear her bark. She slept all night in her own kennel and didn't make a peep. She has claimed a pillow as her own and he says that as soon as they come in from outside, she runs right to her pillow and that is where she stays. She is on a hunger strike but we figure that will end soon.
I think Bruce is a VERY proud papa! I can't wait to get my hands on this one. I'll probably have to pry Bruce's hand off of her.
We have yet to hear back from our little Jasmine Two's shelter. Her website shows adoption pending. We thought were all set to pick her up last Sunday but we were told we needed to wait. Now no matter how hard we try, we can't get the shelter woman to contact us to let us know where and when to pick up the dog.
This morning Amy hosted a Pampered Chef party at her condo. We woke up to about 3 inches of snow with more coming down. It continued to snow until about 2:00 p.m. We received more snow today than we have had since December 2005. In spite of the nasty weather, Amy had 22 women for her party. My friend Diane Carter picked me up in her trusty Subaru about 8:00 this morning and we went over to help Amy get ready. Diane was a life-saver. We had a lot of fun and thanks to our wonderful friends, Amy's kitchen is going to be stocked with free merchandise. She's going to close her party Tuesday so if any of you want some cool kitchen gadgets, let me know and I'll fix you right up!
