Jude attacking the waves in Cancun

We had a great week at the beach in Cancun. The JW Marriott was a beautiful resort, both kids said it was the best place we have stayed in and wanted to come back again next year. We may come back again some day but I will need to save my Marriott points again.

The kids loved the beach. Jude would literally spend hours in the ocean “attacking the waves” as he put it. He would only be 15-20 feet out from shore where the waves would start breaking. He would jump over the waves and try to avoid being pummeled into the sand. The surf was pretty messy and wild so he got slammed into the sand a few times. But he would shake himself off and do it again. Anna preferred to stay closer to shore but she also loved jumping over the waves as they broke on shore.

Taking the jet ski out to the boat for parasailing

One of the highlights of the trip was the parasailing. They could only take three people at a time so Marcy and kids went. It was quite amazing to watch them from the beach. They went up so high – easily 100 feet in the air. All three of them enjoyed it but said it was really scary being up that high. I was certainly glad when they returned without incident.

Anna, Marcy and Jude heading high up into the air as the parasailing begins

On our last full day in Mexico we decided to go to Isla Mujeres, an island just 8 miles off the coast. We caught the ferry and then rented a golf cart to get around the island which is only 4 miles long by 1/2 mile wide. They had a beautiful beach on their north coast called Playa Norte where we spent the morning and lunch.

Jude and Anna in the pristine waters of Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres

We decided to take a drive down to the southern tip of the island to check out the Mayan ruins. While the ruins were a little disappointing – they were destroyed by a hurricane in 1988, the point itself was spectacular. It reminded us of some of the rugged  rock formations on the Australian coast although the rocks themselves were different.

At Punte Sur on Isla Mujeres

They had a really cool walkway that went around the rocks on the south point which also happened to be the most easterly point in Mexico.

Jude and Anna sitting at the most easterly point in Mexico on Isla Mujeres

Our trip was over too soon but by Friday the kids were actually exhausted after a big week of activity. And the fact we all walked over 5 miles on our trip to Isla Mujeres the day before. So, the last morning they barely wanted to go into the surf. Just some relaxing time in the hot tub and the pool and then we were off to the airport home.

Anna showing off her new braids that she had done on the beach

We were all sad to leave. It was a great vacation and the kids are already looking forward to their next trip to the beach.

Recreating an iconic photo from five years ago in Mexico

Roller blading to the local park

All week the weather has been warming up. After a cold January and a decent amount of snow this warming trend was quite welcome. This weekend we hit 60 degrees and so we all wanted to get outside. Yesterday, we went to the local park in the afternoon. It was the first time all year that we could do that. Marcy and Anna went rollerblading and Jude and I played soccer.

Jude playing soccer in his Arsenal gear

The fact that both Jude and Anna were outside being active this weekend was quite an achievement. Anna was quite sick this week – she actually missed school every day except Monday. She was vomiting and then had a nasty cough. We started her on nebulizer treatments and Marcy ended up taking her to the doctor because her cough was persisting and we were supposed to be heading to Mexico on Sunday. The doctor gave Anna the all clear although did suggest we continue with Anna’s treatment.

Watching a Harry Potter movie on the flight to Mexico

We were all up bright and early today to catch the 8am flight to Cancun. We were all very excited for this trip to get some beach and pool time and for the warm weather. As soon as we arrived the kids had their swimsuits on and they were down to the beach. The water was quite rough and not really conducive to swimming but the kids had a blast just playing in the shore break.

The beach! Jude and Anna were so happy to be back in Mexico

Anna showing off her orange and blue hair

As we have done every year now for more than a decade, we hosted a Superbowl party at our house today. We were all very excited about the Broncos playing in it and Anna was excited about entertaining so many kids. She spent a lot of time putting up decorations and she even put in some orange and blue hair.

Our youngest Bronco fan getting ready for the big game

It was a very exciting game and the basement at our house was jumping and loud. One of the visiting kids even requested ear plugs we were so loud. It was great to see the Broncos come out on top.

Other than that it was a pretty quiet week. I went to New York for a couple of days. We had a pretty big storm on Tuesday and the kids had a snow day. Yesterday the kids went to a birthday party and today we all went to church.