catching up

I can't believe how quickly January disappeared and that February is almost history as well. So far, 2010 has been action-packed. Here's a little summary of what we've been up to ...

Part 1 ... Last month we spent a week in Cancun. What a trip! Ben and I had been there before, but this was the boys first trip to Mexico. As parents, we really want our kids to see the world. Not just because we love to travel, but because it "opens your eyes." I believe that seeing other parts of the world changes you. Not only does it make you more grateful for where you live and what you have, but it also helps you to be more understanding of others and see them in a different light. You see where they live, you see how their way of life is different from your own, you see what they eat (and even try it sometimes!), and slowly ... you begin to understand what makes them who they are. Anyway, not only was this trip FUN, but it exposed our kids to a part of the world they had never seen. And, they loved it! Plus, we loved having our kids all to ourselves for a week ... no school, no homework, no lessons/practices/games, nothing ... just us, spending time together! It was perfect. Here are some photos (warning ... lots of photos!):

 
the beach in front of our hotel

Luke playing in the ocean

 
Sam catchin' a wave!

my view

 
one of the ruins at Coba

 on top of the pyramid at Coba

 

a Mayan warrior - so cool!

really, really big iguana

Tulum    

getting searched for drugs (we were clean)

we bartered for sweet stuff at the market

 . . . save me a piece of that corn!

snorkeling in the cenotes

Isla Mujeres

Emery holding Poncho the shark

awesome wristbands from the market

My kids learned the fine art of bartering, became expert snorkelers, climbed ancient ruins and swam in cenotes. Plus, they showed their mom and dad what great boys they are. I can't wait for another adventure!

Part 2 ... After returning from our great Mexican adventure, we awoke the next morning to a slight flood in our basement. Since I was so busy calling the disaster/clean-up company and finding my sorel boots to wear in my basement, I forgot to take any pictures. That's okay, though, because I don't really want to remember my basement being torn apart anyway.

Part 3 ... House for sale! We decided a few months ago that it's time to build a home. We've lived here for 7 years, and we love, love, love our neighborhood and friends, so making the decision to move wasn't easy. But, our boys are getting bigger, and their friends are getting bigger, and we would love a little more space for them. So, after our basement was all dried out, re-built, and put back together, we put a "for sale" sign out. Luckily, we're only moving a couple of miles, so we won't be too far away.