Spring Break in Mexico!

 This spring break was one to remember as we bonded and deepened friendships in Mexico with our neighbors!  We are all still a little surprised that it actually worked out, but all four families - Justices, Reidheads, Burks, and Pecks spent spring break together at an all inclusive resort in Cancun, Mexico.  We coordinated excursions, and had a blast relaxing at the resort together.  It was so much fun for the kids to spend time together and deepen their friendships too.

Prior to the trip, we had a fun "Mexico Kick-off" party at the Reidheads house.

There was lots of card playing at the airport to help pass the time during our layover in Texas.

The resort was beautiful, and we were excited to take in all the sights as the dads got us all checked in.

Each family had a suite with two bedrooms, a dining/living room and kitchenette, and three bathrooms.  Having all that space was dreamy!!  Many nights, the older kids would go to one room for games, and the adults and youngest ones would go to another for games/movie.  It was a blast.  The older kids and teens loved having their freedom to separate from parents.  They also thought having room service deliver them whatever they wanted during game nights was the best thing ever.

We had a beautiful view from our two balconies!

Once we got settled into our rooms after check in, we were anxious to get some food.  Our first stop was the mexican restaurant at the resort.  It was yummy!  And the kids even tried octopus because at an all inclusive - why not?! Eden ate the most, despite agreeing that it was quite chewy.

This is a picture of one of the many hot tubs around the resort.  This one became our meet up spot for the crew.  We finished out day one in the pool and hot tub.

The next morning we found Olive out on the balcony reading her Harry Potter book.  She loves those books, and I love that this is her "go-to" way to start her morning.

The resort also had a floating playground out in the ocean.  The kids LOVED this and all had so much fun together out there.  This was the place for many hours of entertainment, and a lot of "king of the hill" wrestling matches.

The younger crew didn't find as much joy out on the obstacle course, but they were happy as can be playing in the sand for hours.

We found a great hang out spot that let us keep a good view of the kids on the beach, and the kids in the pool at the same time.  This became our hang out spot for the week where we would always meet up and gather.

There were a lot of swings hanging from the pergolas that were so fun!

On a whim, Brad and I decided to go Parasailing.  When a guy walked by along the beach with a clipboard, offering some rides just a little way down the beach, we took him up on it!  This was our first time and it was so awesome!

The take-off was a little freaky, but overall it was so smooth, and once we got up to the top it was incredibly quiet, peaceful and so beautiful!

Brad took his go-pro camera up with us so we got some great shots during the flight too.

That night we got fancied up a bit for dinner at the steak house.

The kids loved having their own big table, where they could order whatever they wanted.

Janie and Karly got to sit with the adults, which they were fine with "just this one time".  After that, they wanted in with the rest of the kids.

We spent the rest of the evening playing games and hanging out together in the lounge.

Monday morning was our first excursion!  This outing included zip lining, horseback riding, ATVs, and swimming in a cenote.   Sadly, the night before, Brad got pretty sick and was not in a position to leave that hotel room, so we had to go without him. That was a huge bummer!

Karly was pretty bummed she had to share a horse with me.  After riding all by herself in Costa Rica, she was pretty confident that she was a legit cowgirl and didn't need to share.  I had to assure that it was because of a shortage in horses, not because she wasn't a real, independent cowgirl.

Neighbors who ride horses together - stay together!  :)

Before the second round of adventures, we had a yummy lunch with fresh tacos.  At this point, we checked in on Brad and he was starting to stabilize so that was a plus!

After lunch was the zipline course!

But the highlight of the day was the last activity at the cenote.  Everyone was so hot and ready for some refreshing cold water!  There was also a jumping platform, and a small zipline drop into the water.  The kids had a blast, and everyone was brave enough to try one or the other.

Much needed rest on the bus ride home!  The activities wore us all out!

And this is the picture we got from Brad as he was resting back at the hotel.  At least he was feeling better enough to leave the room and get some fresh air!  Poor guy had to walk across the way to a Mexican convenience store to try to find some medicine.

That night after returning from our excursion, we enjoyed dinner and ice cream, and more games!

Tuesday was a resort day!  After breakfast we gathered in our area and then we all came and went as we enjoyed various things around the resort.  There was always plenty of food and drinks.  We had a blast just resting, hanging out, and getting to know each other in "vacation mode".

Wednesday we met bright and early to catch our bus for excursion day two at Xel Ha park.  Fortunately, Brad was feeling much better and could join us this time.  We were in for a bit of a bus drive, so fortunately the kids had each other to play and make the time go by faster!

Xel Ha had so many fun adventures.  Each family went their separate ways as some were doing additional paid activities here, and some wanted to enjoy all the free things the park had to offer.  We went on this huge light house tower slides and the kids loved it!

They had a bunch of cenotes on the property that we could explore and swim through.

The kids loved the playgrounds and ropes courses.  They spent a ton of time going around and around.

There was a crazy suspension bridge across the water that moved and swayed a ton and we all laughed as we tried to get across without falling.

We went tubing through the mangroves which was so cool!

And they loved doing more ziplines in to the water.

Along the way we found the Reidheads and stuck together with them for a couple hours.

This ropes course across the water was so challenging and Bentley was determined to get across without falling down.  He could make it all the way to the end obstacle and he was fighting and wearing himself out trying to get across.  Eventually we had to move on to other activities and it was just killing him that we made him go.  So as soon as possible, we had to make our way back over there because he was determined that he could complete the course.  He stretched, and pulled, and used incredible upper body strength to dangle from obstacles, but he did it!  We were all so proud of his determination and belief in himself to not quit until he accomplished it!

Overall, the day at Xel Ha was incredible.  We loved having the family time to explore and try so many new things.  We had a blast!  But as soon as we got back to the resort - it was time to grab a yummy drink and hit the hot tub with buddies!

Thursday was another much anticipated resort day.  Not a lot of pictures, but there was a lot of relaxing and playing on the beach and WIBIT.  Such a great day...

Little Karly was playing her little heart out and took a nice nap on the couch in the sunshine.  This is vacation at it's best!

Friday - last and final excursion to the caves!  I sure love this group of people.  They are like family to us, and we really solidified that on this trip.

Brad and I were able to do one of the private tours in Rio Secreto when we came here back in September.  We were so excited to bring the kids here.

I was a little nervous for the kids being in and out of the cold water, but they did so great!  

Because our group was so big, we had to split in half.  Justices and Reidheads went down one trail, and Pecks and Burks went down another with their guide.

Even though I had seen it all before, it was so incredible going through there again and seeing all the beauty.  The kids also thought it was so cool, but did get cold towards the end.  

Karly is a great swimmer, but something about being in cold water, and being in a cave made her nervous, so she was my backpack for most of the excursion.  I was ok with it though because she helped keep me warm too.

At the very end, our guide took us into a dead end area and then turned off the lights.  She proceeded to talk about the darkness and using it as a way to reset life.  When coming back into the light, look at it as a rebirth to really appreciate life, relationships, and this earth.  It was so dark and still in there, and the kids were so quiet and really listening to her message.  It was actually quite spiritual, and so moving!  It was such a beautiful way to end this great trip, with people we love and the relationships we appreciate so much.

The next morning we left early for our flights home.  We were sad to see it end, but so happy with all the adventures we were able to have together as a family, and together with friends we love.   We feel so fortunate to have this amazing life to help our kids see and appreciate all this world has to offer!

Thank you neighbors and friends - we had an amazing adventure with you!  Here's to hoping for many more!