Ruins and More....

While on our trip to Mexico, we were able to visit Chichen Itza. The Mayan ruins located in the northern center of the Yucatan Peninsula. Blake and I have been a couple times before together, including on our honeymoon. This trip was so nice because the weather was perfect. Every time I think of our travels to Chichen Itza I remember being miserably hot. This trip it was like 75 degrees and not really that humid.

I really enjoy the ruins. When you see the pictures you will understand why. They just are so beautiful and have such an amazing grace to them.

Not only did we get to enjoy the ruins, but we got to shop. I mean, really shop. Blake and I purchased more stuff than we ever have in the past. I love buying stuff at places like this, because I feel like you are buying memories of these places. I think about our trip every time I look at something I purchased down there.

The best part of Chichen Itza is staying at Cenote Ikil de Chichen Itza. For those that have never been there, or seen a Cenote, they are absolutely amazing. Cenotes are sinkholes with rocky edges containing groundwater. Most that I have swam in contain really clear water. The Ikil Cenote has a neat Motel we stay at. They are little individual houses right next to the Cenote. We usually take midnight swims, but this trip it was way too cold, so we waited until the morning.

I am sad to say, but I have ran out of pictures of our Mexico adventure. It was one of my favorite vacations we have taken together and I look forward to going again (really) soon.

Jenny and I with all the stuff we bought. :)

I had my eyes closed in every picture we took at Chichen Itza, I should have just left the sunglasses on....

"the crew," Daniel(the best tour guide ever,) Abel our Chichen Itza guide, Ike, Jenny and Blake.

Ike and Blake at Cenote Ikil

Us at the bottom of the Cenote.

Blake jumping in...

Ike jumping in, doing a backflip....

Jenny jumping in, doing a front split...

Me jumping in.....

Looking down into Cenote Ikil

These are the cute little houses we stay in at Cenote Ikil...

I hope you enjoyed these pics....

Santa Rita

I have to be completely honest about this... Due to our crazy lives we do not get to travel as much as we would like. When we got the chance to go to Mexico I wanted to lay on the beach all day and do absolutely nothing. No I am not kidding, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. With work and the kids and the Holidays I was so excited to sleep all morning and hang out in the sun. So it really wasn't surprising that I acted like a little (or big) BRAT when I found out we were traveling into the village to help someone. I do have a small problem with acting childish when something comes up I didn't come up with myself. That was then, and this is now. The first time I traveled to the village, I was younger, had no kids and didn't really get life. No shit, really, I was confused on what was truly important and what was my reality. This trip to Santa Rita changed my life. After growing up a little, having children and understanding myself and life a bit more, it truly was "Life Changing." I don't know if my in-laws will read this, but I want to thank them for such an amazing opportunity. I really think that they are amazing people and are blessed because of the way they live their lives. Thank You for letting me be a part of Santa Rita. I Love You.....

While we were in Mexico we got the opportunity to travel to Santa Rita. Blake's Dad Kevin has founded the most amazing charity called The Mayan Miracle Foundation. On a trip to Mexico The Flannery Family stumbled upon a very poor village called Santa Rita. Kevin knew that these people were in need of help and so instead of ignoring the issue he started a foundation to help them. The Flannery Family travels down to Mexico usually four to six times a year to help the people of Santa Rita. When we went it was the first time that Kevin didn't come. The people of Santa Rita all asked where he was, you could see how much they adore him. They were disappointed that he was unable to come, but still greeted us with smiles and love.

The children were my favorite memory of Santa Rita. Their joy for life and love for each other is so evident. Jenny and I played with them for hours. Mostly taking pictures of them and then letting them look at themselves in the pics. They loved it, it made us miss our kids, but also made us smile.

After hanging out with the kids, we all stood in a line and handed out needed items to the people of Santa Rita. They all were so gracious to receive what we had brought. It really was the best experience I have had in a long time.

Here is some pics of the trip... and cute pics of the kids of Santa Rita....

Blake and Ike playing basketball with the boys

All the kids kept calling Blake a giant, they all flocked to him

Me and some of the cute kids

The little girls kept calling Jenny a Princessa

Blake does look like a giant next too these two adult women

Cute kids....

Welcome to Akumal!

Have you ever been somewhere that you might never leave, that is if you didn't have children, careers and family at home. Going to Akumal, Mexico is pretty tempting to leave all those things behind. It is beyond beautiful and the fish tacos are to die for.

We decided it was time for a longer trip than just the weekend with no children, no dogs, no employees, no alarm clocks, no diets, and NO SNOW. We also decided to bring some friends along to join in the fun (Ike and Jenny.) The best part of the trip was leaving all those things behind, and giving that responsibility to the best sister in-law and brother in-law for the job, Shanae and Josh Farley. They did the most amazing job taking care of our lives while we were away. In fact, our baby Liam sleeps through the night now. I would love to hire them again every time we leave out of town, but after 8 crazy days being thrown in a life they weren't quite sure of, I think they might pass on the offer. I want to thank them for taking such good care of our lives and responsibilities while we were away, they made our trip awesome and stress-free. We love you!

So here are some of the pics in Akumal... There will be more to come of our travels in Mexico!

The Lagoon we snorkel at, right across the street from Casa Savasana

This is where Blake and I stayed on our Honeymoon almost 6 years ago. We went back to show Ike and Jenny.

The beach we hung out on our honeymoon!

Ike and Jenny

This is my favorite house in Akumal, it is called Casa MiraMar. It is awesome looking, I hope one day to see the inside.

Blake hangin' out in the Kitchen of Savasana(Probably looking for cookies)

Blake and Ike

I love this pic Blake took, I think it is cool

These are the kind of bugs chillin' with us in the house, every time we go we encounter some creepy crawly. Last time it was a tarantula

GROSS!! I know, but it is my favorite pic of us on the whole trip!

Our main transportation on the trip!

Blake and Ike at La Buena Vida

Ike and Jenny at La Buena Vida

La Buena Vida

The Beach at Akumal...and Ike's foot

Blake and I at the beach

Lovers....

Killian Knows Best!

We are getting ready to go up to my parents for dinner. Blake was getting Killian and everything in the car.

Killian says to Blake, "who's Driving?"

Dad says, "I am."

Killian, "Why, you get into accidents. I was with you when you ran into another car."

Dad, "Well I might run into other cars, but your Mother runs into houses!"

Killian, "That is why I should drive, I am the only one that hasn't been in any accidents!"

The Kid makes a good point. I do have a pretty long list of car disasters, including running into a house. Blake does seem to have a small problem watching where he is driving. He will argue with me, but I have been in the car many times when he has been very close to ramming the car in front of us. He might not admit this, but I know of at least three rear-end accidents he has gotten into (all his fault,) including when he got really lucky and hit a car of "illegals." They couldn't speak English and they let Blake go without making a police report.

He might only be 3, but I think we have a real debater on our hands. We must be really careful around him, because he really is smarter than we give him credit for. Cute little shit!

Treats!!

The one thing that I Love and Hate about the Holiday Season is the Yummy Treats! I consumed at least 3000 Calories at work today eating all the yummy treats our customers brought. I just can't stay away from them.

So as I am contemplating how many calories I seriously ate on my drive home from work, I start laughing. I have this image pop-up in my head of Liam.

We went to the mall yesterday to visit Santa. Each of the kids got candy canes from him. Liam was not really happy to be shopping so I thought I would see if a candy cane from Santa might cheer him up. I knew that sugar of any kind would definitely be a mood lifter, (he is my kid, the girl who would rather consume 3 candy bars for lunch than an actual meal.) I was so happy to find out that not only was the candy cane a mood lifter it was a smile maker. Pure Joy and Happiness, look at Liam's face. He definitely is my little boy, if sugar can make him soooo happy!

Moral of the Story: When you want to enjoy a holiday treat, do it with the utmost pleasure and don't worry about the calories, (until January 1st of course.)