Just a couple more....

I thought I had posted enough of Mexico, but then I was browsing through my pictures... These are so beautiful, I couldn't leave them out...

P.S. I love my new camera....

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....