Mexico 2013

We just spent a week in Mexico for Del's company rewards trip. All the employees who met the goal brought a guest. After much back and forth, and reading many reviews about which resort to stay at, I decided that we should go ahead and stay at the same place we went for our ten year anniversary three years ago. So we headed to Secrets Maroma Riviera Maya. As you can see, the beach at this resort is incredible! It was nice to know what to expect, and that I had made it through a trip safely with my food allergy once before.
My parents were kind enough to take time off from work to come out and stay the week with the kids. They, and all the grandchildren are my parent's fan club! They love Grandma and Grandpa so much, and I am so glad they got to spend so much time with them! I only wish that Del and I had been able to enjoy their visit too!

The resort had changed a bit. There were so many more pretty places to relax!

We had my Dad give us both a Father's blessing through the Priesthood he holds the night before we left. It was so comforting to get the extra strength offered from our Heavenly Father through the priesthood.

My Dad blessed me to be safe with what I ate on this trip. I can honestly say that I have been neglectful of the full scope of blessings I could have access to before now, because I have not used that power before travel in the past. I wish I would have started every vacation with a priesthood blessing for my food allergy! I felt so calm and assured about my food choices this time, and I was led to a woman on the resort who was willing to write a note in Spanish to give to all wait staff, explaining my situation. It brought great peace, and renewed my testimony that my Heavenly Father is mindful of all his children.

Some of our group hanging out in the pool.

Here we are going to dinner. None of the group pictures are complete with all of our guests. We just couldn't quit catch everyone for the same photo at the same time!

My legs and waist look stubby in this pic, but Del liked it.

There was a really cute, but from what I hear, somewhat challenging, miniature golf course on the resort.

Del, and some of the guys decided to put a game together, and of course things got pretty competitive. When Del came back from the game with broken sunglasses from lying on the ground to get his shot just right, I knew that these guys were taking this thing pretty seriously.

I got a sunburn the first day, but I learned my lesson, and slathered the sunblock on, even in the shade. I escaped the Mexico sun with minimal damage after that.

The resort goes all out, all the time.

These lounge areas ended up being my favorite. A good book, a little music, and some of the soft serve ice cream I had more than my share of, and I was doing juuuussst fine!

Most of the ladies.

We got caught in the rain at the pool, big time! It was coming down in torrents. Standing right in the middle of the umbrella was the only way to escape a soaking. Demonstrated by Laura and Jerry.

On the other hand, most of the guys decided to once again, find a form of competition by acting like ten years olds with the pool floaties.

We all got a kick out of how long Del's go go gadget leg looks in this picture.

Who can do a somersault across the floaties?

What about a cartwheel?

My message at the spa was just lovely. This is the nail area. Just beautiful! They had one of the fish spas that you put your feet in, and they eat the dead skin off. I didn't try it, but Del wanted me to.

Hammock time. The truth is our rears were dragging on the ground! Also, kind of strange, but I took this cover up off at the pool to get in the water, and it disappeared! It was not worth stealing, so who knows, maybe one of the weird Mexican raccoons we saw wandering around took it.

I did tire of water after a whole week. I need a little lemonade in my life! So I decided that the last day of the trip was the perfect time to break my two year, no carbonation streak. Worth it for an ice cold Coke. I still can't drink it on any regular basis, because I don't feel good after, but it sure tasted good to me in the Mexico heat!

Del's employees bought him this awesome bright blue, velvet sombrero. They all signed it, and Del sported it in style. The flight attendant on the plane saw it in the overhead and asked out loud, "Who seriously really buys a sombrero? What on Earth will you do with it?"
Del and I laughed and told her it was a gift. She quickly told us how "great" it was. Ha!

Del decided to squeeze in a few minutes on the court before we caught our flight home. It of course ended up meaning another shower. The humidity was unreal!
We had such a nice time, and I am so grateful we got to go!