Viva XCaret!

Dang, I haven't blogged in a hot minute! In my defense, my life has a been a hot beautiful mess since graduating! We went on vacation, Dannika started 3rd grade, Mattis started Pre-K, Nick has been preparing to leave to go to Quantico, and I started a new part-time job! Life's been a little hectic!

Right after graduation, our family took a vacation to Mexico to a place that is an hour outside of Cancun called XCaret. We stayed at a family friendly resort called "The Occidental". It was an absolute blast. This was the first time our family took our kids out of the country. This trip is the beginning of a lifetime of traveling the world for our kids! My fondest memories growing up were all the family vacations we took around the world, and I am a better, more well rounded person because of it. I just thank God that we are able to afford our children the same opportunities.

**WARNING: VACAY PICTURE OVERLOAD**

My children are no strangers to traveling (#militarybratlife).

They're actually pretty decent travelers, and know the ins and outs of going through airport security.

Mattis has it nailed... 

Drinking on an airplane is just fun.

Especially when the flight attendant gives you a free Titos and your husband a free Jack Daniels....I'm assuming because she realized we were a military family.

The Gulf of Mexico

We got a room with two "queen" sized beds....although, I think they were more like full sized bed....maybe in Mexico, things are smaller? 

Either way, our room was amazing, and I recommend the Occidental resort to anyone who is traveling to XCaret.

Our first dinner at our hotel buffet after a full day of traveling!

We were all a little delirious and stinky, but absolutely elated to finally be on vacay!

The banana peel on Nick's head is courtesy of Mattis.

This is my third time in the Cancun area. 

I've been the Jamaica, Hawaii, Okinawa, Key West, Cozumel, Southern California, Cape Cod, and Chejudo Island....

Cancun has, hands down...the most beautiful beaches in the world...

It's prettier than it's neighbor, Cozumel.

 

Dannika, being my California girl has been to the beach many times (whether she remembers it is a different story).

This was Mattis' first time ever (not counting Cape Code, and I don't necessarily call that a "beach").

There were monkeys just hanging out all over our resort! Pretty cool!

Poolside chats

Our resort had put on some pretty awesome shows at night.

Our first night, they did a Disney themed show.

The characters sang songs from their movies in both English and Spanish.

My kids loved it!

This is my FAVORITE. 

Look at the pure joy on his face!

The water was SO CLEAR.

We could see hundred of tropical fish.

They would swim right up to you!

My handsome hubby

Dannika met friends pretty easily on he beach there.

These girls were from England and Canada!

The BEST seafood...

We celebrated both of our boys' birthdays here!

Nick turned 34, and Mattis was 1 week shy of turning 4!

 Entrance to our resort!

This little shopping village (kinda reminds me of the San Antonio Riverwalk was in our resort!)

 View from our hotel lobby. 

The resort was absolutely breathtaking!

Nick and I enjoying a show!

Airport pic!

We had an absolute blast, and our kids got to experience international travel for the first time!

We got to swim with dolphins too, but I decided to save that for a post all on its' own (because it was THAT EPIC).

Like I said before, sorry I've been so MIA!

Life is starting to settle down a bit....yeah right....but for real...I'm starting to get back into a groove, so I hope to be blogging a little more than I have been!