Cancun Trip with the Waltons - 2021
Thursday
We woke up at 4:00am and were out the door by 4:30. I slept on the way to Denver. Our flight took off at 8:15am after we watched some Ordinary Joe in the USO. It was a good flight. 3 1/2 hours nonstop. Chris and I talked about Black Dessert and if we wanted a big enough home for all of our kids to fit in eventually. Seems irrational but desired. We waited in customs and then had some trouble meeting up with Amy and Chris since they were in a different terminal. But they finally found us and after locating our driver, we talked the whole way to the resort in the pouring rain. They flagged Amy and Chris as VIP since their reservation was tied to Scott’s but when they found out neither of us was ‘Scott Walton’ they sent us to the regular line. We put our bags in our rooms and then found a dry hamburger/fries place to sit and eat since we were starting. We wandered the entire property when the rain stopped and even walked down to the beach. When Scott and Elisha showed up we gathered at the big restaurant for chips and salsa appetizer before heading to our dinner reservations at the steakhouse. We had great talks - sometimes easier with just 6 people - and enjoyed our reasonable portions and even ended with two desserts.
Friday
We met up with everyone on the beach since rays of sun were bursting through the clouds. We enjoyed an hour and a half of nice weather and then headed to breakfast where Dan and Sarah joined us after their red eye flight. Fun to have a table of thirteen. Mike handed off his z6 and gave me a little tutorial, which was so fun. Chris and I and Mike and Carly headed to the pool and I played around with camera settings and I feel pretty great about buying it now. We got in the pool and grabbed drinks from the swim up bar and then watched Mike compete in a blow up water obstacle course — which he won of course. So fun! Then everyone played volleyball in the rain while Grandma and Grandpa and I huddled under a dry grass canopy - shivering but loving our funny memories of our rainy Mexico week.
One of the best parts of an all inclusive!
Sunday
We gathered in one of the outdoor restaurants not being used to have a family church led by Dad. I love him for that. We had the best discussions.
Sunday Afternoon Pictures - most of these are Dan’s.
The sky really was that dark - and almost stormy - and the ocean that turquoise blue. We walked barefoot on the soft sand through the waves and stopped for a few pictures for heading to the restaurant for lunch. So fun to be here.
Playing games all afternoon.
Monday
Chris and I headed to the pool pretty early. Amy met us there and the two of us walked along the beach checking out turtle shells and talking about the previous day. Loved having some time just me and her. We ate breakfast at the main buffet in our usual spot out on the patio and then headed to the beach. We moved the chairs into a big circle, the boys played Spikeball, Dad listened to his book in the shade and we talked. It was sunny but pretty windy too so the waves were extra strong. We then spent some time in the pool and the boys raced the obstacle course and had chicken fights, which was so fun to watch.
We grabbed a quick lunch and then headed on a bus to the Cancun Marina where we boarded our catamaran. It was so fun. The whole trip… sitting out on the front and in the net, dancing to dan’s playlist, taking pictures, watching Dad standing on the side taking it all in, and enjoying the view — especially as we sailed around Isla de Mujeres and when the sun appeared below the clouds for the most amazing sunset. Truly beautiful. It was a magical evening - something we’ll remember for a long time.
Such a beautiful sunset out on the catamaran.
Dad played a Mexican birthday song on the speaker and everyone sang - which was thoughtful. It was such a great birthday. Back on the bus home I looked at my phone for the first time of the day and responded to 35 texts wishing me a happy birthday. I feel blessed to have so many thoughtful friends. The guys enjoyed a quick night ocean swim while I headed to my room and loved my hot shower! We met for pre dinner appetizers at the buffet and then headed to the Mexican restaurant by the beach for dinner. We split up into two groups and Chris and I enjoyed dinner with my parents and Amy and Chris. Great guac and good quesadillas. It was Amy’s idea to run to the Italian restaurant to ask about chocolate cake for my birthday. They gave us two slices and we shared it. Such a good birthday. Before heading to bed we said goodbye to Amy and Chris who would be up at 3:45 for their early morning flight. Such a good week being all together.
Tuesday
I’m starting the day under a grass canopy by the pool. It’s a little windy this morning and the clouds are covering the sun but it still feels so good to be sitting here facing the turquoise pool with sounds of beach waves in the distance. I love it. Chris will join me in a minute, which I love, and we will all meet up later but I’m reminded that having a moment by myself in a place like this really fills me up. Gradually, Dan and then Sarah, Mike and Carly, and Mom and Dad came down to sit and talk. Great conversations and one last picture together before we eat breakfast and head up to pack.