Puerto Vallarta

Our little family recently returned from a trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

I'd like to say that we went to join in on some sort of humanitarian effort, but no.

We went to get our freakin' butts in some sun!

My entire family met up in Puerto Vallarta to spend a week at the beautiful Grand Mayan resort.  We came from all around and enjoyed a great week together.

Knowing that we were going to spend a week with family that we haven't seen in quite a long time, I planned to take a lot of pictures of everyone enjoying themselves together.

Unfortunately, I dropped my camera on Day 3, and that's all she wrote.  I got a few scenery pictures, and of course pics of Kaeden in the pool, but not much else.  You would swear that only Jeff, Kaeden, and I were on vacation, but that definitely was not the case.  There were a total of 17 of us!

Bother!  Maybe next time?  Hint, hint Grandma and Grandpa! [Who so graciously provided the accommodations].

And now for a brief tour of our trip:

We started out in the Salt Lake Airport, with Kaeden finding a new preferred method of transportation:

Then a short flight later we found ourselves in Mexico.

Right off the plane we boarded the bus that took us from the plane to the terminal. I'm always astounded that the Mexican's still feel like this is the best method for de-planing.  But to each their own, right?  Whatever the case, Kaeden decided to hold on for dear life:

Oh. And he only looks sad because I think he was still trying to pull out of his Benadryl nap we all enjoyed on the plane ride over.

Upon our arrival to the resort, we enjoyed all sorts of beautiful scenery:

And did I mention the expansive pools?

Not only did the resort have a wonderful beach, the actual grounds boast two wave pools, a waterslide, children's playland, super long lazy river which turns "crazy" with periodic waves, and multiple pools interconnecting it all. It's amazing. Trust me. This picture shows you about 1/4 of all that's available.

Needless to say, Kaeden enjoyed the aquatic amenities quite nicely:

[Got to love the pose.]

He even made a friend in the pool.

Anyone who knows Kaeden knows he's a very loving boy. He also loves children. Unfortunately Kaeden doesn't understand that children his age tend to have a little thing called "personal boundries". Even more unfortunate is the fact that kids his age tend to panic [i.e. FREAK OUT] when said personal boundries are breached. So....poor Kaeden is usually treated to a scream in his face when he walks up and gives them a big ol' hug upon first meeting.

Then came this boy. Kaeden and this two-year-old met each other in the pool. Immediately the new friend came right over and did this:

[I didn't catch the full hug]

Which then left Kaeden following the little boy all around the pool with a look of admiration like this on his face:

[Ummmm?  Is Kaeden flirting?]

Note to self: to be Kaeden's friend, you merely have to aggressively hug him while simultaneously almost drowning him in 2 inches of water.

While my family ventured out a bit for some golfing, shopping, and overall site-seeing, Jeff, Kaeden and I basically spent our week on the resort. Kaeden played so hard in the pools that most days he fell asleep in someone's arms without any protest.

Saweeeeet!

We spent a little time at the beach:

But for the most part Kaeden was uninterested. I take that back. I think his detestation of wet sand on his feet left him uninterested.

Probably a good thing though, because the waves were a little large, and I didn't want my little boy going out with the tide.

I also don't really like the waves washing crud up on my feet [the feeling of a ton of unknown "stuff" washing over them then rushing back to the sea] so I was glad that he didn't want me to stand by the ocean for hours on end. Jeff doesn't mind though:

Things Kaeden did enjoy?

Sea birds:

Bridges:

Elevator Buttons:

Watching Barney on his DVD Player:

And let's not forget his beloved "Chokis." The Mexican version of Chips Ahoy.

Kaeden decided that he was over bottles on our trip. As much as I've been ready for him to be done with them, Jeff and I were disappointed that it had to be while were were visiting a foreign country with all sorts of foreign food. We had planned on keeping Kaeden happy with as much filtered water and formula as possible. That didn't happen, so Kaeden decided to go on a cookie diet. I used to feel guilty that he's 18 months and his primary source of nutrition is vitamin D milk. Suddenly I felt guilty that my child subsisted nearly a full week on chocolate chip cookies. Don't worry, I'll be in counseling soon.

I call this his "Choki Face."

What did Mommy love?

The Mexican Walmart. And of course their bakery:

I just love how nothing is packaged, and the method for picking out your treats is placing them on a pizza tray with salad tongs. Here's a picture of me from a prior trip to Mexico a few years ago.

Yes. I'm a Mexican Walmart Bakery officianado. Never again will I go to a Mexican Walmart without a bakery picture. Classic and classy all at the same time.

Our trip was wonderful, and it was so nice to relax.

We had a couple of setbacks, such as a small 8 hr stomach bug that Kaeden, Jeff and I passed around [I'm still sorry Kaeden threw up on your bed Carli! Oh, and your rug Grandma! {{Embarrassing}}], but overall it was a much needed, much anticipated, and much appreciated getaway.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa! For both the great trip, and building such a wonderful family! Love you!

And if you accuse me of trying to open the door for another invite.....

Ummmm.....you're probably right.  ;)