Well, Grace has the first stamp in her passport. Rob, Grace and I spent a week in Cozumel, Mexico thanks to Wayne Leary, Rob's old Scout leader who took four of his scouts and their wives on a dive trip to Cozumel. The friends that came on the trip were Wayne Leary, John and Patricia Leary, Preston and Melissa Anderson, Tom and Crystine Carter and Rob, Gracie and me.Photo at right shows Gracie riding the towel swan that the nice housekeeping senora made for us. She loved Grace, as did all the locals. Everywhere we went, both the men and the women fawned over her. She was a big hit. The women would say "Oh! Muy chiquitita!" in a really high voice. A few of them even asked if they could hold her. It was really interesting to contrast the cultural differences of the Mexicans who weren't afraid to touch or kiss her with an English family we met who would hardly come over to see her even when we invited them to (they had stared at her for a long time from a distance). It was really nice to feel welcome with her around - it really warmed people up immediately.
Grace did a great job on the trip. She pretty much immediately fell asleep as soon as we went outside because it was so hot and humid!
The pool area of our hotel, Hotel Cozumel. The pool was really nice. It was huge - there are lots of little areas of the pool that you can swim in that makes it feel like there aren't a ton of other people swimming with you. The day this picture was taken I think I was the only one in the pool.
Gracie and Daddy's favorite position for lounging by the pool.
Some Trip Highlights:
Four Mexicans and a Hard Rock Cafe
On our first night in Cozumel, we went to eat at the smallest Hard Rock Cafe in the world. Grace was asleep when we got there and we thought that it would be a good idea to put her down on the bench while we ate. Bad idea. She woke right up and Rob and I both had ordered two-handed food, so we couldn't hold her and eat at the same time. So we were passing her back and forth while we ate...it wasn't working so well. So when our little Mexican waitress asked if she could hold her, we let her. It was so cute to have all of the waiters and waitresses in the whole restaurant. Coming soon is the photo (Tommy took it for us on his camera).
The Infamous Pirate Cruise
Wayne had heard about a steak and lobster pirate cruise that sailed every weekend. So we decided to go on Frida
y night as a fun night out for everyone (not to mention it sounded incredibly tasty). Tom and Crystine had been on a pirate cruise when they went to Mexico and they said that theirs was fun and romantic. We were all really excited to go! Well, let's just say that it was an all-you-can-drink (and let's see how drunk we can get you) cruise and it was less than romantic. Pretty much they played drinking games and were naughty the whole time. I guess we should have known we were in for an adventure when we saw the disco ball hanging on the deck. Anyway, adventure it was. All of the pirates kissed Gracie at least once. The Pirate Barracuda (on left in the photo) stole Crystine's earring, then lost it, but the Pirate Porkchop (in the middle) found it. Preston Anderson was caught off guard and got Tequila squeezed into his mouth. 
The steak and lobster was delicious. Most of the time we were trying to make small talk to distract ourselves so we wouldn't pay attention to the raunchiness going on on the deck. After dinner, however, the pirates turned on a strobe light and fought with swords blazing. It was so cool! There were sparks flying off their swords as they fought feet (and sometimes inches) away from the passengers. I was grateful that there was no drinking on the job for the pirates.
We did experience an amazing sunset on the cruise.
Wayne had heard about a steak and lobster pirate cruise that sailed every weekend. So we decided to go on Frida
y night as a fun night out for everyone (not to mention it sounded incredibly tasty). Tom and Crystine had been on a pirate cruise when they went to Mexico and they said that theirs was fun and romantic. We were all really excited to go! Well, let's just say that it was an all-you-can-drink (and let's see how drunk we can get you) cruise and it was less than romantic. Pretty much they played drinking games and were naughty the whole time. I guess we should have known we were in for an adventure when we saw the disco ball hanging on the deck. Anyway, adventure it was. All of the pirates kissed Gracie at least once. The Pirate Barracuda (on left in the photo) stole Crystine's earring, then lost it, but the Pirate Porkchop (in the middle) found it. Preston Anderson was caught off guard and got Tequila squeezed into his mouth. 
The steak and lobster was delicious. Most of the time we were trying to make small talk to distract ourselves so we wouldn't pay attention to the raunchiness going on on the deck. After dinner, however, the pirates turned on a strobe light and fought with swords blazing. It was so cool! There were sparks flying off their swords as they fought feet (and sometimes inches) away from the passengers. I was grateful that there was no drinking on the job for the pirates.
We did experience an amazing sunset on the cruise.
- Rob getting to dive morning and evening on a few days
- Seeing sharks, eels and barracudas on dives
- Swimming with the dolphins
- Visiting the Mayan ruins at Tulum
- Xel-Ha - an awesome natural river and sea inlet that you can float or snorkel down
- Shopping. This probably depends on who you ask :)
- Collecting wristbands...everything we did required us to have a wristband
- Eating delicious food (even if it did make us sick...)
- Karaoke at our hotel. Preston, Melissa and Amanda all sang along with the drunkards in attendance.
3 comments:
Well, I'm glad ya'll survived and even had a little fun! :) Grace is sooo very adorable. We need to chat.
HOly Cow! You guys are so lucky to have such a fun vacation like that!! Where did you stay? It is so good to see some updated photos and posting. We sure miss you guys here in the Villa Rose. EVERYONE is gone practically. We have met, however, the new residents in your apartment, Barney and Mary. They are super sweet. We have yet to hang out but will do so soon wishing you were with us. Hope all is well there up in Salt Lake. Gracie is adorable and is a PERFECT mix of the both of you. I can't pin her to one or the other....it's a toss up. Oh, and don't worry, I'm still looking for a job in the horribly forsaken valley. How did you do it Amanda?? I'm desperate!! Ok, comment is long enough. Miss you guys.
What a fun trip!! Amanda, you look so great, and Grace just looks like a doll. She's so cute! Still no baby for us, but hopefully we won't have to wait much longer...
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