Cabo San Lucas

Early in the morning on Friday November 19th we took off for a family vacation in Cabo San Lucas Mexico.  Our family was so excited.  Not only to get out of the freezing cold and go somewhere warm....but also to be with our extended family without any interruptions for a solid week.  Who could ask for anything better than that?



FAMILY



This is a picture of my whole extended family with the exception of my mom's dad Grandpa Lars and his wife Grandma Rhea.  They aren't really fond of travelling very far away from home.  They were missed but we enjoyed being here.



We felt very fortunate that my Dad's parents were able to join us for this trip.  At 85 (grandpa) and almost 87 (grandma)  we are extremely grateful to have them in our lives and living so close by.  They are truly a blessing to us in words and deeds.  Haylie gets her middle name "Grace" from her Grandma Great Potter.



My mom and dad were the ones responsible for getting us together as a family for this vacation.  Our family is getting quite large and spread out and we don't have the opportunity to all be together very often.  I am so grateful to my parents for teaching me the importance of having a close-knit family.  They are great examples and supporters of everything we do.


Our cute little family.  I am so thankful for the love and friendship we share. I am grateful for the joy and happiness that comes into our lives each and every day because of the love in our home.

Matt and Meghan, who is the newest member of the family, with Haylie on the beach at our condo.

So....about these floaties...some people were leaving Cabo and noticed that we had quite a large group and a lot of children so they asked if we would like to have them as they weren't going to take them home with them.  I don't know who enjoyed them more....the children or the men!



Brody in the ocean and Dillon standing guard.  It was a little difficult navigating the waves.

 

Getting instruction from Shane on just the right way to sit so that you don't tip over when you hit the waves.

My little baywatch beauty.  She loved the sand and being on the beach but after getting "rolled" a few times in the ocean, she didn't want to get in the water anymore.

Shane and Jamen trying out the floaties.

Grandma Diane and Haylie.  Grandma Diane is a good sport.  She doesn't swim real well but she did end up getting in the ocean with her grandchildren.

Shane getting his daily workout in.  The littler kids liked riding on this board as long as he didn't take them too deep.

I think Haylie would have done this all day.  Thanks Shane for being such a great DAD!

Haylie telling Grandpa Great why she doesn't like going out into the ocean.

 

Ok....so here's where it gets funny.  Shane decides that he is going to try to "ride" the board into the waves.

Umm....I guess not.  Nissa was asking her little boy Carter if he wanted to make a sand castle and he while he was laughing he said "No, I just want to watch Uncle Shane.  He does funny stuff." (Note the feet in the air) Thanks sweetie for providing good, clean entertainment for your nieces and nephews.

The condo we were staying at had children's games at the pool everyday.  This game was musical chairs with a twist....you had to clap your hands and dance (or in Corbin's case hum) while the music was going.  Corbin was so cute.  He never missed a beat.  He was watched over by Triston just to make sure he didn't get hurt.

Corbin ended up winning musical chairs (with a little help because he was soooo cute) and received his prize from Superman.

"Wow look Tu Tu I won!"

We shared a room with Cory's and Nissa's darling little family.  Carter and Haylie became pretty good buddies. 

The floaties worked great in the pool as well.

Coming out of the Shamu slide it seems to be missing a rider.  Haylie is quite concerned about where her brother might be.

It's all good but I think I'll rest for a minute before I try it again.

Haylie loved loved loved the pool.  My kids both really enjoyed this relaxing vacation.

Nissa attempting to persuade Tracy not to throw her in the pool.  Fortunately for her, she succeeded. We really do have quite a nice brother.

A trip to Cabo just wouldn't be complete without a trip to the "Barios" (sp)  It is the poverty stricken part of the area.  My parents introduced us to this area in need of service several years ago. The picture above demonstrates how they get their power.  One household has a power source and then you will see wires running in every direction from this power source.  Some run through cactus' like the one above but a lot of the wires run on top of the ground.  Quite scary.

My kids had the opportunity to look through some of their "gently used toys that they don't use anymore and choose the ones they would like to take and give away to some of the children in the Barios. What a humbling experience it was for them to participate in this.  Both Brody and Haylie were so amazed and happy that their toys brought such sweet smiles from these children.

Some of the children were shy.

What a great way for children to learn acts of kindness.

Brody loved doing this.  He said it was one of his most favorite things about our trip.

Besides my kids' toys, my mom purchased enough food, beans, rice, cheese, fruit, tortillas, etc. from the local Mercado to divide into 20-30 bags to give to the adults.  My sisters also brought crayons, coloring books, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.  Just a few things we thought they may want or need.  A real humbling experience for us all to see, at times, 30-40 children and adults following our vehicles in an attempt to receive some good will.  One we never seem to forget.

The children and I walking in the Barios and talking about everything we as a family are grateful for.

Thanksgiving day 2010 out at my parents home. Haylie sneeking up on Grandma Great.

Talking about the finer things in life.  Like this fine hat of Jaron's.

Riding the banana boat was one of the activities enjoyed by our family.  On this banana boat: J.T., Grandma, Carter, Nissa, Monica, and Brody.  Looks like fun.

Our little family decided to take a glass bottom boat ride.

The water was so clear you could actually see the bottom.

Land's End.  This is a famous landmark.  You can find it on many postcards and it is absolutely beautiful!

Another view of Lands End.

On our glass bottom boat ride we had the privilege of going right by this colony of sea lions and seals.  Wow...I never knew something so cute could smell so BAD!

Haylie curling her hair to go "out on the town"

 

She said it was easier to look at her hair instead of looking in the mirror.

She actually did a pretty good job for a 6 year old.  Way to go Sis. 

My Uncle Bill, Aunt Natalie, and their girls came on this vacation with us.  They are such a fun family to hang out with. Always so kind and patient with everyone.

Such a relaxing vacation, Shane even just sat and relaxed which is highly unusual for him.

The kids on the second to last day of vacation.  Do they look like they are worn out?

Brody actually fell asleep in the sand.  Can't say that I blame him.  It was warm and he played really hard from sun up till sun down for 7 days.

By the end of vacation Haylie was always looking for somewhere to sit.

Shane and Haylie sleeping in the chair at the beach.  What a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving.