Mexico 2011...

Oh Mexico.... it is our happy place. The one place where Scott and I find we can totally relax! We have only gone without our kids though... so there is that!  ;-)  But, there's something about Mexico that really allows us complete stress-free "living".  We absolutely love it.

I think it's the All-Inclusive resort to be quite honest.  We would probably be happy at an All-Inclusive almost anywhere. There is something to be said for completely paying for everything, up front and having virtually NO out of pocket expenses while you were there. We probably spent $20 in random tipping (and you are NOT expected to do even this, but we do) and then $60 in souvenirs for the kids. That's it.  As you eat and drink and drink and eat the entire time you're there... it is just so care-free!  Cuz you aren't paying for a thing as you go.  So... you over eat... and over drink... but that's the best part of vacation anyway!!!

We absolutely loved our resort.  It was gorgeous.  Clean, just the right size. We had nine restaurants to choose from.  A grill, poolside that was always grab and go food for when you got the munchies. A coffee shop that could rival any Starbucks.  Ice cream. Always.  Room service (not that we utilized it at all).  The rooms were gorgeous.  The staff was overly helpful and friendly.  The beach was amazing... the list goes on.  It was a resort I would return to in a heartbeat!!!!

While we didn't take our kids, they did allow kids there (some resorts are adult only) and they had a lot of great activities for the kids. An Explorers Club, so you could have adult time while your kids participated in activities.... and they had a GREAT kids pool!  I could really see us taking the kids back there with us next year or maybe the year after... when Luke is five.... but then Ally would be (gulp!) TEN.... and she's really ready now!  Things to ponder.......

So.... we arrived on Friday.... and went straight to the pool/ocean-side restaurant for a meal and some mojitos! We were already greeted at the reception desk with cool towels and a glass of champagne - which I slammed. We had a crazy lady on our transfer van... who made me need a drink PRONTO when we got there.  Holy crap! She was drunk and loud and obnoxious as hell and just trashy! Thank god she was not at our resort!

We check in, after some trauma with our credit card (we should really have phone them before traveling as they locked our card because it triggered their fraud protection - us being in Mexico!).  Went and started eating and drinking.....  It was glorious!!!!  Just to be in the sun hours after leaving the ice and snow in Detroit!  We didn't get pool time Wednesday because it was just too late... so we enjoyed a long late afternoon snack... some drinks... and then, what we did everyday... a NAP!!!!!  We napped... and then, freshened up for dinner.... and more drinks.  The first night we ate at the Italian restaurant and it was delicious!!!!!!  We had a bottle of Tempranillo (red wine) and enjoyed every moment of our delectable meal together........

Saturday, we enjoyed the pool.... all day long... a nap poolside... many drinks.... and we dined at the Asian Restaurant that evening.  Amazing sushi, spring rolls, pad thai and martinis!!!!  Sunday was a great day... maybe not for Scott. After lunch and our afternoon poolside nap, which was becoming a habit.... he woke up before I did... and made some friends at the swim up bar.  Many drinks and shots later... he passed out at the pool.....  and never made it to dinner.  I got a salad to go at the buffet that evening, and ironically enough... watched Hangover (the movie) in bed while he was passed out beside me.  I will never let him live this down.  :-)))))

Monday, he rallied... and we enjoyed the pool.... more naps... more drinks... and the Tex-Mex place for dinner.... Tuesday, more of the same by day, and the French Restaurant for dinner... our last night... and one of the best meals.  I had a giant shrimp (which I could not eat) and a great filet mignon!  As you can see... our vacation revolved around four things.... the food... the drink.... the pool (or ocean) and the nap. That's what we went for.  Time away together. Time to talk and reconnect. Time to REST and relax.  And just the time to have no schedule or need to DO anything at all.

It was more than I hoped it would be. It was a perfect vacation... and I am so thankful we took it!!!!!  Here are some pictures for you viewing pleasure.....