Well we successfully completed our first trip out of the country as a
family, destination Cancun Mexico! Our family, and the Bishop family headed
south with one of your mothers cousins- Caitlyn- who was our much appreciated
babysitter during the trip.
The place we stayed was about 20 min south of Cancun, Hacienda Del
Secreto. It was beautiful, big white sandy beaches, water that was a light
shade of blue green, and was the perfect temperature to swim in. The house was
three stories, whitewashed against the sun and salty air, with our own pool and
hot tub. Deacon you and Jaxson bunked together in a big boy bed, which we lined
with pillows in case either of you rolled out. Cora you slept with Caitlyn, and
she eventually set up a pillow between the two of you so she could rest without
being kicked all night as you flailed around in your sleep! Quinn you were with
Mom and me on the 3rd floor in your crib.
Cora you played in the ocean non-stop, at least until the sun and
saltwater got the best of you. It was a dramatic change from the last time we
went in 2014, you hated the waves, and were not too keen on the saltiness
either. Deacon you only came around on the final two days of the trip, before
that you spent most of your time on the beach playing with Jaxson and building
things out of the sand. Quinn, we found plenty of sand that you had eaten in
your daily changing time…. But you were a trooper through and through.
Mom and I went ziplining one day, I was tempted to take you with us Cora
but am glad I did not, the first line scared me, so I don’t think you would
have enjoyed it. Outside of that we mostly stayed at the beach with all of you,
swimming, reading, relaxing and just taking it easy. One highlight was that we
got to see four sea turtles come on shore and lay their eggs. It was about our
third night and we had just finished talking with Sean and Jen, mom decided we
should take a stroll down the beach and sure enough- out in the surf we spotted
a large dark object moving up on the shore. Mom sprinted back to get Sean and
Jen and we all watched as this turtle, which must have been 250-350lbs drug
itself up on the shore.
It was amazing to see something in real life that we had only ever before
seen on television. This vast ocean and somehow these turtles navigate their
way back to where they were hatched. Cora I came and got you out of bed and
carried you down to the beach. We watched one of the turtles for about 10
minutes and then you told me “ok daddy I think I’ll go back to bed now”, hard
to get as excited when you are 6 and sleep deprived!
One thought I had was that I was doing something with my kids that my
parents had never done with me, nor mom’s with her. I didn’t get a passport
until I was 23 years old, and now all my children have one. I went out of the country
once when I was a teenager to Mexico on a cruise, but I imagine by that time
you three will have visited a few countries with us. I was trying to compare
what your childhood would be like compared to mine, and how it would shape
you. Cora you were getting used to the
finer things in life, you loved eating at the restaurant each night because it
was so “fancy”, you will understand someday but for parents there is nothing
more enjoyable then knowing your kids are really loving something that you are
doing for or with them.
It is so fun for me as a father to help pick out family vacations and
what we will do. I don’t quite feel old yet but the experience sure makes me
feel that way. Picking out a location, making a budget, building an itinerary
and doing all the travel planning, hoping that the whole thing will go smoothly
and that everyone will enjoy it. Really my favorite part is watching each of
you experience things in your own way, watch different realizations happen and
figure out what things resonate with you. Cora you loved the quality time and
adventuring in the ocean, playing lots of games with mom and I- and of course
the dinners. Deacon you had a great time with Jaxson and on the airplane each
direction, but are not quite old enough to really enjoy the difference from the
daily routine just yet.
I am looking forward to our next family vacation, wherever it takes us,
and for many more to come after that. Some will be relaxing, some
adventuresome, some near and some far away. My goal is to see you enjoy life,
and for us all to build memories that never leave us.
