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Christian Blain- Blessing day

This month has been full of wonderful things- one of them being- Christian Blain Blessing day.

I'm a little behind on posting this. (smile)

Playing catch up -

Kent and Becca are awesome parents....it was truly a blessing to be-able to attend this special event.  Kent gave Christian such a sweet and beautiful blessing. 

Babies in our Church received a name and a blessing. Because of this naming and blessing, their names are put on the records of the Church.

This is their view from their backyard....beautiful.

(Becca had also prepared an awesome lunch for the family after the blessing)

The many faces of Christian

We love this sweet little family!

Welcome- Christian Blain.

Happy Day 

Driftwood Sailboats- for Young Women girl's camp

Sandi and I jumped in our car for a very quick trip to the coast just pass half moon bay....to gather driftwood for a project we are working on for girls camp.

 

 

Brought them home...cleaned them up....we have a fun idea for these little gals.

-Sailboats-

 

"Stay in the boat"

Brothers and sisters, stay in the boat, use your life jackets, and hold on with both hands.-

Elder M. Russell Ballard 

I just punched a small hole adding a wooded stick. Cutting craft paper....then just taping it to the stick.

 We will be using them at girls camp- during shinning moments.

 Happy Day.

**** I think if you wanted to make something like this and don't have a beach close by....I think old fallen branches would work also.

 

Young Women Favorite things- Sharing

Last night was our Favorite things party for all the Young Women leaders in our Stake.  What a fun evening.  We planned the evening to be very causal and lighthearted.

 Each of the ward/branch YW presidencies were in invited to come and share one of their favorite YW Activities. 

So many fun ideas were shared!  Oh my goodness...the ladies in our stake  are awesome!

Today I thought I would share.

Stake Young Women Favorite things Event-

 

 We prepared a little box tied up with string for each of the ladies-

• Coconut sugar scrub- 1 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of coconut oil.
• Banner
• Cupcake kit
•  Cupcake Recipe-
• Candy
• Our Testimonies rolled up. 

The set up-

Becky, Sandi, Melissa and I each prepared our favorite dessert to share this evening.  I made crepes 

Each of the units brought an idea to share...all wrapped up!

\

Thank you Jill for hosting this at your home!  

My granddaughter Carlee- was sweet to come and sing "My Favorite things"  Thank you Carlee and Heidi.

Pictures from the evening-

 

 

The evening was a little cool...but that didn't stop us. 

 

 

Turlock fourth ward went far and beyond....bringing  and sharing 4 ideas- (smile)

Jane- Our Stake Young Women music specialist - had us hopping. (Fun) Thanks Jane.

I love serving with these ladies.

Happy Day  

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The Island and the Cirque- Cancun Mexico

To get to the Isla Mujeres we decided to take a boat tour . The boat ride takes just 20 minutes from the end of the hotel zone in Cancun to the main dock on the island.

We thought we were going to have rain ...but it turned out beautiful.  Part of this tour was to do a little snorkeling...when they stopped to do that...the sea was a little ruff....I think it will be some time before I snorkel again; plus, note to self...never get lost at sea you wouldn't last long.  

It was a beautiful ride to the island. 

First things you see 

Lots of colorful shopping- 

Don't have a store...no problem, just us the closest tree.

Once on the island they only gave us about 90 minutes to explore....so we rented a golf cart and heading to the furthest point on the island.

Isla Mujeres has beautiful beaches....but the town is pretty old world. =) 

(Note- if you go there...bring plenty of pesos....restrooms are not free)

Zip line to the beach

Years ago we took our children here and rode scooters all over the island...sorry Denver.

(I crashed twice, he was my riding buddy.)

Once back on the boat they took us to a different part of the island where we had lunch and took a nap.

Then it was back on the boat and head for home.

Just a little travel note.   Dan and I have never been big fans of " group tour" outings....and after this trip....it just reaffirmed why we don't like "tours".  

Top 3 reasons why we don't like group tours-

1. Cattle- we always feel like cattle...move here, stand in line here, make sure to be back, find your buddy.
2. Alcohol-  we don't drink, and on these tours....everyone drinks and by the end of the tour...yep, we are the only adults left on the boat. Plus we pay the same price ...we get water and orange crush...but not a discount on the price of the ticket.
3. No creativity- and no we are not 5.

I would recommend...and if we go again we will be doing this- pick up a ferry that goes to Isla Mujeres....for around $19  (way, way cheaper then what we paid) rent a golf cart and just explore.  

 

One evening we purchased tickets to go see "Joya" Cirque Du Soleil.   It was about  45 min. from our resort. Our resort lined up a very nice coach bus to take us there.

Inspired by the migratory journey of the monarch butterfly, JOYÀ is a tale of a teenage girl, Joyà, and her alchemist grandfather, unraveling the mysteries of a fantastical jungle... 70-minute show includes troops of mythical half-human, half-animal creatures; music and theatrics inspired by Mexico’s rich history and heritage; and unbelievable contortions and acrobatics.

The place truly is very magical at night- the show was good. Better than the last cirque De Soleil show we saw in Vegas.

A small intimate setting with amazing performances.  We had center seats and they were perfect....but really there isn't a bad seat in the theater. (they also offer a dinner before the show....we came just for the show.)

If you go to Cancun...I highly recommend you see this show...the magical surroundings where reason enough for me to go again. ....plus after days of  beach wear...it's nice to get all dressed up. 

Fun, creative show.

We had a wonderful, relaxing stay in Cancun...thanks my love for spending time with me.

 One last beach picture- Cancun you were fun....Happy Day

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The Food- Cancun Mexico

 Not all the food we found  in Cancun is what you would consider typical.  Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Cup of Fruit- Mostly mango, pineapple, coconut  and watermelon. You can find these everywhere....mostly sold by street vendors.
2. The chocolate cake at our resort...to die for!  Probably the best chocolate cake I have ever had.
3. Puffed Potatoes-  Very interesting....taste like potatoes chips that have been puffed up.   We were told that it takes the chef a couple of days to prepare this appetizer.  It wasn't my favorite dish...but top awards for presentation.    (we ate this at an Argentinian Steak house called Cambalache- wonderful service and great stakes.)
4. This was the typical way they would bring chips to us....and always with a plate or bowl of limes.  Most restaurants would also serve a avocado  and lime dip.
5. Tacos at  La Distillery Restaurant- we enjoyed the food....lots of energy.    

 

This was one of our favorite places...honest, simple good Mexican food.   We ate here a couple of times, nothing fancy but good. 

El fish Fritanga

It is always an adventure trying new food.

A bit tired of Mexican food, we sought out a change of pace, so  we treated ourselves to a private hut for

Thai food. 

 A nice place hidden among the green foliage of a botanical garden.

 The ambiance was amazing, literally amazing. It was like a sophisticated Swiss Family Robinson-type structure with beautiful lighting....it felt like a paradise....The cliche is that it's part of a huge mall but once inside you're by the lagoon.  Very quite romantic dinner.

 It was a nice to have quite dinning....we found that most of our meals out were so loud that it was hard to carry on a conversation.  So, this place was awesome just for that.  The food was good...not the best I've had, but good.... The sticky mango rice was fabulous!

 

 

 

Breakfast was almost always in our villa.......a smoothie beach side was our favorite thing for lunch.  

Almost finished...one more post about our trip.

Happy Day

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Cancun Mexico- On the Street

Cancun Mexico- On the Street

One day we decided to take the bus way into town- pass all the tourist areas- just to check things out.  Danny speaks fluent Spanish so we felt pretty good about doing this.  As we were leaving the tourist areas....the locals on the bus looked at us like are you lost?....  The bus driver kept asking... off here? 

But once Danny would talk to them...they were all surprised ...okay, great and then comment- you speak wonderful Spanish, are you from Argentina? 

Once Danny spoke Spanish, the locals would warm up to us and show great kindness.  I think  It is always a sign of respect no matter what country you are in- to try and speak  the native tongue of that country.

(Argentina is where Danny learned to speak Spanish.  He lived there for 2 years serving a mission for our Church.)

Just a note- everyone we talked to in the Hotel Zone spoke both Spanish and very good English.  Once we left that area....English was not spoken as much...but most everyone we talked to knew some.

Here is a little look at Cancun pass the tourist area-

 

We were on the hunt for simple/authentic Mexican food.

We didn't find what we were looking for- just a word of caution.  If you go there and don't speak Spanish don't go way downtown. 

.... you become very popular  (Most people there are so poor and are just fighting to make a living.)

I think we looked like a good target. 

We should of known better...because just the day before when we went to Church ....a few of the members were worried that we had even ventured out to find the Chapel.

The Church is strong in Cancun- 4 stakes  (with about 12 wards per stake) There is also a  mission in Cancun.

The ward we visited on Sunday was brand new...this was their second week.  They filled the Chapel and part of the cultural hall.  (we had at least 30 families welcome us with hugs)

They were awesome!  They were strong in their testimonies and such great leaders.

(fun note- there were also a few young couples from BYU on their honeymoon that attended Church...so wonderful to see that they would seek out Church. =)

downtown... is bright colors and loud!

 

This is what a typical residential street looks like.  Everyone has a walled or gated  courtyard. 

Scooters are the way to get around. 

Everywhere you walked:  The smell of Mexican spices...lots of horns going off , music and talking!

Interesting day exploring

Came home just in time for sunset on the bay.

Next up food-

Happy Day 

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Westin lagunamar Cancun Mexico- Our part of the beach in Cancun

The Westin Lagunamar was our home for this stay in Cancun Mexico-  Quite often when we travel we stay at Westins because we have a vacation ownership through them, and this particular resort is our "Home" resort.

(meaning we purchased our membership for Lagunamar.  This is our first visit, we have sent our kids there...but the first time for us to visit this particular resort.

 The nice thing about the Westin vacation ownership....you can stay at anyone of their resorts, regardless of where you bought, but with your home resort there are a few more perks.)

 

 

 Like ocean front rooms- view from our room.

We stayed in a one bedroom suite, with living room, kitchen and laundry.

The beach right outside our room-

 

 The water is warm and you can walk waist deep for around 200 yards.

The resort is centrally located...so, we really didn't  need to rent a car. (although, we did one day, to do a little site seeing outside the resort zone.)

The resort is across the street from  La Isla Shopping Mall with plenty of interesting places to eat....and the buses stop right in front and will take you anywhere on the resort zone for about .80 cents. (they are really dependable and stop every few minutes...we never had to wait for a bus. They are the same buses that all the locals use.)

We have visited Cancun before....but it had been a really long time since our last visit...like 15 years.  Things have changed a lot!  For the Better!  but we were still visiting a 3rd world country....and with that comes some interesting adventures. (but that's why we travel...if we wanted it to be just like home....we would stay home)

 My hair was a total mess the whole time...curly hair and humidity...well, they don't mix.  

 My breakfast view-

 It was a beautiful place to stay...the staff were always kind and friendly and they kept the place spotless. (I think they had a "leaf pickup crew" the minute one fell someone swept it up.  Super clean place.)

Well, enough about that....

I have a few more post coming about - the food and fun.

Happy Day.

PS. sorry if this sounds like a travel blog...just recording for my journal.

 

 

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Rio Secreto- Our Cancun Mexico trip

Rio Secreto- Our Cancun Mexico trip

We are back from our trip to Cancun Mexico-  over the next few posts I will be documenting our trip...I thought about posting in order ...but decided to go totally random. (smile)

This time while in Mexico we wanted to do a few things we have never done before.....this is one of those things!

(for my journal...and as a little travel post.)

Natural Reserve Rio Secreto-  just a few mile pass center main in Playa Del Carmen 

( we were staying at the Westin Lagunamar ocean resort and villa which happens to be about an hour from Playa Del Carmen)

We rented a car from Westin and headed out for the day...for a little exploring / "cave swimming" at Rio Secreto.

Rio Secreto entrance is right off the main freeway ( we had no problems traveling in Mexico...it did help a little that Danny speaks fluent Spanish- but most everyone we talked to also spoke English)

At the entrance they show a little 5 minute video about the place along with the rules- from there we got in a van for a 5-6 mile ride to the site ( a very bumpy and dusty dirt road...but it just added to the adventure.)

Once at the cave site- they gave us helmets and wet suits- we then walked about 1/2 mile to the cave entrance

the water in the cave is cold...but once you are in the water within one minute I was very comfortable, thanks to the wet suits.

 

The water is very calm....and without the lights that were on our helmets it would be pitch black!  I thought I would be uncomfortable about being underground in a small place....but never once did I feel any panic. (well, maybe once when the tour guide had us turn off our helmet lights....creepy quiet and dark)

(Danny and I kept saying to each other...they would never let us do this in the States)

We were in the caves about  90 minutes.

(walking and swimming in the river....and a little diving/kissing. =)

They don't let you take your camera in with you...the cave pictures are from our guide.

( If you want at the end of the tour you can buy a CD with the picture from your tour on it...kind of pricey)

 After the cave tour...they took us back to the center where we changed into dry clothes and had lunch...don't expect much....kind of a so/so lunch....but the cave tour was so magical, floating in crystal clear fresh water was beyond awesome!  and talk about beautiful!

I want to do this again!  

After lunch we headed back to Playa Del Carmen...more on that later.

Happy Day-

(I documented a lot about our trip on my Instagram feed....our resort gave us a coupon to use at picaboo for a complimentary custom photo book...I plan to use all the picture from Instagram.) 

 Rio Secreto

 

 

What I learned-

This past week I watched Sam and Heidi's children while they enjoyed a little time away together in Hawaii-

Here are a few facts I learned this week.

What I learned from Carlee-  As we were driving to her Girls day activity- Audrey was very sad and kept asking Carlee in her very sad voice, if she was "uninvited"...  Can't I go? am I "uninvited'?

Carlee's reply- Well Audrey, I know you are sad...but you are not "uninvited"...you are invited to come when  you  turn 8, when you are 8 you will have so much fun.  

This comment totally made Audrey happy and gave her something to look forward to.

I learned from Carlee  to be positive and Kind ....we can all find a more positive way to talk to those we love.  On her chore chart- she wrote, "Be Kind."

(Carlee was such a help the whole week!  What a sweetheart, she would ask me several times each week if there was something she could do to help)

 

Vacuuming is a Happy thing-

Each Day Cole would asked to vacuum...when I said yes, his reply- 

Happy, Happy.

What I learned from Cole ....any task can be  made better by adding a little Happy to it....and we can do hard things...it's hard to be two in a world of older people that talk and understand each other.  He worked really hard to say new words and control the inner hulk. (smile)   I believe we all have an inner hulk that we need to control.  He does hard things everyday!  From him I learned.... We  can do hard things.

What I learned from Audrey- Have fun and ask lots of questions!

Life is an adventure, ask questions, ask questions, ask questions!

We are all super heroes...Really we are!  -Audrey 

Audrey to me- What is your super power?

Me- to love you

Audrey-  No its not....you are Grammer you have all the powers, okay you can love me too.

(so, okay, now I know  being a "Grammer" is a super power.

 Audrey practicing her "Grammer super power"

 

 

What I learned from Preston-

Work hard with no want for a reward.   He worked so hard, mowing the grass without being asked, cleaning up his room, sweeping off the back patio in the dark...just because he wanted to make sure it looked nice for his Mom and Dad when they returned home.

When I first got there I posted little chore charts on each of their "bedroom doors" I let them list the things they would like to do. (their ideas, not mine) Preston choose hard things....he did them all.

I learned from Preston that work is service we do for our families because we love them.  Preston is awesome.

Chore chart-

 

What I learned from these two-  Sisters love knows no bounds.

It was a wonderful busy week.  

Something else I've learned.

Mothers in the middle of raising their children are beyond awesome.

(I now need a 10 day vacation...on my way to Mexico =)

Did you know  that without leaving your home you can walk 10 miles a day.  I averaged 10 miles a day while babysitting these children.

 (per my fitbit- Saturday was my best day- 21 mile....mainly thanks to the LDS Prom.)

other facts from my fitbit-  calorie burned a day- average 3,000

climbed 25 floors a day- no, they don't have stairs...this is from all the pick up, put down, pick up, put down of tiny little bodies. (smile)

And that just the physical part of taking care of little's!  

Only Heavenly Father can measure the emotional!

Bless your sweet  hearts all you Mothers in the middle!  You are a blessing, a joy, a treasure!

Know that I love you....all my sweet girls in the middle taking care of my grandchildren,

Heidi, Shannon, Becca and Jessica   I love you!

and Yes, Bree you are soon to be in the middle too!

(Happy Day, new grandbaby coming in Nov.)

Life is one big Happy .