departure

This whole blog post is a departure...a departure from the normally Parnell-kid focused posts, as well as a true departure for David and I, who returned after midnight last night from our first (real) post-kids get away!

Other than the occasional one night away-- for our 10th anniversary, and when given a free night in downtown NOLA after David's Firm Christmas party-- we have never left the kids together for more than one night. Recently, we started thinking it was maybe about time...And, after realizing we could afford a quick trip to Mexico on points, and getting the ok from my parents (the kids were enrolled in VBS at their church last week, where my Mom was volunteering), we booked it.

Non-refundable, all-inclusive, 3 nights in Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen...right outside of Cancun.

Booking it kind of close to going was good for me...I have unusually high anxiety (at least I can admit it is unusual!) about leaving the kids (even knowing they were in excellent care), and it didn't give me too much time to worry or over analyze it. And, with all we have had going on this summer, I honestly didn't even start really thinking about it until the day before we left.

We got up super early Wednesday morning, were at the airport by 6, and by late afternoon we were in Mexico! Unfortunately it was pouring when we got there, but we did a little exploring around the resort in the rain and then ate a ton of sushi for dinner. David forced me to go to the resort show that night, and I am so glad he did because it was a Michael Jackson tribute and it was soooo entertaining. Words can't even do justice it was so entertaining on so many different levels......:)
Anyway....

When we woke up Thursday we saw the SUN!!






Kindles and cocktails....what more could you ask for??? Almost all of my time was spent reading while sipping mojitos! I absolutely love to read and do not and have not made enough time for it. But, I LOVE IT. I think I got through 6 books in 3 days.

David did a lot of reading too, but he also likes to join in on the activities (I was totally lazy and pretty much did not get off of the lounge chair unless necessary) so he played some beach volleyball and went kayaking in the ocean.

We took tons of pictures of the iguanas everywhere because we knew the kids would be fascinated. There were also families of a very interesting animal that looked like a cross between a raccoon, a huge squirrel, a monkey, and cat running everywhere in the jungle. Our driver called them "molos", but I haven't been able to find a picture yet online. They were so neat...

The resort had 7 restaurants. Obviously we did not get to try them all...the first night we had sushi at the Japanese restaurant and the second night we chose the French restaurant. The food was not mind-blowing, but it was good, and diverse, and it was so nice not to think about money the whole time we were there. I definitely enjoyed the all inclusive aspect ALOT.

David and I having fun with our version of the cheesy posed photograph. You could take couples pictures at the resort and we often saw couples doing this. David is recreating one of the most popular poses...looking back over his should wistfully at the camera....

The resort really was beautiful...very well maintained, and it was a very enjoyable short walk to anywhere we wanted to go on the grounds.

I wish I had taken more pictures, but as I said earlier, most of my time I had my head in a book (kindle)....:)

Heading to dinner on our last night...

We had such a wonderful time and are so grateful that we were able to take this trip together. We skyped with the kids at least once a day, and although we missed them a lot we also enjoyed the chance to rest, have quiet, and spend time together. We are so thankful to my parents for watching the kids for us so that we could go...in fact, we are already talking about when we can go again.......:)