A Cancun Thanksgiving, 2018

This Thanksgiving marks the beginning of our new family plan 
to reunion as an extended family (37 of us) - 

in the summertime. 

Next July, we have reserved a home in Park City for a few days. 

So, our five kids and families made separate plans for Thanksgiving. 

Our oldest son, Rick, invited and hosted us to spend Thanksgiving in Cancun, Mexico, 

at a lovely all-inclusive resort.

We drove to Rick and Jodie's in SLC and flew out together November 20.

Blake was so excited to go on a trip and "go flying!"

Pilot Grandpa Roger and Blakey in the "cockpit" ready for take-off

This cute family couldn't wait to have some fun in the sun!

All aboard and Mexico bound

We stayed in such a gorgeous gated, property and felt very secure.

There were actually five different properties within Barcelo with many choices of themed restaurants 

and we could travel in open-air buses or golf cart-type vehicles from place to place 
and eat in whichever restaurants. 

We had made reservations for each night ahead of time 

so we could be insured that we could eat where and when we wanted.

The whole experience was like a cruise on land.

There were so many sports and activities offered and all included. 

I think Rick and the three older kids did every single one of them!

The day always began at the kid pools with Blake. 

He couldn't wait to get there every day!
There was also a gorgeous adult pool that Roger and I enjoyed.

We enjoyed tasty breakfasts and lunches in huge facilities 
with rooms full of about every choice of food imaginable. 
Each of the five properties had their own breakfast and lunch facilities, 
and one day Josh had breakfast five times, trying them all out!

The waters of the Caribbean Ocean were the best part. 

But it took me a while to fully venture in, hesitant to reveal this body to the many sun bathers. 

The first day, I waded around with my cover-up on. 

The second day, I wore an old t-shirt over my suit and swam around, then left it on a beach chair overnight, 

not to be found. The third day, I took a good look around, said, "Who cares?" 

and whole-heartedly swam and played frisbee catch with the grandkids, sans cover-up.

We took many pics during our stay on this beautiful property. 

The kids were so much fun to be with!

Our first dinner was in this Caribbean seafood restaurant. 

There was a lovely salad bar, then chose and were served wonderful appetizers, entrees and dessert. 

The food was truly gourmet quality!

There were many choices of Virgin cocktail concoctions and we tried them all!

This was one of my favorite meals. 

The lobster was prepared probably the yummiest I've ever had!

Every evening there were stage shows 

performed by a troupe of talented Mexican singers, musicians and dancers.

The first night the theme was Old Favorites.

The Four Tenors were really good!

The beds were comfy and each of our rooms opened onto a private terrace.

We caught a ride for the boys to go miniature golfing and the girls went shopping.

Abby and Katie are sporting their new silver rings.

We also rode the open-air bus to the other properties .

Entrance to our property

The second night, Thanksgiving, we ate in the French restaurant, and it was very special.

escargot

Oysters

Chateubriand

Crepes Suzette

French chocolate cake

On the dessert menu, it said, "Chocolate Surprise." 

Abby and I asked, what is a "Chocolate Surprise?" 

Our waiter gestured, "It's a surprise!" 

So it was served in this chocolate box and Abby and I opened ours at the same time. 

As we lifted the lid, our whole table gasped, "Oooh!"

Then we all giggled!

They wrapped up the chocolate box for us after dinner (we were too full!) and it was wrapped so well 

that I carried it home on the airplane and I enjoyed bits of it for many days afterward!
There is no way I could ever waste good chocolate!

The theme for the show that night was, "Fantasia!" 

The performers were dressed as Disney characters and did several numbers from Disney shows.

Anna sang, "Let It Go!" and several little girls and Blake ran up to gather around her.

After the show they invited the children in the audience to come up on stage with them 

as they continued to sing. 

Blake LOVED it!
There is no way we could miss the show each night!
He learned the direction of the theater and as evening started coming on, 
he wanted to skip dinner and head there!

We were all in high moods, the music continued to play and the party continued with us!

The girls started dancing . . . 

. . . then Blake. . . 

. . . then Rick . . .

. . . then everybody!

Soo fun!

 I hung out reading while the rest of them went to play

 frisbee football on the pristine soccer field.

It was a major competition with Josh and Katie on one team and everyone else on the other one.

Katie beating Grandpa to the catch.

The victors!

They bowled and also played croquette under the tropical sun.

They spotted this iguana on the property, 

and Roger saw an even bigger one while he was running one day.

The property was lush and so well cared for.

We took pics at sunset one evening.

Then we walked to our Argentine-themed restaurant for dinner.

Rick and Josh learned to wind surf one afternoon.

The last evening before we had to go home, 

we took pics so Rick's family could get a good one for their Christmas card.

We had a good view looking back at the property where we stayed, Barcelo Maya Palace.

We had to get pics with this colorful sign.

I think they picked this one as the winner for the Christmas card!

We ate at the Japanese Hbachi/Tepanyaki restaurant the last night, 
complete with a great show from our chef!

Josh served a Church mission in Hong Kong, 
and he developed a love for rice!

Happy Katie!

Aww! The chef prepared a cute message for us!

The Tempura ice cream was tasty!

The last night's show was a Mexican Fiesta!

Blake was all primed to head up on stage!

The BYU-Utah game was that night. 

This BYU fan family couldn't wait to tune it in on Roger's iPhone. 

We all sat huddled around it until around 2 AM. 

They started out on fire, but then lost!

Big bummer!

But it didn't spoil the happy glow of our great time together!

Though we didn't have a traditional turkey dinner, this get-away was a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving!
Thanks Rick, Jodie and kids for a memorable vacation with you!