the DREAM team

As my previous post rehashed Jake & my amazing trip to Mexico, I also MUST document the dream team.  While we were relaxing, resting, and being spoiled in Mexico, our kids were having a blast with Grandma and Great Aunt Ronda.

My mom and my Aunt Ronda, took time off of work, flew to Wilmington, and spent THEIR vacation caring for OUR four kids. When I initially told my Mom that Jake was invited on the trip, she told me to let her know the dates ASAP and she would see if she could come. She & Ronda rearranged work and life to come. This was a huge blessing!

Auntie Em & Blake came up for Easter

Ice cream at Lewis Farms

As time has passed, we continue to hear of all the fun the kids had with Grandma and Aunt Ronda. Many trips to various parks around town, ice cream at Lewis Farms, Power of Play, lots of walks, a donut date, Grandma playing the piano and everyone singing, playing games, doing Great Aunt Ronda's hair in pig tails, reading through The Trumpeter Swan with Grandma, painting and many more crafts.

THANK YOU, does not seem adequate for how much we appreciate their willingness to come and each of their generosity with their time and energy.  Any parents (especially of littles), who live far way from family KNOWS how hard it can be to find childcare just for a date night, let alone for an entire week.  Jake and I were able to relax and really enjoy the time away because we knew the kids were being loved and well cared for. THANK YOU and we love you Mom and Ronda!

Mexico

Every year, My Employees takes a Champions Trip.  You have to earn your spot on the trip (top sales, or support staff is invited to go due to their performance at work). Well, Jake was invited.  And his amazing boss doesn't just pay for him, he also pays for spouses!  SECOND HONEYMOON here we come...and did I already say it was ALL expense paid?! I also must preface this by saying we have never been on a cruise or to an all inclusive resort, plus this trip was longer than our honeymoon.  We were just a teeny bit excited.

We flew from Wilmington, through Atlanta, and into Cancun, Mexico.  

The trip was Thursday, April 13 - Wednesday, April 19.  

My mom and my Aunt Ronda, took time off of work, flew to Wilmington, and spent THEIR vacation caring for OUR four kids.....but those details will be rehashed in another post.

We stayed at Valentin Imperial Maya, an all inclusive resort.  The resort was so nice.

We enjoyed all the "US" time.  Every meal was a date. The food was incredible! We had some meals planned as a group with the 40 other My Employees gang.  We also did some meals as just the two of us, and then other meals as double dates.  It was really fun.

We did a bike tour our first morning at the resort.  That was helpful to learn about the resort and also feel like we knew our way around. Although, just a few minutes into the bike tour, Jake got a flat tire.  So our sweet little tour guide took Jake's bike and she ran while pushing the bike with the flat tire.

Another dinner out.

We spent most of our time on the beach.  It wasn't too difficult to find a cabana, so we could enjoy the ocean breeze in the shade or sun. We also played a lot of beach volleyball. We would typically head to the beach in the morning and then hit the pool late afternoon.  

We realized it was better to order a cappuccino, than the brewed coffee.  

We drank A LOT of cappuccino - All Inclusive!

Off to another dinner,

The Mexican Fiesta on Monday night.  Followed by a show.

Room Service - All Inclusive

Love having this guy all to myself for a week!

We also had SO MUCH FUN getting to know Jake's workmates.  We hung out a lot: by the pool, at the beach, during the shows and concerts.  It was very enjoyable.

So, that first morning when we did the bike tour, we learned that the resort runs a 5k race every Wednesday morning.  What? A 5k race with NO registration fee; I'm in!

I ended up placing 2nd for the women.  (Full disclosure: there were only 5 women in the race.) My time was 26:24. I got beat by a 23 year old by 30 seconds.  Maybe if I had laid off the guacamole and the ice cream....

We arrived back in Wilmington at 8:30pm on Wednesday night.  It was so great to getaway, but I was ready to squeeze my kids.  THANK YOU, to My Employees and Dave Long for an amazing week in Mexico. I am so proud of Jake for working so hard and earning this trip!