Riviera Mayakoba, Mexico, day 1

This is us on the bus after a long day of travel, passport checks, customs, a policeman who tried to get us to take a limosine.  We were excited to be in Mexico with the other top salesmen from American Fidelty.  Every other year they take their top 100 to a wonderful place and treaty them like royalty.

Below is a picture of me minutes after finding out that we're going to have to change our names to Gramma and Grampie...Congratulations Dana and Brian!!!!

We enjoyed the 45 minute trip and all the different sights on the way to the resort.  It was fun to read the signs in Spanish and try to guess what they were about.  As we reached the Fairmont at Riviera Mayakoba we were greeted by our new 'amigo' who gave us each a cold wet towel to wipe our sweaty brows after the grueling trip.  They then hauled our luggage down to our rooms while we were led into our gorgeous lodgings.

We were taken into the ball room and given gifts at every turn.  It started with a beachbag full of sunscreen, treats, waterbottles, and added to it...t-shirts, and designer sunglasses.  They gave us money for our dinner in town, name tags, drinks, and then led us out to a wonderful buffet lunch.

After our tummies were full, we were led by 'Senor Chatterbox' down this beautiful  walkway to our spacious 'home' for the next few days.

 

The bathroom reminded us of the garden of eden.  The bed itself was a work of art.  I loved watching the bedmaker work his 'art' on the bed, it was quite the show!

We took awhile to change and explore before we headed over the bridge to our evening dinner/entertainment.  There are so many different pools at the resort, I wouldn't even guess at how many different ones I saw while there. The food each and every time was amazing and overwhelming both in quanity and quality.  I took a picture of my favorite new dish...Ceviche...Brian, note the squid!  It is a wonderful combination of seafood and garlicy salsa sauce...to die for!  The performers you can see at the front of the tables were amazing.  The were dressed in native costumes and their instruments consisted of turtle shells, conch shells, antlers, a digerdoo kind of thing, drums, etc...it was amazing! 

After a wonderful dinner, the performers came out.  The only way I can describe them would be a Chris Heimerdinger nightmare.  They were all painted like Jaguars, birds, warrriors, etc and they came out doing a mayan dance depicting a human sacrifice among other things.  I wished that Jon and Amelia were there to enjoy the dancing along with us!  Their headdresses were 4-5 foot feathers....What awesome costumes!  What a great night!

MEXICO

Spencer's Graduation 6/4/10

Well, here it is...the end of an era. All four kids have sucessfully graduated from Hanford High School. It was both wonderful and a little nostalgic all at once. Spencer's class was the largest yet...322 kids. Dean Moody, Jim and Crystal Field, Cassie Dohse, and Regan Bishop were the cheering section. Nancy Smith was the faculty speaker. She did a great job talking about, "it's a privelege to be here." But before we knew it, the walk had been made, the caps had been thrown, and the hugs were being given.

We had a great celebration dinner at Outback Steakhouse (where else would Spencer choose?) and then ...after a brief stop to do some Spanish home work (it's a bummer to have college at the same time) He was off to the all night party. Sadly he came home empty handed, but had a good time with all the activities. Now he just has one more week of classes, then finals, and providing he passes all his classes, he will graduate from CBC on June 18th. Congratulations Spencer!!! We are so proud of you! Our first "double" graduation! Way to go and good luck in the fall at BYUI!

Dana and Brian surprised us early Friday Morning by knocking on our door just before 5:00am. We knew they were coming for the weekend, but didn't expect them until Friday night. We had such a good visit.

They Played on Friday, while we worked and schooled. Saturday we picked up a new entertainment center and had fun putting it together and organizing it. We had a yummy lunch at Mongolian Grill. Then Spence and Brian took off to get a haircut. (Spencer's first actual professional haircut!) Gram came over for dinner...Hambergers are magic!

Sunday we had church, and then missionaries for dinner. Brian made Halooshkie...sp?... A yummy dish from Czech Republic. We topped off the evening playing Settlers and watching movies.

Monday we went to the new Robin Hood, then celebrated Spencer's 18th birthday by a fun Geo-Cacheing Adventure orchestrated by Ben and Sarah. They had him find a different location for each gift, and he had to do a "task" at each home....speaking spanish to Fields, Singing 'You light up my Life' to Sister Gallup, etc... It was so fun!

Dana's Visit

Dana made a quick trip home over President's Day Weekend. It was so good to see her and spend some time catching up. Dean, Sarah, and Girls, and Ben and Sarah Moody joined us for games on Sunday night. It was sooo fun!

Birthday Weekend

It was a great Weekend for a Birthday....We started on Friday Night with Dinner at Three Marguerita's with Dean and Patrice.

Then we were off to Secret Garden where Spencer and Victoria Roberts were Mary's Dead parents....It was Great!!!

Saturday Mike and I Spent the whole day together, chores, home and garden show, a baptism, dinner a Ripples, taking tickets for Secret Garden, then home for a good movie....Fireproof.

Sunday was just a regular Sunday, but I had the Parker girls from the ward make me the most darling cards....Aw....Then our first BYD at our home with Ice Cream Cake....Great Day!!!

Jordan and Mandee Surprised Mike by swinging over this way on their way home from Magrath! It was so nice to get a little visit with them. We were so grateful to have them here to share a special day. Bless their hearts, they had to drive all night to get home and then get up early for the first day of classes...Thanks Guys!!!!!!