Dominican Republic

My amazing husband earned (EARNED!) a special honor having met some extremely high goals and exceeding those goals - we were invited to attend "President's Club" which was in the Dominican Republic this year.  All expenses paid!!  It was a trip I couldn't imagine being real until we got there!  We had a pit stop on the way there to visit Lara, Greg, and Julia.  This is a pic of us late that night - and I shouldn't look so tired, but oh well.  It was funny that we (Shayne & I) were both falling asleep on the couch around 9pm which is 7pm at home!  I can only determine it was because the house was so quiet and peaceful and I wasn't in charge of anything!  My body was entering "relaxation" zone!  Julia is an absolute doll and we had a lot of fun just hanging out with my "blister" and her fam.  I wish they were closer!  Love you guys sooooooo much!

The airport - yup - that's it!  We walked down stairs and were on the tarmac - I can't believe how much tourism is in DR, especially considering it's all coming through this little airport! (for this side of the country at least)

The airport - already the air is humid and warm and we can't believe we're really here!

Pics of our sweet SUITE!

We found the beach and just chilled.

a pic of 1 of the pools

Day 1 was an arrival day and a special dinner for just the "President's Club" attendees.  There were 24 total people - that includes the CEO, 2 VP's, some managers, and a few sales reps (like Shayne).  The cocktail hour and meal were on the beach - I didn't take my camera and I regret that!  We were the weirdos of the group - not enjoying the limitless alcohol.  But, everyone respected our choice and it was fun to meet everyone.  The attendees were from places such as Colorado, Chicago, Florida, Ohio, and even Australia.  

Day 2 we were treated to a day at the Spa.  Once again I didn't take my camera, because I thought how would I take pictures at the spa?  I wish I had taken it.  I tried to find pics online - there aren't any.  Just to see pics of the spa you would have seen how amazing it was.  So for now I'll remember something beyond my imagination - it really was amazing.  We were there for 4 hours and Shayne asked if this is what it's like when I go get a massage at home.  No - that was DECADENT.  

Day 3 we had a group activity - All Terrain Vehicles.  We had fun riding through the rugged landscape.  They took us to a beach and then we went to botanical garden, where we parked the cars and hiked up to a lagoon.  The water was super clear and very refreshing.  Yes, a little chilly, but it was all part of the fun!  There was a platform to jump off and do cannonballs and such!

After the activity, I indulged Shayne in a game of golf.  No, I don't golf.  Shayne keeps begging me to love it as much as him!  I think I last golfed when Hunter was a baby.  I actually did ok and I enjoyed it - I even hit the "pin" (the flag) on one of my hits and I wasn't putting (sp?) !  We got in 9 holes before dark and that was plenty for me.  It was fun to have time to ourselves.

Day 4 We got to do a "Dolphin Encounter."  I don't think they abuse the dolphins here, but I just don't see it as being the healthiest environment for them.  Every motion was a "Photo Op" for their photographers to take pics and then sell you an expensive package at the end for an extra cost.  We were with Shayne's new manager and his wife for this activity so we split the cost of the photos.  The pictures cost too much, but I'm glad we have them!  Notice we got to "ride" the dolphin while he swam on his back and as normal - he was FAST!!  I nearly lost my swimsuit bottoms... a couple times!

Day 5 We finally took the time to hang out at the pool and just lounge around.  Can you believe we're this far  into our vacation and we hadn't slept in yet!?!?!  We also took advantage of our free 1 scuba dive through the resort.  We had others with us from our group who were experienced divers.  They were giddy about us being on our "first official dive."  (We got certified for this trip!)  The waves were choppy but we assumed it wouldn't be so bad deep down (40 feet).  We were wrong - not just Shayne and I - the whole group.  We were being pushed to and fro, so much that Shayne even got seasick, puked under-water (that was a learning experience) and another friend came to the surface and just started to heave.  Lovely.  He said that was the hardest dive he had ever done - plus the coral reef was completely dead.  It wasn't the best and we were debating if we try again the next day or not at a different location.  One of the divers had a camera and took pics of us.

a pic of the beach from the boat..

We were once again treated to a special exclusive dinner for just our group, poolside this time.  Here's the buffet table - The amount of food for just the 24 of us was immense!  

notice the color we now have - and I lathered on sunscreen constantly!

The next day we lounged as long as we could around our all-inclusive resort.  It was the day everyone was leaving - unless they had extended their stay.  We were extending for two days, but we opted to not pay the $600 per night for the fancy resort and go to a cheaper alternative.  Our new hotel was not all-inclusive and we really didn't know how we'd get food.  But the cost was just too much!  We checked into our hotel around 5pm (which ended up being next door to the resort we were staying in!) and as they were checking us in, they kept pushing buttons and talking to managers and finally someone said, we are going to let you stay at the resort next the hotel.  "How much?" was our question - "for free!"  (The hotel was full!)  SCORE!!  The 2nd resort was not nearly as fancy - but just as nice.  In fact, we liked the food better.

Day 7 We decided to do another scuba trip - this one was to the other side of the DR to the island Catalina. We made fast friends with a girl (prob our age) and her mother.  Lucky for us, she had a fancy underwater camera and she sent us all the pics when we got home.  We did 2 dives - I saw a Lion Fish (pic below), a squid/octopus, and a cool water-spider thing.  I didn't hold that one.  The coral was much prettier than the dive we had done by the resort, so we were relieved!  It still wasn't the most spectacular sights ever, but it was definitely beautiful and well worth it.

The next morning we spent time swimming and then lounging by the beach before heading home.  A huge shout-out to my parents and Shayne's parents for taking care of our boys.  When I got home, Cole was starting to "tattle" about the things Hunter had done and I just said, "I know that things aren't the same when mommy is not there, and I don't expect them to be!"  Hunter got a sly grin on his face and the tattling ended there.  ha-ha  Everyone on the trip would ask us if we had any children and when I would say 4 boys, their eyes would get huge and say WHOA!!  We're lucky to have this house of chaos, but the vacation was definitely needed, wanted and immensely appreciated!!  And obviously we couldn't have done it without our parents' help!  

Sledding with Papa

I traded my baby for my nephew, Michael, for the day - I know Michael enjoyed sledding MUCH more than Skyler!  We had a wonderful day.  I had 5 boys with me (Cole's best friend tagged along too) and we picked up Papa and had ourselves some good times in the snow!

Hunter - he's actually a speeding bullet, but the pic doesn't show motion.

The little boys pulling their tube to the top

 This is also a pic in action - screaming/giggling/laughing their way down the slope.

Wheeeeeeeee!

The worker asked how I talked my dad into coming - I said it was easy.  I just asked him!  Love having Papa play with us!

Just to prove that Cole was with us - and his best friend Connor.  I didn't know till the next day that Connor doesn't like sledding.  That's peer pressure for ya, he never complained once and he kept up with Cole the whole time!

This was the "Big Daddy" of all sleds.  We had this hill to ourselves.  I managed to take the boys on a day that the local school district was in class (but my boys didn't start for another day) - so we had the privilege to try this special sled!  It was MONSTER sized! 

Ready to POP!

My sweet sis-in-law Devri was ready to pop!  I threw her a baby shower and as far as creativity and effort, I did my finest work for this one.  I kept thinking, if my sister was here, this is exactly how I'd do it for her.  Then I remembered that I DID throw a shower for my sister here.  Then came the feelings of, "why didn't I do this, or that?" and then it occurred to me, "OH YEAH, You had a baby less than a week before that shower!"  So, Lara, you still had my best efforts for that time and season.  The fact that I had a theme and food to match, honestly, this just isn't my style.  But it was SOOOO fun.  I also had a table of "bow-making" attire and all the shower-attendees spent their time making bows for baby Rachel.  

The theme...

Yes, I made these cake-pops.  And I didn't even eat one, I'm not a fan of velvet cake - but others loved them!

The popcorn had white chocolate (tinted pink and purple) and it was SOOOO tasty.  That's my kind of a treat.

The goodies.

Oh, I'm glad that I'll have a niece close by to enjoy the ADORABLE clothing she got!

The goods.

Sledding Fun

Actually, this was a sledding adventure before the food fight - but I didn't bring my camera that day.  Devri kindly shared her pics with me and documented the fun!

These boys are truly best buds.  I love that!

Yes, he has a mustache.  

Daddy and Skye - heading down a gentle slope - and Skyler kinda liked it.

My handsome Hunter - had a blast and wanted to keep going all afternoon.

We saw Cole laying at the bottom of the big hill - not sledding - and Hunter said "I don't know why."  Well, the fact that some kid had PLOWED into him, we didn't blame him for wanting to go home.  This pic honestly doesn't do justice to the damage done.  Thankfully, no concussion.  Just a serious bruiser and even a black eye a few days later.

It took Danny some time to warm-up to this "sledding" thing - but got the hang of it eventually!