Families Are Forever: March 2011

William and I were able to take a quick vacation to Atlantic City and Times Square. We were invited by Laura Lee and Marc, and we had a ball! I won't go into a lot of detail. It was my first time to New York City, and I loved it. We only stayed half a day in NYC, but it was long enough to get a real feel for it. Here's some photos from our trip:

Atlantic Ocean

On the boardwalk with our daughter and her family. We walked this boardwalk a lot! It's very cool!

On the boardwalk in Atlantic City!

I got a photo in front of Carlos Bakery, but we didn't go in. There actually was a three hour line we would have had to stand in!

Boy, do I look like a tourist in Times Square

Radio City Music Hall/Times Square

Aerial photo of Mazatlan

My parents invited my sister, my sister-in-law, and me to their time share in Mazatlan for a week. I was so excited to be with them! Mazatlan is charming, and it's such a treat going somewhere WARM in the winter. The most wonderful thing about the trip is that I could be with those I dearly love.

It took a lot of effort to get ready to go. Finding substitutes for dance, and for my YMCA classes was probably the most challenging thing to do. It also felt strange to pack summer clothes in January- but hey, it's really FUN! Well, the day quickly arrived for my vacation, and I was off.

My parents have a lovely place in Mazatlan. They visit every year, and have for the past 20 years. Some refer to the area by the beach as paradise, and it certainly feels like it. The view is lovely from my parents apartment. Flowers were in bloom, and the palm trees are everywhere. The beach is serene, and the landscape is lovely.

The weather was on the cool side while there. I honestly didn't pack enough warm clothes. My father warned me ahead, but I kept thinking it would warm up. I actually had to go buy long pants, a jacket, and socks! While were there, a record was broken for the coldest temperature for that day (maybe February 3, 2011) in 50 years! Mom especially froze, and thankfully they have a nice little heater at their place which kept her (and us) warm.

Some of the best memories from this trip are: (1) walking and running on the beach with my sister and father; (2) eating Tlalapeno soup (which I now make at home) at Panama restaurant, and making it at our apartment; (3) going to church in Mazatlan and feeling the brotherhood there (truly understanding that we all are God's children); (4) being asked to play the piano for Sacrament meeting at church; (5) getting two massages that were amazing; (6) eating chili relleno's at "I love Lucy's" on my birthday; (6) playing games with my family (Domino's, Five crowns, Scattegories, etc.); (7) laying out in the sun by the pool; (8) taking the water-aerobic class (which wasn't very aerobic) in the outdoor pool; (9) loving everything and anything with lime and avocado on it; (10) bartering with the natives for items; (11) eating fresh shrimp at a local restaurant; (12) drinking hot chocolate when I was cold; (13) dining extremely well and having our parents treat; (14) enjoying free time with my family with no deadlines and no stress; (15) being able to visit my aunt and cousin there too; (16) visiting the downtown plaza where the beautiful Catholic church has been restored; (17) seeing my father being attacked by pigeons while attempting to feed them; (18) shopping with my sister, who is a pro at bartering); (19) watching the colorful and picturesque sun set; (20) choosing several desserts for my birthday, and having a small slice of each; (21) emailing my missionary, and receiving his email while there; and (22) having an ipad techno training seminar with three ipads in the apartment (we tried to teach each other how to use them).

Some of the not-so-best memories are: (1) getting a heat rash on my stomach from laying out in the sun (my first one- however it wasn't terrible– just weird-and it quickly went away); (2) trying to cancel dance classes from Mexico (there were major ice storms at home); (3) finding out my camera's memory card was full, and being fearful to delete the photos on it- so I took no photos of my own (the photos below are ones from my sister - THANKS!); (4) realizing that the nations of the world are becoming more chaotic and agitated as I watched the events of Egypt unfold on CNN (with Egypt's citizens demanding that Hosni Murbarak step down).

I just want to acknowledge my parents goodness. They were so generous and kind to spoil us with this kind of vacation. It is something I shall always remember. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You're the best parents and I LOVE YOU, and am so grateful for your goodness in my life! I also have an amazing sister and sister-in-law, aunt and cousin. I love you too!