Cabo San Lucas January 2010

In January, we finally got around to using our timeshare at the Hacienda Encantada resort, Punta Ballena, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was an awesome trip! This resort is about the nicest place we've ever stayed anywhere. Here is a shot of the little beach at our resort. These cactus are everywhere in this part of Mexico.

Here is Elaina at our little beach.

The pool at sunset. We had a nightly ritual of swimming till the sun set.

Here we are on our snorkeling/whale-watching boat ride. Doesn't Seth have a cute smile?

Elaina meets the soda-drinking donkey. She loved this show, which also featured dances from every state in Mexico.

Here is Elaina showing off her new bathing suit at Lovers' beach near El Arco. We should have stayed longer. Unlike most beaches in Mexico, there are no sales people on this beach.

Pamela, Seth, and Elaina at the pool right after sunset. This is the life!

Neil and Seth at the pool. Thank you, Wendy McHood, for giving us the little hat for Seth.

Elaina playing at the playground at the resort. Isn't her hat cute?

The view from our balcony. This was my favorite feature of the Hacienda Encantada Resort.

Going to church in Mexico. It was great to practice my Spanish and I had to pay close attention to understand what was being said and how to comment back in Spanish. I learned a new word: "Satanas" (Satan). It seems wrong because it sounds so much like Santa Ana. However, those from the Alamo would probably agree on the similarity. I also wanted to go to Priesthood meeting because they got to have class outside in the courtyard, as seen behind us in the picture.

The view from our hotel looking toward San Jose Del Cabo.

The view from our balcony looking down at the pool. There were clouds the first day after we got here. It had been raining all week in San Diego and we could see snow on the mountains when we flew out of California.

January 2010

Seth is a flirty babe. Look at that smile! He has given me many hours of entertainment and joy with that smile. By the way, Grandpa likes him too.

My 41st birthday dinner at the Rancho Valencia Restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe. Fortunately, my birthday falls on Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, this means bye-bye to the Cheesecake Factory tradition.

The January birthday bash for Shawn, Kendell, Denise and I. Here you see 16 year old Shawn holding his buddy Seth, who likes Eskimo kisses, according to Shawn.

Elaina likes playing with the big girls, Haylee, Rachel, and Katie on the trampoline. The dachshunds, Ryder and Freckles, came along too.

January is the month we committed with my sister Liz to run 3 times a week. Two short runs on Monday and Wednesday and one long run on the weekend. Liz is training for a marathon. I just want to fulfill my birthday wish of getting back in shape. I get my birthday wishes. Seth is evidence of that. Here you see me pushing the double wide stroller along the bayside of Coronado Island with the bridge in the background. I am waiting for Neil to take the 2nd shift with the stroller. I enjoy running on Monday and Wednesday mornings without the kids.

This is why they call this place Sunset Cliffs, because of the awesome sunsets.

WHEN TODDLERS ATTACK!!! Elaina was not in a good mood that day. However, I did find out that it can actually feel good to have your hair pulled.

Looking at that early morning sunrise out of our bedroom window before that morning run. You can see the Redonda Mesa, a mountain in Mexico, in the background.

Seth taking a bath in a sink at the Circus Circus hotel in Las Vegas.

New Years Day at the Gateway mall in Salt Lake City with Pam, Seth, Lauren Anderle, Maddie, Lisa, Paul and Lauren and Elaina. We had corned beef and cabbage that night for dinner. This is supposed to bring the good luck of the Irish. I had rutabagas for the first time, and all I can say is, corned beef makes vegetables taste good.