Kevin's Trip Report: Akumal 2009

We (me and my wife, her friend Ashley, and our three kids) went for a long weekend at Cannon House the end of last month. Ashley is cool enough to help with the kids so my wife and I can have some time together here and there and we try to pick up most of the bills.

Anyway, we came back with 270 photos that we will post some of here eventually, a film camera full of turtle pictures that still sits on the bar at home, and a reservation for eight days next May.

I think, though, that I can summarize my trip pretty quickly:
The last evening, sitting comfortably at the corner table at Lol-Ha nearest the retaining wall and beach, watching the kids play in the sand and run around chasing crabs with their flashlights, remnants of our dinner on the candle lit table full of dishes we would not have to clean up, holding my wife's hand, and an unknown cat asleep in my lap, I remember who I am for a little while and I smile in my heart. A stranger walking down the beach stops and takes a picture of my daughter but I don't think anything of it because the scene is so perfectly beautiful that anyone who saw it and her would be compelled to do the same. Though I am a little cramped from holding my youngest daughter while she napped for an hour earlier, I think to myself that I could stay right here, like I am, forever.


Day One:
Continental San Antonio to Houston and Houston to Cancun
View of the day for Brandy (my wife) and Ashley (our friend):



The Crew:
Parker, our ten year old, with airline grub. Why will be eat every single morsel of food on an airplane?



Rain, our six year old with a goofy look:



And Maya, the three year old:



Pick up the rental at Thrifty:


Funny thing here. The day before I went by the bank to get some cash. I sent my driver's license and a check or withdrawal slip through the tube on the drive thru and it took an oddly long time. I finally pushed the button to ask if there was a problem.

"Yes, sir, I'm afraid there is. I sent your license with the car that left a few minutes ago. We are trying to contact them now." I'm a mellow person, so no big deal. Well, it is kind of a big deal in Mexico trying to rent a car with an expired license I dug out of my drawer. My name was on the credit card, used my wife's license, just a minor hassle. My license was in the mail when we gotr home. Anyway, on to Crococun:


The big knucklehead is me. Parker is so excited he can't see straight. He has a list of stuff to do. One of them is to see a monkey. They are visible in the trees from the road. He also really likes reptiles, so he's ready to go. We pay about $90 for all six of us, and this part of the trip gave us more recurring laughs than any other part because of our guide and his outrageous accent.

He would say, "Dees, Matilda. OK to toush. Safe for humans."



"Let her kees you wife."



We have like 65 pics of Crococun--alligators, crocs, iguanas, ocelot, monkeys, etc.



The coolest dog ever...he has a natural mohawk.



"Dees one Rudolf. I do not name heem."



"Dees one Narnia. Go way. Shoo! You too fat! Oh, no, do not toush. Dees one wild--not safe for humans!"



End of day one tomorrow!


<>crtarpon -- 10/21/2009 4:12:55 PM >


<
OK, continuing with Day One:

A sign at Crococun:



But why? OH, I see!


You notice there are not any pics of Ashley yet? She's not a fan of birds or reptiles, but she liked the deer:



A sweet one of Maya with a fawn:



After the tour we loaded up in the Durango and stopped at a store in PDC for groceries. Then, we finally made it to Akumal. Checked in at the front, and then into Cannon House with no problem. My wife couldn't wait--had to have a shot of the arch--even though it was dark:


Cannon House check in photos:


I wanna sleep here! They didn't find the hammock until the next day--see it there hanging on the right? Big hit with the kids.



And the obligatory swans:



Then, we rushed over to Lol-Ha for fish tacos, nachos, and cocktails before they closed:








And then it was off to bed. Everyone was good and tired and went down hard.

Early the next morning we woke up to this:



Wonder why they call it the Cannon House and why everyone thinks Akumal is paradise?

And then here for breakfast:


Shopping a La Calaca:


Maya and the rest of us hamming it up:






Ashley with a smoothie:


Maya got a brownie and liked it:



Maya's fruit plate:



Parker's big egg burrito thingie:



Brandy's goat cheese eggs that went uneaten because the goat cheese tasted more like goat a**:



Rain's french toast--the best thing on the table is that little cup of syrup:



The bakery was good, but it cost us like $68 to eat there and it wasn't worth that to me. The Loncheria is more our style!

And then we went to the beach (that the next day we found out was just for the Casitas--whoops--but no one ever said anything to us and a nice family even let us use their kayak).

Daddy throwing Rain into the air:



The luckiest chump ever with Mommy:


Mommy supervising the kayakers:



Back to the Cannon House for some rest and then over to the pueblo for some tacos:



These are panuchos, empanadas, and something else:




There was a quincinera starting as we were leaving with ear crushing Ranchera music. Nice to be going back to the house for:



and

Day Three Later!!!


<>crtarpon -- 10/21/2009 1:25:35 PM >

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width="150" height="1" /> Day Three
Parker and I got up early and went for a snorkel before anyone else was up. Ran into a big barracuda, a pretty good sized sting ray, some squid, and all the usual suspects that I couldn't name if I had to! Then, in to wake up sleepyhead Rain! Notice the mask marks still on my forehead:



We went to the Loncheria for breakfast--the kids really liked the chocolate milk licuado type things, to Chomak for a phone card (maybe that was in Day 2?), made some calls, and then, on to the beach where we were supposed to be near the pool. Hmm. This particular spot became ours for the next two days...probably the best 48 hours we've had in a long time:


We just kind of hung around for a while having some cocktails and I was recovering from carrying a large cooler.

What it's all about:







Prettiest lady ever, "staying thirsty, my friend.":



Ashley, dreaming of some boy, also staying thirsty:



Then, time for a swim to see if we can find any turtles.



I had no idea it was so easy to see them. At one point when the sun was out strong and the current was slight, we had five turtles in sight at once--unbelievable. Even Maya saw one--not through her mask but by just looking into the water while I held her.

Then over to Lol-Ha for some pizza and time out of the sun. Rain is our model and will pose like this for as long as it takes to get the shot she is looking for. This is her "concerned about future world affairs" look:



Parker goofing at Lol-Ha. Bo-ring!



We want to go do this:



While Maya naps with Daddy in the coolest place ever:



An hour later---there she goes! That's her running in the pink hat.



You can tell by the shadows it is getting later in the day. We decided to go get cleaned up and go to the pueblo for a cheap dinner. We drove over only to find the place we'd been the night before closed and nothing else open either. So, we took off for Tulum.

We stopped by a farmacia because Ashley got water in her ear and it was bothering her, but the lady there wasn't much help--more on this later.

We found a place on the right, heading south that looked OK, and guess what? Tacos! I give the oppressive heat in Tulum a 6.5. Mosquitoes about a 7.0.





And some cotton candy afterwards:



Mommy and Maya being silly:



Then serious:



Then back to Cannon House for another good night's sleep.

Day Four
Early the next morning Ashley is having trouble with her ears. I tell her I saw these "Mayan" ear candles for sale at Chomak:


We set them on fire. She's taking it very seriously:



Sh says it helps for a bit and then not so much. She was bothered with plugged up ears for most of the trip, but was a trooper. Off to our spot on the beach again for a beautiful day, Lol-Ha pizza on the beach, and this view again:



And Maya nite-nite again:



Parker and Rain:



More turtles spotted--just a great day and then to Lol-Ha for happy hour and dinner. This is our last night and where I had the thought about just staying there forever in the first post on this thread. Probably enough said for a while--the photos tell it pretty well..I made the kids pose for some shots(they already ate pizza) then Brandy, Ashley, and I had drinks/dinner/drinks:







Dinner!!! See my hands down below? Can't wait to dig in!



The girls had shrimp tacos. And drinks (a-hem).



Happy Mommy:



Happy kids:



Equals happy me.

Simply Adorable...the name says it all!

So, it's finally here! The much anticipated line of Apron-front Knot dresses, Cozy Coats and Christmas outfits are ready! First let me say what fun it was creating these new designs! I love the grow-with-me styles of the pillowcase and apron dresses and the cozy coats can also be worn for a number of years... a mommy's dream come true!

Here are the two designs of Apron-Front Knot Dresses $40
(sizes 12m, 18m, 2, 3, 4/5 & 6/7)


They can be worn as tops or dresses


they have adjustable straps and can be monogrammed.


So cute with jeans or leggings and super hard to pick which one! I am sad to say that the Amy Butler and Heather Bailey fabrics used to create these adorable pieces has been discontinued, so there is a limited supply. So when I am out, the new styles will look like this:

But I won't start production until the others are gone...

Here is the 2009 Chrismas Line...


Twirl Skirt Set $38
(sizes 2, 3, 4/5, & 6/7)
The shirt can be made with a circle or an appliqued initial. (see an example here)


Apron Front Knot Dress $40
(sizes 12m, 18m, 2, 3, 4/5, 6/7)


Pillowcase Dress $22
(sizes 6-12m, 12-18m, 18-24m, 2/3, 4/5, 6/7)



And last but not least, the Cozy Coats!
(Little Girl 1-4 & Big Girl 5-7)


Why do I love these? Let me count the ways:

1. It is EASY to put on- perfect for getting in and out the car when you are running errands or quickly hurrying into school. There are no sleeves, so there is no fighting with your toddler (yay!)
2. It is reversible! Yep, you can wear the print or the solid on the outside so it can go with any outfit!

3. Super soft fleece makes it warm AND cozy!


4. Adorable frog closure adds a little flare.

5. It has a hood... no more struggling with hats or messing up bows (ha!)

6. The unique cape/poncho design means little ones LOVE to wear them, and moms love the way they look.

Fashion meets function... what more could we want?? I drew this pattern so that the garment could be worn for multiple years. They come in Little Girl (1-4) and Big Girl (5-7). See more prints here.

You can find some of these items on the Simply-Adorable website, but I just got the pictures and I have not had time to update it yet. So if you are interested, just email me! (webb3747@yahoo.com) I will say again that some fabric is limited, and when it's gone, it's gone!

And don't forget the shopping cart covers, gift sets, nursing covers and bows!

** a special thanks to a. leigh photography for the awesome shoot!

A picture can say a thousand words...

This was our view of few days ago... paradise.

The Sun... by Parker Rivers

The other day Parker came home talking about this science project... and of coarse he forgot the instructions in his desk... until Monday. Basically, he needed to make a 3-D model of the Sun and layer all the parts. Sounds easy enough, right?

Well, let me just say that when you live in a small town and the fifth grade assigns a science project and you all have the same idea about using a styrofoam ball, Hobby Lobby will sell out.

So, plan B.

Use a smaller ball and clay to make the model. We even added some shape & bake polymer clay to make the solar flares. Fun stuff!

So after about 2 hours (yes, 2) this was the final result

Ta da! Parker was very pleased and I was, too. Using clay ended up making his a little different than the others. And of course, I have to point out the straight pins... that is how Science projects get labeled when your momma sews. (ha!)

Blood, Sweat & Tears

Ok, so we all know that Rain is our sweet and sensitive one. She wears her heart on her sleeve, and sometimes what seems like the smallest thing can be very BIG to her. Well, she's been wanting a bike for awhile, and Memaw and Pepaw brought two home. (one for her and one for Maya) Rain has always been a "scooter girl" and I think because the other kids spent so much time on them, the whole bike thing never really interested her... until now.

The girls could not wait to get on them and strut their stuff. Maya hopped right on and never looked back.

But for some reason, Rain had a really tough time getting the hang of it. Partly (I think) because the bike is just a tad too big for her and also because this is just the typical way that she addresses challenges, poor thing.

Well, Daddy wasn't havin' it. She was gonna learn to ride and she was gonna do it right. I know it seems really awful and funny at the same time, but here is the video of Kevin "coaching" her down the street. (Memaw, turn the volume down)

She can really ride pretty good, and I'm not even sure why she's screaming the whole time. What a mess! It sort of reminds me of the time he taught her how to spell her name...

R-A-I-N. Four little letters, yet so much drama (ha!)

Where were you?

"We have seen the state of our union in the endurance of rescuers working past exhaustion.

We've seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own.

My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of union, and it is strong.

Tonight, we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done."

President Bush's State of the Union, Sept. 20, 2001

(Click here for the entire transcript)

We will NEVER forget.