I'm alive and well...in case you were wondering

I realized I haven't posted in 2 months which is equivalent to a few decades in Internet time. Here is what has happened:
- we went to our 2nd annual all-inclusive vacation. This time to Azul Sensatori in Mexico. It was paradise but I'll do another post just on the trip another time
- I've managed to maintain my 20lb Dukan weight loss despite going on a all-inclusive trip to Mexico. I'm now on phase 4 of the diet which is just one day a week of pure protein and I eat whatever I want the rest of the week, within reason
- I was promoted at work (yay!)
- my son started to eat carrots and cucumber

That pretty much sums up what's happened in my life for 2 months. You didn't miss much. :)

AZUL Sensatori....here we come!

Last year, we went to the Grand Sunset Princess in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and it was our family's first all-inclusive vacation.  We went with 2 other families with the same aged kids (6 adults and 6 kids, aged 1 and 4) and we had a blast.  The resort was beautiful and we hung out by one of the kiddie pools most of the time.  The desserts were consistently not great but there was lots of other good food including many a la carte restaurants for dinner, a beach BBQ at lunch, a sports bar, and a few buffet restaurants.  The kids loved the kids club and my son still talks about it 10 months later.

We just booked another all-inclusive vacation from itravel2000.com.  We are going with Sunwing again this year but to another resort called AZUL Sensatori.  All the reviews on tripadvisor are very good.  It's a 5-star resort 20 min from the Cancun airport.  I am looking forward to getting away and enjoying the food which is touted as "gourmet".

We are going this year with one other family so there will be 4 adults and 4 kids (ages 5 and 2).  I'm really hoping to get connecting rooms so that the kids can play together while we are in our rooms.  There's an adult only restaurant so my plan is to take turns going there while the other couple takes care of the kids (good time to try the 24-hour room service).  The kids club looks amazing.  It has its own splash pad, water slide, kiddie pool, FisherPrice room, in-door rock climbing wall, gym equipment, video games room, etc...  I've been reading all the tripadvisor reviews and watching all the Youtube videos that I could find about this place.  I even started a list of things to pack.  Can't wait!!

Amazing week

We went to Carriage Hills Resort just north of Barrie this past week. Surprisingly, this was the first trip that we have ever taken that was just our own family of four. All of our other trips since my daughter was born have been either with family or friends.

As always, I researched the area before we went. I found a few local events that we went to including an Airshow at CFB Borden and the RCMP Musical Ride which both just happened to be in the area in the past week. Amazing.

The weather cooperated and we went to Wasaga beach, Elmvale Jungle Zoo, and Centennial Park (playground and beach). We ate at restaurants that were recommended by tripadvisor including Tiffins Curry in a Hurry and Casa Mia.

We got in-room massages every other day (thanks to health benefits!) and went swimming at the resort's indoor/outdoor pool almost every day. I even fit in a couple of workouts on the treadmill.

We were in a 1-bedroom unit with a full kitchen so we cooked most of our meals. I love cooking breakfast because it's something i don't usually get to do. There's something special about sitting down together as a family and eating a hot breakfast. And with 2 young kids, it's not too enjoyable to eat out anyway. I must say I have a pretty good breakfast repertoire. Breakfast was different every morning: French toast, egg in a hole, scrambled eggs, over easy, sunny side up, toast, sausage, bacon, hashbrowns in the form of smiles, fruit, and usually served with a fruit smoothie.

The best part: we were able to do most of our laundry before we came back with the washer/dryer there so I don't have to do a week's worth of laundry after coming back home.

Excited

Friends of ours just offered us their 1-week timeshare cottage.  I couldn't turn down the offer for a free 1-week vacation so without even checking my calendar, we jumped at the opportunity.  I love that we are now so flexible to take trips.  Such a blessing!

Florida, here we come!

Booked our vacation to Florida yesterday.  So looking forward to getting away.  Hopefully it'll be warm.

California/Las Vegas!

I booked our flights to California/Las Vegas today.  Yay!  Now I just need to book hotels and plan our trip.  So excited!