Journal to Cruz from Dad in Mexico

January 12, 2009

Dear Cruz,

The following letter is little journal of our trip to Mexico in January of 2009.

January 21, 2009

We are currently on an airplane heading to Playa Del Carmen, Quaintana Roo in Mexico.
The flight is 4 hours and 40 minutes. We are about half way there and you are getting pretty restless. Luckily the flight is pretty empty so Mom just took you to another open row of seats and you are enjoying the new surroundings. We are hoping you will take a big nap, but since you are such a “Busy body” I don’t know if we’ll get that lucky.

So far on this trip you have had a good time. In the SLC airport we tried to run you around to get you worn out. First we went for a ride on one of the carts that move elderly people around. You and me got to sit in the front seat. You just looked around in amazement at all the surroundings and people. Next we went back to where Grandma R., Rebecca, and Mom were sitting. There you enjoyed looking out the big windows at all the airplanes and trucks that were outside. (Currently, mom is chasing you up and down the center isle of the plane. You don’t want to sit down and you definitely don’t want anyone telling you have to sit. Getting a little cranky). Then we went for a run around the terminal. We ran by the booth were there were some shoe shiners. We stopped by to talk to them and we ended up getting your little brown Crocks shined. You didn’t know quite what to think of that. Mom is starting to get stressed. Currently she is trying to get you to calm down to take a nap. You try to kick your way out of her grasp and say “NO, NO”.

January 13, 2009

Our first day the weather was overcast and sometimes rainy. We walked around the hotel a lot and tried to figure out where everything was. The Iberostar is HUGE. There are three different parts. We are in the middle level, the Lindo. Mom and Grandma got two tours set up for us: Xel-Ha and touring ruins. While they were doing that You and I went to the beach. That was your first time in an ocean. When the wave came in and touched your feet you yelled and ran to get out of the water. The we played with the sand and walked on the sand. You weren’t quite sure what to think of it. In the afternoon Mom was able to get you to take a nap. I was cut short because there was some construction noise in the floor above our room. I went for a jog along the beach and then and through some of the neighboring areas to our hotel.

January 14, 2009

Today was slightly overcast, but we didn’t get any rain. Sasha and Mia were sick so their family stayed home while the rest of us when on a tour to Tulum and Coba. The van ride was a bit long (about 1.5 hours to Coba, then another 45 minutes to Tulum)
At Coba there were several structures that were spaced apart in the jungle. We rented some bikes and also some bicycle taxis (You grandma and Mom rode on one) This was a fun way to see all the ruins, because we got to ride bikes on trails through the jungle to the ruins.
Tulum was right on the ocean and was more of a big Mayan city, with temples and other buildings pretty much in one area that overlooked the ocean.
It was a long day and you only napped about 3 minutes! After we ate dinner we came back to our room, got you ready for bed and you were asleep in a matter of minutes. You were completely exhausted from the fun filled day.

January 15, 2009

This morning you woke up early, 6:45. I think you had a bad dream. We decided to go to breakfast early, then we went for a walk on the beach. It was really windy and you wanted to be carried when we were walking into the wind. On the way back we walked through little boardwalk that went through a densely vegetated area. There we saw several blue and black birds. You enjoyed watching them and you waved and chirped to them. We were only about 5-10 feet from the birds.
After that we went back to the room to relax.
In the afternoon we went to the pool with your cousins even though it wasn’t that warm. You came in the water with me. You had a funny look on your face as I put your full body in the water (excited, happy, cold, but yet a little nervous too). We then came back to the room and You and I warmed up with a bath. We played in the tub for at least a half hour. Then we all got dressed and went to our dinner reservation at the Mexican food restaurant. It took FOREVER for us to order and then get our food. You were very tired and most of your cousins were tired too. It wasn’t a very enjoyable dinner.

January 16, 2009

Today is Friday and the weather is looking much better. This morning you were whiny right when you got up. You have been a ltttle more difficult lately. Hopefully, it well be a stage that passes quickly. We went to the little kids play area. You had a lot of fun there chasing your cousins around and playing by yourself too. We were then on our wa;y to the beach and you had repeated temper tantrums, so I cam back to the room with you and you feel asleep in your crib immediately. (Very tired!)
Wben you got up you were happy. We went to find mom and the rest of the group at the beach. There you enjoyed playing in sand. We also found out that you like strawberry dacaris. On the way back to the room we saw several coatis’s (raccoon like amimals). We got very close to them as they weren’t too afraid of humans since they get all the free food they want. We took a nice long bath again. When we were trying off on the bed you pinched my nipple and wouldn’t let go. Finally I hit you hand to get me to stop. You stopped pinching me but now you were crying. You are a pretty sensitive little boy.
This evening we are trying to go out to a place that isn’t a buffet. Sea food.

January 17, 2009
You had a good nights sleep and woke up happy. We left the hotel for the day and went to Xel-Ha (Shell-Ha). This was a park near Playa Del Carmen on the ocean. Mom and I got to do a lot of fun things:
• Snorkeling
• Cliff jumping
• Rope swing into water - (When I did this I landed in the water on my back. You were in the stroller sleeping and the noise of my back hitting the water woke you up. Mom and me were a little bummed that your nap was cut short
• Tight rope walking across the water, with a rope to hang onto. It was actually kind of hard, but your Mom and I both did it.
• Hiking on lots of trails through the vegetation.
Things you got to do at Xel-Ha:
• Watched Dolphins
• Watched Fish
• Saw Iguanas
• Climbed a rock wall
• Went down the slide -- many times
• Slept in the stroller
• Played with cousins

The van ride back to the hotel was a bit long for you and you got very restless. When we got to the hotel we decided that I would take you to a restaurant and Mom would go back to the room to the a bath ready for you. At dinner it was You, Grant, Uncle Russ, and I. You behaved pretty good considering how tired you were and you also got a balloon dog from a Magician at the restaurant. You were very impressed with the balloon dog. Then back to the room for a quick bath and bed.


January 18, 2009

It was sunny today! We had lots of fun at the beach. You got in the ocean a little with mom and sometimes you would laugh and run from the waves as the came up on the beach. For the most part you didn’t want too much to do with the water. You had the most fun climbing on the lounge chairs and pushing around a blow-up boat on the sand. Mom and I spent some time in the ocean trying to body surf the waves. The water was very warm.
Later in the afternoon Grandma watched you and Mom and I got to go play some tennis. Mom beat me 7 games and I only won 5 games. This was our last full day in Mexico.

January 19, 2009

On the last day we woke up, went to breakfast, then straight to the beach. I got to take a sea kayak out to the ocean. It was really fun to be so far out all by my self in the middle of the ocean. Then I also had fun surfing the wave in the kayak. We also took a Raddon family photo. There was 19 of us. You and I went back to the room about 11 am for a nap. You didn’t sleep too long and we thought you were a little sick. You were pretty crabby, with lots of snot from your nose. At the airport you had some major melt downs that lasted to the first 20 minutes of the plane ride. Then you fell asleep for the majority of the ride. I think you were ready to be home.

Overall we had a great time experiencing many “firsts” with you. You made me so proud with all the fun new things you did.
This was the first trip to Mexico and the first family gathering all as one since Grandpa Raddon went to Heaven. We all missed him a lot, but we were all happy for the memories and examples that he was to us. We are lucky to have lots of great relative to spend time with.

Love, Dad