After 5 Days in Cancun..............

It has been a fabulous and relaxing week thus far. We will enjoy a day by the pool today after spending a few days doing fun stuff around neighboring islands and downtown.

Monday we went for a long walk on the street side of the hotel (instead of the beach) just for some different atmosphere. The rest of the day was spent by the pool relaxing - again. We signed up for a few activities to do in the coming days as well. Monday night we went to Hacienda Sisal for a traditional Mexican dinner and show. The show featured Caribean dancers and an MC that sounded like Regis's older brother who just stepped out of Vegas. It was a very entraining evening.

Tuesday we had breakfast at the hotel - this has become a habit as it is so delicious :-) We went on a jungle tour with snorkeling at a reef that was called "Punta" something - I can´t remember, but we had a great time. There were ten of us in our group and each couple got on a Seadoo and went through lagoons, crossed the Caribean to get to this reef. The snorkeling was ok - the best I´ve seen in Mexico (but no comparison to Hawaii). Chris had never snorkelled before and either of us had ever seen a reef, so it was great. We swam around for about an hour and then headed back to Cancun. It was a fun time and something we both enjoyed and would do again. We went to Lorenzillo's for dinner - a favorite of mine and a place Adam recommended a few years ago. Dinner was excellent and so was watching the fish swim around while we ate. They also have their own lobster farm, so that was interesting to see. You can pick your own lobster out for dinner - go figure. Dinner was followed by a long stroll and a couple stops for a drink here and there and a couple games of pool.

Yesterday we went on a all day tour to Isle Maujez. We took a big boat to this island where there was a beach club. You could snorkel, sun bathe, sit in hamocks, swim, kayak or rent golf carts and take them around the island. Chris and I voted for the golf cart and drove around the island to see the way people live and just take in the views. At one end there was a lighthouse that is open and so we got to climb up to the top. It was beautiful. We got tons of pictures, so look for those in the coming days. The islands was disocvered by Spaniards in 1516 and is only about 7 miles long with a population of 15,000. We figured the livlihood was probably fishing. It also seemed that very rich Americans (and others) docked their huge boats there and just lived because of the cost. We headed back to the beach club for lunch and then a little sun. The boat left the beach club and took us to the other end of the island for some shopping. More locals trying to sell their goods. We were shopped out so we just walked around a bit and found a place to have a cerveza. So on this island we got 2 beers for $4.00 - now I know why some people live here - ha! Anyway, we boarded the boat and headed back to Cancun. They way back was a party and we continued that at the El Shrimp Bucket. Chris and I had a great dinner with too much shrimp and a couple margaritas. So far El Shrimp bucket has the best margaritas. We crashed early from a full day of touring and being in the sun.

Today will be lounging at the pool after breakfast and then we are headed out to find a place to watch the hockey game. Detroit needs to win one more in their series - yahoo!

I hope this finds you all well. We are totally enjoying ourselves and look forward to another day of relaxation.

Talk with you all soon.

Sun and Cerveza

Today is Sunday, our second day in Cancun and we have reached the point of total relaxation! The sun, cerveza and service is plentiful!

After a long day of travel on Friday, we headed straight to the bar on the beach and enjoyed a couple cervezas and the stories of the local bartender. It was early to bed so we were ready for a full day of relaxation by the pool.

Saturday started with breakfast in our room, enjoying the sun rise and then down to the beach by about 8:00 for a long walk. We spent all day down by the pool, in the ocean, and at the pool bar. We ran into a few ladies from Portland who were on our flight so we shared some stories over a Mai Tai. By 3:00 we were pretty red from the sun, so it was time for a siesta. We went to a local mexican restaurant (La Distilleria) for a great dinner. Chris had steak and I had fish. Excellent service.

Sunday we started the day with a long walk on the beach at 7:00 and then had a mexican breakfast at the hotel. We decided to stay out of the sun today and headed into town for some shopping at the local markets and take in some of the culture. Everyone wants to show you their crafts and goods they have for sale. We met some nice people while having a cerveza (imagine that) and the cutest little boy came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. We got back to the hotel just in time for a siesta - I could get used to this :-)

We are so excited to be here and to be able to just relax together for a week. This is Chris´ first vacation in many years so he deserves this time.

I hope all is well with everyone at home. We are thinking of you and will talk to you soon.

Bear Update!

It's been a while since we've had an update on Bear. We received a letter from Ken and it is below. All is well, and it sounds like Bear may be a little skinnier than when he left us - wish I could say the same - ha!

Chris -

Hi. Nice to hear from you again.

Bear is doing great! He and Echo have become quite the dynamic duo. They often sit together for hours at one of the glass doors and watch over the yard, making sure there are no unwanted cats, deer, or squirrels.

We are walking together twice a day, every day. 2.5 to 4 miles first thing in the morning and another mile in the late afternoon. He especially enjoys getting toweled off after a rainy walk. What a character!

Bear had his first grooming here on the island. He was very well behaved and took it like a veteran. So he's looking quite handsome and we think he's even slimmed down a little with all of the walking.

Echo and Bear even touch noses occasionally. There are the usual expected tussles and growly exchanges, especially over favorite chew toys. She's still the boss though and he knows it.

We are so thrilled to have him. He is very affectionate and loves to snuggle up. We're enjoying him so much.

Have a safe trip. I'll send some photos of the little guy when I can. - Ken, Morgan, Echo & Bear

Fun in the Sun

Do you ever have a weekend where you just go WOW? I had one of those weekends, and it seems lately that I've been having a lot of them. The added bonus for this weekend was the SUNSHINE! When the sun came out on Saturday I don't think Chris and I were inside until 9:00 p.m. that night. We exercised, walked on Alki, had lunch and margaritas and went to a barbcue at Jake and Heathers and sat on the deck all evening. It was so AWESOME to see the sun all day. Sunday we encountered a few sun breaks but mostly clouds and some rain. This didn't ruin our fun though. We had breakfast on our deck and then biked to Marymoor and played tennis (or tried). That afternoon we went to an Alehouse in Seattle for an IPA fest. Chris taught me how to properly shoot pool (this is a long process for me) and we played darts and had dinner. The best part was neither of us were in any hurry to do anything but laugh and relax all weekend. Everytime I think life is so great and can't get any better.........it does!

On another note, Chris and I leave for Cancun in less than 2 weeks - we can't wait! This is Chris' first vacation in several years and my first in two years. We are ready, we got the flip flops, the swimsuits and each other. What else does one need?

I hope this finds everyone doing well and enjoying life as much as I am.

St. Paddy's Day Dash - Whoo Hoo!

Last Sunday was the annual St. Patrick's Day Dash, which I have done for a number of years with friends. It is always a fun event getting out there in the morning for some exercise with all the people in there crazy green costumes and then of course drinking beer afterwards.

This year was especially fun because Chris did his first "Dash." We had a great time and actually jogged a fair amount of the way. The race was followed with Lisa, Chris and I heading to Fado to drink too much beer and have many laughs. This will be an annual event for us and anyone else would like to join us.

Chris - thank you for being so willing to do new things with me and accepting of my friends. I love ya!

Natalie and the Violin!

Natalie has just started to play the voilin! She brought it over this weekend and played for us everyday. She has already mastered Mary Had a Little Lamn and Hot Cross Buns and is working on Jingle Bells. I can't believe how much she has learned in such a short time. I'm proud of her, and enjoyed listening to her play this weekend!

I remember when I started to learn how to play the piano - it was so much fun. I had the nicest teacher. She would always say to me, "Read your notes Honey." The guitar followed the piano and I also had a short stint with the clarinet. The greatest feeling was when you finally got that one song down you had been practicing and practicing.

I had to share this as I am very excited for Natalie and hope she sticks with it.

Weekend Excursion

This past Saturday, we ventured up to Burnaby B.C. with the girls. Chris' cousin was getting married, and we wanted to attend the Muslim ceramony. Mostly to support them in their new adventure, but to also make ourselves more aware of their religion/culture. We were glad we went, although their ceremony is much different than anything we are used to. The most important part is we were able to see relatives we only sees a couple times a year.

Sunday Uncle Fred and Aunt Marianne were cooking breakfast for us and most of the "relative clan." It was great to visit with aunts, uncles and cousins. They were very glad to see us, and happy we made the trek to the wedding.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Peace Arch on our way home.