It's SUMMER time!!!!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've last been on here.  Honestly it kind of feels like longer.  We've had an amazing month of vacations and plain ol' fashion FUN!  I'll try to just hit the hi-lights.  Mid-June we took the kids down south for a "vacation" to Granny & Popo's.  They were every bit as excited as we were.  My in-laws live on several hundred acres out in the middle of nowhere (seriously...it's hard to even get 1 bar on a cell phone! LOL!) and my kids LOVE it!!!  They love the freedom of being able to climb trees and just explore.  They even started a "country kid's club" and "built" a tree house and everything!  I must say I can totally relate because growing up my grandparents' farm provided the same treasured past times.  It brings a smile to my face and a warmth in my heart to see them truly enjoying and exploring this beautiful earth and taking a break from the much-abused video games, movies, computers, and tv shows.  So while the kids were living the good life with the grandparents Jarred & I headed south for our annual trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  I literally look forward to this week ALL year long.  I start a countdown in about October! LOL!  It's AMAZING!  We had a fabulous time, and this year was extra fun because my brother & his wife came with us as well as our long-time friends. 

All "gussied up" for dinner!  Kinda looks like a "prom picture" huh? LOL!

At the beach in Tulum (Mayan ruins).  It was beautiful!!!

Dinner again.  We sat on the steps and listened to the mariachis (sp?).  I think I got some sun! LOL!

Playing dominoes and giving our skin a break from the sun.

Toes in the water...toes in the sand!

There was a group of Texas country musicians staying at our hotel and they put on a concert in the lobby one night.  SO fun & felt just like home to hear "y'all" so much! LOL!  (Michael Thomas Riley, Darryl Dodd, Stoney La Rue & Randy Brown)

Proof that I got in the Caribbean again this year! Ha!

Doing some shopping on the 5th (the main shopping strip in Playa).

Water aerobics!  LOL!  So fun!

We went snorkeling at the world's largest natural aquarium, Xel-ha.  It was breath-taking!

And of course we had to indulge in the perfect pedicure (while the boys were out golfing).

Needless to say we had another amazing time!!!

We headed back to the states only to find that the kiddos were not quite ready to come home, so....they extended their stay and spent the next week getting to spend quality time being spoiled by their Nana while we had a little "stay-cation" at home.  It was really nice to be able to clean and organize the house and run errands without the "help" of the kids.

This summer we added in an extra vacation and booked a week in Vegas at Caesar's Palace.  It was my first time to "sin city".  We went with a couple that have quickly become some wonderful friends and boy did we have a great time and eat some delicious food!  And OH MY, the shopping and the stores!!!  We literally shopped every day until we literally dropped...the boys however went to the Shelby Corvette museum & golfed. LOL!

Doing the tourist thing!

We went to see the World Series of Poker - Main Event.  This was the first day and we were able to sit and watch the head table.  The man in the cowboy hat is Doyle Bruson.

The fountain show at the Bellagio

We got to see a real fashion runway show!  Get your bell bottoms & tie-dye out...the 70's are BACK!

I surprised my hubby with an extra-special dessert on his birthday!

We didn't come back gazillionaires, but at least we didn't lose it all!  I think when all was said and done, we lost about $100, not too bad after 5 days of gambling.   

VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!