New Year's in Mexico

My 2024 post ended with a stay tuned... We ended the year and began 2025 in Mexico.  

But let me back up a bit.  Back in spring we were thinking this might be the year to get the whole family together sometime during the Christmas season.  The last time had been in 2021.  We got the wheels in motion and then hoped and prayed that everyone would be able to make it.  There were a few health scares in December, but yes, we all made it - some from Edmonton and some from Halifax, landing in the warmth of Cancun, Mexico.  We boarded a bus, and an hour or so later we arrived at Dreams Aventuras.  Our family vacation was about to begin!

And we're off.  Devon, Katherine, Elliott, Shiloh and baby Koen. 

Good thing for airport playgrounds while we wait.

It's a long direct flight from Edmonton!

A chance to sit in the cockpit - just like Daddy.

As a first time all-inclusive experience for some of us, Dreams did not disappoint.  It was a beautiful resort with a sheltered ocean beach, pools, several restaurants, bars and lots of activities.  It was very family friendly with many other multi-generational family groupings there too.  

The breakfast buffet at kid-height.  All the restaurants also had a kid's menu.  Everyone was happy!

The days passed quickly as we migrated from our rooms, to the beach, to the pools, to the restaurants and back again.  It was super relaxing for everyone. 

The main beach was sheltered by a breakwater. 

Ty, Deanna, Nora and Alice

The swim-up bar was a hit!

Around the corner was a natural pool.

The waves were high beyond the breakwater.

Naptime for Koen, in the shade in the warm air.

Naptime for Alice

Tulum

One day we decided to all go to see the Mayan ruins of Tulum, not too far from the resort.  It was a very hot morning and the youngsters faded quickly, but we made it through!  Tulum is the only Mayan city built on the coast, protected by a wall on three sides.  It would be an impressive sight to come at it from the Caribbean Sea with the castle perched on the edge of the cliff.  Even entering through the thick walled gates, it was a fascinating place with ruins of temples and palaces.  Our time really was much too short, but without shade trees, it was long enough!

Ringing in 2025

This was the most spectacular New Year's Eve I've ever celebrated.  To enjoy an incredible buffet of steak and lobster, and all the fixings was amazing.  To wander around the beach and take in the acrobatic show, the music, the dancing, the fireworks, the champagne and grapes at midnight was incredible. But to be away from the snow and cold, and to be together with the whole family was the best part.  What a wonderful evening of celebration. 

Kelly's parents, Sue & Tony

The celebrating continued on as January 1st is Steve's birthday, and January 3rd is Kelly's.  

Fishing excursion

When the palm branches are off to one-side, it could be seen as a warning.  Nevertheless, the guys (minus Ty) decided to go out on a fishing excursion.  As it turned out, other than catching some tuna for bait fish, nothing else was biting, and all but one of the guys were feeding the fishes!  Even so, they had an enjoyable excursion.  

Dreams was part of a larger gated community with a golf course, marina, shops and dolphin discovery centre.  Some of us went exploring in this area.  Some family members also ventured beyond the gate, across the highway to some regular Mexican shops.  That was the beauty of this family vacation.  Everyone could come and go and participate in whatever they wished, when they wished.  It was a wonderful relaxing time together. 

watching for the dolphins

 

Don't think that one will fit in my carry-on

But all good things must eventually come to an end as we boarded the plane back to cold Canada. Everyone declared that it had been a blast and maybe, someday, we could do it again?  Who knows.