The Gillespie Family: Cancun Vacation

A while back, a couple of our friends invited us to go on a Cancun vacation with them in April. At that time, we just couldn't make the commitment. As their trip got closer, we were itching to go. So we decided to trick the couples… I told Amanda I was trying to convince Thomas that we should go. So she sent me all the info for the trip so I could get a package put together and present it to Thomas. I ended up telling her that my attempts failed, and that we would not be going on the trip after all. However, we actually had booked the exact same trip as them! Same airport hotel stay the night before departure, same flight there and back, and same room type! We literally couldn't wait to surprise them!

We talked about how and when we were going to surprise them the whole trip to St. Louis. Thomas was so sure the hotel would give us their room numbers and we cold simply go knock on their doors! Of course, the hotel couldn't just give out that kind of information! So they said they would call one of the rooms and tell them they have a package to pick up at the front desk!

First they called Mike and Amanda's room… They of course thought it was a bit odd for someone to send a package to the hotel when they were just staying there one night. Who knew what hotel they were staying at anyways?? They both came down together. We were hiding in the middle of the lobby as they walked up to the front desk. They stated they were supposed to pick up a package, and the lady pointed behind them as we jumped out and yelled, "surprise!" Ok maybe I'm the only one who jumped out and yelled, "surprise!" Needless to say they were both shocked! And we were soooo happy to see them!

After chatting for a while and explaining everything, we decided it was time to let Chris and Megan in on the secret. We did the same thing again… Except Chris came down on his own as Megan was in the shower. He was just as shocked as the other two! So we eventually headed upstairs to find Megan. She was actually peeking out her door into the hallway when we got off the elevator. We had been downstairs for a while and she was beginning to wonder what had happened to Chris!

Of course we were all pretty excited at this point but we had a VERY early morning ahead of us. We headed back to our rooms and tried to get some rest!

This was the first time we've done the direct flights to and from Mexico. And oh man, it's soooo worth it! I hate the travel time before and after vacation, and flying direct shortened that travel time like crazy.

We left Friday morning and got back Wednesday afternoon. It was a much needed trip, and it was such a blast! Can't wait to see where 2015 takes us...

Chris and Megan on our way to Cancun!

Snorkeling

Catamaran Cruise

Soaking up that sun!

The beautiful beach!

The boys enjoying the pool

Thomas… with a drink in his hand :)

View of one of the pools and the ocean when you walk out of the hotel.
It. Was. Gorgeous.

Naturally, something strange had to happen while we were in Mexico. One morning, the top of my forehead felt weird so I looked in the mirror. Sure enough, there was a big swollen area at the top of my forehead (felt like a fluid pocket). After googling it, this is a reaction to the sun that some people experience. My forehead was slightly pink, but I wasn't really burnt at all. I had used sunscreen non-stop and worn a hat almost every time I stepped foot in the sun! I read more into it… According to others who were lucky enough to have this reaction, the swelling would soon start to drift downwards from the top of my forehead to the bottom and eventually settle between the eyes. I was going to look like an Avatar. And that's exactly what it did!

The swelling is almost to the bottom of my forehead now...

To go along with the swollen forehead, I also broke out in a rash. It was
the worst on my hands and arms, and it itched like crazy! I had applied
sunscreen like a crazy person so I barely had any burnt areas at all, but I was
still lucky enough to get some sun poisoning!

Bali beds

Lounge area for nightly entertainment

Inside the middle of the resort

Sushi restaurant

While we were enjoying ourselves in Mexico, someone else was having quite the time of his life as well! Mr. Tuds had a blast exploring and playing outside!