Day 3 & 4

We started the day with us "big" girls getting massages. This was the nicest spa facility I've ever been to. They started us out in the "wellness" center---outside area in a tropical garden, fancy drink---we had chlorophyll water. It was a pretty color green and had a slight mint taste. Very refreshing. Besides a small private pool, they had a hot pool and a freezing cold one. We put our feet in the freezing one. After our massages, we met back there with another drink. Steph did this thing where you walk on top of a bunch of smooth stones while water sprayed your legs from all directions. She said it felt good. I was anxious to get on with our pool day.

My plan for this vacation was to hang out on my private patio a lot! I haven't been seen in a swimming suit in public for at least 15 years. I didn't want to miss out on the fun, family togetherness and conversations, so I changed my plan to: "I'll just hang out with the fam at the pool in my cover-up." That was too hot, so I had to change my plan again. "Okay, there's not many people around, I'll just get in here and stay right at the side." That worked out fine for me until I wanted a drink. I made my way to the bar and told myself, "what the heck. I'll never see any of these strangers again, so what!" 

 Jordan's self-photo. Anyone grabs my camera (and my lotion, brush, flip flops, towel, blistex, whatever---nothing is your own in a large family---learned that growing up). I just never know what shots I'll find. I did like this picture below of Morgan.

Elizabeth, Victoria and Morgan just hanging out together in the pool outside our room.

 The Lapps family at the swim up bar. I'm surprised they let you actually have the drinks in the pool. We introduced the family to "BBC's"---bailey's, bananas and colada. Delish.

Butch and Sandy reading poolside. Butch said he was going to "take it easy today." I responded, "As opposed to taking it easy yesterday?" He reminded me that he spent a good part of the time rounding people up, delivering messages, getting stuff, etc. He really does spend a lot of time taking care of us. We love it.

Later that afternoon, the girls went to a "fingerprinting" class. Mindy came running in for money to purchase the frames. The maid was here. She asked the code to the safe (where we had the cash). I was getting ready to tell her to just think---we use the same password for everything. Before I could get the words out, Butch blurted it out---right in front of the maid. She doesn't speak English, but I figure, just like everyone can count in Spanish, they can probably count in English!

 The finger paintings turned out really cute and are a great souvenir. Elizabeth's is below. Sandy said hers was really cute before the teacher decided to touch it up.

Apparently, they take 3 days to dry. Morgan put her purse on top of Mindy's. Neither were happy about that. Morgan did get the paint off her purse.

That evening, we went to the "adults only" French restaurant.

By the time we get out of the restaurants, it’s dark. Sandy and Greg were early, so I was able to get a few shots of them.

Mindy wanted a picture of the red chandelier. 

Day 4

On Tuesday morning, the guys headed off to the golf course while we girls went to the local shopping center. Somehow it’s become tradition that I (with Butch’s approval) buy the girls jewelry. This year I fell in love with the local stone---larimar. It is only found in one square kilometer in this area, making it very rare.  Here is a sampling of what we got:

 Sandy and I both got bracelets. This is mine---hers is a large silver linked chain with a larimar stone dangling from it. The color of the stone is sky blue with white running through it---nothing like turquoise. It's looks darker her than it actually is.

 The little girls all got rings---Victorias is pink coral. Elizabeth got a pair of turtle earrings.

Mindy also got a ring. Stephanie got a necklace of the stone made into beads. The perfect remembrance from here. 

When we got back, I stopped off to make some surprise reservations for the family. More about that tomorrow.

Dinner was Italian. Everyone got ready early so we could get some photos. Everyone loves to get dressed up for dinner on vacation. I love that!

Sandy took a lot of razzing from the family about her long dress. Steph, Mindy and I don't care for them. I finally decided that for me, it's because why would young, cute girls not wear their darling mini dresses as long as they can? They have plenty of time to go long. Anyway, when we saw Sandy's, we all had to eat our words. It's just darling---strapless and all cute. The only ones I've seen have reminded me of aztecs or swimsuit cover ups! Just goes to show, Sandy knows what she's doing. She's always had style. So does Mindy. Steph---not so much. A few years ago, I told her that she had to have someone with her when she bought clothes. She takes it all so good naturedly---we always kid her about her bad cooking skills. When Jordan mentioned that she doesn't like leftovers, Stephanie quipped, "that's because it was bad the first go round!" We all tease and laugh each other. Mindy can dish it, but she's the only one that can't take it!! She only wants us to say nice things about her!!

 Stephanie's off the shoulder number is really cute. We met early to take pictures before our Italian dinner, but it rained. I got just a few.

After dinner, the kids went to the "kids club." They have awesome activities, but Victoria and Elizabeth were having none of it. Sandy and Greg insisted this night because the adults were going to the casino. The teens have been good about letting them hang out with them all the time. They have spent some time at the teen club. They pretty much have it all to themselves.

I doubled my money--started with $50 and walked away with $100. We had the whole black jack table to ourselves.

Sorry to be so long, but this is my trip journal too!

Until tomorrow (or the next day)....