An Overdue Easter Post

We had a busy Easter weekend this year.  With a quick trip out to the Kane farm for some fun in the mud and then to race back to Airdrie to wake up in our own home where the Easter bunny could find us.  

Checkin' chickens with Auntie Angie

That is good old farm mud!

Great Grandpa (or Big Bob) takes Sam for a gator ride... no tears means success!  It was a perfectly sunny day to spend out at the farm with family.  Loved it!

Easter morning Sam woke up to an empty egg basket and some bunny ears... and a mysterious trail of eggs leading from Sam's room to his Easter surprise.

More egg hunting

We went down to the big egg hunt with all the kids in Airdrie.  There was a super cold wind but all the excitement of searching for eggs kept us a little bit warm.  We met up with Logan and ran into Smith (who surprised us with more Easter treats) and even some friends from Sam's school.

Since we rushed through the egg hunt earlier because it was cold out, we had another one in our back yard.  We painted eggs out at the farm and they turned out beautiful so we used them for our egg hunt.  First I hid them for Sam... and he did a great job of finding them!

Sam then hid them for me... and I use the term 'hid' quite loosely.  As you can see it wasn't a difficult hiding spot and he even ran to get me from the house and said "Ok Mom come find them.  They are all in the dirt."

The Connolleys Go to Mexico!

We had the gift of a family vacation this spring break.  We spent 7 days in the Mayan with Shaun's parents, his brother and our niece.  The weather couldn't have been more amazing.  The resort was OUTSTANDING!  I would recommend it to any of my friends (with or without little kids).  

Waiting at the Calgary airport to take the long flight to Mexico.

We arrived at our hotel 12 hours after leaving our home in Airdrie.  We took a little golf cart ride to our hotel room.

First day at the pool hanging out with one of the many iguanas we saw on the trip.  Sam loved them.  He even named the one that lived outside our hotel room.  He was originally named Crocodile but that got confusing so we called him Buddy.

First dip at the beach! SAND THROWING!!!

My favourite guys hanging out in the water.

Family shot!

Only a few short meters off the beach there was a school of fish swimming around.  Some people were feeding them bread and they were very tame.  We tried to touch them but they are sneaky!

My guys winding down after a long day in the sun.

Sammy up with the sunrise each day.

Kaili and Sam waiting for our turn to swim with the dolphins.

Kaili getting a dolphin ride.

Grandpa being pushed by the dolphins

Sam and Shaun getting the dolphin to poke out of the water and touch Sam's hand.

Dolphin kiss!

KISS!  He looks equally as impressed as his dad was!

Crazy pool kid

We went down to a little square where there were was shopping.  On the ride there Sam fell fast asleep and slept through our entire tour around.  His mean parents took the opportunity to pose Sam... hehehehe.

Sam got heavy so we let him snooze on the bench!

Sammy and Grandpa!

Gramma, Grandpa and the kiddos!

Second day at the beach... Sam's tracks in the sand.  Love.

Running loose!

Beach baby

This is Sam's Amigo.  Every day we'd visit him at the lobby of our hotel.  He'd call to Sam saying "Hey, it's my amigo!" and Sam would run over and they'd do a little handshake.  It was sooooo sweet.  It melted my heart each time.  While we were there, Sam developed what we think was a heat rash.  Sam's amigo was very concerned that it could be an allergy so he suggested that Sam drink so milk to counteract the reaction.  Without Sam's amigo (and all the other amazing staff) it would have been a completely different trip for me.  The people showed love and kindness that was above and beyond.

Beach at the Tulum ruins.  

My guys getting poked by a cactus.

Tulum.  Absoultely amazing and breath-taking.  Unfortunately it was sooooooo hot and we needed to spend our time moving from one source of shade to another.  Our guide told us much of the history and it was fascinating.  Worth the time if you are ever in Mexico (fyi-the world is not ending... I heard it in the Mayan folks!)

Sam finding all the 's' on the sign.

That is Shaun and I in the top right corner.  We saw 4 turtles while we were snorkling.  It was incredible. 

If you look carefully there is a sting ray on the bottom right under me... too cool.

Boy LOVING the sand.  Luckily Shaun's mom was lovely enough to stay on land with Sam while we snorkled (I did try to put flippers and a mask on him but it was a BAD idea!)

The Connolley clan waiting for the 'tram' to take us from one hotel to another.   On the 5th day we found out that by the time we waited for the tram to come we could have walked to our hotel... it was literally 200m away and we didn't know!  We wondered why the tram drivers looked at us funny when we asked them to drive us!!!

Hammock time!

Parrot by the pool.  

On the final day, Sam was using the tube and swimming all alone.

A final relax by the pool before a VERY long trip home.  Holiday of a life time.  So many wonderful memories... LOVE.

SUPER TOT!

Another round of gymnastics has come and gone, and once again it's been a big hit with Sam.  This time we were very lucky to have two very special friends in our class, so it was even more fun than usual!  Here are some highlights from Sam's last day...

Warm up!

Our friend Smith warming up!

FRIENDS!

Jump

Huge leap off the block!  No fear at all!

Lining up with friends to head to the next station... airplane arms

Brooklyn and Sam with their listening ears

Daddy pumping Sam up for his big walk on the high beam.

All by himself!

Sam of the Jungle

Handstand

It's a long way down when you are only 3 feet tall!

Another wonderful round of gymnastics... it makes my heart sing that he loves the sport that was so important to me growing up.  Love.