Friday, January 28, 2011

Mexico R & R

Ben and I enjoyed a relaxing vacation to Cancun, Mexico, last week.
Well, relaxing after we finally got there!
We had a bit of a passport catastrophe, but no charge/fines, no foul.
We didn't get locked up or retained or divorced! lol
Our Travelers' Nightmare:
We'd grabbed Megan's maiden name passport, didn't realize until airport check-in at Moline, had to drive back to W'burg to get original marriage certificate and catch a new flight out of Cedar Rapids. We got down there fine. (Just 8 hours behind Stecklys.) 
Then on return, Immigration Police in Minneapolis pulled us into their office. Turned out that I had reported my maiden name passport as lost or stolen (light bulb went on that a clerk had suggested that was a lesser fee, realized a Grier passport existed, Swanson passport didn't have Jamaica or Bahama stamps...). They kept my Swanson passport, punched holes in it, it's toast. Recommended I cut up Grier passport if I ever find it. And I will be filing for a new Grier passport ASAP!!!
This experience and the "Casino" incident...
I think I have Identity issues!
Ben and Mike in deep conversation in our hotel pool checking out the ocean. 
Then infinity pool edge did make for some sweet pictures!
The majority of our day was spent poolside and playing beach volleyball.
We loved the sun and food!
Forgive me, I did not take many pictures AND I was the main photographer, so Ben and Mike are my main featured happy couple! lol

 Our room at the RIU Cancun was in the arch on the 3rd floor corner that juts out.
We had a great view of the pool and ocean.
Not a very private balcony, but a great view.
 Our first dinner and night out.
 Street entertainers on the main strip.
 My entertainment
 I think the shop owner was disappointed we didn't purchase any hats...
 More street entertainment
 On our boat cruise to Isla Mujeres.
It was a bit cloudy and windy, which led to choppy waters and unfortunately no snorkeling.
Thankful we didn't get seasick! 
Thanks, Dramamine!
 Mike and Ben enjoyed the romantic cruise. lol
 Our adopted Canadian friend, Jayme.
He'd had a very rough 2010, we got the full story. 
Summary: He was vacationing in Cancun with his unfaithful ex-fiance's family. :(
 Ben peeking out of the bathroom window...which was on the floor of the boat deck!
Ah...Barracuda 
Ben and Mike went deep sea fishing the next day.
Choppy waters again + Japanese dinner night before=MAJOR sickness for Ben on the boat!
 "Jack" fish?
 Our last night out in Cancun
hmm again 
We had a great dinner off the resort at an authentic Mexican restaurant, Hacienda Sisal.
 Another restaurant we stopped by, Lorenzillas, was told they have a "pet" alligator that comes and goes to the adjacent marsh. He was "out" that night.
Another pic for the kiddos. The lobster tank.
******
A BIG THANK YOU
to both of our families for watching the boys while we were gone!!! Carson was full of stories of the fun he had with Nana, Papa, Ma, Pa, and Aunt Christine!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Happy 1st Birthday, Brady!!! 1 on 1-11-11!

WOW! 
Brady turns ONE on 1-11-11!!!!
We had his birthday party on Saturday night.
About 50+ family joined us for dinner and cake!
Thank you to all who came for the great night and fun gifts!
Plenty of cake to feed our army...er....family! ;)


Mine
Ooooh, I think he likes it!
(This pic actually taken on true birthday: Cake for breakfast!)
 Trying to fit the whole cupcake in!
YUM!
 Megan Lynn and Olivia Lynn
 Mr. Ella?
The kids all had lots of fun with these gag glasses!
 Bob, Julie, Ella, and Olivia Swanson's 1st Family of Four picture!
Checkout their Swanson Blog!
 The next morning the boys had SO much fun playing with all the new toys!
ESPECIALLY the "pup tent"!!
We did take more pictures of the party, but Ben used his new camera and hadn't quite figured out the settings, so all were blurry. After a night of studying it, he's ready for the future moments! Bummer not to get pics of more family! Hopefully we can get some pics from family to put in the album!

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Happy 2nd Birthday, 2nd Cousin Cael!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cael Cheney!
An old picture above.
Friday afternoon we went swimming at Amana Wasserbahn for his birthday.
We brought our buddy, Nolan Kent.
It was a little chilly, but the boys still had lots of fun!
I didn't get any pics because it's very busy chasing two excited 3-yr olds at the pool!
Nigh-night, boys!
 Mommies got lots done while they napped.
I got food prepped for Brady's Birthday party and Kelly got Nolan's room painted!
Nolan and Brady share the SAME birthday!:)

Christmas Recap

Christmas Eve night
 Mom's gift: A TV for the workout room/guest bedroom
Later, Ben surprised me with a 5-year Anniversary wedding band!:)

 Opening gifts was SO much fun this year!
Carson was very excited and animated and gave a cute
"Thank you" after every gift!

 Showing Daddy his Hawkeye Crayon Roll. 
He loves it!!
Thanks, Jen! My talented, creative neighbor. 
Visit Jen's Etsy Shop: Little House Frau
see her blog HERE.
 Daddy's Surprise: A new camera!
He's wanted one with more zoom for hunting...and our family pics!
 Ok, he may have faked his look for me here, 
because I was mad at our old camera for missing the moment!
 Carson scored some cute Hawkeye gear and Leap Frog games.
 Brady loved walking around Carson's Basketball game
and pretending to be a big kid shooting!
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 Giving Grandpa a Bonk!
 Our boys cuddling with "Ma" Kathy and "Pa" Dave
in their Christmas gift outfits.
 1st Annual Sutfin Cousins' Christmas!
Ben is the second oldest of 19 cousins!
Front: Jessica Sutfin(C), Teona Sutfin(C), Shannon Sutfin(C)
2nd row: Traci Taylor Schmidt(C), Denise Cheney, Chelsey Sutfin Bogaards(C), Sharelle Sutfin, Angie Taylor Dvorak(C).
3rd Row: Luke Bogaards, DJ Sutfin(C), Robbie Sutfin(C), Brandon Schmidt, John Dvorak, Jen Stowell(C), Megan, Christine(C), Crystal Sutfin(C).
Back row: Brandon Sutfin(C), Bryant Sutfin(C), Thomas Sutfin(C), Chad Sutfin(C), Ben(C), Dustin Stowell, Jono Cheney(C), Brad VanderLinden.
NOT PICTURED COUSINS: Jodi Cheney (made short appearance earlier), Kelly Taylor.
We thought it would be fun to have our own Cousins' party...and it was a GREAT night!
THANK YOU to Jen and Dustin Stowell for hosting, thanks for the great gifts in the exchange and good potluck food, and thank you to the creators of the Wii Michael Jackson dance game for the entertainment!!
Our next Generation Cousins Chase, MacKenzie, Brady, and Carson!
****************************************************************
to be continued....need pics from Swanson, Grier Christsmas from other camera....

Thanksgiving and G-G'pa Phil's 80th Suprise Birthday Party (late post!)

We spent Thanksgiving at the Ramada Tropics in Des Moines with the Swanson relatives.
I need to get some of the great pics of the extended family my dad took! Again, my camera battery had died! Cold weather seems to greatly shorten our camera battery life! 
It may have been cold outside, but it was steamy warm by the pool!
I had to keep wiping my lens to not get blurry shots like above.
 We had SO much fun!  
We stayed there again in December for a wedding with the Griers, but Carson came down with the flu that night so we didn't get to play as much!:(
 *************************************************************
GRANDPA PHIL'S SUPRISE 80th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!
 Despite this look, Brady was very happy cruising Grandpa's shop in his Jeep!
We swore he'd be walking soon with how fast he can motor in the walkers!
 Kids' Play Zone
 Aunt Dixie and Christine
 Phil's Arrival
SURPRISE!!??
He said he was on to us!
 Humble Phil.
 HUG from Christine and Brady
 The guest of honor enjoying his birthday gift from his kids.
 Brady socializing with Carolyn's daughter Missy and family.
 Aunt Christine with the boys
 Cael Cheney, Michael Hudnut and Carson had a blast playing cars most of the night!
 Great-grandchildren
Front: Michael Hudnut, Carson, Brady
Middle: Bryce Hudnut, Phil.
Back: Chase, Liz, Braden, MacKenzie, Maggie(baby), Bailey.
Not pictured: Lexi and Bailey Smith.
 Grandchildren
L-R: Chris Hudnut, Scott Hudnut, Amy Van Maanen, Christine Talbert, Ben, Kevin Hudnut
Not pictured: Amanda Hudnut, Justin Smith.
 Grandpa Phil, Christine, Ben
 Phil and his kids
 FOUR GENERATIONS
It was so hard to their attention with lots of people and cameras in the room!
 Grandpa Phil and Carolyn
We love you!
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 Random Spaghetti Night....YUM!!!
...and then off to the bath!!