Cancun

About two weeks ago, I went to Cancun with Patrick, my mom, and step-dad, Kirk. For years, we have talked about going on a vacation together, and we finally made it happen. It was the perfect time of year to go since April is the shoulder season (the time between spring break and summer). It wasn't very crowded and we got some amazing rates for our hotel rooms at the Westin Lagunamar, situated right on the Hotel Zone in Cancun. With a pristine beach and clear aqua water, it is the perfect setting for relaxation, fun, and sun (when we had it). The Westin Lagunamar is located across the street from a large shopping complex and there are lots of restaurants within walking distance. Being from New York, proximity to the necessities is important! All of the larger attractions and historical sites are quite far from the Hotel Zone, but those are a must see when visiting Cancun. We decided to venture to Chichen Itza via CARM tours, one of the wonders of the ancient world, and a fascinating place it is! Our tour guide was full of facts (maybe too many since he sucked up a lot of our allotted time and we ended up ditching him so that we could explore the sacred grounds), and our drivers got us back to enjoy some tacos! Here's a fun fact about Chichen Itza: If you stand in front of the stairs and clap, the sound travels up the stairs and echoes a bird sound back as it bounces off the top of the temple. So cool! My birthday just to happened to land on our final full day in Cancun. How did that happen? The day started with going to the Westin Resort and Spa (located on the other end of the Hotel Zone) where I had a wonderful hot stone massage. It was my mom's first time ever going to a really nice spa, and I think I converted her to the lap of luxury. She had a 50 minute facial, and she looked radiant afterwards! Once we were all nice and relaxed, we headed back to finish up some last minute shopping and pool time before heading over to Fred's House for a tasty seafood birthday dinner. I had crab soup and a lovely house salad with fresh goat cheese, but I did manage to try some grilled octopus that Kirk had ordered. Dinner is always a fun occasion with my mom and Kirk because we pass around our food, wanting to sample everything we have ordered. Kirk usually kicks this off with his statement, "Oh my God, Lin (my mom), you gotta try this." He says this as a utensil piled with food is right under my mom's nose. "No thanks," she politely declines. However, being a true Italian, he insists and my mom eats the food and repeats, "Oh my God. That is so good." Thus we all are inclined to sample one another's food with much laughter and lots of happy stomachs. So here are a few pics from our trip. If you are ever in need of a good vacation, check out the Westin Laugnamar. Each room is a villa equipped with a full-functioning kitchen complete with pots, pans, and anything you would have at home! The resort also has activities for families such as a kids club, themed buffets, pool games and contests, a water slide, and DVD rentals. Make sure you go during the slower seasons to get better rates and you too can say "Bienvenidos a Mexico!"

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Becoming an Aunt Again!

If you have been keeping up with my blog in the past couple of months, you well know that my sister was going to have a little girl, Noelle. I am happy to report that she arrived 10 days ago, and I am completely in love with her! She is so precious, and I cannot wait to see her again.

Being an aunt has brought me a lot of joy over the past couple of years as I have gotten to see my brother's little guy grow and change. He is so smart and so funny, and now with a niece, I am excited to see her grow up as well.

The day Noelle was born, my mom and I were supposed to be there with my sister throughout her labor to be a supportive and encouraging system for her. We never made it. Her labor and delivery happened so quickly that as my mom and I were driving on I-95 in Philly I got a text form my brother-in-law, Dylan, that said "6 lbs 2 oz." No one expected Noelle to come out so quickly, and although my mom and I were disappointed at arriving late, we quickly got over it when we walked into the room to meet the little peanut.

Noelle Eva, born at 9:04 a.m. on 2/27/2012.


I cried when I held her for the first time. I felt so much love and happiness, but most of all I felt pride in my sister. She had a really rough pregnancy but rarely complained throughout everything. She had shown me true strength, and as I held Noelle, I couldn't help but feel awed and inspired. Life is a gift from God and is a precious treasure. Thus, I broke down into a puddle of tears.

Once I gathered my emotions and sucked it up, I took pictures over the next couple of days.

Dylan and daughter.

Tori, Noelle, and Me.

Making fishy faces with my sweet nephew...this was my attempt at entertaining him while his parents met Noelle.

I am looking forward to those days when I will get to bake, knit, craft, play sports, go to Disney, read stories, act out plays, and all the other fun things that aunts are supposed to do with their nieces and nephews. Being an aunt is a true blessing for me.

Have a happy Wednesday!

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