Mexico Day 1 and 2-- Travel and Xplore

Teaching piano lessons has blessed my life in lots of ways, some of those ways are very unexpected.  For example, over the years, I have taught lessons to three moms, who have become very dear friends to me.  One of those friends-- Gretchen-- recently invited me to join her on a trip to Mexico, where she and her husband were continuing their efforts to prepare their condo for personal and Airbnb use.  

WHAAAT??  Mexico Betsy?  Will she be anything like Island Betsy?  Spoiler alert:  Yes, she is a lot like Island Betsy!

But before I go into all of our adventures, I've been thinking about the blessings of friendships.  I know that isn't a very original thought,  but it never ceases to amaze me.   You are going about your regular life and work and activities, and you meet people.  And maybe you'll just cross paths for a very brief time and you'll never see them again.  But sometimes, those "chance" encounters change your life.  It's just that you never know it at the time.  It's a beautiful thing how the Lord puts us in each others paths to make our lives better.  I am quite sure I find myself on the receiving end of those blessings far more often than I could ever deserve. 

   Now, on with the adventure--the condo is in Puerto Morelos-- a suburb just south of Cancun.  We flew into Cancun on May 21st.  It was a very early morning!  Gretchen's husband, Russ (blue shirt) and his long-time friend Lamar.                 .

First stop the local Costco-- you know how I'm into eating local and all that.  (not really)  Here we are having dinner to be followed by a lot of shopping for items for the condo.  

Ahh...the comfort and familiarity of Costco.  However, the armed guards were a new and novel touch.

Gretchen posing by the fire department and our friendly, neighborhood security/Desert Storm soldier on the right.  Things you don't see in Riverton, Utah.

There was some question as to whether everything could fit into the rented minivan.  For the record, I always believed:)

Day 2 was Xplore--HOLY SMOKES!!!!

This whole day was one of the most adventurous, exhilarating, breathtaking days of my whole life! (thus far:)  We ziplined on 14 ziplines all over the park-- SO MUCH FUN!  How did I get here??!!

I mean, seriously?

I especially liked the ziplines that ended with a dip in a cenote.  

Just so so so fun.  I felt so ALIVE!

So much of the park is caves with the most beautiful formations.

We swam in a cave river!!!!!!  This was a highlight of the day for me.

So cool

Before our piano friendship, Gretchen and I were ballet carpool buddies.  You just never know.

All of this was just BEFORE lunch.  We had a whole afternoon of thrills to follow a delicious meal that was a part of the all inclusive price of the whole day of adventures.  Best $130 bucks I ever spent!

Ha ha ha!  How exciting!

The river walk-- not as deep as the river swim.  

This slide was hilarious and when we went together we got going so fast.  We repeated this one because it was such a blast.

Hammock ziplining-- would highly recommend!

What even in the...??  Other worldly.

I am so grateful to have gotten to live a day like this and grateful to Gretchen for the invite and being a  marvelous tour guide and adventure buddy:)

Yellow Fork Canyon May 2023

The first hike of the season-- up Yellow Fork Canyon.  And it was Grover's first hike.  He did great!  Family hikes are my very favorite thing of summer.

 

The lizard catching tradition continues!

As we neared the top, Greta was collecting wildflowers.  But it was a pretty long, strenuous hike for six year-old legs, and Greta was getting discouraged. Which led to the following picture-- 

One of my all-time favorites.

And cute, loyal Grover right there trying to comfort her.

We always bring a little critter cage along.

This was taken near the end of the hike.  As you can see, Greta recovered nicely and was quite proud of herself. 

Team Middle Kids

Team Little Kids-- George gets to be on both teams.

Cannon Cousin Late-Night

Cousins Night was great fun with all these little (and now not so little) sweeties.  I love how kind they are to each other.  

I have loved getting to teach piano to so many of my nieces and nephews because I get to know each of them so much better.  It's been a blessing for me.  These are the sweetest girls and I adore them!

Cousin football game

Central Utah Ballet 2023 Capstone Performances

It was a really great year of dance at Central Utah Ballet for the four younger Fox kiddos.  Here is a little slideshow of Greta's capstone performance.  

Greta completed Ballet 1 and moves on to Ballet 2 next year.  I cannot say enough good things about our experience at Central Utah Ballet.  

Peter completed Ballet 3 and next year, he will go from having classes twice a week to going four days a week.  I'm sure that will be quite the adjustment-- but I think he'll do great!  He enjoys classes and he LOVES performing.

Here is Peter's slideshow.  

George finished Ballet 6 and is headed to Junior Company in August.  But before then, the boys will tackle four weeks of summer intensive.  This means they'll be dog-tired each day and won't have the energy to spare for sibling squabbles. In very exciting news, George has a friend staying with us for all of the summer intensive.  Leland used to dance with George, but he and his family moved to Texas about a year ago.  They've stayed in close contact and Leland is temporarily the fourth ballet boy at the Fox residence.  George is over the moon excited to be back with his friend.

We LOVE Miss Jennie and are so grateful for what she offers our family.  Here is George's slideshow.

Cannon completed his first year in Senior Company.  He improved so much and made wonderful friends.  He enjoys having two other guys in the company with him.

Here is Cannon's slideshow.