Casa De Mita - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico!

I did it. I actually finished the Casa de Mita blog! I admit, it's not going to be my most creative blog as this one centers mostly around the pictures. As usual, dad took about 8,000 (or 500) photos, so trying to choose what to put in here was nothing less than treacherous. I also had pictures from Lalo (a friend we made on the trip who works at Casa de Mita) and Andy and Kelly Blumberg to add to the mix. I was totally overwhelmed, and I'm pretty sure you will be, too! 

We flew in to Puerto Vallarta on October 19th, a day earlier than the rest of the group.  Our friends Andy and Kelly who arranged this trip, also arranged for us to stay at their friend's beautiful condo in Punta Mita. The view was incredible and the rooms were stunning. 

That night we enjoyed a scrumptious meal on the beach at a neighboring restaurant and soaked in the sunset. We were tired from a day of battle (okay not battle, but traveling on US Airways should qualify as a battle), so we headed to bed on the early side. The next day we ate breakfast on the rooftop - what a breathtaking view that was! We said goodbye to the guys at the condo and headed off to our final destination - Casa de Mita! It was a quick jaunt over there from where we were staying, and let me tell you...this place is HIDDEN. Don't worry, Kelly...there's no way anyone will find it! :) 

After we arrived there, Gramma and Grampa settled into their room, and we headed over to our room and unpacked everything. The rest is history. I remember Victor, one of the wonderful employees of Casa de Mita, coming up to me and offering me a margarita. I politely (and eagerly) said, "YES PLEASE!" He proceeded to hand me the yummiest, and possibly the strongest margarita I've ever had. Thus began the best, most relaxing trip ever. 

We met some wonderful people on this trip. As you look through the photos (sorry, this is a Roblee world record when it comes to blog photos), read the captions as I'll introduce everyone that way.

Thanks to Marc, Memo, Lalo, Semi, Jorge, Victor, and all the rest of the gang at Casa de Mita. I can honestly say this was one of the best trips I've ever been on because of all of you!

Special guests: Sidewinder Sally, the dead fish, the beetle, and the trumpet fish - this trip wouldn't have been the same without you!

Dane is ready for his ride on the airplane - let's go!

Look at that sunset at Punta Mita.

There's Kelly with little Zephyr. Ryan had a playmate!

Ryan's getting a rooftop breakfast fit for a king!

"My dear friends, you are now about to enter the nerve center to Casa de Mita."

Absolutely beautiful.

We wasted no time getting to the beach!

Andy, Kelly and Zephyr lookin' real cool.

There are Kelly, Zeph, Ava and Anne enjoying some pool time.

Mike needed a mud bath.

A little gamma time with Ry Ry.

There are Brooke and Todd with Gramma and Grampa!

Dinner table:)

Here's the crazy bunch.

Okay, this is Marcelle. I LOVE this picture because it shows how she looked the entire time. Elated!

Gramma/Grampa taking a romantic walk on the beach...

Can you see Dane napping in the cabana? Tough life.

My boys.

Here is Lalo holding Ryan. He was so good with all the kids! Well, they all were, actually...

Shaka brah!

Note the water in my hand - the margaritas caught up with me that day!

Brooke, Pete and Andy looking sun-kissed and fancy free.

Here is Memo - I call him a bar"friend"er.

Awwww, Molly and Pete:)

Breakfast!

There's Victor serving us some delicious food.

Some papaya sir?

MOOOORE FOOOOOD!

There's the crazy bunch! Caden, Missy, Madden and Dane, lookin' for trouble...

And there's Grampa Al with Evita, one of the hotel dogs. Can anyone say XENA?!

Dane is helping Mike create his sand yacht.

The boogie boarding was epic. LOL!

Kris and dad ridin' the waves. Little did I know what the sun was doing to my skin at this point.

Marcelle and Molly sharing a mother-daughter embrace.

The yacht aptly named "Family."

Gramma Debbie and Victor.

Gramma and Mike at the swim up bar. 

Dane learned how to swim on the boogie board by himself!

Yup, those are Missy's buns:)

Brooke made sure to keep Sidewinder Sally afloat.

Those ribs were AMAZING! Everything we ate on this trip was 100% fantastic.

Everyone's happy at the swim up bar. Even the kids!

Pete and Marcelle...so cute...

Are we noticing a theme here? Margaritas...

Dance party! Mike has the BEST play lists!

Awww...the boys...

I just love this picture of Adam. I think his face says it all.  Ha!

The kids ate dinner earlier so we could enjoy ours:)

Sunset with the family.

WOW! Madden, Missy and Dane posing at the best time of the day.

Evita doesn't look too thrilled.

I just love this picture. So youthful and glowing.

Look at the lighting!

There's a happy group! We are ready to eat!

Here's a shot of breakfast time from Gramma/Grampa's room.

"Hmmm, let's seeeeee...what shall I eat first? Someone get that dog away from the food."

Mike found a fish washed up on the beach!

Dane: "Eeeeeeeew." Fish: "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Sidewinder Sally's been out there quite a while now...

"Mooom I'm hungry!"

Oh my land. These were the BEST shrimp burritos any of us had ever had!

Ryan, meet the babysitter...

Caden and Dane loved to boogie board.

Sally's just gonna have one more drink.

Todd was often seen watching the kids on the beach. Good man.

The rents and me.

Okay, get a room lovebirds!

Here's Memo being adorable.

Pete and Madden sharing a cuddle moment.

Semi was showing us the pinata we were going to mutilate later in the day...

Dane and dad going for a walk on the beach.

Nice tat, Ryan.

We actually got a decent group shot!

Even more amazing was this kids photo!

WE GOT IT!

"Aaallll byyy myyyyseeelllllllllllfff..."

Adam and Ava strolling on the beach.

Oooooh baby - ceviche!

Okay, this is the perfect picture.

Sorry, donkey. Your time has come.

Look at that smile!

Pete killed it!

Brooke, that's a good look for you.

Does this baby make me look tan?

Look at that shirt! Thanks, Phuong and Robert:)

We're just glowing, aren't we?

Matching shirts...priceless.

Goofballs!

Andy's toast.

The last supper:(

Um, we had lobster here!

Old friends...

I think Sidewinder Sally had had enough...

Last breakfast. Boy was that hard.

Enjoying a cigar from AJ - last vacation cigar.

After Marcelle and Pete left with the family, Dane ran up to their room to survey. He already missed them.

Dane giving a not so happy thumbs up with Victor. Time to say goodbye.

I think...

We're tired....

A long day of travel.

At the end of a very long travel day, Ryan gives us a big smile:)