One word? AMAZING! One phrase? TRIP OF A LIFETIME!
Feeling so much gratitude for being able to pull this off....for having such wonderful quality time with family and friends...for the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the ocean in the middle of winter...grateful for it all AND grateful to be home too. I hope I can capture it all but I will say pictures do not do Punta Cana justice. You need to see the beauty in person. If you are planning a tropical vacation, I highly recommend PC and especially the Royalton Bavaro where we stayed!
Anyway....here is what our week looked like......
Friday Night
The night before we left, we joined friends so the girls could have their nails and toes done and we grabbed a quick bite after. Eva was SO EXCITED for her very first pedicure! :)
Saturday
Day 1
We had to wake up at 2am! NO JOKE! Our car service was arriving at 3am so we could make it to Logan Airport in Boston by 4am for a 6:30am flight. The girls rallied and don't we look pretty alert for 2am?? ha ha!!!
Selfie in the Car- we are on our way!
At the airport with the gang!
Flying High!
When we landed, Eva yelled, "Punntttaaa Cannnaaaa!!!" Everyone loved the way Eva was so excited for so long about this trip and this exclamation was so appropriate upon our arrival :)
Once we got to our resort, The Royalton Bavaro, we knew our rooms would not be ready but the staff did a wonderful job with getting us settled in their beautiful lobby and bringing us cocktails right away. We started with the Passion Fruit Margarita which was delish and the girls LOVED their first Virgin Mudslides- hysterical!
After checking in, we enjoyed the tour and got settled in. The kids' first priority was hitting the pool...can you blame them? The adults did the same!
A few pictures of Miss Thing were demanded before heading to our room ;)
Once we were in our room, Rob got some great shots- it was spacious and beautiful and we had the perfect view- the ocean and the action of the resort!
That night, the group split up and we enjoyed the seafood restaurant for dinner- Oceanside with a couple of other families. We were wiped after our travel day and it was the perfect low key end to our first day.
Snapped a few shots before dinner of course :)
Sunday
Day 2
We started our day with a professional photo shoot on the beach. We got to pick 20 shots. All in all I only liked a few but so glad we did this...have some very special shots forever now!
Then it was time for more pool and beach time and we settled right in like we had lived there forever!
I also highly recommend the Diamond Club option at the resort- we had our own pool all week which never got super crowded!
Later on, Mama and the Ladies went to check out the spa. An hour per day in the Hydro Therapy Pool was also included in our package- unreal! So soothing and beautiful....I couldn't believe it!
After the spa, we wanted to secure dinner reservations at Hunter Steakhouse so Laurel sweet talked the Sommelier and got all of us in- FTW!
We really loved our meals but it was the first sign of the resort struggling with our party size when we had to wait like three hours for food- we made the most of it and had many laughs but crazy wait...Pidge ended up conking out while we were there...couldn't blame her...still an excellent meal!
After dinner, the ladies hit the martini bar where our favorite drink all week was the fresh Mango Martini
Monday
Day 3
I started my day the way I started my days for most of the week and that was with a power walk with Laurel on the beach- It felt great and the beach was SO BEAUTIFUL...the water was the most amazing turquoise color. The wind was kind of crazy each morning but would die down by 10am each day. Just when you felt hot, the breeze would start and cool you off. Oh I can't say enough wonderful things about the weather. Anyway, I digress. I brought my My Zone Fitness Belt/Heart Rate tracker so I could record my workouts too which really helped!
It was incredible to watch the sun rise each day!
and then this ended up being my FAVORITE DAY. Brenda organized a private boat tour for our group- it was SO MUCH FUN with a nice variety of activities. We got to snorkle (my first time AND Rob's AND Diana's! I was so proud of her). Then we visited a deserted beach and got to swim AND sip out of real coconuts that were chopped open right in front of us. Then a floating kitchen met our boat and provided us a delicious lunch of grilled meats and fish and then we visited a shallow pool and swam some more....while on the boat we enjoyed a dance party and Eva had us all laughing at how intense and serious she is about her dancing! Beautiful AND SUCH A FUN day!!
It even rained for a little bit but as you can see, it did not put a damper on our fun!
Eva leading the Kids' Dance Party!
(I will have much more video footage to share once Rob and I learn how to download it from his Go Pro)
and when we got back to our resort, we were hungry for a snack and tried out this grill in the center of the grounds- the tacos ended up being my favorite food of the week!
Yes and Eva LOVED grabbing "drinks" at the Swim Bar- hysterical!
That night, we opted for the Italian Restaurant Gracie- again they struggled with our party size so we waited for about an hour but had a great meal!
Tuesday
Day 4
Another beautiful sunrise and this time Cass joined Laurel and me for a walk on the beach. We didn't enjoy this walk as much as we went in the other direction and the winds were TOUGH- it ended up being the best workout all week BUT not as enjoyable...regardless we made it happen!
After our walk, we got ready for our group massages on the beach. This was the first time I got to enjoy a massage next to my friends AND my first time getting a massage on the beach. It was wonderful :)
After our massages, we hit Oceanside for brunch...I really got used to having a Mimosa with brunch every day. Though I can't make that a habit, it was such a special treat!
The kids enjoyed the "hot tub" which wasn't very hot- more like a cool tub ;)
Rob also snagged a pic of Diana next to a monkey on the beach and said it was her "spirit animal" since we have called her Monkey since she was born!
Later, the Dads took the kids to the nearby water park (which is also free if you are a Diamond Club member and another reason why the Diamond Club is so worth it!) The Mamas relaxed poolside for the day. Brenda and her family got a cabana for the day and we got to spend some fun time with them too!
We actually had our butler Romy bring a cake to celebrate her birthday- what an awesome location to celebrate your birthday! We had lots of fun!
This is the day we tried the Mama Juana for the first time- mixed reviews- very spicy and strong Dominican Rum Drink- Claribel told me I had to try it- we liked it BUT yes it was very strong and made us silly :)
Eva loved playing with Brenda's kids in their Cabana Pool this day too
While trying the Mama Juana, we got to enjoy the Dominican Carnival Parade too- this resort had everything!
That night, we headed back to Oceanside, the Seafood Restaurant for dinner
Some of my favorite foods all week were the Plaintains or "Tostones"- I loved the ones in syrup with breakfast, the fried ones with lunch and these crab stuffed ones at dinner- delish!
and while at the Martini Bar after dinner, we got another Dominican Parade!
We wrapped up the night watching the kids and Dads play an epic game of basketball- they were so cute- they were so intense and had sooo much fun!
Well Cass and Laurel continued to rally as they always do...up until the wee hours
Wednesday
Day 5
Another day and another beautiful sunrise and this time the "Fab Four" were all present for the workout and the start of another beautiful day!
We even saw a guy catch a fish and he had me take this picture and send it to his wife- so cute!
Another amazing breakfast- took advantage of all of the fun fruit we don't typically see at home like the Passion Fruit- delish!
I snapped a pic of Brenda's door- they think of everything!
After breakfast, I took the girls down to the beach so they could get braids done- they were psyched! :)
Alexis joined in on the braid fun too.....
While getting the braids done, we had to say goodbye to Brenda and her fam...I was so sad to see them go :( BOO! We enjoyed some good QT with them though and I was grateful.
Random shot with hubby....
Then we rented some cabanas for the day and that was so fun too! The Diamond Club, again, is where it is at! The kids loved our private pool and enjoyed poolside food and drink service!
Then the Mama and kids bee lined it over to the lazy river to check it out! We (of course the kids) AND MAMAS had SO MUCH FUN! Ha ha! I did feel like a little kid sometimes but at the same time like I didn't deserve to have this fun- I know it's just me and my hangups...I kept reminding myself how hard we have worked to be able to make this happen and then I would relax again.....
I met my client AND friend Danielle there...her and some other families from town stayed at the Royalton Bavaro too!
After the Lazy River, the Mamas grabbed lunch again at our favorite grill and I got my favorite tacos again! Their guac was outstanding too!
and our server looked just like President Obama- he told us that everyone always says that :)
After that, it was time to hit the Foam Party at the Royalton Pool- very fun- it was another successful Royalton Party!
While we were out, our butler surprised the girls with balloons in our tub :)
and a nice fruit plate for all of us...
Laurel and Tom got something a bit more romantic- hysterical!
That night, we headed back to the Italian Restaurant
Feeling so much gratitude for being able to pull this off....for having such wonderful quality time with family and friends...for the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the ocean in the middle of winter...grateful for it all AND grateful to be home too. I hope I can capture it all but I will say pictures do not do Punta Cana justice. You need to see the beauty in person. If you are planning a tropical vacation, I highly recommend PC and especially the Royalton Bavaro where we stayed!
Anyway....here is what our week looked like......
Friday Night
The night before we left, we joined friends so the girls could have their nails and toes done and we grabbed a quick bite after. Eva was SO EXCITED for her very first pedicure! :)
Day 1
We had to wake up at 2am! NO JOKE! Our car service was arriving at 3am so we could make it to Logan Airport in Boston by 4am for a 6:30am flight. The girls rallied and don't we look pretty alert for 2am?? ha ha!!!
Selfie in the Car- we are on our way!
At the airport with the gang!
Flying High!
When we landed, Eva yelled, "Punntttaaa Cannnaaaa!!!" Everyone loved the way Eva was so excited for so long about this trip and this exclamation was so appropriate upon our arrival :)
Once we got to our resort, The Royalton Bavaro, we knew our rooms would not be ready but the staff did a wonderful job with getting us settled in their beautiful lobby and bringing us cocktails right away. We started with the Passion Fruit Margarita which was delish and the girls LOVED their first Virgin Mudslides- hysterical!
After checking in, we enjoyed the tour and got settled in. The kids' first priority was hitting the pool...can you blame them? The adults did the same!
A few pictures of Miss Thing were demanded before heading to our room ;)
Once we were in our room, Rob got some great shots- it was spacious and beautiful and we had the perfect view- the ocean and the action of the resort!
That night, the group split up and we enjoyed the seafood restaurant for dinner- Oceanside with a couple of other families. We were wiped after our travel day and it was the perfect low key end to our first day.
Snapped a few shots before dinner of course :)
Sunday
Day 2
We started our day with a professional photo shoot on the beach. We got to pick 20 shots. All in all I only liked a few but so glad we did this...have some very special shots forever now!
Then it was time for more pool and beach time and we settled right in like we had lived there forever!
I also highly recommend the Diamond Club option at the resort- we had our own pool all week which never got super crowded!
Later on, Mama and the Ladies went to check out the spa. An hour per day in the Hydro Therapy Pool was also included in our package- unreal! So soothing and beautiful....I couldn't believe it!
After the spa, we wanted to secure dinner reservations at Hunter Steakhouse so Laurel sweet talked the Sommelier and got all of us in- FTW!
We really loved our meals but it was the first sign of the resort struggling with our party size when we had to wait like three hours for food- we made the most of it and had many laughs but crazy wait...Pidge ended up conking out while we were there...couldn't blame her...still an excellent meal!
After dinner, the ladies hit the martini bar where our favorite drink all week was the fresh Mango Martini
Monday
Day 3
I started my day the way I started my days for most of the week and that was with a power walk with Laurel on the beach- It felt great and the beach was SO BEAUTIFUL...the water was the most amazing turquoise color. The wind was kind of crazy each morning but would die down by 10am each day. Just when you felt hot, the breeze would start and cool you off. Oh I can't say enough wonderful things about the weather. Anyway, I digress. I brought my My Zone Fitness Belt/Heart Rate tracker so I could record my workouts too which really helped!
It was incredible to watch the sun rise each day!
and then this ended up being my FAVORITE DAY. Brenda organized a private boat tour for our group- it was SO MUCH FUN with a nice variety of activities. We got to snorkle (my first time AND Rob's AND Diana's! I was so proud of her). Then we visited a deserted beach and got to swim AND sip out of real coconuts that were chopped open right in front of us. Then a floating kitchen met our boat and provided us a delicious lunch of grilled meats and fish and then we visited a shallow pool and swam some more....while on the boat we enjoyed a dance party and Eva had us all laughing at how intense and serious she is about her dancing! Beautiful AND SUCH A FUN day!!
It even rained for a little bit but as you can see, it did not put a damper on our fun!
Eva leading the Kids' Dance Party!
(I will have much more video footage to share once Rob and I learn how to download it from his Go Pro)
and when we got back to our resort, we were hungry for a snack and tried out this grill in the center of the grounds- the tacos ended up being my favorite food of the week!
Yes and Eva LOVED grabbing "drinks" at the Swim Bar- hysterical!
That night, we opted for the Italian Restaurant Gracie- again they struggled with our party size so we waited for about an hour but had a great meal!
Tuesday
Day 4
Another beautiful sunrise and this time Cass joined Laurel and me for a walk on the beach. We didn't enjoy this walk as much as we went in the other direction and the winds were TOUGH- it ended up being the best workout all week BUT not as enjoyable...regardless we made it happen!
After our walk, we got ready for our group massages on the beach. This was the first time I got to enjoy a massage next to my friends AND my first time getting a massage on the beach. It was wonderful :)
After our massages, we hit Oceanside for brunch...I really got used to having a Mimosa with brunch every day. Though I can't make that a habit, it was such a special treat!
The kids enjoyed the "hot tub" which wasn't very hot- more like a cool tub ;)
Rob also snagged a pic of Diana next to a monkey on the beach and said it was her "spirit animal" since we have called her Monkey since she was born!
Later, the Dads took the kids to the nearby water park (which is also free if you are a Diamond Club member and another reason why the Diamond Club is so worth it!) The Mamas relaxed poolside for the day. Brenda and her family got a cabana for the day and we got to spend some fun time with them too!
We actually had our butler Romy bring a cake to celebrate her birthday- what an awesome location to celebrate your birthday! We had lots of fun!
This is the day we tried the Mama Juana for the first time- mixed reviews- very spicy and strong Dominican Rum Drink- Claribel told me I had to try it- we liked it BUT yes it was very strong and made us silly :)
Eva loved playing with Brenda's kids in their Cabana Pool this day too
While trying the Mama Juana, we got to enjoy the Dominican Carnival Parade too- this resort had everything!
That night, we headed back to Oceanside, the Seafood Restaurant for dinner
Some of my favorite foods all week were the Plaintains or "Tostones"- I loved the ones in syrup with breakfast, the fried ones with lunch and these crab stuffed ones at dinner- delish!
and while at the Martini Bar after dinner, we got another Dominican Parade!
We wrapped up the night watching the kids and Dads play an epic game of basketball- they were so cute- they were so intense and had sooo much fun!
Well Cass and Laurel continued to rally as they always do...up until the wee hours
Wednesday
Day 5
Another day and another beautiful sunrise and this time the "Fab Four" were all present for the workout and the start of another beautiful day!
We even saw a guy catch a fish and he had me take this picture and send it to his wife- so cute!
Another amazing breakfast- took advantage of all of the fun fruit we don't typically see at home like the Passion Fruit- delish!
I snapped a pic of Brenda's door- they think of everything!
After breakfast, I took the girls down to the beach so they could get braids done- they were psyched! :)
Alexis joined in on the braid fun too.....
While getting the braids done, we had to say goodbye to Brenda and her fam...I was so sad to see them go :( BOO! We enjoyed some good QT with them though and I was grateful.
Random shot with hubby....
Then we rented some cabanas for the day and that was so fun too! The Diamond Club, again, is where it is at! The kids loved our private pool and enjoyed poolside food and drink service!
Then the Mama and kids bee lined it over to the lazy river to check it out! We (of course the kids) AND MAMAS had SO MUCH FUN! Ha ha! I did feel like a little kid sometimes but at the same time like I didn't deserve to have this fun- I know it's just me and my hangups...I kept reminding myself how hard we have worked to be able to make this happen and then I would relax again.....
I met my client AND friend Danielle there...her and some other families from town stayed at the Royalton Bavaro too!
After the Lazy River, the Mamas grabbed lunch again at our favorite grill and I got my favorite tacos again! Their guac was outstanding too!
and our server looked just like President Obama- he told us that everyone always says that :)
After that, it was time to hit the Foam Party at the Royalton Pool- very fun- it was another successful Royalton Party!
While we were out, our butler surprised the girls with balloons in our tub :)
Laurel and Tom got something a bit more romantic- hysterical!
That night, we headed back to the Italian Restaurant
and we proceeded to play a fun prank on Tom...priceless! (P.S. It wasn't really his birthday)
THURSDAY
DAY 6
It was Laurel and me again...flying solo/duo for our Beach Walk
After our walk, it was another amazing breakfast at Oceanside....
and then we headed to the beach and enjoyed time under some tiki huts and more time jumping in the waves...I can't believe I haven't mentioned that before now...probably because my phone was in my beach bag BUT the waves were big and rough and oh so fun! We had a blast in the water!
and then the Mamas took the kids to the Water Park- our turn to suffer ;)
Snapped a few pics
You can't tell but this is Laurel coming down the blue slide :)
and a few of the kids coming down...
Since Eva was too little for the water park, she hung with Daddy and enjoyed a Mac and Cheese lunch in the Sports Bar ;)
Later on, while Daddy checked out the Hydro Therapy pool in the spa, Mama hung out with Pidge and rested...showered...etc
Snapped a few more pics of our view too!
Pidge in her new Punta Cana hat :)
A little surprise from Hubby to keep up our hotel tradition :)
That night, we divided and conquered-some families went back to the steak house and we joined the LaPierres at the Sports Bar for dinner. The parents enjoyed another dose of Mama Juana- so fun!
We were all dressed in white in preparation for the resort's White Party on the beach!
The White Party was soooo fun! It was complete with a very talented painter who painted stars including Jon Bon Jovi!
Later on there was a fire show- the pictures don't do this justice. The kids were amazed by it all!
Friday
Day 7
Another beautiful walk...beautiful sunrise...for Laurel and me...
This day, we decided to try the brunch at the big buffet- request of the kiddos- it was great, just like Oceanside but Rob and I did prefer Oceanside- smaller, more intimate..only for the Diamond Club AND right on the water :)
The highlight for Pidge was meeting Max and Ruby!
Then it was time to soak up more sun and fun.....
At the pool...... (I call this one #Bromance)
This one is called #Lunchdate
and as Eva said "This is My Family"
I thought it was so cute that Caden and Alana took her to lunch- I had to spy- couldn't help myself- I wanted to squish ALL of them! :)
More beautiful resort scenery...
More lunch fun with Juan :)
and Green Eyes ;)
and another trip to the Lazy River of course! TOO MUCH FUN!
More Corn Hole for the Guys!
Later that night, we hit the Japanese Restaurant...it was pretty good but by then....I was so tired of eating....ate everything all week long!
Later on, the ladies grabbed cocktails...the kiddos played on the playground and shot some hoops and Pidge joined Daddy at the Madonna show...she was enthralled!
then we called it a night!
Saturday
Day 8
One last Punta Cana Sunrise with Laurel!
Saying Goodbye to our Awesome Butler Romy
Spending our Final Half Day/Day at our Diamond Club Pool...soaking it all up!
Loved every last bit of the Tostones...
Our car service picked us up at 4pm- our flight was originally delayed by 30 minutes but ended up leaving on time. We were so lucky to fly out- most flights on this day, via Jet Blue to Boston, were cancelled due to some snow earlier in the day. We were blessed to get home before another bigger storm on Monday.
I will leave you with one more picture...more subdued than the way to Punta Cana but still just as precious...sucking her thumb and having her new "Baby Shark" keep her company as she stuck him on the window :)
Punttaaa Cannnaaaa....you were certainly the trip of a lifetime...will remember you forever! XO
3 comments:
What a trip!! Looks like a beautiful place and so much to do. I'm sure it wast not fun to come back to snow!!
Oh my gosh, looks like the absolute best time ever!!! So glad you were able to go with family and friends, precious memories for sure <3 Love all the Lilly prints too :)
I had to find the time to read this post! So glad I did. You guys are great parents and making these memories with the kiddos is precious!
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