Puerto Vallarta

Jeff and I just got back from a fabulous week long trip to Puerto Vallarta.  My fabulous sister-in-law Kiki came and watched the girls.  They had a wonderful time and Kristin kept us updated with funny stories which I will include in a separate post.  Thanks Kristin for a special and much needed vacation for the 2 of us. 

We had a great time!  Ate at lots of great restaurants, had lot of margaritas (the spicy pineapple was my fav!), surfed, and explored further north to San Pancho (San Francisco). 

Of course upon arrival we were swarmed by bunches of taxi drivers so insistent on the cheap fare of $26 to wherever we needed to go.  My backpacker instincts kicked in and after unsuccessful bargaining attempts I figured we could walk just outside the airport and catch our own.  As we started to hoof off leaving the aggressive salesmen, one guy sarcastically told us - "well when you are tired of walking, we'll still be here", to which Jeff thought - great now we are going to have to walk a LONG LONG way!  It's true, I picked up the pace and we didn't have to walk too fare to fares at 1/2 price.  The joke then became after sitting through the 1/2 day timeshare brief where they kept brining in salesperson after salesperson (their trick was - I can tell you aren't buying, so let me get you out of here, go get your 'gifts' and the 'gift guy' would again attempt!) Jeff said - they should have watched surveillance from the airport!!  :-) 

We did stay in Nuevo Vallarta and I've never seen a bigger more massive construction of hotels.  While our hotel was fine and a great price, I would not recommend staying out there.  It's far from downtown Vallarta and still a ways to get to Sayulita.  Nonetheless we were on a tight budget and Jeff and I have bigger bladders and are far more patience than the girls to take the 2 buses to everywhere we wanted to go!   

The main highlights were surfing at Sayulita - we both caught lots of waves, the fabulous warm weather and great food!  Unfortunately the first day I went for a run on the beach and aggravated my plantar fasciaitis which I suspected  was getting.  I wasn't able to run the rest of the week and without a gym I didn't do any physical activity save walking.  Margaritas on the beach and fabulous food.  By the end I literally couldn't fit into my pants to fly home!!! 

Here are a few photos!  Love to you all!  Jeff and Liz

 

San Francisco - 4 miles north of Sayulita

Creepy alien that moves when you pay money - an innovative version of the tin man!

 

Emails from Kiki

Here are a couple funny emails from Kiki that we loved getting on our trip:

Okay, I thought I would share a funny story....

We are waiting for some laundry to finish before going to the park, so in the meantime the girls have decided to play yoga.  In the family room, they have gotten out pillows and covered them with a blanket.  Just before beginning, Morgan instructed Bella to "try" to go to the bathroom because "you can't go to the bathroom during yoga".  They have also equipped themselves with towels which they kindly refer to as their "sweat blankets" because they are going to get sooooo sweaty. 

Even play yoga isn't cheap.  Morgan is adding some sort of app to Bella's phone - because "everyone needs a phone in yoga".  She is also charging Bella's credit card for the class, and asking her registration information.  She is using her cash register and the microphone to announce Bella's arrival in class.  It is hilarious!

I have to give Bella credit.  She obeys Morgans commands with a little giggle.  I am trying my best not to laugh, but they are making it difficult. =)

Their version of yoga is quite interesting.  It is like a mix of '80s aerobics and old school dance moves.  Watch out Jane Fonda!!

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Last night Morgan took a bath (cast protection worked perfectly) and I washed her hair in the sink. At first she was apprehensive, but then loved it. Now she is asking me to wash her hair all the time. As a distraction I offered to braid her hair....well, she requested to look like Elsa. I tried to play dumb until she presented a book to show me what she was talking about.  Haha. We reached a compromise. Attached are photos. Bella then wanted a braid, but thankfully she changed her mind. She decided upon a bun and her new braid from Christmas.

Love you guys!!