Cancun Mexico!

Paul and I were recently blessed with a week long vacation to Cancun!  Thanks to AMAZING grandpas and grandmas, Paul and I were able to leave the boys and have some precious one-on-one time together.  The boys did so great this year (last year Luke was a little blue each night and Benny was probably P.O.'d from being cut off from nursing cold turkey).  :)

I communicated with my mom via email quite a bit during the week, which eased my mind considerably and made me truly enjoy my time with Paul.  She let me know that all was fine and that the boys didn't seem to miss us at all.  :)  Here are a few excerpts from my mom - which captures the spirit of Luke and Ben better than I seem to be able to at times!

This first email is regarding the first night (when we left at 1:30am) and the boys woke up to Grandpa and Grandma Dold until the Hannigs arrived to take the boys for the first part of the week:
Hi....glad you're enjoying yourself. The boys did not make a peep the rest of the night...and were great in the morning. Benny ate a big breakfast, and Luke just got up before we left, so the Hannigs were going to feed him....had the sausages ready, and the bread ready for toast, and wheaties out, and peanut butter out etc etc etc. I was blue last night for them, and wanted to call over to Kerkhoven, but Ernie thought I was being too fanatic, so I'll call tonight. But I prayed like crazy that they'd be comfortable with everything. I let the Hannigs do the gift opening (and that's what I wanted to call about too), but reminded Luke when I was leaving, that he shouldn't let Grandma and Grandpa forget about the gift. :) So all is good. Hope you get this. Keep having fun.
Love, Mom

Two Days into the trip:

I got home too late from my meeting last night to call Hannigs....so I've been a little sad about not hearing about those little munchkins....but it sounds like they're doing good. I was anxious to hear about how the nights were going. I'll have to make sure to email you from our home computer (Dad) after tomorrow because mine's at work. We're excited to see them tomorrow (Gracie too!!! Every 2nd sentence out of her mouth the last two days is about helping with chubby little Benny.)

Love you,

Mom

Three Days into the trip:

Hi, I just talked to the Hannigs. They're doing great! The boys are doing soooo good. Annie Hannig has that cute laugh about everything. She told me all the cute things the boys are doing...and how they 're eating...and that they're sleeping good. They're so funny. She said Dave just came home with some frosted flakes, so they were all eating those when I called. Benny, of course had 2 1/2 bowls.

They opened the licorice and mike' n ikes (or whatever) the first morning. Luke wanted to leave his at your house, and share Benny's. 2nd morning was the sippy cups, and 3rd morning was the car and tractor. They love them.

 Annie said Benny woke up once during both nights, (I don't think he was crying) and Dave asked him if he wanted to come into bed with him. He jumped up and went with him, but went right back to sleep. So I hope he keeps that up at our house, so that he's thoroughly messed up when you get home!!!!! :) Annie has been sleeping with Luke, and tonight Heather will.

Gotta go. Keep having fun.

Love, Mom 

Four Days into the trip, boys transitioned to the Dold household:

Good morning vacationers,We had a real good night here. Benny only took a short nap yesterday because he fell asleep in the car coming home with Grandpa. But he was good all evening, and went to bed already at 7:45 pm. Luke wanted to sleep on the air mattress, but I thought it was cold (even though we had a blanket under us), so tonight we're going to make a different plan. He thought he might want to sleep in "Mom's" old bed, but we'll see what all changes by bedtime. He woke up at 5:00 am, so we chatted, until he said,"We'd better get back to sleep because we have an exciting day coming up.....shoveling..." (It was something I'd said to him earlier.)

They both ate lots of pancakes already...Luke took the prize with #3. We'll see what excitement we can cook up for them today, but they're just playing so good with all the toys. Tomorrow we'll go to Jonathan's house in the afternoon for a tiny bit of the super bowl.We'll talk later.
Love,Mom

Five Days into the trip, **my favorite email of all:
Hi, Quick note while the boys are outside shoveling (for about 2 min, I'm thinking). That's quite an accomplishment to get them dressed, and out, before they change their mind (brings back memories). Benny has such a mind of his own. Wow! I thought he was over his crabbiness...but he still shows his horns at times, doesn't he? No worries though...we've got him figured out and under our control. He's very sweet, but shows signs of Paul's stubborn personality (kidding, of course....Schroeder...). ...short break...Dad already hollered into the house that he won't keep his mittens on, and did I have any other ideas. I sent a different pair out...let's see how long that takes....here he is already....hollering. Luke tells me 'when Ben get's ornery Mom puts him in time-out in his bedroom".

Later...Ben's on my lap and Luke is right here playing with his "night guard" (knight).

Both kids don't seem to miss you guys a bit. They eat like pigs...go to sleep without a peep, and have been really talkative.....pooping good...everything is good.  They absolutely have loved all the gifts, but the dolphin and duck this morning were quite the highlight. Of course Ben will not "get" the concept of wearing the battery down, so his has been quacking pretty constantly.

Today we'll probably go out to Christi for a tiny bit for the super bowl (without mittens, pants and socks for Ben perhaps). That will be a little change of scenery, but they really have been busy with everything at our house. This morning they were in the basement with all different stuff that they hadn't played with yet. Grace has been here constantly, helping, and Katherine is also here now.  

 Anyway...off to get lunch. I'm still in pj's and my beds are still messed up...but who cares. We're enjoying every min.

 Love to you both! 

 Mom

Well, it sounds like the boys did so great (as did the grandparents) that Paul and I should plan our next trip, maybe for next week or so.  Back to the daily grind in the tundra is okay though, too.  We sure missed the boys and definitely enjoy their spunk and fire here at home.