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"Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more."– Louis L'Amour

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It rained so hard today that the doors and windows were moving with the force of the wind and raindrops. I immediately thought of the rain that comes briefly into all our lives. Sometimes it's just a gentle misting, while other times it seems to be almost overwhelming. In the midst of the storms, know that it will soon be over. In a little while, you'll feel that special peace felt after a rain. It's simply amazing to me. There is just a calmness about the earth and sky. No matter how strong the storm, the result is still the same. Once the wind settles and the rains subside, the earth can replenish again. It's a needed thing, this force of rain...so let the rain come. We'll celebrate peace after the rain.

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Played Phase 10 with the kids today while the power was out. Zachary has Thomas' uncanny ability to SMOKE everyone and win! UGH. Makes us all mad. Amazing. ANYHOO...at one point in the game, everyone was acting crazy. And I literally felt like those cartoon characters that start jerking and reflexing and making crazy eye gestures before they explode and go insane...yep. That's the only way I can describe how I felt. They were all trying to one-up each other on the antics. Another crazy day at the Camachos!

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Kaitlyn found their passport photos and lined them up photobooth style on my desk. And, YES, Brandon's passport has that hair-do. For 5 years!

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Meet Cody...Zachary's contraband coconut.

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Trip went by too quickly, but was enjoyable. One of the treats of the traveling was the tradition of Garrett's popcorn at the Chicago airport. Mixed cheese & caramel...the best I've ever had. (oh, and DEFINITELY not on the diet, lol)

Travel was MUCH better on the way home...much!~

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Last full day here...and while Kaitlyn was in kid's club, we went to Cozymel and walked around. VERY touristy. Very. But neat, non-the less. Laughed at the horse with sombrero's on. TOO FUNNY!

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Rented scooters while Kaitlyn was in Kid's Club today and went into town with the boys. THAT was fun. We loved it. Whipping through the cars and taxis on a non-divided road. going into the less tourist areas of town. Definitely an adventure. Took Kaitlyn later, but she wasn't as impressed as we were and enjoyed her kid's club more.

Enjoyed a Mayan dance celebration show tonight. Neat cultural experience that the kids quickly bored of, ha!

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We opted to visit a smaller Mayan ruin site that was included in a package deal to Xal-ha, an eco friendly aquarium/park. Tallum was still lovely...hot...and we definitely wouldn't have enjoyed the larger ruin that was 2 hours away. The kids would have DIED of boredom. I enjoyed the picture taking...

NOT the running after the shuttle bus that literally pulled away with us running behind it. BAD shuttle/tour experience. BAD. BAD. Bad. All I can say about that.

We then went to Xal-ha and proceeded to spend 45 minutes getting snorkeling stuff, getting the kids into gear and ready to snorkel, only for me to turn around and see that the goggles I put a $20 deposit down for were missing. Got that squared away after crying to a manager. Literally...

only for the boys to get lost going to the bathroom. We walked the ENTIRE park to find them. A long walk...very long walk down a BIKE trail.

FUN day. Beautiful, but definitely didn't get $$$ worth.

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After spending the morning at the beach, we hit the town to explore the sights and do some light shopping. We have been severely deprived of soda products. The resort only offers Pepsi products, which just taste bad and different...while outside only has Coke LIGHT...which tastes NOTHING like the real thing, baby! Can't wait to get some real Coke...oh, AND my Dasani!

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A tropical storm came in on Sunday night and Monday morning. During the breaks in the weather (you can see the clouds still looming in the background) we enjoyed the beach. Brandon, who was decidedly stubborn about sunscreen application, got burned in the cloudy sun conditions which he was insistent didn't allow for sunburns. Have had fun with the 'told ya so, but I'm truly sorry' comments. The kids DID enjoy the beach this day, though...it was beautiful, and the breeze coming in with the storm made it balmy and not so sticky hot.

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Woke up to a very cloudy day...which was good since we did a time share presentation thing for 1/2 price off some tickets to Xal Ha. During the presentation, they offered us lunch. Brandon was amazed at the size of the bananas and decided to give me several 'monkey faces' to show his excitement over them!

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How very appropriate to see this sign during our travels, huh? Thomas...MORE TRAVEL, please!?!?!

And travel...it was awful. 2 1/2 hours in customs because of lack of employees showing up for their shift. THEN 1 hour to find luggage that was piled EVERYWHERE with thousands of other pieces of luggage. CRAZY. Left @ 4:00 that morning and arrived at the resort @ 8:00. LONG LONG DAY!

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My first official NON-true picture of the day. HOWEVER; this IS a new one to me, because on the defunct CF card, I found this picture that I didn't take...the kids must have. In November of 2007, in fact...cute, huh? ANYHOO...there wasn't time for pictures today anyway...so this works for me!

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The defunct CF card finally loaded. Not a great shot, AT ALL...but it IS a moon shot, and it was a lovely moon...just imagine it, okay?!?!

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TOOK a photo of the incredible looking moon tonight. Quickly grabbed a CF card and didn't realize until much later that it was the defunct one that my computer won't recognize for some reason.



SO...I did TAKE the picture of the day, but there is NO picture to display!



WAH...

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Bought some fresh peaches from a lady at our church on Sunday. Gotta get them sliced and served tonight! YUM!

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I have issues with coming home to a dirty house. And that includes all areas of the house. I'm just of the opinion that when you go on vacation, the last thing you need to deal with after a relaxing time is cleaning. SO

On my list this week was things like

cleaning refrigerator

cleaning office

cleaning hall cleaning closet

cleaning pantry

Today I tackled the pantry. It just amazes me how the kids absolutely destroy it whenever they're home for any length of time. Just amazing. Notice the juxtoposition of Kaitlyn smiling (being the major #1 culprit and NOT helping during the cleaning process, but rather being forced outside FAR AWAY FROM ME!) and the clean closet in the background.

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I don't get how you can have 60,000 singles of socks...this was one of the chores on the list for the kids.

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Because of church last night, I didn't get to cleaning up the kitchen until today. Snapped a quick shot of this recipe leaning against the wall of mess

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Tons of baking...tons of mess

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I had zucchini given to me Sunday by someone at church...it's been waiting patiently for me to grate it up for Zucchini bread and muffins. Hoping to get to that today or at least tomorrow.

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Might as well face it, I'm addicted to Dasani!

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Saying the blessing over the breakfast...a big breakfast @ their request. And OF COURSE, I'm the wonderful mother that obliges...you KNOW that!

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All the talk of healthy eating and snacking habits have paid off slightly. The kids have spent the last 2 days outdoors roller-blading. Kaitlyn just asked for me to cut up some fruit for them to snack on plus waters. (which is their only option for drink choices.) Zachary is constantly asking the calorie and health benefits of the food he eats. AND I think we have cured him of his 'Coke' issues when Thomas used a can of it to cut the battery acid on our battery cables the other day. That kinda freaked him out a bit...so no more Coke for him according to what he says.

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The kids are getting really good about suggesting 'pictures of the day'. I guess 188 pictures into it, they've just grown accustomed to the camera seen daily. Never mind the fact that my computer is quickly filling up with multiple pictures because you can NEVER take just one, right?

SO, today's picture was their idea...

They were skating and wanted me to take a picture of them skating 'together'. Several takes later, I got this one and couldn't resist sharing because by the time they made it down the hill and to me, Kaitlyn was holding her breath and grimacing rather badly because Zachary's arm pits stunk SO BAD. We were DYING with laughter....tooo funny, but POOOOOR Kaitlyn.

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No 366 list would be complete without a photo of our frequently visited Mexican restaurant. Glad I had my camera with me, and glad that I was on the low-carb diet to enjoy my chicken & beef stuff peppers covered with cheese sauce.

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My gym was closed so I coaxed the family (or Thomas, the kids were required) up to Beaman park for a 4 mile hike. This is the shot of Brandon @ the 2 mile turn-around right before we realized we were being swarmed ticks and had our short rest very abruptly interrupted.

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Kaitlyn was Thomas' lawn buddy today, following right behind him as he mowed...

the result:

green feet (reminding me of the fact that I've yet to finish my Wicked book about the life and times of the wicked witch of the west...wizard of oz?)

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Too much Little People, Big World previews (that come on right before Jon & Kate) and Jon & Kate plus 8 lately for Kaitlyn. Although, she was occupied for the 5 minutes of standing in front of the mirror and watching her hands look 'small'.

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Was working in the office downstairs and heard them singing/playing drums and guitar with the Rock Band. Ran up the stairs and caught this. Actually after they saw me, because Zachary was running from the camera on the left and B quickly covered up with a blanket. UGH. BOYS!

Oh, and the quality on this and a few other pictures isn't the best because I only have my 50mm (which is dying) and 85mm lens to work in the house because my other lens is in Thomas' car from Saturday's trip.

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I ABSOLUTELY LOVE fresh, ripe cherries...and at only about 50 calories for a sandwich size zip bag, that's something I really love now.