Once we found dates that would work, we first were headed to St. Maarten but with the long layover in Miami we decided to look at islands we hadn't been to before and came across Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. We know a few people that have vacationed there before and loved it so we booked it, packed and were off! Thank goodness we got Trevor a passport when he was 3 or 4 months old!! (One side note, we visited the CDC Travel Clinic before our departure and Trevor received a Typhoid Fever vaccination as well as anti-malaria medication. In hindsight they probably weren't needed but we'd rather be safe than sorry!)
Our flight left MSP at 6am so it was an early morning but Trevor did pretty good on the long flight to Miami! We had bulk head seats so he could stand up and play but he was tired so after fighting it for a while he fell asleep and we all rested for the remainder of the flight. Note that this was his first flight requiring his own seat. Not sure why he needed his own seat - he certainly didn't use it! He much preferred the way he's done it the 11 other trips he's taken - on Mommy or Daddy's lap!!
After a quick layover in Miami we had a 2 hour flight to the Dominican Republic. We checked in to our resort (the Melia Caribe Tropical) and after unpacking we quickly went out to the beach to soak our feet in the sand and the water!
Trevor just kept saying oooohhhh!
He was ready to get in the water even with his clothes on!
And this smile says it all!! He (and Mommy and Daddy) are super happy to be in the warmth and on vacation all together!
Checking out all the boats:
Another thing not needed (besides his plane seat) would be a crib in our resort room. Trevor much preferred sleeping with Mommy and Daddy!
On Wednesday we hit the beach again. Trevor likes riding on shoulders so Mommy tried it out. Wow is Dada strong - Mommy didn't last too long like this!
Trevor's favorite place though was the pool! He proudly wore his new swimwear and his float!
Big boy had no fear! He would jump off the little island all by himself and 'swim' back to do it again!
For breakfast and lunch we ate at one of the many restaurants on the property. It was all-inclusive so food and beverages were included. Money well-spent for our good eater!
We usually ate these two meals at the restaurant close to our room and the beach. Chips and soup (aka nachos) and hot dogs or a burger were usually on Trevor's lunch list!
Dada would wake up around 7 and reserve us this palapa unit so that Trevor could nap in the afternoon on the bed.
Worked pretty well!
(Made for good naps for Daddy's too!!)
Trevor would wake up raring to go back to the pool!
Happy happy boy!!
At night we'd enjoy pre-dinner drinks and Trevor wasn't left out of the fun! He liked the fruit punch! Although maybe he just enjoyed washing down his anti-malaria medication. Item #3 not needed on the trip - a pill crusher. Our big boy swallowed the pills no problem!
The property had a train that would go around so that you wouldn't have to walk. We'd usually take it from our room to/from dinner each night. Trevor thought it was a hoot! He'd announce 'all aboard choo choo' over and over at each stop!
The resort was decorated for Christmas which was a nice reminder that it was indeed the holiday season!
After dinner Trevor enjoyed playing on the tables and couches at one of the bars. We can just hear him laughing in this picture!
This was our room - pretty spacious with a huge bathroom, bedroom area, sitting area and a balcony! We were on the ground floor which we requested for easy access in and out of the room if T was napping (which only happened once since we had the palapa hut the rest of the time!). Trevor really enjoys standing and playing on Dada:
Mommy and Trevor are big breakfast fans and they had lots of yummy food....
....including cupcakes disguised as muffins!!
One day while Brian was into his book Mommy and Trevor took a stroll on the beach. We watched a volleyball game for quite sometime as well as built numerous sand castles!
Mommy asked him to take a few pictures by the water and he ran over turned around and said cheese over and over. Priceless!
Back at the pool Trevor found it funny to push Dada into the somewhat cold pool - although felt very good once we were in!
One day for fun we were going to take the train up to one of the main buffet restaurants for lunch. Trevor was all concerned Dada wasn't going with so when he saw Dada really was coming with he ran from the train stop all the way back to where Dada was by our room!
One afternoon we visited the children's area where kids could stay with nannies. We didn't do that while we were there but they let us play on the outdoor equipment. Trevor was super excited to play. He kept saying 'me play'!
They had a large activity center for the kids
um, make that adults too!!
They certainly made you work to go on the slide! But it was oh so worth it! Weeeeeeeeee!
Trevor and Dada played in Fred's house. Trevor became quite the fan of Fred on our vacation!
After the kids zone we walked back to our area on the beach and found quite a mess going on! One of the trucks that drove along and picked up the seaweed got stuck!! We weren't sure that they were going to get it out but eventually they did!
At night we usually tried out one of the 10 non-buffet restaurants which were all very yummy! This particular night we ate at the American restaurant and enjoyed steaks and onion rings! Trevor is always entertained by coloring - particularly if you draw him a house. Make sure it has a chimney, grass, trees, clouds, and a sun!
We also enjoyed swinging after our meals!
Just don't interrupt his swinging to take a picture!
By one of the bars they had a bunch of lounging beds so after swinging we usually headed over there for Trevor to horse around with Dada!
Trevor usually slept until 8:30/8:45 (we'd go to bed around 8:45/9:00pm - yes, we meaning all of us!!) and once he was up he was ready to go!! Here he got our drink cups ready for refills! Rum punch for Mommy and Daddy at 9am - sure!!
And have you noticed his Elmo shoes? Trevor picked them out all by himself when shopping with Grandma and Grandpa R before our trip. He basically wouldn't let go of them so they were the ones purchased. We told him though that they were only beach shoes so that he'd still wear his 'nice' ones at night! It worked!! And as unique as they are, Trevor is still a kid and kids should be kids!! Plus it was fun to see that pretty much everyone at the resort identified Trevor by his Elmo shoes and knew who he was!
Trevor's Buzz and Woody even got to go on vacation! They really enjoyed playing on the beach in the sand!
Dada built them a house!
Now this is the life - a beach to ourselves, the sun on our face, sand in our toes and our family together!!
One ritual that occured most every day was Trevor wanting to go to the swim up bar. He'd ask politely to go to the bar:
Dada would carry him across the pool:
And he'd belly up to the bar like one of the guys:
Request and slam down his fruit punch:
Good boy bonding time!
On Saturday evening we tried out the Steak and Lobster restaurant. Check out the size of the steak!! Yes, we each had one and no, we're not telling if we each ate the whole thing or not! :)
Quick family picture!
Happy holidays from Punta Cana!
Let's never forget the reason for the season - the resort certainly did not! Trevor enjoyed pointing out baby Jesus every night!
After steaks we were up a bit later than most nights and got to check out the children's show:
Trevor mostly enjoyed watching, not participating!
On Sunday we had another gorgeous day so we spent the whole day in the pool. Dada is not afraid to get some belly scratches by jumping down like Trevor:
Trevor made a friend from Montreal. They shared toys and used Dada as a ramp!
Every day we made it a point to do one thing that everyone wanted to do. Mommy's was a walk on the beach, Trevor's was the pool, and Dada's was to read his book and have a cigar (no he didn't have one every day but he did get to read his book)!
Our last night we checked out the Mexican restaurant for the second time. It was SO yummy and Trevor got to enjoy his 'chips and soup'!
Big boy had to have his water like the adults. Two hands buddy!
We were serenated by a wonderful singer...
...and Trevor started the room on tips!
After dinner we checked out the gazebo and learned that there were angels on the ceiling.
Trevor and his trusty pal Skip It enjoyed being chased by Mommy!
And 'spinning' as Trevor calls it!
Trevor has always had a special connection with angels and stars....which begs for a blog post all on its own but wanted to document this special event that happened on vacation. We went out on the beach to see the stars and Trevor starts blowing kisses up to the stars. It made our hearts smile knowing all of the angels that are up there watching over us.
Our last day there was a bit overcast and windy but Trevor still wanted to take a dip in the pool...by himself!! Here he is showing off his swimming skills!
Here he is saying 'cheese' one last time for the camera in the pool!
We didn't turn the TV on once during our vacation except for the 30 minutes while we packed up our stuff to leave. Trevor wasn't even all that interested. Fruit loops are much more entertaining!
On our way out to meet our driver we stopped at the Tropical side to say goodbye to the 'pink birds.'
And the peacock who gave us a great last picture!!
Trevor is already asking when we can go back and we can promise you this - we will be back someday!! What a perfect vacation!!
