We just got back from the most wonderful week long family vacation in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. This is the 2nd time we've been there since we loved it so much the first time and this time they had a new exclusive area called The Level that we stayed in! First trip blog posts here:
Awww Trevor was so little! He had just turned 2!
We ended up flying out of Ft. Smith because it was half the frequent flier points and then we spent the night in Dallas before having a direct flight right to Punta Cana the next morning. The Ft. Smith airport had us smiling. The ticketing counter didn't open until 1 hour before the flight and security opened 30 minutes before the flight. Gotta love small towns!
We made it Dallas after our airplane's engine had to be jumped to start (eek) but once we checked in to our hotel that was right at the airport we headed to the restaurant. Big boy Trevor ordered his own steak!
The flight to Punta Cana was 4.5 hours but the kids loved having their own TVs in the seats so it wasn't so bad. Before we knew it we were at our resort!
After Eddie helped us to our amazing room (4203) which was by the pool and Gabi restaurant, we went exploring!
Mommy couldn't wait to get to the beach!!
We unpacked then headed to Gabi for dinner. We learned we can order lobster every meal so you better believe that Trevor and Daddy had it!
The next day was like most every day. Daddy went out early to get his favorite chairs and read. Mommy waited for the kids to wake up then we got ready and went out. Trevor had fun with his new remote control boat!
Ashley being Ashley :)
Swim up bar and lots of swimming all day!
It was New Year's Eve so we dressed up and had dinner!
Well some of us had dinner and some of us slept through it!
Cheers! 2018 is going to be amazing!!
Another day in paradise!
Ashley's swimming skills have become amazing!!
Trevor was beyond thrilled when one of the workers offered to climb up and cut down a fresh coconut! Not sure it tasted as good as he thought but he was so happy!
We would often spend the mornings at the Level pool and then take a quick golf cart ride to the beach. Although Ashley and Mommy were known to walk it often too.
One day we went to one of the other resort pools. Kids loved it!
Mommy's own personal server!
They had a pool party - fun!
Then we ended up back at our Level beach. This place is paradise!
Ashley pretty much had pasta every night for dinner!
Dancing queen!
That night the most horrific thing happened. The tropical side lobby went up in flames :(
Mommy heard sirens off and on around midnight but thought that maybe someone was watching TV too loud. When we woke up we heard all about it. It must have been so scary!!!! Our room was on the other side of the Caribe lobby so we weren't close to it but people had to be evacuated in the middle of the night but they contained the fire to just the lobby and a few of the restaurants. Here is what it looked like in the morning. Sad!
By early afternoon they had it boarded up and hidden. And workers didn't want anyone dwelling on it so back to our routine.
We remember dancing at night with Trevor in this cool open air building so of course we needed a picture of the kiddos in it this time!
The Mexican restaurant was one of our favorites!!
Chilling in the day beds after dinner!
Next day it was all beach!
We remember these palm trees from last time too! So pretty!
Our little princess who was so afraid of the ocean not long ago was all about the water this trip!
One day Trevor ordered his own virgin pina colada in a pineapple! Again, not sure it tasted all that great to him but he will always remember the experience of having it made!
Trevor met a friend Ciao and these two had a lot of fun together swimming non-stop!
Our shoe organizer took her job very seriously every day!
Mommy and Daddy did a paddle board yoga class one morning and two other mornings Daddy did yoga!
Ashley was the #1 snack bar customer between the self-serve ice cream and the popcorn!
Different day, same routine! Beach and exploring the other pools!
Trevor met a professional soccer player (back in the day) from Columbia:
Ashley bought a bucket of sand toys!
They had another party with activities!
Practicing his one eye brow up look. Such a Trevor look!
French restaurant night! These tiny magnatiles that Mommy found shopping in MN were so perfect for dinners. Kept our little builders very busy having fun!
Another day in paradise!
Trevor bought a bracelet for his friend Mayah's birthday! He searched and searched for the perfect one!
We often took walks on the beach which pretty much meant the kids would run ahead or go out in the waves and have fun!
And back to the pool for more fun with Daddy!
Mexican restaurant again - YUM!
And we made sure to soak up our last full day at the beach!
And the big pool!
Paella for lunch!!
Paddle boarding back at our pool!
One last swim up bar drink!
Looking beachy for our last night!
We decided to eat at Gabi on our last night and we are so glad we did. One for the lobster but two for the amazing musical performance afterward!!
Ashley couldn't make it that night though! Zzzz!
Our last morning we had breakfast, took a walk on the beach then had a little over 2 hours at the pool before we needed to pack up and head to the airport!
We had no issues at the airport thanks to Brian's status - we didn't have to wait to check in or at security. The only issue was that because the flight down was delayed, our flight into Dallas was delayed and we would miss our connection to Ft. Smith. But Daddy was smart and had them rebook us on a flight to XNA which is 10 minutes from our house instead of Ft. Smith. It meant we would have to Uber home and drive to Ft Smith the next day but it was better than spending the night in Dallas! Kiddos were tired! Ashley slept the whole way from Dallas to XNA while Trevor enjoyed sitting by another kid who also wasn't sitting by his parents. For the record, Daddy was seated right behind him Trevor and Mommy could see him easily!
By the time we got to XNA it was 11:30pm, 1:30am Punta Cana time. Kids were just ready to get home in their own beds but Trevor found this chair to sleep in while we were waiting for luggage.
What a most perfect vacation though!!! Fun, sun, good food, met new people, relaxed, read books and just enjoyed our time together. We may need to do this yearly ;) We missed quite the cold spell back home too. If only this week wasn't so expensive to travel!
