Mazatlan 2008

For those of you who don't already know, every year in March, JJ's entire extended family make a trip to Mazatlan, Mexico. Many years ago, J's Grandpa Wayne Thornton had a vision of starting a Time Share Resort down there in Mexico. His family has come every year since. J's Grandpa has since passed away and the Resort has been sold, however, the tradition continues each year. When the resort was sold, J's Grandma Shirley was given a certain number of years where she was able to bring the family for a vacation each year. We have one more year to enjoy this special gathering before the time is up. This was my 4th year in Mazatlan with the Thornton Family. JJ has been so many times we can't count, and this year was Jace's 2nd year. He went last year being almost 6 weeks old. Everyone thought we were crazy. This year was much more fun to bring Jace as a toddler instead of a newborn. Here we are in the car on our way from the Mazatlan Airport to The Inn at Mazatlan. Car seats are not mandatory nor common, so we buckled him into the center seat in between us. He stayed put for a few minutes then needed his space. I love his eyes in this picture.The sun in Mazatlan is very strong. For example, I can lay out for one day and get all the color I need for the whole trip. Many sunburns have happened on these yearly trips. This is Jace right after I put sunscreen all over him, including his head which still doesn't have enough hair on top to block the sun. It was fun to spike what he does have.
The hotel unit right behind us in this picture is where our little family lodged for the week. Notice Jace has his hand in his mouth in both of the last pictures. He wasn't so sure he liked having everyone wanting to pick him up and touch him. I don't blame anyone for wanting to squeeze such a squeezable little guy but Jace is not used to it so he was often looking a bit unsure. He didn't want anyone to hold him except for me. We had to come up with ways to distract him in order to let anyone else watch him.
First time on the beach with Dad. He was so curious. Such a sweet picture.
If you haven't been around Jace lately, you may not know that he is not longer walking. He is running. He was the talk of the Resort. Everyone knew Jace because he either ran in front of them to block their way, visited them during one of their meals because he refused to stay in a high chair for more than a few minutes (so yes he roamed many a restaurant), or they couldn't help but watch him as he would run from here to there all day long.

J and I walking with Jace into the ocean for his first time.
Once the water hit his feet for the first time, he was hooked. He didn't care if anyone was holding onto him, he would run straight into the ocean. Not so comforting when you are an over-protective mother.
This is my all time favorite picture of the trip. He just looks so cute.
Nana and Mom playing in the sand with Jace.
What the?

I had a few people come up to me throughout the week asking me is Jace was the little boy dancing at the Wednesday Night Fiesta. Well....Yes he was. He ran around the dance floor back and forth and was happier than ever. He was better entertainment for the observers than most of the performers. He would run and smile, then run back and smile some more. Every once in while he'd notice the big pinata above him, but quickly got back to business.
Two of J's sisters, Brynn and Lindsay, and Brynn's husband, Andrew, and I all went on a hike up to a Lighthouse. Props to Lindsay for climbing the steep mountain being 28 weeks pregnant. The Lighthouse wasn't as cool as everyone had said, but it was fun to spend time with the family without a baby to chase. When we got back to the Inn, I found out Jace had slept the entire time we were gone. Success!
As I said earlier, Jace did not want anything to do with anyone else, except for one person. Uncle Chris. Jace has always gladly let Chris hold him and play with him. He is so cute with him and it was fun to watch Jace pretend like he was big like the other kids were.
Jace and Daddy snuggling and relaxing while watching Baby Einstein.
I took this picture from afar of Brynn and Andrew. Such a sweet picture since they didn't know I was taking it.
Ready for another day in the sun. Does he look tired? He was, he took awesome naps and slept great at night the whole time we were there.

See my new tooth on the right and another picture of my spiky hair?
Exploring and running through the beach chairs. A daily happening.
J and I stayed one night longer than the rest of the family because we could get cheaper airfare. We did have to change rooms the last night thought. It was Christmas all over again for Jace because he had a whole new room to explore.
For some reason he was really want to snuggle with me that night. I was loving every second of it. He kept resting his head on mine and keeping it there. I wanted him to stay there all night.
I could show a ton more pictures but I won't. I wish we could move to Mazatlan. If anyone wants to move there with me let me know and we'll make plans. I miss it already.

This video is of Jace in the sand for his first time.

This video is of our first night there at a restaurant called La Playa de Bruja. They have such tasty coconut shrimp and lobster. We make the trek there each year.