One "Hammy" family

The family took a trip to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. It was beautiful, and none of us even got sick, that is until our stop at Burger King driving home from the San Francisco airport. Caleb had just enough of a bug to keep us from going to church the next day, couldn't be too careful.
It was an amazing vacation and we were especially blessed to have my brother Shane with us. He served as our photographer, translator, babysitter and a great tennis partner! As per Caleb "We get to play real Mexican tennis!" A trip to remember, lots of pic posted here but they don't even scratch the surface. Can I use this for our Christmas card?!

Two sweetie pies

Yummy! I can't get enough of these two.

Walmarat in Mexico

Couldn't escape my weekly Walmart trip, even in Playa Del Carmen. Had to get a picture of the cart right inside the condo. Call me easily amused.

Baby chicks

We watched a few baby chicks being born. Not something you see every day.

Swimming with the dolphins

We all swam with the dolphins, even Ethany. It was amazing. Chris, Elijah & Caleb got to do a foot push with them. They laid flat on the water and two dolphins swam up the pushed their noses onto their feet & pushed them on top of the water. Of course all 3 of my boys took a muscle man pose. I was just grateful Chris didn't have time to think of dropping his drawers. I'm not sure what the Mexican laws are for exhibitionism.

A short lunch, anyone?

I couldn't resist this shot, I can't explain it.

Another "hammy" family!

An amazing butterfly exhibit

Didn't see a single butterfly.

Black panther

As close as Elijah will ever get to a black panther.

Shaner bugs

I can't even believe how much Shane looks like Dad in this picture. I love it!!

Monkey's

These were wild monkeys that just came around when they saw people walking into the zoo, assuming they would be fed, and they were. I always wanted a pet monkey growing up. Of course all of the kids wanted one after this experience.

Hesitation

Eventually everyone held the croc's, except me. Hey- I was busy taking pictures. We have a ton!! It was really quite amazing, something you'll never be allowed to do in the states. . . too much liability ya know.

Elijah

Some pictures speak for themselves.

Enna & Boa

I'm always amazed at the lack of fear that my children have when it comes to wild animals. Definitely the Degn genes have dominated in this regard.

Snake & unwilling participant

In the words of my own son. . . "I am not comfortable with this!" My feeble attempt to not be outdone by my own children. Feeble being the operative word there.

HELP!

This was the meanest creature we encountered. We weren't allowed to touch this one.

Crocodile & Caleb

Yes that is a real crocodile! We all took a shot like this but this was the only one with my camera. So Shane- I need your pics bro. The lighting on this one is pretty bad. Did I mention that is a REAL crocodile!

Bambi

Turtle race

Drop 'em a grape and watch the sparks fly!! This was one of the funniest things I've seen. These turtles acted like they were going 50 mph. . . they just weren't. Very entertaining.

Ceramics

Bob & Shane painting ceramics. Bob actually gave up scuba-diving for this!! Strange child.

Chichen Itza

Learning how the Mayan's used this one structure to tell time & date. That is one big Rolex!

Chichen Itza

Had Caleb been born in Mayan times he would have been thrust into this well as a child. Apparently any child with two cowlick's is considered the necessary sacrifice for the rain Gods. Suddenly his own parents don't seem so bad.
p.s. this picture doesn't do the well justice. It was HUGE! When they first dredged it up they uprooted the bodies of over 3700 children. I don't imagine they still had their cowlick's!

Chichen Itza

We came here about 17 years ago, BC (before children). Chris & Matt got yelled at by the tour guide for trying to get a hackey sack into one of those hoops. "Senior! These ruins are centuries old, show some respect!" I was relieved to see that area is now gated off. Don't get me wrong- he still lead his children into the fields of the "off limits". He just waited until the tour guide had received his tip & was nowhere to be seen. . . or to see.

Chitchen Itza

The whole gang.