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Welcome to Mexican Paradise! Mommy & Daddy got us free passes to this wonderful ecotourist park full of animals from all sorts of habitats. First stop - the Macaws. Caw! Caw!

Goofy

So what? What's wrong with my 2 teeth? I'm in Mexico, I can smile all I want. Sure, call me a goofy gringo. I'm still in Mexico.

I scream...

I don't care if I'm too young for ice cream. I'm just happy to be here in Mexico. Dairy Queen, Fairy Queen, it's all the same to me.

DQ

Could it be? Is this a mirage? An actual Dairy Queen? Playa del Carmen had it all. Just look at the joy on my face. That in itself was worth the trip.

New Digs

This was our apartment in Playa del Carmen, just south of Cancun. We had to make sure the floor was okay.

After a short 1 hour flight, we were in a new world, a world of plenty. First stop, after we found our place, FOOD! What a tasty plate of juevos rancheros. Even Soren was eating!

No, I'm staying here!

I don't want to go to Mexico. I don't even know what or where Mexico is. I don't like any place with an X in it.

Pre-flight Fun

You've got to hand it to the Havana Airport. They make your departure pretty comfortable. Almost to the point where you want to come back. Almost...

What? Mexico?

What a shock we were in for when Mommy & Daddy told us we came to the airport not to go to Canada, but Mexico instead. What is this Mexico you speak of?

La Grande Splash

Well, it's not quite like the famous Gatineau park, but it certainly helps cool me down during the never ending heat of Havana. Complete with slide and a fountain, this beauty provides hours of fun.

Who's Stronger now?

Pound per pound, I would still give it to Marley. However, I have no limits in sight, whereas Marley won't get much stronger.

Musical Chairs

This game can be pretty fun when you end up in your brother's chair. He's pretty protective with this most comfy of chairs so you have to take advantage when you get the chance.

Twister

Right hand yellow! Darius, the right hand, not the left!

Sharing a Laugh

Papa and I had a little bonding session after a swim in the pool. I bet you wouldn't see too many granddad's doing this with their grandson. Years down the road, we'll be able to enjoy a different kind of bottle together.

Darius Andretti

Quick, before my brother Soren sees me on his ATV, take my picture. Then, open the gate so I can make my getaway.

Sr. Cymbals

As a multi-instrumentalist, I have managed to become quite capable of making lots of music with a variety of instruments. Some, like my Mommy, might call it noise, but I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion.

From one island to another

Mary, at the centre of the screen, is originally from Newfoundland, just like Glamma on the left. I wonder if there's something in the cold salt air of the rock that makes people live so long. Perhaps Glamma will make it to 107 too.

Who's cuter?

The little chick or the little dude?

Your Highness

This little white beast knows the chain of command. Bow to me, my little friend, for I am Prince Darius.

Where's the Hostess?

We all congregated around the fancy dining room table for tea but Mary was not feeling well so decided to take her tea privately. Next time we'll enjoy tea and biscuits together, the Newfie way.

Tea Party

Well, I haven't exactly taken a protocol course, but I think I'm ready for a fancy tea party. I know when I'm supposed to smile. That is, when there's a camera around...

Peacocks

No, we're not talking about us. Check out what's in the tree behind us. We're at Villa Maria where the oldest living Newfie lives. Plus a whole gaggle of peacocks. There's over 20 of them wandering around the estate.

Not Invited to the Party

This is the not so cool table. Sometimes the grandparents just get a better deal.

Invited to the Party

Looks like it's the cool people at this table. Special invites only for dinner.

Wrestling

This big brown carpet has doubled as a wrestling mat. This particular match has Daddy against Darius and Marley but there are all sorts of combinations.

Glamma's Cake

I had to make sure that Glamma's cake was good enough for everyone else to eat. That's kind of my birthday cake ritual. This black forest cake was tasty!

Sun, Sun Go Away

It's been so hot and sunny that I thought I would dress for what I want. That is rain! How can I show off my raincoat and umbrella in this sunshine? Boo Sun! Yay rain!

And you are?

It's hard to tell exactly what Glamma is dressed up as but other than a Canadian tourist, I can't tell. She certainly wouldn't qualify for our trick or treat parade.

Aaarrrrgghhhh!

Shiver mee timberz, mateys, whares mee trezur? Yooz wantz to wok dee plank?

Esplendido!

No better place to enjoy a Cohibo Esplendido than in your very own Cuban backyard.

Soarin' Soren

I saw the dolphins doing this at the Aquarium so I had to try it.

It's actually not that hard if you put your entire body into it.

For my next trick, I will do a double flip followed by nosing a ball.

Post Beach Swim

After coming back from the Eastern Beaches, we just had to jump back into the water. I've got to be able to swim by the time I go back to Canada in the summer. That's what I promised Papa.

Surfing

What up dude? Just working on my gnarly form. Eventually, I'll work my way up to a board, but in the meantime bodysurfing is where it's at.

Where's Paradise?

Has anybody seen it? It looks pretty appetizing here, that is if you can handle 35 degrees plus, sand in your shorts and high risk of sunburn.

Look Mom, no feet!

Some people call me a showboater, but I have not idea what they're talking about. I don't see what the big deal is about cruising topless with my feet up on the handlebars.

Spike

This shot will show why they call me, Spike. Do you see that little tuff of hair sticking straight up at the back? That's my natural look. And no, Mommy and Daddy don't let me swim by myself. But this pose wouldn't be a classic with them in the photo.

Birthday Swim

Well, it wasn't my birthday but I was in my suit. Got to love the freedom of the privacy of your own back yard pool.

Baby Paddles

I can feel it. I'm getting a little bit better at swimming. With my floaties and encouragement from Papa, I almost want to let go. But, it's still too comfortable being held by Mama.

Rooftop Dip

While it appears to be a dark, cloudy day, the reality is that the conditions were perfect in Bernie's rooftop pool for Daddy and I to take a refreshing dip.

Black Tie Polar Bar

Well, not really, but with this photo, it looks like Papa and I are attending a fancy black and white affair rather than the casual Polar Bar.

Can you see the Rock?

Funny Glamma! She kept saying she could see the Rock. Of course, there were lots of rocks in the water. But then she said, Larrddd tunnnderinnn Jesus, I mean Newfoundland. At which point I said, "Glamma, you gotta look North, North East."

Darius?

Where could Darius have gone? He was just here a second ago.

Constructin' Thangs

Papa and I were pretty busy building sand castles on the beach. He would build and I would demolish. We were a great team.

Strummin'

Just workin' on my chords

So I can sing before the hoards

Soren Schumacher

After a little help from the one man pit crew, Jose Luis, Soren is off in the race again.

Soren Schumacher

With a little help from the one man pit crew Jose Luis, he's off in the race again.

Road Trip

Can we , can we Daddy? Can we go on a road trip? I want to go for a ride.

Top Notch

It just clicked one day and everything became Top Notch, thumb and all!

Half Notch

Papa and Glamma were teaching Soren how to do the Top Notch sign, but he couldn't quite get it until....

Fishies all round

What else would you eat at an Aquarium by the Sea? It looks like Darius is hogging the little fishies, but Soren is hogging the camera.

Dolphins & Darius

Papa and I are up close and personal at the underwater dolphin show at the Havana Aquarium. What style, what grace! Sorry Papa, I'm talking about the dolphins.