DAY ONE ... travel day!
January 10, 2026.
Belize is such a beautiful spot on our earth! We love it here!!!! Years ago, Mike went on an investors trip to this beautiful country and toured Coco Beach Resort! He said that he someday wants to bring me back there! Fast forward, Mike and I went to Coco Beach for an anniversary trip and loved it!!! I said we have to bring the kids there! Fast forward, we took the family to Ambergris Caye Island, stayed at the beautiful Coco Beach Resort and absolutely loved it! Austin was only four years old. Fast forward six years and here we are packing up our bags and taking the family again! Same island! Same resort! Same beauty!
We decided to tell the kids a few month ago and said to pack only carry on bags. We made the reservations and the other expense to them is food. We really liked how that worked. Jeremiah, Hadassah and Gunnar ... Matt and Daisy ... Ashlyn and Austin ... Mike and Lori! Here we go!
We had a very early flight out of Philadelphia! Jere and Das and baby slept at our house Monday night so we could be all ready to leave before they wake up baby dear to leave. Mike Schatzmann drove us in a big van to the airport. We were waiting for Matt and Daisy and after a few phone calls, they came ripping into the driveway. Overslept. We knew to have plenty of time and good thing we did!
We arrived at the airport at 4 AM and had to get Hadassah's ticket changed because her maiden name was still on her passport. Things went well but just took time! After a lift from an angel driving a mini bus, got us to our correct terminal and we got through to our gate. I was sweating bullets because I for a second couldn't find my passport and boarding pass after going through security! I was hoping I didn't leave it in a bin where we had to put all our things through security. Found it safely in my backpack! We raced off to our gate just in time to board and fly to Miami, our first layover. Baby napped on the plane and we grabbed breakfast on the run!
We boarded plane two flying to Belize City! We arrived warm and ready for adventure!
Then we got through customs, got another boarding pass and all boarded plane three. This small plane flew us to Ambergris Caye Island, Belize!
Gunnar did so well the entire time! Just taking in all the action and flights and happy to be along!
We landed in San Pedro by afternoon! There we got our luggage together and all hopped in a van that took us to our resort! It was warm and balmy and we couldn't wait to show the kids the resort once again!
Everyone LOVED IT!!!!!
We stayed on the top floor of the building you see behind us here. We also had the two bedroom complex on the second floor. Both with two bedrooms, two baths. Perfect for Mike and I and the littles and then the married couples on floor two. Both had porches looking out towards the ocean! Gorgeous views!
I absolutely love it here! Time away to relax! To see paradise! To eat well! To be together as a family! To ride through town after getting local breakfast fry jacks!!!! Just love, love it all!
We are so very blessed to do this trip! Vacations are expensive. They take a lot of planning! So many flights and preparations were made! Watching the sun set on the island had me thanking Jesus for all of this! This vacation is a gift of God's goodness to us!
