Belize 2013: Sunday - Two Planes, a Puddle Jumper, and Water Taxi Ride Later...

For the first time in my life, I wasn't upset to be awoken by a 4:00 a.m. alarm clock. I shot up in bed, stretched my arms above my head, and with a big smile exclaimed "we're going to Belize for Lizzie and Kevin's wedding!" to my less awake husband. Thirty minutes and a quick shower, dog walk, and car pack later, Garrett and I headed to the airport.

We met up with Bubby and Kurt, our two fabulous and loving uncles, in the Houston International Airport. With them we flew into Belize City, were escorted through the airport every step of the way, and were left waiting in anticipation for our puddle jumper flight that would take us to Ambergris Caye. The Belize City Airport staff were not as excited, however, as we were. Had Bubby not asked the staff when our flight actually was, after being told "in 10 minutes" time and time again, we probably would have waited in that airport for hours.

The puddle jumper and water taxi rides were thrilling, but all I could do was count down the minutes until our arrival. I was ready to get to the resort and see my sister. Arrive at the resort a short time later we did, and were happily greeted by bathing-suit clad Lizzie and Kevin, flanked by friends Emily, Lauren, and Mark.

Sunday evening was a blur of checking in, unpacking, and rinsing off. I felt like we couldn't move fast enough. My sister was out there! The ocean was out there! My excitement and relief of making it to Coco Beach was palpable.

The group--Liz, Kevin, Emily, Lauren, Mark, Kurty, Bubby, Garrett and I--gathered and took a 10 minute stroll down the beach for dinner. We ate at a lovely restaurant, open-aired and tropical. The food, however, was less than lovely. That's ok though, because the company and setting were absolutely perfect.

We closed our first night in Belize gathered around Lizzie and Kevin's table, chatting and putting together welcome bags for the rest of the guests to come. It was times like this, quiet and personal, that I enjoyed most during our week in paradise.

Read about Monday here!