When winter brings you snowstorms, blizzards, and wind chill advisories, we say, “Game on!” because we know how to beat the winter blues:

Step 1: Visit Mall of America to find the nearest rainforest.

Yikes! We traveled to the Cities early to get ahead of the weather.

Rainforest Cafe anyone? Yes, please!

It was only a little scary…

…Because this guy kept growling at us.

But, we lived to tell about it.

A LEGO store?!

This is incredible.

So many things can be built with LEGOs.

So cool!

We even rode a rollercoaster INSIDE the mall!

I love MoA!!

Step 2: Head to the airport and hop on the first plane flying toward warmer weather.

Bags checked and ready to go through security.

Waiting to board the plane.

Genesee tries to be just like me.

Ready to rise above the clouds!

Will the little monster…

…be quiet on the airplane?

Answer: Yes. (Thank goodness she fell asleep.)

Now it’s time to relax.

Are we there yet? I’m just a little excited.

Step 3: Arrive at the Grand at Moon Palace and inspect the swim-up suite room you requested.

Our private black Suburban ride to the resort

The premises.

Our golf cart ride to our home-away-from-home.

A look at our suite…

…from the outside.

Double sink,

King-size bed,

Deluxe whirlpool and spacious patio,

AND a private pool. Holy Kamoly!

We can get used to this.

Step 4: Enjoy delicious food, refreshing beverages, perfect temperatures, and have more fun than your heart can handle.

Non-alcholic Strawberry Daiquiris! (Except for that one they accidentally put alcohol in.)

Done.

Dessert!

Brand Buffet Breakfast

Fun at the Playroom

Because who doesn’t love a pretend game of grocery shopping?!

G is on a mission.

Love this thing!

The weather is perfect here!

Delivered-to-your-room breakfast. Sure!

So. Many. Desserts.

That looks like a hot drink.

Michael Jackson… what!?

More dessert.

A savory pizza crepe

Italian Night

Vacation is hard work, so yes, I ate two dishes!!

So refeshing!

Mom and her Miami Vice drinks.

Step 5: Swim. Swim. Swim.

Genesee liked the water…

…especially the lazy river with mom!

Have no fear, Batman is here.

Don’t let these arm floaties fool ya…

I’ve become so comfortable in the water.

I can float on my back,

I can go beneath the surface for long periods of time with my trusty goggles,

I can do black flips!

I can even swim at night in the dark!

Genesee is also quite skilled at being tossed into the air.

These heated pools were everything!

And the swim-up suite was just what we ordered.

I became wrinkly….

…and sunburnt.

But it was all worth it!

Genesee wasn’t quite the fish I was…

…But I have a feeling she will be one day. (So long as she can cling on to Dad.)

Step 6: Relax, meet up with Morgan & Garrett, crash, and repeat.

Sleepy heads.

Genesee loved to sit with Garrett

Meeting up with Garrett and Morgan was so much fun! (Before I fell asleep)

Nap time.

Snoozin’ poolside.

G loves her snuggles with Dad.

I love when G falls asleep! Parents all to myself.

T.I.R.E.D.

Sometimes I just can’t hang.

Step 7: Watch the sunrise, walk the beach, and make lots of memories.

It’s a beautiful day

for the sun

to rise!

Breathtaking.

Taking a final spin around the complex. In our pajamas.

Posing in front of mom and dad’s wedding gazebo.

Finding the beach…

…and making picture-perfect-pajama poses.

Feeling the sand between our toes.

Playing lifeguard.

Leaving footprints

Admiring the ocean

G was drawn to the ocean

“What’s up, buttercup?”

Me and momma.

Keeping G safe from the swim-up pool.

Making memories

Mom & Dad (Photo credit: me)

Photo credit: me again

Me and Dad

My duck lips pose

Gazing into my mother’s eyes

I may or may not have been exposed to too much sun on this trip.

But I’m still cute.

And cool.

This is where Aunt Julie wanted to hang out.

Alcohol. Yuck.

The ladies.

The Grand at night

Step 8: Return to Wisconsin with renewed energy to beat the winter blues.

The ride back to the airport

Sad to leave Mexico

But happy to work on puzzles in the plane.

Even more happy to see Genesee pass out right away.

And to have her wake up at the end of the flight in a good mood.

Back in Wisconsin and ready for the cold.

Still smiling.

Still having fun.

What a ride!

Final Score = Goodenough Family: 82, Winter: -24

Even though those numbers also reflect the temperatures of Cancun vs. Wisconsin, we pretty much kicked winter’s butt.

Winning!