I left my heart in Jamaica… it’s likely sitting somewhere beside my $25 swim goggles that I lost there. Genesee fell in love with the beautiful island country too, after she got over her initial disappointment about the absence of Cheetos and ramen noodles on all of the menus.

It definitely helped that my parents expertly planned our trip so that we missed the earthquake and tsunami upon arrival in Jamaica and returned home just hours before the winter storm dumped 9 inches of snow across the roadways. Plus, the resort was only at 40% occupancy so we practically had the place to ourselves while watching the Super Bowl and celebrating Bob Marley’s birthday.

But, we also loved visiting the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande resort because it was different from our typical trips to the Moon Palace in Cancun. This resort was smaller and more intimate, which allowed us to make new friends, like Lyla and Conner from Toronto, and David and Marie from Minneapolis! Jamaica also provided lots of new opportunities like snorkeling in the ocean, kayaking with Dad, encountering dolphins, watching cruise ships dock every morning, consuming the best jerk chicken ever, and getting our first manicures and pedicures! It should also be noted that the bacon seems crispier in Jamaica, the brownies are more delicious, and Genesee’s hair bends into perfect little curls in that warm, humid air and liquid sunshine.

In Jamaica, I learned new words and phrases, like “Yah mon,” “Wah gwan,” “Respect,” “No problem,” and “One Love.” However, even with this expanded vocabulary, there just aren’t any words that can accurately capture the stuff that Jamaican memories are made of so I’ll let our photos tell the rest of the story:

Leaving Melrose

All packed up

Rainbow burger sliders at the Sugar Factory

Yum, yum, yum!

Now that’s a milkshake!

Grandpa, you need to step up your game.

All the candy!

Build a Bear at Mall of America

Me and mom on the plane

G and Dad on the plane, 3 rows behind us.

Our bus ride from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios

Genesee taking it all in

Our home away from home!

Super Bowl Sunday!

On the big screen.

I’m cheering for the winning team!

Touring the resort and sporting my team.

VIP seat sections for us!

Tranquil

Pool time!

The Momo experience where you don’t want to go go.

Beach Party for Bob Marley’s birthday.

Family photo

Hanging out with David and Marie (friends we met on the plane)

The fire blower

Ouch

The balancing act

Me… about to win the dance contest

Evening entertainment

Standing ovation from Dad

Not the best place to color

Silly face

Model pose

The soft smile

On the catamaran

G trying to get off the catamaran

G was sad that she couldn’t go snorkeling

G turned happy once Mom pulled out the starburst candy.

G unhappy once said starburst candy was all gone.

Sophie teaching Genesee the “peace” sign

Ready to get my snorkel on

Here, fishy fishy.

Hey mom!

Skills. Can you eat an apple with no hands?

G is excited about her manicure

“Purple nails, please.” – G

“Oh, you don’t want me to splash my feet in this pool?” – G

Mom’s turn to get pretty nails.

I’m checking things out to make sure it doesn’t hurt.

My turn to get fancy.

Jamaican colors, please! Gotta represent.

“I’ll have one of each.”

Cruise ship watching

One of the pretty angles

Seashells for my classmates

Kayaking with Dad!

Lyla and Eric joined us!

This is so fun!

Heading back to shore

Exploring the beach

Yes, I got in trouble for going head first. No, I wasn’t sorry I did it.

G wanted to go down the slide.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Even mom got in on the fun.

Only once though.

Dad is a waterslide pro. Look at that form.

G loved this game.

More.

More.

Higher.

Now it’s my turn to fly!

Like Batman.

G loved her sand bucket.

And the other kid’s bucket too.

Me and momma

G napping.

Cheese.

Cheese again.

Cheese one more time.

“CHEESE!!!” – G

Don’t worry. That shark is just me in my shark swimsuit.

A fruity tooty drink.

On our deck, watching the ships come in

Michael Jackson show!

The Wired Lounge

Photo shoot before our evening meal

Who is that handsome fella, you ask? It’s me!

Siblings

Time to swim with the dolphins!

G was really excited until she wasn’t.

Me, giving G a pep talk

I’m ready!

It’s a family affair

My first kiss!

Ring toss. Nailed it.

Our beach villa

Miss Curly Q

G in the pool

G and Dad relaxing at the beach

Coconut drink

The Sun Deck

Kevin from Heaven playing along with G’s diaper game

Nutella snack. Whatever keeps her happy.

Blue Hawaiian

G collecting more sand toys that aren’t ours

Mom on her floaty

Push-ups in the morning

When my legs get tired

When G gets tired

Ice cream cart

Me and Lyla

Genesee and Connor

Dinner with our Toronto friends

Racing at the Playroom

Mega Connect Four

Brrr

Saying goodbye to Lyla

…and Connor

Little miss sunshine

The night scene

Jerk chicken and corn on the cob

Dirty feet (from our dance-a-thon)

Watching the nightly show

Building sand castles

Our own, private beach

Buttery!

Ice cream bowl #7

Breakfast at Pier 8

Delish!

The wedding gazebo

View from our room

Playroom shenanigans

Pooped

Family photo

G loved the outdoor showers

Diving with Lyla

Holding hands

Throwing rocks

G learning how to drive

Silly G

Nap time

Our last breakfast

G showing off her flexibility

We like long walks on the beach

Vroom, vroom!

Help! I’m stranded on an island!

Snorkeling with Dad

The underwater

Cheesin’ with mom

Refreshing salad

Lobster dinner

Hot tubbin at night

Some of the local artists

Leaving our mark in the sand

Jaeger was here

February 2020