The Settlemoir Family Blog: Turks & Caicos-July 2014

In mid-July, we enjoyed a FANTASTIC family vacation to Turks & Caicos with the Wynn family. Turks & Caicos Islands are a group of British islands, southeast of the Bahamas. We stayed at Beaches, which is an all-inclusive family resort, in Providenciales on the larger Caicos Island. We stayed in the Italian Village (highly recommend!), but we had access to the entire resort. We loved our room and the view. It was so nice to visit an all-inclusive resort. Once we were at the resort, we only had to pay for our one off-resort excursion, our spa visit, souvenirs, and additional sunscreen (first time I've ever run out of sunscreen, and had no choice but to pay the very high price for more). All water activities (snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, etc.) and the childcare camps are included in the price. They do not even except tips! The water was breathtakingly beautiful, and the weather was absolutely perfect--lots of sun and heat! We spent our days hopping from the beach to the water park to various pools. A-MAZ-ING!!!

DAY 1
On Friday, we stayed overnight in St. Louis to catch our super early flight to Miami. We met the Wynns in the hotel lobby around 3:30 AM. We were barely awake, but very excited!

My seatmate and me

We flew to Miami and had a 3-4 hour layover. Before and after lunch, the boys stayed awake and entertained with their gaming devices.

My seatmates for flight #2...Cole had the right idea by dozing off!

Heading down to the beach after checking in

Lots and lots of water and sand time in this paradise!

Jenga competition while waiting for dinner at The Cricketers Pub

DAY 2
We started out the day with a view of the ocean at breakfast. The breakfast buffets had a brand of yogurt that is not sold here. We couldn't get enough of the banana, which tasted just like Gerber banana baby food. Turns out there is very little healthy about that yogurt, but it was tasty!

Zoe from Sesame Street came over for a visit.

Ha! Saving this photo for future use! Brady and Caden were not thrilled with this photo op.

Kieran and Zoe

Awesome hammocks along the walkway

After a quick change, we headed down to the beach.

Curt and Brandon snorkeling

Kieran and Cole

Brady and Caden building a trench

Cole trying out snorkeling

Caden's turn

Kieran working on the trench wall

After spending plenty of time at the beach, we went to the water park. The water park has a lazy river, five water slides, a surfing/bodyboarding simulator, and water playground. It was impossible to get photos of the big kids because it was hard to keep up with them.

Kieran enjoyed the little slides at the water playground.

Waiting for their smoothies at the kids' swim-up bar

Trying out the bodyboarding simulator

Caden

Caden and Cole

Delicious dinner at Barefoot by the Sea

Photos on the beach after dinner

Our suite in the Italian Village

Boys' room...Bunk beds with a trundle underneath, TV with Xbox, and a sink area

Our room with a view of the ocean

DAY 3
After breakfast, we went on our only off-resort excursion. It was a tour on a glass-sided boat, a way to see coral and sea life without snorkeling or scuba diving. We saw lots of cool coral and sea turtles.

We hit the beach when we returned. LOVE this water and these kids!

The grown-ups enjoyed a delicious dinner at Le Petit Chateau while the kids were at Kids Camp. Caden, Cole, and Brady went to Captain Kids for 8-10 year olds, and Kieran attended Camp Sesame for 3-4 year olds. They ate dinner at camp. Caden, Cole, and Brady went to a fashion show, dance party, and another show on the main entertainment stage. They weren't thrilled with the line-up of activities during the evening, but they had a good time together. Kieran attended the same fashion show, had story time with Elmo, and watched part of a movie (Smurfs) before falling asleep in a bean bag. We probably shouldn't have started Kieran's experience with Camp Sesame at night. He still says that he does not want to go back. He got too sleepy and was worried about falling asleep there, so he got "sniffy" (i.e. teary). He was very happy when I woke him up to take him back to the room. Thankfully, we were able to convince Kieran to return to Camp Sesame a few more times.

DAY 4
We went to the beach and then the water park again. Maybe we went to one of the pool's too, but I can't remember.

After lunch, we took Kieran to Camp Sesame, so the rest of us could go snorkeling. (Well, I went out on the boat to be the photographer.) At Camp Sesame, Kieran made a craft and went birdwatching with Big Bird. To get to the snorkeling area, we took a short boat ride to a coral reef. Everyone had a great time! The boys did so well and enjoyed the experience.

Beaches Resort from the boat

Heading in

It was hard to keep track of everyone. Curt, Caden, and Cole are in the front of this photo.

Cole taking the rope back to the boat

Brady and Cole

Caden

Buddies!

After snorkeling, Curt picked up Kieran while Jess, the kids, and I waited for a sailboat (Hobbie Kat) ride.

The kids playing in the water while waiting our turn

Off we go! This took a lot of courage for me!

Family photos on the gorgeous beach

Night swim in the Italian pool

DAY 5
Curt snapped photos of our patio and amazing view.

Not bad at all!

Jess, Cole, and Ali kayaking

More beach time

Besties

Ali and Kieran

The boys made friends with a local boy and had fun playing a ball game together.

Debut of THE tanks...The guys got some extra attention from other guests while wearing these tanks.

Swimming in the infinity pool in the Key West area

My guys

Curt thinks he's really funny.

Kieran with the lifeguard and his cute towel frog

Cole :)

On date night #2, we ate at Sapodillas, another delicious dinner. Again, the boys ate dinner at camp. Kieran was very worried about staying as late as last time, so we promised to pick him up before he got too sleepy. He had a costume party and watched part of a movie before we picked him up. Caden, Cole, and Brady had a blast during their camp time because they got to go to Wet Fete, a nighttime party at the water park. They had so much fun!

DAY 6
After breakfast, the boys went to kids camp, while the grown-ups and Ali enjoyed some spa time. Curt got a massage, and I enjoyed a sugar scrub. The big boys played in the ocean and swam in one of the pools at kids camp. Kieran made a craft with Count and went down to the beach for a science experiment while we were gone.