Three Kids and a Dog: Xmas Break in Mexico 2025

We weren't sure we were going to do Xmas break trip this year because we just moved and we did do a summer trip to Disney (because of Austen's soccer) which we don't normally do. But, we decided it was important to have a family trip to all be together since Austen was home and he had an extra long winter break.

NYE 2025 - Beach Party

We decided on Mexico, largely because it was cheaper and also because Austen was planning on going to a concert there on January 4th so flying back and then flying him to Mexico would have been a bit more complicated. Three weeks before the trip, I booked it. Yes, normally, I have these vacations planned at least 6-9 months in advance but I didn't this time. I narrowed the list of resorts and decided on a brand new all suite hotel with a great rate during a soft opening (took the risk there that it would be okay). Tom and I had Southwest companion passes for flights so Hailey and Peyton flew basically free with us except for taxes. Used points for our flights and Austen's too so we just had to pay for hotel.

The new hotel was the Majestic Mirage (a 4.5 star hotel) that looked magnificent and sat next to its sister property the Majestic Elegance in Costa Mujeres on a beautiful beach. Quick 3.5 hour flight from Chicago to Cancun and then a 40-minute shuttle ride and we were there. The lobby was magnificent and new. We booked two rooms and unfortunately due to it being a new hotel and some of their rooms not operational, we were a building and a half away from each other. The kids decided to stay in one section and Tom and I were in the other section (adults only although they were lenient on this during the soft opening).

Fashionista!

We had a swim out suite and then the kids' room was one with a plunge pool that faced the waterpark. We used both and the kids had fun on the waterslides too. It was only 40% capacity which was nice so not really that crowded during that time of year which is what I wanted. Restaurants were pretty easy to get into and we especially enjoyed their hibachi restaurant and their Italian one. Our butler did go no contact after a few days and Hailey did flood their bathroom (which Tom and I deduced was shoddy workmanship as the tile in the shower slanted away from the drain.). But we rolled with the setbacks and it was fine. No had I paid full price for these rooms/this resort, I probably would not have been happy but it was fine and minor inconveniences.

Tom and Austen did spend an afternoon golfing and then everyone (except me) went jet skiing. Other than that we just relaxed. Played cards. Watched some Bears and Indiana football and enjoyed the warm weather.

We rang in the New Year on the beach to a band and fireworks. Too soon it was time to return home and we woke up that morning to the airspace being closed due to Trump's "kidnapping" of the Venezuelan president. So our flight was two hours delayed and Austen's friends were two hours delayed coming in. Eventually, our flight got moved to only 30 minutes delay but we sat on the tarmac for another 30 minutes due to the backup. We left Austen in the airport Starbucks to wait for his friend's flight (a parent or two were coming in as well) which landed just before we took off.

Felt lucky to make it home that day when so many flights were canceled or majorly delayed. Or at least I did until the driver of our car service decided not to back out of our driveway after he dropped us off and pull forward through our brand new backyard with in ground sprinklers. To see a huge SUV in the middle of our yard stuck in the snow and trying to now do a 3-point turn to get out was shocking! I still can't believe it. Yes, our driveway was covered in snow so you couldn't see what was driveway and what was grass but how he didn't realize it as soon as he came off the grass and started through our backyard, I don't know.

I guess we won't know what kind of damage he really did until spring. Happy 2026!