Thanks to the groundhog, we have at least another five weeks of winter ahead of us. And we also have a depressing snow record in the works here in Iowa (it's growing every day). For this very reason, Mr. Shaf and I couldn't have been happier about the timing of our miniature mental-health vacay to Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

We met up with my college friend Brie, her husband Ryan, plus Ryan's brother, Keith, and his wife Amber. For four wonderful days, the six of us soaked up the sun, ate the local guac, felt the sand on our feet, and let relaxation set in. It was muy bien!

Me and Brie with a guy wearing some scary warrior-type outfit.

All the couples on the downtown Playa beach. We called ourselves the Playas.

Our trip to the Mexican Walmart was quite the experience!

Dinner at our favorite restaurant of the trip - Ajua Maya. We had yummy Mayan barbecue!

And ... there's no place like home?