Oh friends, settle in 🙂 .
Over Spring Break, my crew headed from Dallas to the GORGEOUS Dominican Republic for an AMAZING Spring Break with our BESTIES!
Here’s a rundown of things to note before proceeding with this post:
1: Why the DR? We had heard nothing but amazing things about this resort from other people who work here at our travel agency and also from clients. The weather is typically perfect early March, the resort was supposed to be spectacular and include a gorgeous sandy beach, beautiful pools and a water park (hello?!) plus have delicious food and fabulous service. Sign. Us. Up.
2: We’ve vacationed many, many, many times before with the Slaughters, but on this trip, we were bringing something we have never brought before. FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS! Holy guacamole, you know what four middle schoolers like to do? E-A-T. Staying at an all-inclusive was a MUST on our list when looking for a property. I didn’t want to have to think about budgeting for food/monitoring people’s room charges/tell anyone “no” you may not eat that extra snack even though you’re ravenous from paddle boarding all day. I wanted to say EAT. Eat whatever you want, whenever you want.
3: When we travel, we always have different goals in mind. On some trips, we want to go, go, go and see, see, see (insert our European vacation in July!) and on other trips, we want to be super active from sun up to sun down (insert our ski vacation in January), and on some vacations, we want to sit on a lounge chair by the ocean all day long and do absolutely nothing (see photos below 🙂 ).
4: I don’t have any real rhyme or reasons with the photos below. I opened my phone just now and dumped them all in chronological order into one post. Many are taken of the property and many are taken from said lounge chair. This isn’t an “explain” every pic post…nor is it DR Part 1 of 45 post (aren’t you happy?!). This is one big fat post with all of my pics 🙂 .
Want to know more details or how you can go on an amazing vacation like this too? You should reach out to my travel agency 🙂 . Shameless plug? Of course it is! We love creating custom vacations for all of our clients, so we want to create one for YOU too! xx
Here we go…
We arrived at the beautiful Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana right before dinner. We checked in, checked out the views from our rooms (isn’t it gorgeous?) and then checked out dinner…
Gang’s all here! Wasn’t this just Spring Break 2016…
…or maybe Spring Break ’18…
…or even Spring Break ’20…
…you guys! Where did all of those babies go?!
They went here…
…to the beautiful Dominican Republic to eat and drink their way through the week.
The next morning…
…I sat on the most gorgeous beach with my Kindle and watched my babes…
…speaking of babes 😉 . I love that guy!
It was a play all day kind of Tuesday.
View from our table at lunch. Not too shabby.
For dinner that night? Hibachi! Always a favorite (and K’s was made special and very g-free!).
The next day…
…some of looked like we had partied hard the night before.
Another day…
…in paradise!
Water sports were included in our reservations, so the kids (and me!) paddle boarded, kayaked and snorkeled to our heart’s content.
Another successful day on Spring Break!
Day three…
…besties on the beach!
I didn’t take any other pics on this day until it was…
…dinner time!
I just LOVE traveling with this girl!
Day four…
…here we go! All you can eat, drink and enjoy the ocean!
One of the perks of this place is their…
…uber fabulous water park!
My pictures don’t do it justice. There were slides, a lazy river…it was pretty epic for a resort water park. We had a BLAST!
Back at the beach 🙂 .
No filter needed in the DR.
Miss Ashby lets nothing stand in her way. This kid is such a rock star!
All of our peeps playing football on the beach. Geez, I love each and every one of them.
And that my friends, was Spring Break 2023.
My family would tell you that this is their favorite trip with the Slaughters to date and their new favorite resort. We had such an amazing time and loved every single minute! It truly had everything and lacked nothing. Erika blogged her pics today from the trip too!
For more information on our other vacation planning destinations, check out my own posts where I share details on my family taking a two week European land and sea vacation, our fabulous time at Disney’s Aulani resort, a Walt Disney World land and sea vacation, and much more HERE!
Mix and Match Travel Agency would LOVE to send you on your next vacation too! We offer our services to cruises around the world, Hawaii, Walt Disney World, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and any other international destination. Just a reminder that, as much as we love places like NYC, Nantucket, ski vacations and other domestic destinations, we are not currently providing services there.
Happy Thursday! I will see you all back here tomorrow. xx
Erika Slaughter says
An EPIC getaway!! Who knew I was gonna be such a fan of the DR? I loved it! I feel like we talked all week about the water but I could keep talking about it. 😂😂
Elspeth Mizner says
What an incredible trip! So glad you got to do it with your friends too! Love all the photos!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Beth Knecht says
I can’t believe how BIG your kids are getting and I’m only an online viewer, not their mama. Those spring break pics emphasize just how quickly time goes by!! Soak it up!
Angela Wilke says
We also have 4 kiddos and I’m curious could all 6 of you stay in one room? Or did you have to get 2 rooms? Looks so pretty!
Mix and Match Mama says
We each had two rooms!
Marla says
Looks like a fabulous time !!
I could not recommend Mix and Match Travel Agency enough ……they do a fabulous job.
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwww! Thank you, Marla!
Caty says
Great pics! We love that resort too! Please link Mades’ orange romper. Thanks!
Kristen says
Headed to the DR for our spring break in April! Going to the Hard Rock, which we love but will have to try out the Hyatt! How was the seaweed on the beach?
Mix and Match Mama says
There was not really any to speak of during this time period where we were.
Carly says
Looks like an amazing trip! Your travel posts are my favorite! When booking with you agency, do you still get Marriott nights, airline miles etc?
Mix and Match Mama says
Almost always! It certainly depends on specific locations in specific destinations, but we work with that all the time.
Leah Garry says
What room type fit your family with 4 kids? Or did you do two adjoining rooms?
Mix and Match Mama says
We each had two rooms.
Megan Ferchen says
I hope you tried the plantain chips and dip – TO DIE FOR!
Sarah Shaneyfel says
What a fun trip! Gorgeous pictures and it doesn’t look crowded at all!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Mix and Match Mama says
It never felt too crowded!
Sheaffer says
What a great vacation!!!! Love all the pics!
Brittany says
So beautiful! How was the service and food? We stayed at a Hyatt resort in Cancun and the service was AMAZING!
Mix and Match Mama says
It was AMAZING!
Jamie says
That picture of Madely with the bed head was too funny:) Would you say your kids preferred this resort over Aulani?
Mix and Match Mama says
I would say that Aulani wins but this one had its own strengths (like being all-inclusive and a much shorter flight).
Kaylah says
I love seeing this! I saw your stories while you were there and thought the resort looked familiar. I am getting married there in May and have about 45 of our closest friends and family coming so I’m glad to hear the resort was wonderful!! We won’t actually get to see the resort in person until a couple days before the wedding 😁
Mix and Match Mama says
Congratulations!!!! You will LOVE it!
Jenny Curtis says
Are Ashby and Bowen still besties? Curious how their dynamic has changed during the tween years. Looks like a fun vacation! So pretty!
Mix and Match Mama says
They both have lots of friends at school/sports as well, but yet, there relationship is still so super sweet. They hung together all week doing all sorts of things. Ashby is really into sports and my least “girly girl”, so she enjoys hanging with the boys too.
Debbie Schultz says
So beautiful!!
Andrea says
How was the snorkeling? We snorkel and scuba dive so we try and go places with lots of fish. Also do you ever get tan lines from wearing jewelry on the beach?
Mix and Match Mama says
Snorkeling makes me seasick #shocker, so the kids just did it there in the cove. They seemed to enjoy it! I get a line from my Apple watch but not anything else.
Brenna O’Connell says
Resort looks beautiful! Just curious of the room setup you had for all of you. We just our 5th baby and room configuration is the hardest part of planning!
Mix and Match Mama says
We had two rooms on this trip.
Kristi OBrien says
Do you book Alaskan cruises?
Mix and Match Mama says
We most certainly do! We love cruises over here 😉 .
Heather Green says
Oh what fun! We went to Hyatt Ziva in the DR a year ago and I’m afraid our family won’t be able to top it…everyone keeps referencing back to how magical the trip was. We also swam with dolphins, did the Scape Park and Monkeyland. We can’t wait to go back! Looks like your trip with the Slaughters was just as magical. Thanks for sharing!
Robin says
Looks like a truly amazing and beautiful resort !So glad y’all enjoyed it and looks like plenty to do for the whole family . We love a beach vacation in the DR ! How would you rate the food overall? Our only complaints in DR has been quality of food . Since this one is American owned , I’d think it would be much better ? Lots of variety of restaurant choices ?
Mix and Match Mama says
We loved the food! We had Hibachi, sushi, Italian food, American food, seafood, Mediterranean food, etc. On the adult side, they had French Polynesian food and Indian food too!
Peggy Edgar says
My niece and her family are planning a Disney trip soon to celebrate her middle daughter’s birthday. Lana is stressing a little about all the details! I suggested she contact your Travel Agency for help.
Mix and Match Mama says
We would love to help her!! Thank you!
Leslie R says
Looks fabulous! I bought the Trader Joe’s sunscreen because of you! Did it work well?
Mix and Match Mama says
It did!! I am so thrilled with that purchase!
Sally Ratcliff says
I just went to Trader Joe’s in Tulsa (1 hour & 40 mins from home) this week on Spring Break. I brought home two bottles per your recommendation.
Kara says
Where is your cute yellow heart necklace from?
Mix and Match Mama says
Kendra Scott last year. I love the color 🙂 .
Amy M. says
Looks like an AMAZING vacation! We went to Hyatt Ziva Cancun last year and fell in love with it. I was wondering if you knew how the Ziva Cancun and Ziva DR compared. Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
My peeps who work here and have compared say both are nice but the DR is newer.
Lisa Zhang says
What a fun week in the sun! ☀️ Could you please tell me where you got your blue bikini? I can only see a little bit of it in the photo with Andrew but it looks so cute!
Mix and Match Mama says
Here! https://shopstyle.it/l/bUgKN
Jenn Michael says
Personally did you like Hyatt Zvia Cancun or DR better? I also have two middle schoolers 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
I have never personally been to the Cancun Ziva, but two of the girls who work for me have. They both love the Cancun property, but the DR one is newer.
Pam Danckaert says
AMAZING! Thanks for sharing. Can you share more about safety. We are are considering a future trip to either DR or Mexico with our teen daughters and are concerned with recent events in Mexico we have heard about from other travelers. Did you feel safe?
Mix and Match Mama says
We have people in Mexico every single day here at my travel agency and have never had any problems. In the DR, at this particular resort and at the airport, it felt very safe. Now, I understand bad things can happen any where and at any time, but I did feel safe.
Sara says
Can you tell me about gf food there? My daughter and I both have Celiac Disease and I just want to make sure they have good gf options.
Mix and Match Mama says
They were incredibly accommodating with each meal and snack. Kensington was able to basically order anything she wanted and they made it gf (without contamination). Even at the Italian restaurant!
Natalie Bryant says
We went to the same resort a couple of years ago. We LOVED the restaurant with all of the gf options! Ate there the most! Did ya’ll see the Michael Jackson show??
Mix and Match Mama says
We didn’t! Oh my gosh, I complained about it (jokingly) all week too. It is only on Sundays and we stayed Monday-Sunday morning. The other shows were so fun though!
Sarah says
How much sunscreen do you bring for the family?
Mix and Match Mama says
I brought two bottles for each day we were there (so 10). We came back with two full bottles, but I’d much rather have too much than too little.
Kristi says
Awesome! My family is starting the conversations about going next Summer (2024). Will be reaching out to Mix and Match Travel Agency for sure to book. Thank you for responding.
Jessamyn Peace says
Oh my gosh Shay! I had to double take and check the date — Smith from 2020 to 2023 😲 your baby is a man child!!
Mix and Match Mama says
How has it happened so quickly?! Overnight!
Joanne says
That does look amazing! What’s not to love?
Nicole says
Hey Shay! While by the beach, do you typically have a cocktail? With dinner? If so, what kind? How many drinks a day on vacation do you typically have? Weird, random question! Hahaha!
Mix and Match Mama says
I love your questions! It all depends on location/what we’re doing/etc. At an all-inclusive, we would have a drink on the beach as it’s one of the perks. At dinner, we will have another two. I don’t count/worry/fret about food or drinks when I’m traveling as it’s all a part of the experience.
Nicole says
Haha, thank you! You’re the big sis I always wanted! So beach day, what’s your go to drink to have? So you would say maybe 3-4 drinks a day on vacation? Haha, thanks Shay!
Mix and Match Mama says
I totally think that’s a reasonable estimate on an all-inclusive trip. If I’m not on that type of trip, then I would say no (because that’s a lot to pay for and/or we are doing more than just sitting on the beach). I always love your comments, Nicole!! xx
Sarah says
What a great vacation! It doesn’t look like y’all left the resort. Would you have felt comfortable leaving the resort for excursions?
Mix and Match Mama says
We totally would have, we just opted out this time.