Costa Rica Baby!

We just returned back for the most amazing vacation to Costa Rica.

After flying for what seemed like forever we arrived in Costa Rica Airport Sunday early afternoon. We went through customs and received our first stamp in our passports! Grabbing our luggage we headed outside to be overwhelmed by taxi drivers, bus drivers and travel service men trying to get us to go with them. It was crazy. We had booked online and our travel to the hotel was free but we didn't have the name of the company. After using the pay phone, talking to one of the travel service men, who called the company for us on his cell phone. The shuttle bus came back for us. On our way to the hotel the drivers pointed out birds, cows, monkeys and all sorts of tourist animals they thought we would like.
We checked in and had a our first delicious lunch at the hotel. Our room was just gorgeous and perfect. Top floor to look our and a balcony to sit and enjoy the wonderful weather all day long.
The first night we just walked around locating the pool, the beach and restaurants. We had reservations at their Asian restaurant and ate sushi, tempera, and Andy had a delicious dessert I didn't try, but did later int he week :).
On Monday we headed into the little town of Brasalito. We walked around all the little shops, stopped and had lunch right on the beach and booked ourselves a horseback ride for the next day. We got back to the resort and laid out by the pool. That night it was dinner at the Italian Restaurant. Delicious! I had the Vegetarian Lasagna and the dessert was a banana chocolate cake, yum...yum. We went to the outdoor amphitheater to watch and listen to the fun entertainment to end the evening.
Tuesday was horseback riding on the beach and then up into the mountains to overlook the pacific ocean. On the way back it was high tide and my horse did not like getting wet. At one time he almost jumped up on some rocks to avoid the waves. Funny how animals can be. We had reservations for the sunset boat cruise which was beautiful. We rode right up front looking out into the ocean and seeing sunset. Off we went to try their Mexican Restaurant. Fish tacos where tasty but a bit hot. Andy loved his food, but I can't remember what he got:).
Wednesday was our all day laying at the beach. We got a wonderful spot with a tree shade cove. It was high tide and so relaxing to hear the waves crash against your chair, warm breeze and birds chirping. This was Andy's favorite day. We gathered tons of seashells to bring home. Early evening it started to rain, but it was a nice fun warm rain. We walked along the beach in the rain looking out at the ocean getting soaked. Loved it! We dressed up nice for dinner at the Gaby restaurant which was Continental Gourmet. Then we headed to bed early.
Thursday was a relaxing day. We walked over to Barsalito again to buy our fun souvenirs. Took some fun free classes they offered and tried out Kayaking.
Friday we spent the day at the pool, reading and soaking up as much of Costa Rica as we could. We headed out on the sunset boat cruise again but with the rain that evening it ended up being a fun rainy boat ride. We went to Dinner at our favorite restaurant there, the Italian restaurant. After we asked the Asian restaurant if we could come in for their dessert drink to end our evening.
Saturday we managed to hit the beach for a quick goodbye, packed up and headed off to the airport.
What a wonderful and gorgeous place. I loved every minute of it and had the best company in the world!

All Boy and my Princess Girl

All Boy

Gibson's favorite thing the last month has been "Baseball" he carries a ball around everywhere and most of the time a glove or small bat too. He will ask you to come play baseball by saying "bat ball game". He then shows you where to sit then walks a few feet away and sits down and starts throwing the ball. He has a great arm and will play for hours if we let him.


Playing ball with daddy


These are a bit fuzzy but look at that throw, awesome!

When ever he sees any sports game he gets excited. Oh, and when we go to the stadium he will not stop saying "bat ball".
He also has started loving motorcycles. If he isn't carrying around his baseball it is the miniature motorcycle Andy gave him. He calls it a "Vroom, vroom". He can spot them all the time, just darling. He does sleep with both the motorcycle and baseball.
Another "all boy" moment. We where outside playing and Gibson brought be over a bug he had picked up and said "cool bug". Then went off to find more bugs.
I just love him so much and love seeing how much he is learning and developing his own personality.

Princess Etta

My little Etta still tells everyone her name is "Snow White". She loves princesses, baby dolls, dressing up and asks constantly to wear make-up when I am putting mine on. She loves her dance class and enjoys singing. When she sings, her songs have to be made up by her. She will use the same tune of a different song but put her own words in the song.
I have made her dance skirts and tutu's which she just loves. She will wear them everyday no matter if she had dance or not. They go right on top of her dresses she has to wear everyday.

She loves giving kisses and is constantly telling me she loves me. Oh how I love my princess Etta too.

What we have been up to

Mid April it snowed and the kids had a fun time playing outside and trying to eat the snow. I do catch moments where they are great friends!

Etta teaching Gibby how to catch the snow

Got the snow catching down

I have been searching for a swing set forever. Finally off of KSL I got one. The kids will grow out of it in 2 years but that gives me time to save up for a nice wood one. Etta and Gibson love it, the only thing now is to finish fixing up my back yard so everything can fit. Swing set, chicken tractor(farther down), patio furniture, dogs, sandbox, swimming pool. Fun times in our backyard this summer. Everyone is welcome!

Our swing set

(I don't have a picture of it in my backyard yet, but wish my back yard looked like this.)

Andy and I biked the Salt Lake City Marathon. It was extremely cold but I kept peddling the whole time and finished in just about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Andy got done about 20 minutes before me. Once I crossed the finish line we headed to Market Street for some delicious breakfast. Then we biked home. Over 30 miles of biking that day. I hadn't been on my bike since last July for my triathlon (bad me).

My bike tour medal!

Andy has been talking about chickens, a chicken tractor and becoming a City Farmer. Well, he did it. One weekend he spent building his chicken tractor. 3 days later he brought home 4 chickens, 2 hens and 2 teenage chicks. We got 2 eggs out of our hens.

Andy building the Chicken Tractor

Almost done

The 4 chickens

Then we introduced the dogs to them and at first we thought cool they just like watching them. Nope, when you have bird dogs and then you add birds, you get dogs watching and learning how they can get them. Well, it happened 3 days after the chickens go here. Hatcher pulled the wire off the coop, got a teenage chicken, handed it over to Scoscia, and then headed back in for more. I got Hatcher back inside and the, now dead, chicken away from Scoscia. Andy is now working on stronger wire. We have learned we actually have some smart dogs.

Hatcher watching

Learning how to get those chickens

Preschool has ended for Etta. They had their last day as a party day. Playing outside with bubbles, slides, tents and Popsicles. Sarah made the most darling yearbooks for the kids. What a wonderful year, Etta and I loved every minute of our Mommy preschool. She will be going to my top choice preschool in the fall. I am so excited for her to be a big girl, go to her own preschool, and add more friends.

Playing bubbles,

games and,

Popsicles.

Darling little class picture

We have been involved in a Music Class for about 2 years. It has been so much fun for me and the kids to be around such fun moms and kids. Etta's favorite part was playing in the nursery. There has been this (ugly) darling little baby she played with every time. She told she will miss it and the baby will cry without her. We took this picture to remember the darling little baby.

Etta and her baby

One last hug!

Last but not least. My good friend Tavi has been talking about these fun pizzas for the kids to make. We got together and enjoyed making pizzas, eating them and cookies. The kiddos played while we chatted. Hopefully we will make this a monthly activity.

Darling friends and kids: Tavi, Rice, Elle, Owen, Melissa, Etta and Gibson

Easter Day and Coloring Eggs

We had a wonderful Easter! We did miss Andy and he missed us, but he did have a wonderful time on his sports trip.

Dressed all up for Easter

After our fun activities Saturday, Easter egg hunts and Baseball game, we attempted egg coloring. Gibby was being a stinker and the dogs were bothering all of us. The end result, eggs cracked all over floor, dogs trying frantically to eat them, Gibby laughing and Etta was sad. (We went and got more eggs to color in the morning)


Broken eggs :(

I put the kids to bed and got to work being the Easter bunny. It was tons of fun. They each got a book and a toy that matched, play dough and eggs filled with jelly beans and pennies. I hid the eggs all over the front room and then tossed the extra jelly beans around the room.




When we woke up the next morning the dogs went outside until all the candy and eggs where found and picked up. Etta loved her Fancy Nancy book and doll. She was also excited for the play dough. Gibby loved the cars and drove them all over the floor picking up jelly beans to put in his mouth. He loved the money in the eggs and kept opening them up and saying "money, money".


Excited for all the jelly beans on the floor


Fun stuff from the Easter Bunny


The "Fancy Nancy" doll and princess play dough


Gibby and his car book plus him driving around gathering up jelly beans


mouths full of jelly beans


Saving some for later


After breakfast we tried once again at the egg decorating. We did pretty good and ended playing with the new play dough.

Decorating eggs:

First need crayons and cups of dye


Color eggs and drop into cups


Gibby has got it down


Colored eggs!


Play dough time!


Showing me their creations


Off to my moms for another egg hunt, coloring of more eggs and Easter Dinner. On the way over Gibby fell asleep. He missed out on the egg hunt and I am mad I didn't get a cute picture of him and his Easter outfit.


Showing off her pretty dress


Etta is a great egg finder!

The kids then colored more eggs.



Look how pretty, we will eat these later

My sister and her family came over for dinner too. Ham, mashed potatoes, peas, cheesy string beans and chocolate ice box pie. Oh yeah, and deviled eggs!

What a wonderful Easter!