Our Final Day

This was such a fun way to spend the day in San Jose.  We made our way out to this amazing park were they had amazing waterfalls and all kinds of different animals that live in Costa Rica.  It was so beautiful.  The boys were pretty excited to get going.

The boys taking a ride.  LOL

It was a very cute wagon and they didn't go very far but it sure was neat.

This was one of the water falls that we hiked to.  The trails at this park were so great and well maintained.  We took some really great family pictures.  Peter, Joy and Ethan.

Our Family.

Tyler and Michelle

Being able to hold a toucan was amazing.

Everyone got a turn.

All you had to do was pretend that you had food by making a fist and they would flight right to you.

I like how the bird is looking right at the camera too.

The butterfly garden was beautiful and so are the pictures that I took of each of the boys.  LOL

Boys will be boys as usual.  All rocks need to be thrown into the water.  LOL

So much fun.

This was the biggest waterfall.

This is a trip that our boys are still talking about 3 months later and they all had a ton of fun.  I am so thankful for the opportunity that we have to travel and take our kids with us.

I am also so thankful that  my brother was able to come with us.  It was great to just hang out and to enjoy some time together.  I can't wait for next time.  :)

Our Drive to San Jose

Our last day in Manuel Antonio was crazy because we woke up to an earth quake at about 5:30 am.  I new what it was as soon as I woke up.  I woke to a loud thud sound and then the room started moving.  I jumped out of bed right away and was a little scared but off course becaue Jamie had taken his oxcy before going to bed he was so relaxed he just rolled over and said it would be fine.  LOL  A couple of the boys woke up but didn't really know why, we found out later on that it meassured 6.2 on the ritcher sacle. Once we were all up Aunty Michelle gave everyone their own special Valentines Day treat bags that she had brought with her all the way from home.  The kids were all very surprised and thanful for their gifts.

Having our last breakfast in the beautiful place was wonderful.  We were so happy with were we stayed that we hope to go back again some day.  Everything was perfect.

On our way back to San Jose we stopped on the crocodile bridge and decided to feed them some meat that we had bought.  At first there were only a couple but as soon as the first two pieces of meat were thrown they all started to appear.

It sure made be thankful that we were up on the bridge and also made me realize that you just don't want to go near any river.  LOL

Getting a good look.  :)

This was the biggest one that we could see but I am sure that there were some bigger.  It was amazing to see.

We took a little adventure up to a valconoe in hopes of seeing in the crater but it was too cloudy.  So on our way back down we stopped in this little back and beyond restaruant and the good was so good. 

This was however the first time that we had been cold since arriving Costa Rica.  We actually were all wishing that we had sweaters to wear.  Crazy I know.  LOL  There was such an amazing view.

Last Day At Beach

Did you know that they sell snow cones on the beach in Costa Rica?  Well Stefan was the first to find out for us.  LOL

They must like it sweet because after adding the syrup they poor sweet n condensed milk on top to make it super sweet. 

Rylan surfing the waves.

My very fun big brother.  It was so great to hang out with him.  I feel like we have really gotten a lot closer over the years and so it was great to have him on vactation with us.

After all the boys saw what Stefan had they all had to get in on the action.

The boys hitting the waves.

I love this picture of Keagan just hanging out and enjoying his time on the beach.

This Darien, Ethan, Peter, Jamie and Michelle enjoying some time in the surf right before a rogue wave that was about 10 to 12 feet high hits them.  I managed to warn them and Peter, Darien and Ethan all dove through the wave but Jamie and Michelle weren't so lucky.  Thankfully Michelle is so light that she just kind of rolled with it but Jamie wasn't so lucky, as he was going under he put his arm out to catch himself and in the process dislocated his shoulder and then as he got tossed around again it popped back in leaving him in agony.

This was the end result once we got him to the bech we got him an ice back and that was it for the day.  He did go to see a doctor but he was out on a call so instead he went to the pharmacy were he was able to get some very strong ani-inflamitories and some oxicotin for the pain.  Needless to say once he took one of the he was flying hi.  LOL

Our final dinner at our Villa Oasis we had catered.  It was a wonderful experience and we felt like we were living the life styles of the rich and famous.  LOL

This was part of our wonderful meal.

Our chef for the night explaining all the wonderful things that she made for us, each time she brought it out.

Later on that evening after the kids had gone to it was time for the adults to have some fun.  We ended up playing a very funny newly wed game and boy was there a lot of laughter going on.  LOL  A great way to end a great day except for Jamie getting hurt but after some physio at home he is now recovered but it took about 3 months for him to get getter.

Farmers Market and Dinner

This was an amazing sunset that we saw while taking a drive one evening on or way to the local farmers market.

This was the most touching moment for me while we were in Costa Rica.  This was a little boy that was with his mom who was working at the market and for fun he was balancing rocks on his neck.  The boys wanted to try and even though there was a language barrier they had a great time playing.  There is an international language of children and it was great to watch.

There were so many wonderful things to try at the market.  I have never tasted a fruit that tastes like sweet potatoes.  We had some wonderful mangoes and even white pineapple which I have never even seen before.

It was hard to decided what to get but we all walked away with some yummy treats.

I have to say that the worst thing about being in Costa Rica is the bugs.  LOL  The scariest room in the whole house was the laundry room.  I was never sure what I was going to find in there and this was a very large spider that I wasn't too keen on finding.  I felt like every time I went in there was something watching me and you could hear them moving around.  I ended up taking someone in there with me every time to watch my back.  LOL

After a shopping we decided to head out for dinner.  We all managed to make it through except for Stefan he fell asleep in my arms.  The waiter was awesome because he found this pad that we could lay him down on so that I could eat. 

The rest of us really enjoyed out meal.  :)

A Fishing We Will Go

This was a very exciting day for us.  I was a little bit nevous because I hadn't really planned on taking a day to go fishing and leaving the kids but it turned out really well.  The boys stayed with our friend Nadia and they had a ton of fun.

It took us about 3 hours to get to where we were going to fish.

Peter, Joy and Jamie enjoying the scenery.

Peter bringing in his fish.

We even managed to have a double header.  Jamie and Tyler both had fish on the line at the same time but only Jamie managed to get his in the boat.  Tyler's got off the line about 15 feet from the boat.  So dissappointing but it was great to watch.

Jamie's big catch.

This was so exciting.  I know looking good right.  LOL

This was the big one.  It took me almost 45 min. to get it in the boat and it ended up being the biggest one of the day.  Well over a 100lbs.  And this is no tall tale.  I have the picture to prove it.  LOL

It was amazing to see houndreds of Spiner Dolphins.  They were beautiful to watch.

This is one of my favorite pictures.  The fish that we caught are Sail fish and they are real jumpers and they were so beautiful we they surfaced.  This was a great day and I am sure that the boys might of had an even better time as they got to go for lunch, to a reptile and butterfly garden and a ride on the local busses.  Very fun.