10 years= Costa Rica!!!!

In lue of our 10 year anniversary in knew we wanted to go on a trip and decided on Costa Rica! Our anniversary isn't until Nov., but this was the best time for us to get child care. 

Neither on of us had been to Costa Rica and we wanted to go somewhere remarkable, and it did not disappoint! We bought a vacation club last year and it has a resort in Costa Rica, it offered a few options on how to get from the airport to Quepos, which is about 2 1/2 hours away. We decided to rent a car...

If any of you watch the amazing race, think of what it looks like on t.v. when they are driving in India or other 3rd world countries, and that was us! We ended up getting lost in downtown San Jose for 2 hours, it was quite the introduction to the country. We finally pulled into a gas station and got directions back to the expressway. 

We finally found the expressway and decided to enjoy our scenery while driving to our destination.

After being in the car for 5 hours we made it to our resort. The condos were great, full kitchen, dining area, balcony, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was a great place to spend a week, just the two of us. 

The resort had an awesome pool, a restaurant, tons of coconut trees, and tennis courts  

All the restaurants in Costa Rica are outdoor, so you get visitors from time to time. 

We borrowed Dave's sisters underwater camera and it was great to have, we have to get one. 

Who doesn't love doing hand stands!

We were there during the rainy season so almost like clock work it would rain everyday around 1:30 pm. It wasn't cold or harsh so we just kept swimming. 

The resort orgainized different activities to do everyday, the first day we went zip-lining. 

Everyone else staying at the resort either has a time share or the same vacation club that we have. We met this great couple that is from Oklahoma celebrating their 30 year anniversary. 

Believe it or not those are the roots of the tree and they stretch through the canopy to try to find the light. 

The Zip-line was awesome! We did 10 different lines, two free repels, meaning just you and the rope, and a Tarzan swing. 

They also had a butterfly farm there

One of the flowers there that looked like a torch

I guess I messed up and these are in reverse order. 

Cool looking airport, getting ready to head back to the USA.

We were there over Dave's birthday and we celebrated at a really cool restaurant with an amazing view.

The restaurant was called "El Avion", it was built around a plane

Our last full day there we drove up the coast and found some secluded beaches

On our drive we saw the crocodile bridge, tons of crocs just hanging out next to the river

Our guide from our river rafting trip made this grass hopper out of a coconut tree leaf

 On the river rafting trip we ate lunch on the river and learned more about the history

They took us to this amazing waterfall

Dave under the water fall, it was really powerful

This is what most of the houses look like in the little towns around the country

 Yeah!!!

I was just sitting taking a picture and then...

bam, here comes the wave

Just like on survivior

The water was the perfect temperature 

The scenery was just breath taking, almost unreal

These are the same monkeys they use in a lot of movies, they also come right up to the beach and get into your bag if your not careful. 

Here's a sloth 

Howler monkey

All the these plants and insects were seen in the National park

It was such a great trip! Being able to spend so much one on one time together was a dream come true. We are so thankful for everyone that helped out with the kids. 

My Baby is 1!

I can't believe Bailey is 1! In some ways it has gone by fast and in other ways I feel like I don't even remember last year, either way it's here. 

She is such a mellow, happy, and HEALTHY baby. Here first year is different then we expected, but we are so happy that she hasn't had any problems. 

 One of her first pictures

 Her first bow!

As she got more mobile her and Hunter have become great friends 

We celebrated with just our family on her actual birthday, and the boys were so excited to give her the presents. Next Sunday we will have a family party. 

If there is one thing Bailey loves to do it is to EAT! Bailey will eat just about anything you give her and she will eat a lot of it. why would cake be any different? 

She pretty much ate this whole piece, which would explain all her rolls and chubby cheeks. We love her to bits and are so glad that she's in our family. 

Easter 2013

Easter was really fun this year, the older boys were super excited about everything, and the younger two are happy to go along for the ride. 

Saturday morning we went to an Easter egg hunt, the kids had a great time. 

The egg hunt was organized so that the older kids were in one spot, 3-5 yrs were in another spot and  2 and under were in another spot. It made it so that every age was able to get some eggs. 

Some of our cousins joined us at the egg hunt, it's always fun with family.

Bailey was so cute and not quite sure what to do, however she really didn't like the damp grass on her leg.

That evening we dyed eggs and it was hilarious! The boys were really creative and came up with some good designs. 

Sunday morning we started early since we have church at 9 am. The Easter bunny hid the older boys baskets and once they found them it was pure joy. 

The highlight was the lego transformers, and of course the chocolate bunny. 

I found these great bow ties and couldn't resist

This was an especially nice Sunday for us because Dave has been in training for 7 weeks and hadn't been able to come to church, it was great to have him there.

Lastly we had dinner with our cousins and I made our traditional bunny cake. 

 It had been a rather busy day so Bailey didn't open her basket until 7:30 pm or so. 

All around the Easter holiday has been great. Not only are the kids really fun to celebrate with, but our family has been extremely blessed in the last few months. I know these blessings come from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I am eternally grateful for his sacrifice so that I can have the life I have, it is through him that I have been able to gain such blessings and happiness. I hope we can all remember the real reason for the holiday..."He is not here, for he has risen". 

My Husband's Famous

In the beginning of February Dave started a new job as store manager at Famous Dave's restaurant.  When he graduated from college with his degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism he realized how much he loved the service industry. After college he began working at the Park City Marriott in the restaurant. He was really enjoying his job, and meeting lots of different people, the only draw back was the long commute and bad hours. After much discussion he went away from the service industry for about 6 years, until now. 

He is back in an industry he enjoys doing something that he loves and that he is really good at. I couldn't be more excited for him and look forward to the great things that he will be learning and the opportunities that lie  ahead. Great job Famous Dave!!!!

Makay's Birthday

I can't believe my little Makay is not so little anymore, he's 5!!!

 Birthday- 6 lbs 7 oz 18 1/2 inches 

 At 1 he was quite the climber and loved trying to keep up with his brother

 At 2 he loved to eat, and of course lighting McQueen 

 By 3 he was talking our ear off, and found his love for trains

 At 4 he become a little more shy, and likes to play "lonely". 

 At 5 he definitely knows what he like and doesn't like. This is how he spends most of the winter days, he does not like the cold, just like his mom. 

 He is my best helper with Bailey, and by for the most loving towards Dave and I

 Not sure what happen here, but I guess when your tired you'll sleep anywhere. 

Since Makay's birthday is on 12/28 we decided not to do a party this year, but it turned out we were all super sick on his actual birthday. 

 We all spent most of the day in our p.j.'s 

 trying to force a smile even though he felt awful. 

Almost 3 weeks later we were all better and had an available weekend to go to Chuck E Cheeses

 Here's the conversation as we pulled up; Logan: "Chuck E Cheese" I have always wanted to come here", Makay: "That's why I picked here, it's where a kid can be a kid". He is always surprising us with the things he says. 

We love you Makay and are so glad you are in our family!!!!!