Zach and I were already running on empty the night before last when we left for the airport. We'd spent most of the previous two days packing, running last minute errands, figuring out money etc....Our good friend, Bryan drove our family to the airport at 10:00pm, the car barely fit everything, boxes and bags stuffed under our feet. We immediately got our first "taste" of uncertainty, when Frontier airlines told us they needed "proof" of our plans to leave Costa Rica within 90 days. We have planned to travel to Nicaragua, but didn't have "proof"...with literally minutes left to check in before closing, we purchased refundable tickets from Jet Blue traveling to Orlando in October...:). $4000 later, we were good to go, but it had us all unraveled for a minute. Of course, first thing this morning, we sought the refund. Once everyone was cozily boarded, the flight was easy, except for one small piece of the puzzle for me...sleep. I had purchased a couple of old, crusty car seats from a thrift store the day we left, hoping the boys would just recline and sleep, and even though it was more stuff to carry, it was worth it. Owen and Jed didn't budge the entire flight, Ethan was comfortably reclined on me, and Kaylee, Tia and Zach were dozing away, neck pillows doing the job. My legs were the only thing asleep on me. I seemed the wrong height for the neck pillow so when it butted up against the awesome headrest it just didn't cut it. I tossed it to the side shortly after trying to fall asleep. However, something was peaceful about just looking around and seeing all my little people sound asleep and looking at their adorable little profiles. I probably got a total of one hour of sleep, but said a little prayer that it would suffice.
In the morning, arriving in San Jose at 5:30, we received a warm welcome. We were quickly helped to find a hotel, and a shuttle picked us up a short while later. The "hotel" is privately owned by a local, and is more of a small apartment, which has been a blessing because we have two small bedrooms, and a separate little kitchen. Zach went to three local markets just to gather enough for breakfast (at 6am..not much was open), and scrounged up bread, eggs, and juice for us. We regrouped, and played in the courtyard for a bit. Kids watched TV, which I actually didn't mind since it's all in Spanish:)..... and Zach and I worked on narrowing down some choices for a car. I took the kiddos across the street and we walked through a cemetery. One of the groundskeepers approached us and I had my first spanish conversation. He appartently understood what I was saying, but then he would answer and go on and on, and I didn't understand a thing (well, a liitle). I must have said "perdon" a dozen times. I loved it though, because I felt uninhibited....a "free" conversation so to speak. I wasn't anxious because I needed something and couldn't get my point across, or nervous because the person to whom I was speaking was being impatient and what not.....this Senor was kind, patient, and spoke slowly with genuine interest. :)
By lunch time, we were all anxious to get out a bit, so the owner's wife drove the kids and me to a beautiful, fun park in the middle of the city. We walked to McDonalds, desperate for something to eat. My second spanish conversation, but luckily I just had to read from the menu.....People would look at us walking down the street, and I think at one point an entire bus of people was staring at us. But everyone has been nothing but kind and helpful. The owner of the hotel is driving Zach around to look at cars, and we are hoping to have that squared away by tomorrow and make the drive to Nicoya....if all goes well. We are back at the hotel now, starting to figure out dinner plans (it's amazing to realize how I need to think about food, especially with the kids, and I just enjoyed a great nap, while all the kids napped, and I even got some quiet time. We also experienced our first Costa Rican rain....it actually woke me up from my nap, coming down on the tin roofs. It confirmed our thoughts that we definitely need a 4 wheel drive, especially since many roads in Nicoya are dirt (or mud).
So I've painted a picture for you, but it wouldn't be complete without letting you know that yes, we are still a traveling family of 7, with 5 small kids who are tired and hungry...it's has been a long and whiny trip...and we are not there yet. We are all trying to be patient, and not wish this time to be past, but we will be grateful to get to the farm and let the kids run and swim. A friend of mine sent a text this morning that read, "Does your world feel upside down yet?".... that pretty much sums it up! Write more later.....
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Our 2010 NC trip!
Buckets and buckets of blueberries. We pick every year
and the kids eat as many as they can while picking. This
always made for interesting diapers...thank goodness
everyone is potty trained now!
All the kiddos with G (Kristy's Grandma). The kids love
to go to Grandma's house and sit on her porch swing, play
outside in the back on the backyard swing (same things
we did when we were kids).
We loved going to the pool with cousins. Our pool at home
doesn't have a diving board so the kids thought this was so
much fun. We caught some pretty hilarious pictures.
Kaylee shows her stuff in mid-air.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Testing, testing 123, okay, it's been years since I've posted on this blog. I've had a few people inquire about whether or not we will keep a blog while we are in Costa Rica. So, to make sure this thing still works, I'm posting now! This blog will follow us to Costa Rica, and we will try and post regularly there....Departure date: August 5th! VIDA LOCA!!!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
What an amazing "winter" we have had. The blessing of good weather has been upon us for most of the season so far, and we frequent the park if it's 50 degrees or higher! The cold days call for a good time to regroup, clean house, and go to all the fun indoor activities that Colorado offers.
Zach and I shouldn't have wondered if teaching the girls to ski this season was a good idea...they picked it up the very first day, and I can now ski with Kaylee like I otherwise would by myself! She is quick! Tia is on the fast track to blues as well!! I think we were wise to wait until they were 8 and 7 since they understand how to keep themselves warm. We plan to teach Ethan and Owen next year. With our passes to Eldora, we've been able to ski several times this season and plan to hit the slopes at least half a dozen more before summer. One of my favorite aspects of skiing is all the great chats I have with Kaylee and Tia on the lifts. Yesterday Tia told me, "Mom, do you know what the hardest part about skiing is???....going potty! We later indulged in a conversation about where babies come from, and more specifically HOW they get into the mommy's tummy. We have chatted a little before so when I reminded her about the sperm from the dad and the egg from the mom, I thought she's say, "oh yea, I remember", but she wasn't satifisfied with that this time. She asked, "Where does the sperm come from." I told her came from the reproductive organ, the penis of the man, kind of like how pee comes out but from a different place inside." Still not the end....."But mom, HOW does it get to the egg??? Do you eat it or something?" LOL! I couldn't help but picture what she surely had to be picturing, one gigantic sperm, wiggling as it's tail was being held, while mom, gulped it down! Sorry to be so graphic, but such a funny memory!
My training for the Surf City Half Marathon came to a close last weekend when we (14 gals from the neighborhood and I) flew to Huntington Beach. I ran just shy of my goal time, crossing the finish line at 1:48:40, more happy that I ran the Boston Marathon qualifying pace, even beating it by about 15 seconds per mile. I would love to run this race, and plan to keep training through the spring and summer. The weather cooperated perfectly during our trip, with 80 degrees and swimsuit weather while we lounged on the beach the day before the race, and cool high 60s with a nice cloud cover for most of the run. It was funny to think of my family snow-skiing, while I basked in the sun. Sometimes I miss California, but the versatile weather is Colorado is quite appealing for so many other reasons...I love staying active all year long!
I still don't entirely know how to navigate this blog system. Email seems much easier to me still, as I wonder, do people really read this? But, it serves as my journal, and also Stoutstats that I send to my family each week! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Love!
Zach and I shouldn't have wondered if teaching the girls to ski this season was a good idea...they picked it up the very first day, and I can now ski with Kaylee like I otherwise would by myself! She is quick! Tia is on the fast track to blues as well!! I think we were wise to wait until they were 8 and 7 since they understand how to keep themselves warm. We plan to teach Ethan and Owen next year. With our passes to Eldora, we've been able to ski several times this season and plan to hit the slopes at least half a dozen more before summer. One of my favorite aspects of skiing is all the great chats I have with Kaylee and Tia on the lifts. Yesterday Tia told me, "Mom, do you know what the hardest part about skiing is???....going potty! We later indulged in a conversation about where babies come from, and more specifically HOW they get into the mommy's tummy. We have chatted a little before so when I reminded her about the sperm from the dad and the egg from the mom, I thought she's say, "oh yea, I remember", but she wasn't satifisfied with that this time. She asked, "Where does the sperm come from." I told her came from the reproductive organ, the penis of the man, kind of like how pee comes out but from a different place inside." Still not the end....."But mom, HOW does it get to the egg??? Do you eat it or something?" LOL! I couldn't help but picture what she surely had to be picturing, one gigantic sperm, wiggling as it's tail was being held, while mom, gulped it down! Sorry to be so graphic, but such a funny memory!
My training for the Surf City Half Marathon came to a close last weekend when we (14 gals from the neighborhood and I) flew to Huntington Beach. I ran just shy of my goal time, crossing the finish line at 1:48:40, more happy that I ran the Boston Marathon qualifying pace, even beating it by about 15 seconds per mile. I would love to run this race, and plan to keep training through the spring and summer. The weather cooperated perfectly during our trip, with 80 degrees and swimsuit weather while we lounged on the beach the day before the race, and cool high 60s with a nice cloud cover for most of the run. It was funny to think of my family snow-skiing, while I basked in the sun. Sometimes I miss California, but the versatile weather is Colorado is quite appealing for so many other reasons...I love staying active all year long!
I still don't entirely know how to navigate this blog system. Email seems much easier to me still, as I wonder, do people really read this? But, it serves as my journal, and also Stoutstats that I send to my family each week! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Love!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Let it snow!
The first big snow finally arrived! We got over a foot last night and into the morning. The sun came out as it normally does, and the kids wanted to "suit up" for sledding. Zach sneaked away from work early and we all dragged sleds to the hill by the girls' school! The best news is...we lasted 45 minutes, kicking the pants off any record we've set in past years. Our system is starting to work....bibs, coats, socks, boots, hats and mittens, (plus extra pairs shoved into my coats pockets). The promise of hot cocoa soothes any chilled hands and feet!
I must boast and say I do make a delicious hot cocoa....so truth be told, the credit goes to my Grandma Shelton. No matter how large of a batch we make....it somehow never makes it into the fridge as leftovers! Here's the recipe......
Equal amounts of cococa and sugar (more sugar if you like yours sweet and less bitter). I do about a 1/3 cup of each. Add enough water to cover the dry ingredients, making kind of a watery syrup. Whisk together and bring to a boil...Immediately add enough milk to your desired taste (I would estimate about 8-9 cups). Add some cream (this is a must if you want the Ghiradelli taste, I do about 1/4 cup). Warm to desired temperature, but avoid boiling. Add 1 tsp vanilla and a dash of salt just before serving, and if you want it really delicious, whip the remained cream (add powdered sugar at the end) and put dollops of cream on top!
Hope it doesn't sound too difficult...it really takes less time than mixing instant, and it is so so good! Hope it keeps you warm this winter!!! Enjoy.
I must boast and say I do make a delicious hot cocoa....so truth be told, the credit goes to my Grandma Shelton. No matter how large of a batch we make....it somehow never makes it into the fridge as leftovers! Here's the recipe......
Equal amounts of cococa and sugar (more sugar if you like yours sweet and less bitter). I do about a 1/3 cup of each. Add enough water to cover the dry ingredients, making kind of a watery syrup. Whisk together and bring to a boil...Immediately add enough milk to your desired taste (I would estimate about 8-9 cups). Add some cream (this is a must if you want the Ghiradelli taste, I do about 1/4 cup). Warm to desired temperature, but avoid boiling. Add 1 tsp vanilla and a dash of salt just before serving, and if you want it really delicious, whip the remained cream (add powdered sugar at the end) and put dollops of cream on top!
Hope it doesn't sound too difficult...it really takes less time than mixing instant, and it is so so good! Hope it keeps you warm this winter!!! Enjoy.
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