Just a quick note in between my many Costa Rica pictures.
I've had terrible luck this last week with car troubles. Last Wednesday, I discovered I had a flat tire and then yesterday I discovered the battery was dead in the truck I was driving. In both cases, my wonderful, amazing, hot husband saved the day. I'm so very grateful that he was home both days to help me!
My flat tire happened in a city about 30 min. from home. I thought I would try to change it myself.. but I didn't know where the spare tire was located! How was I to know that on a SUV the tire is located under the vehicle and you have to go through a little doo-hicky opening and crank the tire down to the ground? Who knows that stuff?! So, here I was in 100 degree weather with a flat tire and no idea how to even find the spare. Let me tell you... pretty dang embarrassing. So, I called my lovely, hot husband and he hopped in his truck and drove to my rescue. While I stood on the side and watched and gave him helpful commentary, he changed my tire. Did I mention it was 100 degrees? What a man!
Yesterday, I came out from work, again in close to 100 degree weather, hopped in the truck, turned the key, and nothing. Not a sound, not a hitch, not a screech, nothing. So, again, I got on my cell phone and called my wonderful husband for help. Silly me.. I could have just got out the jumper cables and found someone to help me jump the truck... but noooooo I had to call my stud of a husband. He didn't complain, didn't even hint that I'm a dork and a total wuss, he just drove all the way to my work and jumped the truck. Then he drove it home, took our other vehicle to the store, bought a new battery, hooked it up all by himself, and got the truck running like new. He's amazing!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Back to Costa Rica
I can't believe it's been over a month since we returned from our amazing trip to Costa Rica. Did I mention how amazing it was over there? Did I say it was amazingly beautiful? Well if I didn't, it was amazing! So, anyhoo, here's some more pictures... enjoy!
Our fourth day in Costa Rica, was a Sunday. Some of us decided not to take the hour long bus ride into town to attend church. For me personally, my stomach needed a rest. So, we decided to do a little exploring. During our exploring, we found a sign that pointed us to "Jungle Canopy Suspended Walkway". Sounded interesting so we followed the sign. At the entrance we found Mr. Snuffles just taking his Sunday stroll.
Just past Mr. Snuffles we discovered this very cool tree. It's an example of many of the trees in the jungle. This tree was the start of the canopy system and our Sunday afternoon adventure.
Here's the start of our adventure along the suspended walkways through the Costa Rica jungle. We counted 16 of these walkways. It was hot and muggy and hot but just beautiful and incredibly thrilling.
You can't really tell but Todd and I are super sweaty and gross. :-) My hair is actually curly from all moisture in the air. We loved every minute!
Isn't this tree is incredible? It really was this massive, gorgeous tree.
After about 10 minutes into our walk among the trees, we spotted some monkeys. They were incredible and oh so cute. Here's a video of a group of very young monkeys playing with each other while the adult monkeys sat close by and watched.
We spent a lot of time watching the monkeys and decided to walk a little further. All through our walk along the 16 suspended walkways we saw monkeys. At the 16th walkway, the very end, we found ourselves looking at the waterslide that we would be going down the next day. This waterslide goes about 1/2 a mile through the jungle. This video is a sample of what we had to look forward to. :-)
A picture of me making my way along the suspended walkways on our way back to the lodge.
A final video of the very active monkeys we saw along the way. This was a nice way to end our jungle adventure, don't you think?
After returning to our room to shower because, like I said, we were sweaty and gross, the sky opened up and it rained. Boy oh boy, did it rain. We had been expecting rain and knew that it rained A LOT because we had heard it at night but this was our first experience seeing it and feeling it. It was like having a bucket of water dumped.
So, after the rain being dumped on us and cleaning ourselves off, we decided to explore a little more. The air is now fresh and clear and gorgeous! On the hillside behind the lodges we stayed in at Buena Vista there was a whole field of yellow flowers. This picture does not do justice to how pretty it was there.
After a little exploring of this beautiful flower filled hillside, we discovered there was a little building at the very top of the hill, which was really at the top of the mountain our lodge was built on.
This building is called the Sunset Bar. It's an actual bar that opens up an hour before sunset and closes an hour after sunset. The view from this location is spectacular.
A view of the Buena Vista valley.
Had to take a picture of this cool looking tree with three very large vultures. Kind of cool, don't you think?
Wasn't that beautiful? After the sun goes down, the Sunset Bar flips on it's disco ball and disco music. It was pretty dang funny. We headed back down to our lodge with our flashlights and left the discoing to the foreigners... wait we were foreigners. All I can say is there were some very strange people there. :-) Too bad I didn't get any great pictures of the disco ball.
So, that's day four of our adventure.
Our fourth day in Costa Rica, was a Sunday. Some of us decided not to take the hour long bus ride into town to attend church. For me personally, my stomach needed a rest. So, we decided to do a little exploring. During our exploring, we found a sign that pointed us to "Jungle Canopy Suspended Walkway". Sounded interesting so we followed the sign. At the entrance we found Mr. Snuffles just taking his Sunday stroll.
Just past Mr. Snuffles we discovered this very cool tree. It's an example of many of the trees in the jungle. This tree was the start of the canopy system and our Sunday afternoon adventure.
Here's the start of our adventure along the suspended walkways through the Costa Rica jungle. We counted 16 of these walkways. It was hot and muggy and hot but just beautiful and incredibly thrilling.
You can't really tell but Todd and I are super sweaty and gross. :-) My hair is actually curly from all moisture in the air. We loved every minute!
Isn't this tree is incredible? It really was this massive, gorgeous tree.
After about 10 minutes into our walk among the trees, we spotted some monkeys. They were incredible and oh so cute. Here's a video of a group of very young monkeys playing with each other while the adult monkeys sat close by and watched.
We spent a lot of time watching the monkeys and decided to walk a little further. All through our walk along the 16 suspended walkways we saw monkeys. At the 16th walkway, the very end, we found ourselves looking at the waterslide that we would be going down the next day. This waterslide goes about 1/2 a mile through the jungle. This video is a sample of what we had to look forward to. :-)
A picture of me making my way along the suspended walkways on our way back to the lodge.
A final video of the very active monkeys we saw along the way. This was a nice way to end our jungle adventure, don't you think?
After returning to our room to shower because, like I said, we were sweaty and gross, the sky opened up and it rained. Boy oh boy, did it rain. We had been expecting rain and knew that it rained A LOT because we had heard it at night but this was our first experience seeing it and feeling it. It was like having a bucket of water dumped.
So, after the rain being dumped on us and cleaning ourselves off, we decided to explore a little more. The air is now fresh and clear and gorgeous! On the hillside behind the lodges we stayed in at Buena Vista there was a whole field of yellow flowers. This picture does not do justice to how pretty it was there.
After a little exploring of this beautiful flower filled hillside, we discovered there was a little building at the very top of the hill, which was really at the top of the mountain our lodge was built on.
This building is called the Sunset Bar. It's an actual bar that opens up an hour before sunset and closes an hour after sunset. The view from this location is spectacular.
A view of the Buena Vista valley.
Had to take a picture of this cool looking tree with three very large vultures. Kind of cool, don't you think?
Wasn't that beautiful? After the sun goes down, the Sunset Bar flips on it's disco ball and disco music. It was pretty dang funny. We headed back down to our lodge with our flashlights and left the discoing to the foreigners... wait we were foreigners. All I can say is there were some very strange people there. :-) Too bad I didn't get any great pictures of the disco ball.
So, that's day four of our adventure.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Yellowstone
I'm taking a quick break from Costa Rica and focusing on our fun trip to Yellowstone. What beautiful country. It was a great family reunion but not as good as it could have been since we didn't get all the family there. Although, I think if we had them all there we would of had to reserve the entire campground! It was fun with those that came.
Oh... Give me a Home... Where the buffalo roam....
Had to get a shot in front the "the sign" to prove we were actually at Yellowstone and to keep with tradition.
"The Men" all monitoring the campfire.
Tori, in her pj's, and ready for some S'mores! I really do try to have my daughter dressed and looking presentable but allowed for pj's early in the day since we were camping.
I just think this picture is so cute - Dan is looking at Nan in such a cute way. Either that or he's thinking "this chic is crazy!"
Believe or not... I actually do get a picture of Evan smiling. Scroll down and you'll see this rare occurrence.
Proof we made it to Old Faithful. Cool to see... but not really. Maybe it was just a hot day but it wasn't really that exciting. I guess at least we can now say we've been there, done that.
Wait for it... he really does smile.
This pictures exhibits our typical sight seeing with Tori pushing Helen's stroller and Todd not looking to thrilled. Tori LOVED being with Helen.
I love this! Can you guess what movie Tori is imitating?
See? I told you he smiles and such a cutie!
Not only smiling but actually posing for a picture... with a buffalo even. A very rare sighting.
My beautiful daughter looking reflectively into the fire.
Tori and Todd at one of the many cool... hot pots. :-)
Back at camp we find Todd planning how many firecrackers to toss in the fire. Aren't fireworks illegal in the park?
Todd and Evan enjoying the loud bang. Tori... not so much.
Oh... Give me a Home... Where the buffalo roam....
Yet more buffalo... not me... the animal behind me. Sheesh!
Just a small sample of the beautiful wildflowers all throughout the park.
A small sample of my beautiful family... minus one beautiful kid. We missed you Spencer!
Cute Tori!
The closest thing to a group photo of the family at Yellowstone. Too bad we didn't take the time to get one with all of us!
Todd enjoying Mammoth Hot springs.... even though we didn't plan to drive there we managed to enjoy the view since we got lost and went to the springs anyway. :-)
The way home we stopped to get a picture of the Grand Tetons. Absolutely beautiful!
It was a fun trip, even with all the driving. Yellowstone is breathtaking and makes me appreciate this beautiful country we live in. I'm looking forward to next year's family reunion. whooo hooo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)