Costa Rica Day 1 and 2

Mike and I recently took a trip to Costa Rica and had a fabulous time.

Our plane left at 6am on a Sunday morning. I had agreed to babysit the night before and didn't get home till midnight. Once I got home I had a few last minute things to get together. Our ride picked us up at 3:30am... I got 2 hours of sleep. Not a great way to start a trip. We were at the airport so early that the security check wasn't even running yet and we had to stand there and wait till it opened.

We took a flight from NYC to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to San Jose. Once we go threw customs and picked up our luggage we headed outside to find our transport to out hotel. It was so much different than an American Airport. Tons of people were out there waiting for family/friends who were arriving. They were smashed up against the glass and as soon as we walked out we had people running up to us asking if we needed a taxi. It was a little overwhelming.

Luckily we found our driver quickly and were on our way to La Fortuna near Arenal Volcano. Although it was only 75 miles (125 km) away it took a little over 3 hours. There aren't many highways in Costa Rica which I didn't realize. So we drove on small, one lane, bumpy, twisty roads all the way there. I was already feeling a little motion sick from the plane ride, plus I was getting over a cold, the ride was not pleasant. I thought I was going to loose it. Luckily about half way through the trip we stopped at a little restaurant on the side of the road. I was able to get my body feeling stationary and have a little to eat. It was a good thing we stopped or I don't know if I would have made it all the way there with out ... I can't even think of a lady like way to say it... so I will leave it at that.

We finally made it to the hotel at 6pm. We were greeted with a delicious welcome drink and a go cart that took us to our bungalow. When we got to our room I was a little grumpy from lack of sleep, not feeling well and seeing a few bugs crawl across the hotel floor. Luckily a trip to the beautiful, natural hot springs at the hotel cheered me right up and I was finally in vacation mode.

The next morning we slept in a bit then we went to explore the hotel. It had been dark when we had arrived the day before so we couldn't see how beautiful it was.

We didn't have any activities planned so we asked around to figure out what would be fun. We took a taxi to down town La Fortuna and walked around for a while. Mike LOVED it. All the spanish being spoke and the culture. He was in heaven. I was a little lost since I don't speak spanish. I do however know the spanish words for the fruits (thanks to the listening in on the spanish class at school everyday) so I was able to read the menu and order on my own when we got a smoothie.

We also went into some of the local grocery stores to see what kinds of things they had and what he prices were like. All the American things they had were 2 or 3 times more than they are in the states. The spanish food was pretty cheap though and we stalked up on some treats for the hotel room. Among our favorite food were; oreo wafers, lemon flavored fritos, and avocado flavored chips. So delicious!
After a while we decided to go to a waterfall that everyone was talking about. We took a taxi to the park where it was. Then we had a 15 minute hike down hill. I wasn't planning on a hike so I had flip flops on. Not a smart idea. It was a pretty challenging hike for me and my flip flops. The waterfall was absolutely beautiful. I've seen several waterfalls in the past but this was one of the prettiest. The water was blue and the rocks were covered in greenery. It was pretty amazing.

When we go to the bottom of the waterfall there were people swimming around in the water. They said it was cold so I was nervous to try it. Mike dipped his toes in but didn't really go for a true swim. I however felt a sudden surge of bravery and desire to outdo my husband :) So I got in to water and went for a swim. I didn't get my hair wet (I usually never do) so I fell it counts. I could have stayed in longer but I could tell Mike was ready to go.




We took taxi back to the downtown area. We realised we were in need of 1's and 5's verses 20's. We thought we would just go to the local bank and get some change. Before we could go into the bank we had to pass a security guard then go into a little closed doorway that scanned for weapons. Then the guard on the other side let us in. When we got into the bank we saw that the line was ridiculously long. But we decided we had nothing better to do so we waited... for an hour. After we got our small bill (and mikes wallet was so full (of 1's) that mike couldn't close it) we went looking for a place to eat dinner. We didn't want to spend to much but wanted a nice meal. We walked around for an hour trying to find the perfect place. In the end we ended up back at the first place we looked at. GOOD DECISION!! The food was seriously AMAZING. We gobbled up our naco's, burrito and brownie with ice cream. It was some of the best latin american food I have had. We decided we would try to get the family to go back the next night for dinner.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel and went for our nightly dip in the hot springs. We LOVED having a hot spring at our own hotel. It was a nightly ritual that I looked forward to every night.

(January 15th and 16th)

The Lion King- On Broadway

For Christmas this year Mike surprised me with tickets to see the Lion King on Broadway the Saturday after New Years. What a great gift! I have been wanting to see it since we moved to the area but never really wanted to pay the money to see it. So it was the perfect thing to surprise me with.

We headed down to the city in the late morning to catch the afternoon matinee. I was so giddy and full of excitement and anticipation. The Lion King was one of my favorite movies as a kid and continues to be at the top of my Disney classic list. I was so excited to see how they would translate that into a broadway production.

As the show started I was in TOTAL COMPLETE aw. I had no idea that Pride Rock would rise up from the center of the stage or that all the animals would come strutting through the audience to the stage. It was seriously amazing, it ma or may not have moved me to tears. As the show went on I was completely engaged and loved every minute of it. I wish I would have gone sooner. It was just so incredible.

The view from the theater foyer overlooked time square. We couldn't help but reminisce about what we were doing in time square the week before. We wished we would have been watching all the festivities from this location, maybe next year :)



After the show it was dinner time. We found a great little pizza place not to far away and had a wonderful dinner. I always love our date nights in the city. I wish we made it to the city for them more often. But CFA season has officially started so it will be June before Mike and I have time on a Saturday to make it to the city for a date night.

Great Date Night. I highly recommend seeing the Lion King.

Time Square for NYE

This year, believe it or not, was the first year Mike and I were home in CT for new years eve. Spending NYE in time square has been one of my life goals since I was 11. I remember watching Carson Daily host the MTV new years eve party (when they use to have their office in time square) and seeing all the lights, people and energy. I had to do it! Since the weather was fairly warm for the last day of december we decided "why not" and headed to the city for a the biggest NYE party in america.

When we got there it was 1pm and already nuts. I didn't expect so many streets would be closed at that point. We had to walk all the way around time square to even attempt to find a way in. We spent a good hour or so walking back and forth between one street to another trying to find the "entry way" into time square. One cop told us one thing and the next something different. SO annoying.

Finally we decided if we stood on the sidewalk closest to the main time square entrance then at some point they would let the people on the sidewalk fill the empty street. We managed to get about 10 rows from the top of the sidewalk. I thought we were in the perfect spot to be let onto the street. We were crammed so close to the people around us I would barely move. Not to mention I felt like some guy behind me was trying to grab my tush so I had to keep moving my body to make sure I wasn't touching him.

Some people were desperate to get out of these tight corders. So desperate they took their stroller (who brings a stroller to NYE in TS?) AND the child inside and carried it over their heads so they could pass by. INSANE!

Anyways, we spend a good hour or two this close to people not knowing where we would end up. We couldn't see the ball from where we were so we didn't want to stay there. All of a sudden the police started letting people from who knows where fill up the street where we had assumed we would be standing. We boo'ed at them. When we asked the police about it we go conflicting reports. "You guys will be standing 8 blocks back," " you will be standing here all night," " you will have to go somewhere else and get your bag checked before you can get a spot on the street." It was all very confusing. and frustrating. I almost faked a panic attack so we would get out of the crowd and go home. But by some miracle they announced that some of the people would be allowed to enter the main TS area. Long story short Mike and I were part of the last 10 people let from the sidewalk we were on into the main "party" area.

We were pretty pleased with our seats (well the place we would now stand for 8 more hours.) We could see the state areas and we had a perfect view of the ball and all the TV'S. Now we just had to figure out how we would pass the time. This is what we did to entertain ourselves....
1) Take pictures of the scenery

2) Help other countries ring in the new year
3) While most of the crowd got free niva balloons, hats, scarves and chapstick we got none. Although having a ballon would have been entertaining.
4) Take pictures of ourselves
5) Look at the time and thing "is it time yet?"
6) Help campaign for Mitt Romney every time his add came up on the tv
7) Watch Drake preform
8) Huddle on the ground for a few minutes where it was a little warmer and quieter.
9) Watch Pitt Bull preform
10) Watched Justin Beiber and cheered like a little girl (That was Mike of course, I didn't even care to see J-Bieb (*j/k it was me)
11) wondered if I would make it one more hour without a drink of water.
12) Dressed up like an eskimo as it got colder
14) Watched a giant Ursula (from the little mermaid) take the stage and sing Lady Gaga songs. Oh wait that was Lady Gaga!

15 ) Watched Cee-Lo Green sing a song other than "Forget You."

16) Celebrated 2011 and welcomed 2012

17) Kissed at midnight
18) Kisses at 12:05 (we were so excited to have made it through alive although a little dehydrated.
As soon as the clock struck midnight an they started to let people out we made a bee line for McDonalds for a huge drink of water and milkshakes. Soooo yumm. We even watched some punk get arrested on the street below us and brought up to out floor of McDonalds by the Police. It was pretty intense. We LOVED the excitement.



All in all we were home and in bed by 2:00am. Not bad for NYE in TS. Now the question everyone asks.... "would you do it again?" The answer is "YES!" However, if we do it again we will

1) get there a little earlier

2) bring a few water bottles (so we can drink if we really want too

3) pick a good spot close to the stage or by an isle.

4) Have no problems going home if we are to cold, annoyed by the people around us or don't have a good spot.

We are a little wiser in our NYE ways now. Who knows maybe we'll even go again next year :)

Mike's 28th Birthday!

This year Mike had his 28th Birthday. It is always so hard for me to make Mike's birthday special when it is the day after Christmas. This year my mom made his favorite breakfast, french toast, for him. Then we had family pictures taken. After that we headed up to Canton to play lazar tag with my family and a few friends on my brothers. Mike and I love lazar tag and we don't know of any place in our area to play, so we were happy to play. We had a blast! We did a little shopping. With a group of 12 people we knew we wouldn't be able to sit together or hear each other talk if we went out to eat at a restaurant for dinner. So we picked up dinner for the family at Texas Roadhouse and took it home. What a great idea. We didn't have to pay tip, we had an excellent meal and we were all able to sit at the same table. :) Perfect!

Mike had a lot of presents to open (please note they aren't wrapped in Christmas paper, I was proud of myself.) However the best present he opened was from his little sister Becca. It was a framed picture of an ultrasound and she told us (via skype) that she was expecting her first baby (which we now know is a boy) on my birthday, June 27th. What a great gift!!

Happy Birthday Mike!! I love you!!

Forever Friends

You know those friends who you feel like you have known for what seems like forever? The ones who you have played dress up with (even if you were 14,) had sleepovers with, stayed up all night telling secrets with, pulled pranks on people with, were in musicals and choir with, cheered at pep rallies and football games with, went to lunch everyday with, sang in the car at the top of your voice with and served on student council with. The ones where even if there is a long silent pause, it isn't awkward. Who were your closest friends in high school, even though you were slightly obnoxious and very immature. Who you may have had a falling out with once or twice, but always found your way back too. Whose families felt like family to you. Who you cried when you gave that goodbye hug to before you went off to different colleges (or cried with you when you left your family and went to college together.) The ones who now that you are grown up and living in the real world you may only see (if you are lucky) once a year. Who you may or may not have phone dates with frequently but always know what is going on because you keep an eye on their facebook page or blog? But when you finally get together after all that time apart you feel like you are right where you belong. I love those types of friends. I love the friends who have known me longer than my husband. Who know what my life was like when I was younger. Who know my family and have watched my siblings grow up with me.

Those friends are the best! I am lucky to have a few friends like that. These beautiful ladies happen to be two of those friends. The stars finally aligned on Dec 26th and the three of us, who where in town for Christmas, were able to get together for breakfast. Missing that morning were two other ladies who we love. They live in Utah and California and weren't in town and were greatly missed.

Our morning together was too short and we didn't get to cover nearly the amount of things I would have liked, but it was still wonderful. Have you seen your episode of How I Met Your Mother where they talk about how sometimes when you get around old friends you revert back into your old ways. Ted and Punchy and then Lilly and her friend. Remember how lilly and her friend talk all thug like and it is hilarious. Well we didn't talk like thugs but I think we giggled like we were back at a sleepover in high school. I loved every second of it!

Friends like this are what I like to think of as Forever Friends. Not best friends, those kind of move in and out of your life. Forever Friends are the ones who are always there for you and even thousands of miles won't diminish the bond between you, it just makes it stronger.

Love you girls!!

Favorite Christmas Day Memories via Photos

(I do understand that Christmas was over a month ago but I am a little behind.)

After church we came home and took pictures in our nice sunday clothes. Then we all slipped back into our PJ's and got in formation to open gifts. With 10 people and a ton of presents the seating was a little tight. It was a cozy christmas morning/afternoon.

For the first hour or two we watch everyone open their gifts one at a time. It is fun to see everyone reactions. Mom loved her new sunglasses (that she ordered for herself on QVC.)
I didn't get a picture of it (unfortunately) but I got my grandparents a GREAT gift this year. I got everyone in my family to write at least 10 or more of their favorite memories with my grandparents. I then printed them off on color coordinating card stock and cut them up and put them in a large vase. It looked really pretty and could be used as a decoration. But whenever they need a smile or miss the grandkids then can pull a piece of paper out of the vase and BAM a memory :) I even got some tears. Mission accomplished.
I love my dads face in this picture. My mom really wanted the meat grinder accessory for her Boss mixer and my dad got it for her without her knowing (something that rarely happens.) He was surprised that she was surprised. Classic!
Andrew showing off his new glasses and his G-Shock watch. He was pretty pleased. He is such the comedian on christmas morning (actually he is always the comic relief.) He makes me laugh. A lot!
Since we had church and then started opening gifts we didn't have anything to eat and we were all STARVING. We gladly paused gift opening (what would have been a sin 5 years ago on Christmas) for a christmas morning breakfast feast. Our traditional turnovers, egg soufflé and fruit salad. Yum.
What a messy living room. At this point we just needed to unwrap all the gifts so it was a free for all!
I got my brothers and Mike a lottery ticket for christmas. It was fun to watch them try to win some money (Andrew won $2! We continue to learn you can't win when you gamble.)

The rest of the day we played lots of ping pong, took naps, watched movies, ate and incredible dinner, laid by the fire and stayed in our PJ'S. Thats my idea of a perfect Christmas. One where you spend all day in your PJ's and just relax with your family. I wish everyday was Christmas.

It was a wonderful day and I feel so blessed to have spent it with the ones I love the most. As we get older the times where all 5 kids, parents, grandparents and spouses are together become fewer and farther between. I feel blessed to have had the week before Christmas and then some to spend with my wonderful family. As crazy and as imperfect as we are I couldn't love crazy family more. There aren't words enough to express my love and gratitude for this table full of people. :)