SeaWorld in September

Back in September we were fortunate enough to attend a Dine with Shamu dinner at SeaWorld. We had received free passes and were very excited to use them. The food was really good but the highlight was seeing the whales so close to us while we ate our dinner. We would recommend this experience but save it for a special occasion because the tickets are expensive.

This was right next to our table.

Shamu waving

That is Shamu right behind Jacob.

Here is a better view.

Waving goodbye at the end of dinner.

Here's Olivia enjoying the show. She was a little nervous at first.

After dinner we went to the new Sesame Street Playplace and Olivia got to see Bert.

We made a last stop at the tide pools before heading home.

Olivia was finally brave enough to hold a sea star.

It's Time To Go Back!

Dear Friends and Family - Thanks for hanging in there with all of the Costa Rica blogs. We actually had another fun filled day visiting the Waterfall Gardens but since we had been there the first time I'm going to skip over those pics and try to update everybody on what's been going on since July! I'm way behind but since I'm on vacation I hope to catch up. That means that the blog may change quickly so you'll have to check back often to see what's been done!

To start our update I'll jump back to October where Michael and I spent the first weekend in Colorado. Neither of us had been there before and despite the fact we were there to see his cousin get married we snuck in some tourist time too.

We arrived in Colorado Friday the 3rd and checked into our hotel. We then met up with Jeannie (Michael's cousin) and Donald for their rehearsal dinner. After dinner we took a tour of Donald's house, mostly the basement, to see his crazy Star Wars collection. The next morning, after a good breakfast, Michael and I headed out to the Cave of the Winds where we took the lantern tour. We basically spent almost 2 hours wandering through dark and spooky caves with only the small light of an oil candle. After that we went to Manitou Springs, had lunch, and wandered around looking at the old buildings.

The wedding was at 5:00 at a wonderful restaurant called the Craftwood Inn. The weather was a little chilly (it snowed up at Pike's Peak) but the wedding was beautiful and the dinner was delicious. It was so nice to meet Donald's family who are all so welcoming and fun! Jeannie and Donald are a wonderful couple and we are so happy to have been able to share their special day!

Michael's mom Dottie, Jeannie and Eric (his cousins), and Michael at the rehearsal dinner.

Just a small (very, very small) corner of Donald's Star Wars basement.

Here is where we started our lantern tour. The picture below shows how you had to bend down to get through many parts of the cave.


Jeannie and Donald during the ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Bychowski at their reception.

Jessica and her new family - Jack and Jim (Donald's dad and uncle).

Donald, Jessica, and Jeannie at the end of the night.