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.

We're Still Not Done!

Okay, I know that we are lagging in updating the blog but life has been busy. In the future you are going to have to look for our trip to Colorado for Jeannie and Donald's wedding, The Cave of the Winds, the Ranta Halloween party, trick-or-treating with the kids, New York and whatever else happened or happens before we get caught up. Looking back at the trip to Costa Rica it's amazing how much more we'd love to share. Don't know if I'll get to all of it but if I don't blog about zip lining Michael and Jason will be sorely disappointed. As it is, sorry Jay, I haven't yet figured out how to do video so that will have to come later!

Anyhow, the fifth day of our trip was another great one. We woke up early, again to pouring rain, and had a quick breakfast in the car while en route to the Arenal Sky Tram and Trek adventure ( http://www.skyadventures.travel/Arenal_En/Welcome.html ). The hotel was so nice to give us take out boxes and cups and allowed us to fill them up from the buffet. We ate as we drove and were ready to go by the time we got to the sky tram.

Once at the park the kids, Amy and I waited around while Jason and Michael got outfitted with their gear. We all rode up to the top of the zip line in a tram and then watched as Jason and Michael started the zip line portion of their tour. They had an amazing time and talked about it for the rest of the day! Amy and I took the kids on a rain forest hike and then rode the tram back down. The kids were very nervous to have their dads swinging from a little cable so they were very relieved to see them waiting for us at the bottom! After that it was back to the hotel for a quick change and checkout. The adventure continues......

Jacob and Olivia waiting for Dad to get his gear.

The guys are finally ready!

Amy, Sophie, and Jason ready to head to the top.

Here we are!

The whole gang

A view of the top of the canopy from the tram. Pictures never show how beautiful it really is.

Here's adventure boy heading off into the rain forest.

Michael heading off on the zip line!

There he goes all the way across.

Here's Jay zipping along too!

It's a long way over and a long way down.

The whole family in front of Volcan Arenal.