Todd was on a great rotation for April; therefore he was able to take a week vacation. Taking advantage of this opportunity we planned a vacation. We were looking to doing something with Lyndee and Nathan when my dad offered to take us to Costa Rica to go visit my brothers who had moved there. We agreed that would be best.
By the time our vacation rolled around, my brothers had moved and my dad was unable to join us for our trip. We were pretty sad about this, but my mom was going to be coming instead and we were able to stay in my brothers old apartments. Then we found out that Del and Geoff would be able to come.
Del and Geoff, or Godfrey, are our 6th cousins from England. About 15 years ago, my dad was with his parents visiting England looking at ancestral sites when they went to a town where an ancestor Godfrey Litchfield had lived. Not being able to find out where Godfrey Litchfield was buried, my dad went to a local phone book, in it he found listed a Godfrey Litchfield. My dad called the number to find that they had a common ancestor. Since then Geoff and his wife Del (Delcia) have been staying with my family during their "holiday" for a couple of months every year. They are the most pleasant visitors, easy going, helpful and not requiring much from anyone. Del spent many hours helping me stuff envelopes for my wedding.
We spent a week in Costa Rica, and we had a wonderful time. We stayed in an apartment complex called Nativia just outside Jaco. Nativia was beautiful. It had several pools, including a sand pool. The water was a great temperature and the boys loved it.
The scenery was beautiful and lush.
Every morning I went out for a 5-7 mile run around the area. Running in a different country is totally amazing. I always feel more connected to an area after running there. It also helped me get ready for the heat I would be running through in St. George.
By the time our vacation rolled around, my brothers had moved and my dad was unable to join us for our trip. We were pretty sad about this, but my mom was going to be coming instead and we were able to stay in my brothers old apartments. Then we found out that Del and Geoff would be able to come.
Del and Geoff, or Godfrey, are our 6th cousins from England. About 15 years ago, my dad was with his parents visiting England looking at ancestral sites when they went to a town where an ancestor Godfrey Litchfield had lived. Not being able to find out where Godfrey Litchfield was buried, my dad went to a local phone book, in it he found listed a Godfrey Litchfield. My dad called the number to find that they had a common ancestor. Since then Geoff and his wife Del (Delcia) have been staying with my family during their "holiday" for a couple of months every year. They are the most pleasant visitors, easy going, helpful and not requiring much from anyone. Del spent many hours helping me stuff envelopes for my wedding.
We spent a week in Costa Rica, and we had a wonderful time. We stayed in an apartment complex called Nativia just outside Jaco. Nativia was beautiful. It had several pools, including a sand pool. The water was a great temperature and the boys loved it.
The scenery was beautiful and lush.
Every morning I went out for a 5-7 mile run around the area. Running in a different country is totally amazing. I always feel more connected to an area after running there. It also helped me get ready for the heat I would be running through in St. George.
It was fun seeing Lyndee all pregnant. She is living up the "Prima Dona Pregnancy" - the first child pregnancy - but I don't know how she is any different from her normal "Prima Dona" self. 
My boys love the fact that there's a baby in her belly, especially future OB Doctor Mikey. He still talks about how he can't wait to see the baby, how many months until she's born, what she's going to eat, etc.
We spent a couple of days at the beach. The boys loved the waves, and I tolerated them. I enjoyed getting in them myself, but I was always nervous that one of the boys would get swept away, even though they are all pretty good swimmers.
One of the days, we went to this waterfall place that my mom's friend had recommended. We went on an obscure road,
through plantations, to a farm where we payed money to park our van. We then hiked to a stream where the waterfall came down to. The hike was a lot of fun and very beautiful. Really enjoyed that. The stream was a disappointment.
The stream was not very deep at all, and very cold. The waterfall came down a 40 foot cliff into the stream. Up at the waterfall there was about 15 people cliff jumping from the cliff above into the pool that connected to where the waterfall came down to where we were. Of course Todd and Nathan were all over about joining them. Mikey asked if he could go as well, so Todd told him to stay with me while he checked out the situation. Todd and Nathan climbed up, jumped in a few times then came back down to fetch Mikey and Roger for they had deemed it safe enough for them.
I sat with William and Grant at the stream, watching the boys climb up all while William cried for he had wanted to go. Todd and Nathan each took a boy and climbed over to the spot to jump in. Proud to say that my boys showed no fear and loved the thrill of it.
They loved it so much that they got out to climb up to jump again. This time Todd stayed in the pool, where I couldn't see him but where he could easily retrieve the boys after they jumped in, while Nathan climbed with the boys.
Nathan and the boys got up to the jump off point. Mikey was standing on the ledge with Nathan behind him while Roger, with his back to me, was standing to the right of Nathan, a foot or two below Nathan.
Nathan was helping Mikey as he was trying to fix his goggles before jumping in. During the wait, Roger suddenly started swaying and slipping. My heart stopped as I saw my boy, 40 feet above me, on a ledge with only a foot of water below him, loose his balance. He had lost his footing and was not able to gain it back. I let out a scream for I was helpless and my boy was in trouble.
Nathan, either being a fast thinker or led by the Spirit, threw Mikey into the water and reached out to grab Roger. He then brought Roger up with him and Roger, not being phased by the seriousness of what had just happened, jumped with joy into the water.
Mikey soon came down the cliff, crying and upset. "Mom!! Uncle Reagan (I don't know why he called him Reagan, but Nathan told me later that I shouldn't have corrected him) threw me into the water and I wasn't even ready!" I explained to Mikey the situation that had occurred.
If Nathan would have ignored Roger's falling, Roger may have just fallen off the 40 foot cliff. If Nathan would have tried to grab Roger while still holding onto Mikey, the momentum and weight may have taken all three down the cliff. If Nathan would have tried letting go of Mikey and grabbed Roger, Mikey may have fallen into the pool below, not making a safe clearing or jump. I told Mikey that in Nathan's throwing Mikey into the water, even though Mikey wasn't ready, Nathan had saved Roger's and Mikey's lives. Mikey calmed down after that and suddenly became proud that Nathan had not only saved his brother, but that he, Mikey, had been a part of the rescue.
Todd brought Roger down and I immediately scooped him up in my arms. I realized how alive he was, felt his breath, felt his warmth, and felt so grateful. I had never been this close to having any of my boys get in an accident and I did not like it.
My mom, Lyndee and Nathan had to go home early Sunday morning, so Todd and I got to spend time with our kids and Del and Geoff. Del and Geoff are seriously the best people to have around.
They were always so very helpful, but never did I ever feel responsible for them or did I feel that I was holding them back. They read with the boys and tolerated all the noise that my boys made. They gave my kids a lot of love, praise, and appreciation. My boys definitely got some good positive re-enforcement, a lot like what grandparents give. 
We celebrated Easter in Costa Rica. The day before Easter we had a little Easter Egg hunt, where we hid some eggs and a small toy in a field for the boys.
Then on Sunday we found where a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka "Mormon") church was. It was a branch that had a beautiful building. The meeting was in Spanish, so I understood nothing that was said. We were surprised when we noticed a couple of white families in the congregation. After the meeting they had a class for just the English speakers, I was able to meet the non-native families. They were from Southern Utah and had moved to Costa Rica just weeks before. They actually knew my brothers when they were all in Utah...small world.
These families, the Johnsons and Petersons, invited us to join them for dinner after we found out that they were living in Nativia! Even smaller world! They were really nice families. Julie, one of the women, put together a true Easter hunt. All around the Nativia property she had hidden clues and treats. With each clue there was a story or message that she shared with the kids. I really loved how spiritual she was and how much effort she put into the activity.
Tuesday evening Charla, the other woman, invited us to have our kids play soccer. They had gotten a small group of kids together to scrimmage on a local outdoor field that had netting all the way around it and overhead lights.
It was so much fun seeing the boys, Mikey and Roger, playing soccer with some local kids. I loved that they got to rub shoulders with people from a different culture. I also got an opportunity to talk with Charla and find out how much we have in common. Even though I have not moved to another country, I totally understood the feeling of living so far from family.
Todd flew home on Tuesday while the boys and I flew to Utah on Wednesday. Luckily, Del and Geoff had made arrangements to fly with me and the boys, to help us. They were lifesavers! I am always so grateful for how well they treat my boys, they are wonderful people.
My boys love the fact that there's a baby in her belly, especially future OB Doctor Mikey. He still talks about how he can't wait to see the baby, how many months until she's born, what she's going to eat, etc.We spent a couple of days at the beach. The boys loved the waves, and I tolerated them. I enjoyed getting in them myself, but I was always nervous that one of the boys would get swept away, even though they are all pretty good swimmers.
One of the days, we went to this waterfall place that my mom's friend had recommended. We went on an obscure road,
through plantations, to a farm where we payed money to park our van. We then hiked to a stream where the waterfall came down to. The hike was a lot of fun and very beautiful. Really enjoyed that. The stream was a disappointment.The stream was not very deep at all, and very cold. The waterfall came down a 40 foot cliff into the stream. Up at the waterfall there was about 15 people cliff jumping from the cliff above into the pool that connected to where the waterfall came down to where we were. Of course Todd and Nathan were all over about joining them. Mikey asked if he could go as well, so Todd told him to stay with me while he checked out the situation. Todd and Nathan climbed up, jumped in a few times then came back down to fetch Mikey and Roger for they had deemed it safe enough for them.
I sat with William and Grant at the stream, watching the boys climb up all while William cried for he had wanted to go. Todd and Nathan each took a boy and climbed over to the spot to jump in. Proud to say that my boys showed no fear and loved the thrill of it.
They loved it so much that they got out to climb up to jump again. This time Todd stayed in the pool, where I couldn't see him but where he could easily retrieve the boys after they jumped in, while Nathan climbed with the boys.
Nathan and the boys got up to the jump off point. Mikey was standing on the ledge with Nathan behind him while Roger, with his back to me, was standing to the right of Nathan, a foot or two below Nathan.
Nathan was helping Mikey as he was trying to fix his goggles before jumping in. During the wait, Roger suddenly started swaying and slipping. My heart stopped as I saw my boy, 40 feet above me, on a ledge with only a foot of water below him, loose his balance. He had lost his footing and was not able to gain it back. I let out a scream for I was helpless and my boy was in trouble.
Nathan, either being a fast thinker or led by the Spirit, threw Mikey into the water and reached out to grab Roger. He then brought Roger up with him and Roger, not being phased by the seriousness of what had just happened, jumped with joy into the water.
Mikey soon came down the cliff, crying and upset. "Mom!! Uncle Reagan (I don't know why he called him Reagan, but Nathan told me later that I shouldn't have corrected him) threw me into the water and I wasn't even ready!" I explained to Mikey the situation that had occurred.
If Nathan would have ignored Roger's falling, Roger may have just fallen off the 40 foot cliff. If Nathan would have tried to grab Roger while still holding onto Mikey, the momentum and weight may have taken all three down the cliff. If Nathan would have tried letting go of Mikey and grabbed Roger, Mikey may have fallen into the pool below, not making a safe clearing or jump. I told Mikey that in Nathan's throwing Mikey into the water, even though Mikey wasn't ready, Nathan had saved Roger's and Mikey's lives. Mikey calmed down after that and suddenly became proud that Nathan had not only saved his brother, but that he, Mikey, had been a part of the rescue.
Todd brought Roger down and I immediately scooped him up in my arms. I realized how alive he was, felt his breath, felt his warmth, and felt so grateful. I had never been this close to having any of my boys get in an accident and I did not like it.
My mom, Lyndee and Nathan had to go home early Sunday morning, so Todd and I got to spend time with our kids and Del and Geoff. Del and Geoff are seriously the best people to have around.
They were always so very helpful, but never did I ever feel responsible for them or did I feel that I was holding them back. They read with the boys and tolerated all the noise that my boys made. They gave my kids a lot of love, praise, and appreciation. My boys definitely got some good positive re-enforcement, a lot like what grandparents give. We celebrated Easter in Costa Rica. The day before Easter we had a little Easter Egg hunt, where we hid some eggs and a small toy in a field for the boys.
Then on Sunday we found where a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka "Mormon") church was. It was a branch that had a beautiful building. The meeting was in Spanish, so I understood nothing that was said. We were surprised when we noticed a couple of white families in the congregation. After the meeting they had a class for just the English speakers, I was able to meet the non-native families. They were from Southern Utah and had moved to Costa Rica just weeks before. They actually knew my brothers when they were all in Utah...small world.These families, the Johnsons and Petersons, invited us to join them for dinner after we found out that they were living in Nativia! Even smaller world! They were really nice families. Julie, one of the women, put together a true Easter hunt. All around the Nativia property she had hidden clues and treats. With each clue there was a story or message that she shared with the kids. I really loved how spiritual she was and how much effort she put into the activity.
Tuesday evening Charla, the other woman, invited us to have our kids play soccer. They had gotten a small group of kids together to scrimmage on a local outdoor field that had netting all the way around it and overhead lights.
It was so much fun seeing the boys, Mikey and Roger, playing soccer with some local kids. I loved that they got to rub shoulders with people from a different culture. I also got an opportunity to talk with Charla and find out how much we have in common. Even though I have not moved to another country, I totally understood the feeling of living so far from family.
Todd flew home on Tuesday while the boys and I flew to Utah on Wednesday. Luckily, Del and Geoff had made arrangements to fly with me and the boys, to help us. They were lifesavers! I am always so grateful for how well they treat my boys, they are wonderful people.
When Todd was leaving for the airport, he dropped me and the boys off a mile from the apartment at a Crocodile Boat Tour. 
We rode on a boat looking for birds and crocodiles. The only other tourist on the boat were a British couple....just couldn't stay away from those Brits. The tour guide was awesome. He had given us each a brochure of the birds that we may see, all were numbered on a big spread.
Every time he pointed out a bird my boys would ask what number, even Grant would ask. He very kindly would repeat himself 4 times. We found some crocodiles, which got pretty close to the boat. 
At one point the driver pulled over and went up to a crocodile and fed it some meat. He was pretty brave, and I am not sure he gets paid enough.
We rode on a boat looking for birds and crocodiles. The only other tourist on the boat were a British couple....just couldn't stay away from those Brits. The tour guide was awesome. He had given us each a brochure of the birds that we may see, all were numbered on a big spread. Every time he pointed out a bird my boys would ask what number, even Grant would ask. He very kindly would repeat himself 4 times. We found some crocodiles, which got pretty close to the boat. At one point the driver pulled over and went up to a crocodile and fed it some meat. He was pretty brave, and I am not sure he gets paid enough.
After this tour we walked back to the apartment. I will admit it was very hot and humid, and it was a LONG walk that was mostly uphill. 
I had the stroller so I had Grant sit on William's lap, but they still weren't too happy and Roger definitely wasn't too happy. 
That night while we ate Coconut ice cream (the best!) I asked the boys what their favorite part of the whole trip was. When it was Roger's turn he said, "Well, I'll tell you what was NOT my favorite part of the trip...walking up the hill today." Sorry Buddy.
Somewhere between leaving the apartment in Costa Rica and going through the Houston airport, I lost my iPhone. I was quite frustrated with that for it can be debilitating to loose your phone. When I told Todd that I had lost my phone he didn't seem very upset by it. When I asked him why he wasn't upset he said, "You were flying home with 4 boys. You did a great job and I can't get upset if you lost something so little". Glad I married that man.
We had a such a great time in Costa Rica, so happy that we were able to go.
My sister Lyndee had written about the vacation on her blog, and since she has "copy and paste"ed from my blog, I am going to do the same here:
I had the stroller so I had Grant sit on William's lap, but they still weren't too happy and Roger definitely wasn't too happy. That night while we ate Coconut ice cream (the best!) I asked the boys what their favorite part of the whole trip was. When it was Roger's turn he said, "Well, I'll tell you what was NOT my favorite part of the trip...walking up the hill today." Sorry Buddy.Somewhere between leaving the apartment in Costa Rica and going through the Houston airport, I lost my iPhone. I was quite frustrated with that for it can be debilitating to loose your phone. When I told Todd that I had lost my phone he didn't seem very upset by it. When I asked him why he wasn't upset he said, "You were flying home with 4 boys. You did a great job and I can't get upset if you lost something so little". Glad I married that man.
We had a such a great time in Costa Rica, so happy that we were able to go.
My sister Lyndee had written about the vacation on her blog, and since she has "copy and paste"ed from my blog, I am going to do the same here:
April 21, 2011
We drove to Miguel Antonio, supposedly is like the Mafia Coast of Costa Rica, it is up on this hill, all these cool restaurants and hotels, and the beach. The beach was way crowded and my mom almost missed the very sharp right turn to go down the hill to park on the beach and she stopped traffic with a tour bus behind us, it really would've been bad. Nathan, Todd and the boys LOVED swimming in the beach. It gave me a panic attack to think that so many little young boys swimming freely in the ocean, I had a hard time relaxing.
April 22, 2011
We went swimming at the sand pool. We then headed to see the crocodiles near the bridge. So we walked all four boys on the busy road, with the crocks in the river, this too gave me a panic. If it wasn't the highway, the thought of one of them falling in the water with the 15 crocks. I obviously am more anxiety provoked than Loni, and maybe will be a mess with my own child, I hope with motherhood, I become cool like Loni. Then we returned back and my mom offered to watch the kids while Loni, Todd, Nathan and I went out to Jaco on a little date. We went to a really good Taco Bar, with yummy calimari taco's and swing seats. We then looked at the shops, there were some red leather sandals I wanted to buy, but decided to wait a day on it. We ended the night with getting some yummy ice cream at pops. This was a good trip, I could tell Nathan and Todd were starting to bond more.
April 23, 2011
My mom told us about this swinging bridge her friends said was their favorite part of Costa Rica, it was near Miguel Antonio, so like another hour away. So we decided to go for it, driving everywhere for it, finally find it, at least we think we did. Had to pay money to park our van at some lady's house. Hiked in for a bit and it was a puny little waterfall. I won't lie it was a bit of a let down. I mean Toquerville Falls was better than this. But it was still fun, the boys, Loni and I played in the lower pools. While Nathan and Todd went up high where you could jump into the pools. Nathan of course was up for this adventure and challenge, with doing flips and such. We then headed back and stopped at some restaurant by the beach to eat. Loni and her family stayed to enjoy the beach. While the rest of us went into Jaco to do some shopping. I ended up getting the red shoes after all :) We then got Loni, and her family, tired from the long day, we headed back to call it a night. Nathan and I had to wake up way early to leave for the airport with my mom, so our fun trip was sadly coming to an end :(
