There were WAY too many pictures to post and choose from...so below is the next best thing. click to enlarge.
This doesn't cover everything and everyone, but seriously we took over 2000 pictures and well these are some of the ones that I loved - or - in some cases made me laugh.
Recap -
Babies (James and Gage) flew like seasoned travelers. We were ALL (including all plane passengers) so happy.
First night - Rocky had picked the cheapest hotel for us to stay in. It was in the ghetto. nuff said.
Next day - Cyndi and Amanda picked us up in the blue bus. Our luggage took up the entire back row. We headed for La Fortuna.
First adventure - Rio Toro, the river run. I was scared...THE WHOLE TIME. I was sure that I would fly out of the raft and end up in Nicaragua. Our Captain was David, he was crazy...but I made it. PURA VIDA!
The next day I babysat both babies (again scared) while the fam went canyonering. It looks like they had a blast with their non-certified Guide. After hearing that I was glad I was home with the babies.
Ok, yes, I'm 100% nervous and scared on the Wright family adventures. I usually end up loving them....but there have been a few iffy moments. Those of you who were in Austria at midnight on bikes wondering if our RV had been broken into will understand.
We went spelunking the next day. The cave was full of bats - "don't worry," our guide says as bats come flying past our faces, "they only eat fruit and flies." Whew, my hair was safe. Lets not even go to the size of the spiders or the size of the cockroaches that looked like spiders. Yikes!
Our hotel in La Fortuna was amazing. It had beautiful gardens, a room with a view, and rocking chairs on our patio (my dad would have been in heaven.) It also stormed everyday right around 2:30 until about 6:00. The storms were incredible.
After a few days in La Fortuna we headed to Nosara to meet up with the rest of the family. Our driver was awesome. I think he had eyes on the side of his head. He would quickly stop the car and point out an animal that was not EASY to spot. It was fun to see some Costa Rican wild life - a sloth, monkeys, and a Toucan. Our drive was supposed to take 4 hours but ended up being a little longer. Lunch and a MAJOR flat tire will do that. Maybe miles and miles of dirt road added as well.
Nosara - HELLO beach. We got to do lots of hanging out. Some highlights of Nosara; Zips lines, the beach, 4 wheelers in the pouring rain, the pool, minute to win it. speed tourney, butterflies, more major rain storms, chicky's, the same breakfast AND lunch, tons of rice and beans, James naked flight, the Nosara Airport, picking shells on the beach in a storm (not advisable).
All in all we had a WONDERFUL time with family. We are so thankful for Cyndi and Grandma for taking us on these fun adventures.