Author: Kristel

I never posted pictures from Hayley’s birthday, sorry! Here’s a hodge podge of photos from the past few months.

After postponing international travel the past two years we were delighted to travel to Costa Rica for the kids’ spring break.

There were so many things we loved about this trip! We stayed in vacation rental and experienced a slice of daily life. We walked to the market, bakery, fruit shop and restaurants. We enjoyed ice cream three times (RJ’s favorite part of the trip). We waved to neighbors, saw kids playing soccer, saw women hanging laundry and encountered thin dogs meandering about.

Our house was an oasis with beautiful tropical plants and a refreshing swimming pool. It was adjacent to a pond that hosted ducks, geese peacocks and other birds. The strutting peacocks were a daily source of entertainment and named by the kids “Sir Struts-A-Lot”, “Sir Squawks-A-Lot” and the peahen was named “Penny”.

Our adventures were thrilling! We soaked in the 25 pools heated by the volcano at Baldi and had lunch with views of the volcano. We went white water rafting and saw a flock of Toucans cross the river. We rode on horseback through meadows, canyons and river beds to get to a large waterfall. We took stairs down to the waterfall, swam at the base and counted 512 steps as we marched back up. We went on ziplines and a did a crazy Tarzan swing (all but Kristel did the swing). From above the forest canopy we had an amazing view of steam coming from the volcano. Finally we silently walked with a guide who showed us sleeping sloths, a howler monkey, turtles, lizards, frogs and birds of the rainforest.

After Christmas we adopted two rabbits from the shelter, Waffle and Pepper. Rabbits take a while to become friends, so we gradually introduced them, resulting in a hoppy marriage. Once renovations are complete on their bunny mansion they will move outside.

We joined friends for a snowy weekend in the mountains. Hayley and RJ briefly tried skiing but haven’t found a love of the sport yet. We’ll try again in the future. It was great to vacation with friends!

Christmas anticipation grew steadily this month as we decorated, baked, listened to Christmas music and wrapped. We are so grateful for family, friends, pets, and good health.

After 1.5 years of limited activities, the return to normalcy brought so much joy. The kids had a blast at their school’s walkathon. Trick-or-treating and the pumpkin patch were amazing. Soccer games and social gatherings were wonderful. Finally, in November Hayley and RJ received their first covid vaccine! We are grateful.

After being apart for the past two years due to COVID we were reunited with our east coast family. It was great to see everyone in person! We combined family time with a vacation in Nantucket where we swam, biked and enjoyed time with friends.

10 weeks of summer goes fast! We took trips to San Diego and Mariposa, went on local outings and celebrated birthdays. After 1.5 years of remote learning, the kids had a blast going to camp and making new friends.

Work, school and life have been so busy it’s been a while since I posted photos! Enjoy.

We took a road trip to Southern Oregon for spring break. It was great to get away, enjoy amazing scenery and explore!

This month we celebrated Hayley’s 10th birthday with a dragon cake, a visit from grandma and a playdate with a few friends at the park. The kids in the pod performed their play, Shadow Rising, which they wrote, directed and created costumes on their own. It was great! The first graders studied the rainforest and RJ did his project on a chameleon (like his big sister). We received news that the kids will return to school part time in April. With the weight of the pandemic lifting we are feeling hopeful about the future.