Tamarindo

Look Mama!
Yep, doesn't get any funner than this.....

A rare moment of playing together on the beach.
Aspen loved the ocean in Tamarindo. Much gentler surf than up where we are in Ocotal. We went further down the beach where the beach was much more crowded, and Aspen made friends with a Tico boy on vacation from San Jose (capitol of Costa Rica). He was just so happy to see another kid that he didn't care if he knew what he was saying :)
Daddy taking Aspen out to play in the big waves.

We took a day trip down to Tamarindo on Sunday. Aspen has been hit and miss on liking the beaches here. The surf is pretty heavy up where we are in most areas. We did find a great beach in Playa Hermosa (2 towns up), but when we went out on the beach, the sand was so hot that it burned our feet terribly. Aspen didn't know what to do when that happened and he just froze. It was horrible. Mark was in a meeting and not there. I had Journey in my arms and had to run across the sand as fast as I could until I reached the water. Aspen just stood in the burning hot sand screaming. Ever since then, he hasn't wanted to go onto the sand, even with his shoes on.

Mama....

...Journey called to me from the back seat, and here is what we saw when we looked back.

Silly girl :) She loves to do things to make us laugh. This trip she has been calling my name constantly from the backseat to look at what ever she sees - a cow, dog, people, etc. But this was a little different. She just wanted to show us how silly she is.

More Pool Time

This is Journey's favorite place in the pool, right by the stairs with plenty of places to hold on.
The only thing missing is Aspen's blow up floaty thing that he found. It has provided so much entertainment. Oh, also the balloon that he was given that is also being used as a floaty or to splash everyone with.


Peek-a-boo!!!

Snakes

After we were done with the monkeys, we got to go see the snakes. They had probably 20-30 different varieties.

Another family picture attempt. Complete with a snake.
120 lb. piathon - Aspen wasn't so sure he wanted to get too close.
Aspen was facinated with the snakes, but didn't really want to hold any himself. I don't blame him!
Journey enjoyed it too, as long as she didn't have to touch them.

Yep, that's my girl :)

Our guide through the zoo was great. He remembered Mark and I from a couple months ago, helped take pictures for us, and gave us so much information about the animals. I didn't get any pictures, but we also got to go see the butterflys and frogs.

Monkey Madness

We went to the petting zoo today and had such a blast playing with the animals. All the way there Journey was making monkey and snake noises. She knew we were going to see them and was excited too :)

The monkeys liked to pull and play with Aspen's hair.
Aspen petting the pet raccoon and the monkeys. Journey was facinated with the monkeys and giggled when they would reach their hands out of the cage to touch her.
We were surprized when Journey wanted to get into the monkey cage too. She liked to feed them, but would get overwhelmed when they would jump all over her.

A family picture in the monkey cage.

There are more pics to come of the snakes and the rest of our day, but this is is for now.

Lots of Water Time Today

Well, not a great picture, but we did get out on the beach for a while to play. The ocean is a little too rough and dangerous for the kids to play in. The breakers are big and the current is very strong.

Mark took the kayak out into the ocean today. He was able to get out, but coming in was a different story. Let's just say that the ocean had it's way with him....

Aspen is our little fish. He is at the pool as much as possible, and is basically the only thing he wants to do.

There is a whole section of the pool that's shallow just for kids. So nice since we forgot a lifejacket for him.

Exploring the rocks around our beach.

First Morning

Mark and Aspen woke up early. As in 5am, to the smell of a skunk. Ahhh, Costa Rica. Gotta love it. Journey and I rolled out of bed by 7am, and we were off to explore the beach before breakfast.
Journey isn't comfortable enought to walk on her own on the beach. Maybe by the end of the trip?
Here's our beach. Beautiful, soft sand with huge breakers close to the shore. It is pretty intimidating to Aspen and so far he prefers the pool.
Journey was not in the mood for pictures. Especially with Aspen.
Here's the view of the beach from the pool and restaurant. We are told that it has been raining non-stop from all the hurricanes up until yesterday and today. Maybe we brought the sun with us?