COSTA RICA!

This year for Spring Break I knew I wanted to do something with a beach.  We have skied the last 2 spring breaks and I was wanting sand and ocean. A friend at work had mentioned to me that Costa Rica is her favorite beach vacation.  She told me it really felt like you were somewhere different.  Then, a few days later,  I saw a post by a friend with an album of pictures from her family vacation to Costa Rica.  I sent her a message and asked about it and she told me it is the best vacation- even with 2 small children.  So, I brought it up to Chris and he became curious too.  We looked up the house that my friend recommended in Dominical and decided that day we would go.  Without much research or thought we booked flights and our lodging.  We mentioned our plans to Alaina and Kylie and they were intrigued.  They asked us if they could join us for a few days and of course we said yes!  Chris did most of the leg work as far as researching the area and we ended up renting a car.  It was a long travel day with 2 flights and a 3 hour drive, but boy was it worth it when the sun rose the nest day.  We were in absolute paradise. 

We filled our week with lots of adventures: zip lining, hiking and waterfalls, animal sanctuary, lots of pool and beach time, eating fantastic food and lots of fun and laughs with each other.

I took a lot of pictures and tried to narrow them down but I will include a lot below.

This was our favorite country to visit- hands down, and one of our favorite family vacations.  We LOVE Costa Rica and plan to come back ASAP!

Ready for take off
6 a.m. flight!

No one threw up!
Only one mishap- we forgot Polly's bag at TSA in DFW.

In the rental car headed to Dominical
(after a quick trip to the Wal Mart in San Jose
to buy Polly clothes and shoes for the week!)

Walking on the Crocodile Bridge

SO MANY CROCS

Walking on the side of a busy highway on a narrow walk way
above a bunch of crocidiles.
Not for the faint of heart with a 3 year old along!

Emma doing her thing at Fuego Brewery

They had cool swings upstairs that the kids ate in.

Good craft beer!

Tired PJ

Alaina and Kylie

Beautiful, and we had the whole beach to ourselves!

Ryan had some fun in the waves.

Beautiful drone footage.

My girls!

Fantastic food in Uvita!

Good drinks too!

Our cabina in the jungle!

Back patio of our house- in the jungle!

our pool

patio where we ate breakfast

Mr. Marsall, Polly's zip lining partner!
SHE LOVED IT! NO FEAR!

I was more nervous than PJ!

Ryan was very brave too!

Emma brought her soccer ball and got to play some.

We love these girls so much!
They are awesome to travel with!

We had our favorite meal in the jungle at the zip lining.
Costa Rican food is delicious!

My crew!

Adrenaline crash!

pop up eye wash station- sunscreen in eyes hurts!

Another great meal at Phat Noodle

Polly made an American friend at the beach.
Wilder's family vacationed here and then moved here
4 months later!

My girl Alaina!

Love this guy!

HEAVEN

Beach nap!

gorgeous

Swimming in this shallow estuary was so fun for Polly!

The beach at Whales Tail

PJ and her happy coconut- she found it!

Awesome hippy cafe

Ryan reading while waiting for her meal.

Waterfall tour

The ride up was so beautiful.

The girls did so good on the hiking.

Ryan sunbathing

Drone view of one of the waterfalls.

Another drone pic

Ivie Family in Costa Rica!

Ivie girls at The Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

Sloths!

Dennis the monkey.
He is a free monkey but claims these
females as his troop!

CoCo- she was feisty!
She would throw rocks at us!

Rojo Gringo!

We met up with the Richards who also were vacationing in CR!

The kids had a blast together!

Incredible view

Virgin daiquiris were a hit!