Memorial Weekend Photos

Last weekend we went out to the cottage. It was the 1st weekend out there with both of the boys. They both did really well. It helps to have GG, Grandma and Grandpa along. With 5 of us, we can keep them under control. The weather was great. It was a fun weekend.

Nana and Papa came for a birthday party for Ryan.

A fun time was had by all. Looking forward to next weekend.

All our love,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Ethan 3 Month /Almost 4 Month Pics

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago, but never made it up to the blog. Ethan is now 4 months old almost 5. Don't know where all the time went. He is rolling over from his stomach to his back. He gets really upset when he is stuck on his back. He is eating a bit better. He weighs 12 lbs and 7 ozs. He sometimes sleeps through the night and sometimes doesn't. He is generally very happy and relaxed. He still is fussy from 6:30 to 8:00 but typically daddy can calm him down. Enjoy!

Jakob loves to hug and kiss Ethan. He holds him a little everyday.

Life is crazy, but going great.

All our love,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Family Fun!

Tonight we had family fun night. After dinner we made some cookie dough. It never turned into cookies and probably never well. Cookie Dough - The Snack of Champions!!

Enjoy! YUM YUM!

Hugs,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Tulip Time!

We made it back from vacation in time for a funnel cake and some pictures in the park. We went to the park on mother's day. My treat was the funnel cake afterwards - YUM!

The boys weren't totally in proper costume attire. However we did the best we can at 4 months and 20 months old. There were no judges and not many tourists left. Next year we will try for better.
We had fun.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to All!

Hugs,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Day 6 - Last day at the Villa - Final Vacation Post

Today started out to be a beautiful day. It was very hot and humid. Jakob is showing you the nice flower planters that are near the entrance of the villa. Playing on the tile to keep cool. Waiting to go for breakfast. We went out today to have breakfast with some friends.

Hanging with his cousins Caleb & Christian. It was red day today!

Beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. This view was from our breakfast retreat.

After breakfast the little kids all went to El Puente of Costa Rica. This is The Bridge which is now part of Zeeland Christian in Costa Rica. It is part of the Spanish Emersion program. They went to see the kids at the school. The rest of us went to see the JADE Project. The Jade is a condo complex that my grandpa is part of in Costa Rica. The JADE is the purpose that my father started coming down here and has now brought all of us down here. It is about 190 units to be completed in December 2010. They started selling them in October and have sold 50% of them. So far a great project. These pictures are the scaled replica of the project.

Really the pictures don't do justice. You will just have to make a trip down here to visit once it is completed.

We had no power for 6 hours today. They were working on some lines, so we just swam. Now a huge Thunderstorm came through and Jakob is taking a nap. Thought it would be a good time for the final post.

We fly out early tomorrow. We are looking forward to heading home. As you can see from the all the pics we had an awesome time. The weather was great. The family was fun. The accomdations relaxing.

Thanks for following our trip.

When we get back hoping to still get some Tulip Time pics of both the boys. Dying for a Funnel Cake.

Happy Mothers Day on Sunday!

All our love,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Day 5 - Rest and Relaxation

Yesterday morning started out in a usual way. We wake up way to early. Everyone is up by 6:30 here. The sun comes up by 5:00 and everyone starts to wake up. We sit around for a while and then we have breakfast. The morning was going as normal and then someone says "MONKEYS." The villa is nestled back off the road a ways but in the back yard is the ocean. It is probably a 2 miles down a hill of rugged terrain. We walked down about 1/4 mile and saw about 10 - 15 monkeys. We took bananas with us. This is one brave monkey would come and eat the bananas.

After the excitment of the monkeys it was to the pool. It was time to practice surfing.

We laid around, tried to get Jakob to take a nap and ate snacks. We did a bit of shopping in the markets. Then we had dinner. During dinner Jakob decided to do his famous poops and it was directly into the bath. He likes the bath here, he has been in it several times. It is very nice to have a big tub.

This is our bedroom - Rick Jakob and I share this room. We have our own bathroom. It is very nice.

That pretty much sums up the day.

Enjoy.

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Day 4 - Swinging In the Jungle

We traveled to the Jungle today (really yesterday as I type the post) to do a ropes course. It was a great time. Jakob stayed by a sitter and had fun playing with his cousins. They own a hotel so they swam in the pool for 2 hours and played and played.
Sorry I had to stop updating for a second we had a group of monkeys that I had to go see. They are so cute. I will post those pics tomorrow or tonight.
This container is full of Palm Nuts. They make Palm Oil and Coconut Oil down here. There is a very large factory. They are collecting them from the trees right now. Before we were dropped in the jungle we went to a butterfly farm. They were beautiful.

Here is Rick in his gear ready to go.

Here is part of the group on a platform. We went on some ziplines, repelling, and rope swing. The guides were really fun.

Mary and "super" Mario hang out before the next jump.

After the jungle it was back to the pool.

Back at home Ethan is still doing well. G-Gram came home from Florida. Ethan had a chance to meet her for the 1st time yesterday. So sad I missed it, but very glad they could meet.

He was able to spend some time with Great Aunt Marcia too.

He also got to meet Great Aunt Mary for the 1st time too.

Everyone is still doing well. Only a few more days left and we will be back home.

We love it here, but ready to see baby Ethan.

Hugs & Kisses,

Rick, Mandi, Jakob & Ethan

Day 3 - A Day at the Beach!

Today was a long day at the beach. I am one that usually loves the heat. It was HOT! WOW! After a short time we all found ourselves under the tent to find some shade. Jakob had a blast, but was very tired by the end of the day.

Our friend Roger has a friend that is a professional surfer. He showed us how to surf today. It is very hard work. I tried it and 3 x's and I was done. Everyone did really well that tried it. Christian is learning how now.

Caleb had a great time in the water playing.

The 3 girls swam and played in the sand.

Jakob didn't really like the ocean much, but he did spend hours playing and eating sand.

On the way back from the beach we went to a waterfall where there was all fresh water. It was cool (I say COLD) but it did feel good after a hot day. We were able to swim in the base of it and get rid of most of the sand.

Here is Jakob after a long "tough" day.

Tomorrow Jakob is going to hang with 2 of his cousins at some friends house. The rest of us are going to go do a ropes course tomorrow. Should make for fun pics, if I can take my camera.

Overall we are doing well. A few wierd bug bites, some sun burn, and eating to much, none of which are causing too much trouble.

Hope you are all enjoying Tulip Time. I see on FaceBook many of you are enjoying the food already. Be sure to save some for us, we will be home on Sat.

Hugs & Kisses

Rick, Mandi & Jakob (Ethan too)