Costa Rica- Part 1

I have to say Costa Rica was one of my favorite vacations I have ever had. It was so gorgeous and there was so much to do. We had so much fun seeing everything we could fit into the schedule, but we definitely want to go back for more. Here are some of our best pictures- there are a lot so I will post more later.

This is the atrium of our first hotel.

The beach at our hotel- Paradisus Playa Conchal

The gorgeous sunsets

Flamingo Island

One of Chad's catches, and my big catch for the day. (mahi mahi)

The dolphins followed us around all day, they are hard to photograph (At least if I am the one with the camera)

The beautiful countryside

Chad could not get enough of this guy, he thought it was so hilarious, but actually we saw a bunch of people doing stuff like this

The super awesome mix of the cow, the camel, and the hound-dog

Arenal Lake- It was so pretty and we got to drive all the way around

And when we got around we saw this, the Arenal Volcano. Our hotel was about a fourth of the way up the side, and we could see the bright red lava at the top every few hours or so (which was way cool to see at night), but it mostly just smoked

The hot springs in our hotel, they were all made into little pools and waterfalls, and then they made a garden around it.

The Big Day

So it was over 2 months ago but I am just a little lazy when it comes to blogging lately. Here are some of my favorite pictures that friends and family took.

Everyone was so awesome and helpful and the day went perfectly. I was so happy and thankful to have both our families there, because they are amazing people.

Say what you will...

Ok so I have a bunch to post, I know I know... but first... 

I have been watching the food network, and (embarrassingly) the Disney channel, as my only channels for the last two months...then something happened Americas Next Top Model Season 11 started. Now I have been addicted to ANTM for a few years, but suddenly I began watching a bunch of great girly shows.

I am loving the new 90210- (Reminds me a little of the OC)

And also really like Privileged. (I have to say I think Lucy Hale- who plays Rose- is gorgeous)

Anyway, if you like kind of mindless, fun, girly shows, you should definitely watch any of these.

Diesel

This is our puppy Diesel. He is such a bundle of fun. He loves to chew on things, mostly biting fingers and chewing on my hair and trying to pull it out. He likes to sleep on my pillow, with his body wrapping around my head, and he loves to climb over and sniff Chad's ears. He likes it when I sweep and mop since he can chase the broom or mop all around the kitchen. He plays hide and seek with me, hiding behind all the boxes we haven't been able to unpack yet, but he mostly loves to hide when we go to either Chad or my parents houses, he thinks he is so funny when he runs from room to room. Another thing he thinks is funny, is when he climbs on my computer. He will walk around on the keys, and then the computer makes a beeping sound and he jumps back and looks at the computer. Then he climbs right back on and does it again. Today he just climbed on there to go to sleep. Here are some pictures from when we first got him until today.

When we first got him he wasn't even as long as my foot

He fit right in Chad's hand

His typical position on the couch, right in the middle of the seat so no one can sit down

Here he is sleeping on my computer

This is his cute face right after I woke him up from laying on my computer

Alphabet Tag

A-Attached or single: Attached, to the cutest guy ever
B-Best friends : Natalie, Marcie, my Mom, and sisters
C-Cake or pie: Both
D-Day of choice: Friday or Saturday, especially on summer nights.
E-Essential items: Chapstick, Cell phone, and water bottle
F-Favorite color(s): Blue, Orange, Black
G-Gummy bears or worms: Bears
H-Hometown: Salt Lake City
I-Indulgences: Sugar cookies, late night movies, any snack food (candy, chips, popcorn, etc.)
J-January or July: Toss up, both have beautiful elements and fun holidays
K-Kids: Love 'em? Lots?
L-Life is incomplete without: Laughter and hope
M-Marriage date: July 19th...coming up
N-Number of siblings: 3 brothers, 2 bro-in-laws, 4 sisters, 2 sister-in-laws (plus 3 more brother-in-laws and 2 more sister-in-laws coming up)
O-Oranges or apples: Both
P-Phobias or fears: Spiders, Flying insects (especially any that have stripes), speaking in public
Q-Quote: "Making a living is not always the same as making a life"
R-Ring size: 7
S-Season: Need them all
T-Tag friends: Holly, Kim, Natalie, E, Sare, Rache
U-Unknown fact about me: I have very soft cartilage, also I hate wearing socks
V-Very favorite stores: Sur la table, Park City Outlets
W-Worst Habit: Biting my nails, holding on to stuff I don't need
X-X-ray or ultrasound: lots of x-rays
Y-Your favorite foods: New American Cuisine, Steak, Ice cream, Salad
Z-Zodiac: Capricorn

Need Help-

Well- It's official... the destination for July 20th-July 27th is...(imagine drum roll here) Costa Rica. Now, I know some of you have been to this incredible place, and if you happen to be one of those people (Mrs. DeMill...this means you) then I would greatly appreciate some insight on the situation.

This place looks awesome, forest canopy ziplines, natural waterslides, deep sea fishing, hot springs, snorkeling, wildlife reserves, nesting turtles, spelunking, hot air balloon tours, canyoneering...the list really does go on.

I just am not sure really where is the best place is to stay. I have heard that traveling around is great, so we are renting a car. So we can kind of move around. We were thinking of the Guanacaste region and the Manuel Antonio/Puntaneras/Jaco Beach areas. I have heard the Caribbean side has beautiful beaches, we want more than beaches but I can't find any more information about this side of the country online...Help!!

So if you know anyone who has been, you have been yourself, or are one of those people who is awesome at doing online research or something, you should seriously give me some tips and ideas for the itinerary. 

Furniture

Here are a few things I think would be great in a home, either for functionality or good looks.

                 

With a good sanding, a new stain (or maybe even paint) 

and some new hardware, this could be a very cute storage piece.

This hutch is beautiful as-is. It could also be gorgeous with a deep stain.

This style could be adorable with a rich or bright paint

but I personally love the wood grain too much to paint over it.

This is an awesome shoe storage. I think this would be especially

handy to fit in a closet, you could use the top to store 

perfumes, and the drawers for jewelry.

For a shoe storage in the front hall for guests, or if you just like 

things out of sight. It comes with or without the door and in 3 

different stains.

There is something very lovely and quaint about this bench. 

I am thinking navy and white nautical wide stripe upholstery, 

or maybe a solid bold color to off-set the style.

Secretly Disappointed

Chad was thinking of going on a Bear... uh what's it called... pursuit. Yes. He and his brother met this guy and they were going to take the dogs and see if they could find a bear. A real live, incredibly huge, strong, ornery bear. I wasn't thrilled about THAT idea... BUT... it was in Moab. And well it's snowing here anyway, and I love Moab. The beautiful colors, the fun hikes, the big open sky and the SUN. So I was hoping we'd make a little vacation out of it, hoping Holly would come and hang out with me and maybe, just maybe, we'd convince some of the other family members to come too. I was sort of looking forward to just strolling down some easy hikes, or taking some cool pictures, or something... anything... alas they decided not to go. So sad.

Happy Birthday-

My soon-to-be nephew has a birthday!!

THIS YEAR:

He learned how to crawl- even though he already knew how to walk

He got in a fight with the cement- and won

He took his love of horses to a new level

He thought about learning to fly- but decided he'd better not

While his mom tried to pour him a drink- he said to himself- "No, I think I'll just drink it like this, thanks"

And at the end of it all he enjoyed some relaxation time- in his little brothers car seat

This little guy is a incredible bundle of fun. He has such a wonderful little personality. He is always trying out new things and exploring his options.  He is super creative, can make a game out of anything, and has the best giggle (if you can say giggle when referring to a boy). 

We love him so much!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CODY!!

Driving:

So I have been trying to be more consistant in all aspects of my life lately and today it paid off, that's right, while driving. Two times I was driving in my lane diligently, during traffic. Both times the lane next to me I saw car after car pass me, the drivers with smug smiles on their faces. But I stuck in my lane, hoping it would pay off. And it did. Both times my lane then passed by the other lane, so far that I passed all those smug people and even people who had been in front of me to begin with. I did not have a smug smile on my face, no, it was in my heart. Normally I am a fickle driver, changing lanes here and there, (this is not the same as when you are on a small highway and you switch from the slow lane to the fast lane to pass and then back to the slow lane, which Chad would attribute to my fickleness, and I would attribute to good drivers ed classes, that is what you are supposed to do after all)

But in other driving thoughts, I just want to vent about things I do not understand. More than once I have been driving in the fast lane minding my own business, no one is around... not for miles, all the sudden a car enters the freeway, there is noone in the slow lane, not behind them or in front of them, no big deal right? But for some reason, unknown to the entire world, this car decides not to stay in the slow lane, no, they decide to come into the fast lane, where I was happily driving. They come in front of me and then BAM we're going 60 mph on I-80 (It's 75 mph here). What is up with that?? I do NOT understand.

Blast from the Past

So when I was driving today I was listening to the radio and what came on- Drift Away...not the version by The Nylons, but that got me thinking you know. I miss listening to The Nylons..I mean seriously good times were had listening to that band. So as Gaston would say, the wheels in my head where turning, and I started thinking of lots of awesome bands I used to listen to all the time and now don't for some reason. To name a few: The Cranberries, Simon & Garfunkel, Yes, They Might Be Giants, Lifehouse, Enya, Boston, Van Halen, and I have missed a bunch good techno and ratpack songs here and there. 

I guess the problem is I have been relying on the radio to give me good tunes lately. And might I say that it has not been meeting standards. I don't know if you've been watching this season of American Idol, but Randy and Simon both mention (as they are doing the "theme nights" 60's-70's-80's..etc.) that they think the industry doesn't make songs/music as great as they used to. And I for one have to agree. I just feel like I have to flip my radio dial all the time, but give me a tape, CD, or ipod with the above mentioned bands and I won't be doing much song skipping. I am guessing that many of these bands songs were unappreciated at their time of creation, and so perhaps the songs I dislike on the radio now will be "classics" in 30 years...I guess we'll see. For right now though, I going to listen to my blasts from the past, and love every minute of it.

Sleeping problems...

My body has decided that it lives in Hong Kong, where it is night time when it in morning in Salt Lake. It started a week ago when I got back from California. I was completely exhausted (I am not sure why because I slept normal amounts while there) so I tried to get an hour or two of extra sleep the next couple days. Must've been a bad idea because then I started not being tired the following evenings. To the point that the last two nights I wasn't tired at all until about 7 or 8 am, I laid there in the dark bored out of my mind so I ended up spending my time checking my emails, looking at wedding stuff, or reading. This is insane!! That is the time NORMAL people wake up. So last night I didn't go to sleep and I am not going to squeeze in some zzz's between 7 and 10 like I did the past two nights. NO I say!!! I am going to tough today out, tired and all. Hopefully I will zonk out at somewhere around 10 or 11 pm like a reasonable person and get back on track. Wish me luck, seriously...I need it...I do not in fact live in Hong Kong, so these hours really just aren't working for me...

Macaron Update

Americas Test Kitchen version was total disaster!! The cookies well just looked and tasted weird. And the frosting just tasted like butter. I am sticking to the Martha version and trying to see if I can't either change a few things or follow the directions a little better this time around.

Sweet Tooth

I have what you would call an enormous sweet tooth. In recent discussion with my niece we actually decided that all my teeth are hankering for the sweets. And pretty much all the time.

So I am addicted to Parisian Macarons! It all started with a trip to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, and a little place called Miette. I instantly fell in love with the soft chewy texture and delightful flavors. So I thought I'd try to recreate it. And evidently I am not made for this. I first tried a recipe from good ol' Martha Stewart- Parisian Macaroons. I failed. The texture was too much like a meringue, stuck somewhere between when you put it on a pie and when its those crispy "cookie" things. And evidently I didn't let the eggs whip long enough in the frosting, because it ended up pretty runny and lumpy. So I tried another recipe from Americas Test Kitchen- Best of 2008. I will add the recipe later if they turn out. So far the dough is well, paste. Not at all like the easily piped dough from Martha Stewart. So I did the drop method. I heard this works so we'll see...