Costa Rica Part 2

Here are the rest of the best pictures from Costa Rica.

This was one of 5 waterfalls that were on the side of the road on our way down the canyon from the Arenal Volcano.

We decided to hike up, but it got pretty full of bugs, and I am really allergic to mosquito bites, so we stopped here.

The Pier at Jaco Beach

Some awesome waves on our dolphin/sailing tour

A female green iguana

This is a male JC Lizard, they are called this because they can "walk on water" (they can move their legs so fast, they make a bubble on the surface of the water that they can then walk on)

A termite nest in the forest, gross eh?

The Mangroves. These are cool islands made completely out of trees, the root systems make the "ground"

Some kind of bird- I should have paid more attention

Take off

These white birds are actually super big, and I just love their red faces and feet.

This deer was about 3 feet from us on our walk through the National Park. His head looks really little on his body, but actually he was really little in general.

A sloth. We saw so many of these. Chad is awesome at finding them, even though the guy at the front of the park told us we wouldn't see any animals unless we paid him to be our guide. Ha little did HE know. Anyway, they are super cool animals

The white faced monkeys. We watched them for almost half an hour as they played in the trees, running back and forth. They only live in this one part of the country.

The view from our hotel in San Jose

San Jose from the air

More San Jose from the air.

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yes that's right. You did read Bacon and Chocolate. I heard about these cookies seriously a year ago. I have wanted to try them since. If you know me you know I LOVE bacon. Chocolate chip cookies? Not so much. So I thought, well maybe I will like them if they have bacon in them. And so it began. Ok, plus I love, Vosages bacon chocolate candy bar. So the recipe was tried. The outcome? Awesome!!!! My pictures were so bad and didn't do it justice so here is the link...

Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookies

Give them a try if you like bacon and chocolate...you won't be sorry.

Handbag Planet

Handbag planet is giving away free handbags, one every hour for 24 hours, in celebration of their launch this October. You can register to win a handbag on the website....

www.handbagplanet.com

The bags are gorgeous so good luck!!!

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.