Home Sweet Home

Here's a little tour of where we live. Aubree and Brinnan's room and bathroom are not included, because they look like two teenage girls live there.

"Classic"

I had to include a picture of the car Ryan found for us. Everytime I look at it, I think of Noah and Teej (Ryan's boys) and think "Classic!" Ryan nicknamed it "El Tractor" which is a perfect fit! We even had a classic Costa Rica moment with it when Ryan, Steve, and George were driving it and the bus in front of them ran over a plastic container of motor oil and it exploded all over the car. They washed it off the best they could, but I think there will be a permanent souvenir of that experience. We had a great morning going to the market (please keep in mind that we left at about 6:30 a.m. when looking at the pictures). I am starting to understand a few things, but I still get a lot of blank stares when I try to speak. :) It is fun to see Campbelle say "Hola!" and "Grass" (gracias) to Mercedes (our maid) and she is starting to count in Spanish along with the children's shows she watches--it hasn't phased her at all that they are in a different language. It has been so fun to see how well everyone is adjusting--definitely a blessing. I love my family! (If you click on the picture, there will be a few more that pop up.)

From Market Day

Livin' la Pura Vida!

Hola from Costa Rica! We are having a great time, largely because of all the help Ryan (Steve's brother) gave us in getting everything set up. Last Sunday, we went to visit Gabi, our maid when we were here two years ago. She lives in the mountains about an hours drive from here, in Puriscal. The drive was beautiful and it was fun to finally meet her children, Pablo (14), and Naomi (5). Aubree and Brinnan started school at an all-spanish speaking school about a half-hour from our apartment and are doing really well. It's been a little hard at first, but they have great attitudes and are excited to learn Spanish. They also go to early-morning seminary with our church (daily religious study for high school aged students) and are having a great time meeting the youth here. 

The days start early here--each morning around 6:30 a.m., a vendor in a car outfitted with a loud-speaker starts driving the streets announcing what he has to sell (frequently eggs, but I haven't been able to understand most of what he sells). Aubree and Brinnan leave for seminary by 5:45, then go straight to school. Our maid Mercedes comes around 9:00. I didn't think I would enjoy having a maid as much as I do--thought it would feel too invasive, but it has actually relieved a lot of the typical stresses of getting settled in. We share her with another family (our friends and Steve's partner on the project he is working on while we are here), so we have her MWF. She is a wonderful person and great for practicing Spanish (she takes credit for teaching Angela). We have spent most of the first couple of weeks just getting set up. Steve was gone to the Cayman Islands for the last week, but we are happy he is back.

On to New Adventures!

We are back in Utah--it was a long drive! Monterey gave us a going away present in the form of another 70+ degree day the day before we had to leave, so the girls and I spent one final afternoon at Carmel Beach. I can say with conviction that I am officially in love (with a beach). The sand is silky, the waves are big, and the setting is breathtaking. Watching the waves crashing almost felt like watching fireworks--ooh! Aah! Oh--that was a good one! Steve had to make a last minute trip to St. Lucia that last week and got home Thursday night. We loaded up and headed for "home" Friday. I rarely see Steve that down, but he was truly sad to leave. We will definitely be back! Now we're getting ready for new adventures--it will be fun to see what unfolds!(Oh--did I mention how much I love Carmel Beach?)