Memories

Remember that show called "Kids say the darndest things?" I loved that show! Kids are so honest and usually say whatever comes to mind, which usually gives a good story to tell. I've had people tell me for years that I should write down all the funny things my girls say. The other day we were in the grocery store and Aleisha saw a cow skin on top of a barrel of hay. I had to explain what a cow skin was and she was extremely grossed out by the thought of it. When we passed back by she said, "Momma, that cow really got whacked!" I laughed so hard!

 So with that being said, I've started a book for both of my girls of funny little sayings. I wish I had done it years ago, because even now I've forgotten some of their silly little sayings or things that have happened. Just like looking back at old pictures brings back memories, I think these little books will do the same. Of course, I immediately went home and wrote down what Aleisha had said in the grocery store.. Hopefully we can look back one day and laugh at all the memories we've written down.

Summer 2010

Cecil's sister Taylor is visiting for two weeks here in Costa Rica, so last weeks we spent 3 days at Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Us girls spent all of our time in the pool at the hotel while Cecil surfed all day. In the evening we went out to eat and then shopped in all the souvenir shops in Jaco. The week before some of our friends from the states had visited and we had taken them to Jaco as well. I was really excited to go back because I had found some salad tongs that I loved but didn't buy. So, I was on a mission to find them again and actually buy them. The girls bought makeup, a purse and Taylor bought several shirts for her friends in the states. Here's some pictures of the vacation!

Aleisha was drinking her Naranja and a bee flew up her nose and stung here. Not fun for her but it was really funny for me to hear the story of what happened. 

~Funny faces~

~Beautiful Aleisha~

You see Aubreys hands clenched in a fist? That's because for the past month she has said she's a cat. She walks around like a cat. Meooooowws like a cat. It's not just every now and then, it's literally all day. As I type this, she is pouncing around on the floor and saying meeooooowww.  She's so funny!

I love this picture of Taylor. Look at all the beautiful palm trees behind her. 

In the evenings after eating and shopping we watched movies and the girls put their makeup on. So cute!

When we checked into the hotel, the guy at the front desk told us about a resort that was having live music the next night. Here we are at the resort eating dinner and listening to jazz music. 

Here we are the third day at Manuel Antonio at the beach. We were so excited to take Taylor there and let her see all the monkeys. Sadly, it was to hot and they were all hiding in the trees. I will say though, we got our chips stolen by a raccoon and our cheese dip was overtaken by little crabs. Sorry theres not many pictures of Cecil, he's not much of a picture person. :)

My baby brother is married!!!

May 29th my baby brother Jeremy finally tied the knot. I'm so blessed to have another beautiful sister-in-law now. Kelsey is definitely an answer to prayer. 

Why does Jada always refuse to smile in pictures? Look at Chloe in her beautiful flower girl dress.

My sister Mandi and I waiting for the wedding to start.

It doesn't get much more country than this people.

Neon cupcakes.

Aleisha watches youtube.com on my phone every day. She loves watching people bake and so this is where we got this idea from. Here's our finished cupcakes. Of course you can tell we're no artist but they sure were fun to make. 

You separate your cake batter into different bowls and add food coloring. We used the neon colors in ours.

Then you add a little of each color into the cupcake tins until they're full. 

Easter time!

Here in Costa Rica they don't celebrate Easter like we do in the states. Of course they celebrate the resurrection but coloring eggs, hunting for eggs or even the Easter Bunny isn't a part of their tradition. So I was worried the girls would miss out on hunting for eggs this year. Thank goodness my friend Priscila went to the states last month and brought back stuff for Easter. We all got together after church to eat cupcakes, color eggs and hunt for eggs. The girls had a great time!

On our way to church Easter morning.

Here's all the kids decorating eggs. Look at those two on the end posing for the camera. Haha!

Manuel Antonio in Quepos

We had a three day weekend this past week, so we decided to go to Quepos where the beach Manuel Antonio is located. A couple from our school Doug and Marissa went with us, along with their two little girls. On the way I was just amazed by all the beauty around us. There are trees that have yellow flowers on them, grass that is neon green and palm tree's as far as the eye can see. Paradise!

This past month I heard of a two year old little girl named LaylaGrace who has stage 4 Neuroblastoma. I've kept up with her story and have been praying for her healing. laylagrace.org  Hearing of her story and knowing all she has been through has made me more appreciative of EVERYTHING. I think many times we take for granted everything God has given us and even the things he's doing in our lives. All the way to Quepos I kept thinking how blessed I am to have my husband and two beautiful little girls. How blessed are we that God would call us to travel the world and preach for him or to live in Costa Rica for a  year just to learn spanish. I don't take any of it for granted. I'm thankful beyond words. 

So when we got to the beach Doug mentions that he heard on the news that there was a tsunami watch for Quepos at nine that morning. The waves were so strong that the girls couldn't play in the water by themselves. Cecil dropped Aubrey in the water when a huge waves knocked him over and rolled him up on the beach. The waves and the current were strong!

I'm telling you, here in Costa Rica they have the best fruit drinks! Guanabana with milk is my favorite. I think I had 5 in a three day period. Aleisha's drinking strawberry.

I told Aubrey to pull her dress up and she said, "No, this is how I wear it!"

Avalynn, Aleisha and Aubrey playing in the sand.

Aubrey got her peanut butter and jelly sandwich stolen by an iguana.  With one shake of his head he tore her sandwich in half. I told Marissa, "I don't want to even think about what that would do to your finger." We also saw monkeys but I forgot to take my camera on our walk down the beach. 

Memories for a lifetime!

Valentines Day

Hey everyone, sorry I haven't updated this blog very much lately. Life has been so busy around here with going to school and studying our brains out. Cecil was in class 101 with me but was moved up to 105 a  few weeks ago. Needless to say, when we go out I make him talk to everyone because I can't understand anything they're saying. He's heard spanish all his life being as his family is Hispanic, so he understands more than I do. 

On Valentines Day we had two of our friends from school come over and baby-sit for us. We went to the Valentines banquet at our church and enjoyed the night with friends. Someone knocked over a tiki-candle and Cecil ripped off his jacket and ran over to put the fire out. It was hilarious! For the rest of the night everyone was coughing because the smell was so strong.  Either way, it was good to get away without kids and spend some time alone. They had good food, mariachi band and a chocolate fountain!  Below is a picture of us before we left for the banquet. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the girls. 

 Aleisha can sing a song, knows a few words and can count to 10 in spanish.  Aubrey says small words here and there.  Her teacher was so proud of her today because when we left she said, "Adios, esta manana."  That means good-bye, see you tomorrow. She told me in spanish that Aubrey's spanish is getting better. Yay! The other day our neighbors mom was outside and Aubrey told her, "Look I have gum." She told Aubrey gum in spanish is called chicle. Aubrey said, "No chicle!" She proceeded to argue with the lady and tell her that it was called GUM. The lady, myself and the babysitter just laughed at her.

 I have to keep telling myself we're trying to learn a language in one year that usually takes people a lifetime to learn. I often get frustrated with the language barrier but in time it'll get easier. :)  Anyhow, keep us in your prayers! Be blessed!

Jaco beach, Costa Rica

Our friends Aden and Mary came to see us this weekend. We traveled about two and a half hours through the mountains to Jaco beach here in Costa Rica. It was a beautiful drive! Here are some pictures we took while there. I'm sad they have to leave tomorrow and fly back to the states, because it may be another six months before we see them again. We are blessed to have good friends who will fly to Costa Rica just to see us! Enjoy the pictures, the girls had a blast.

January

Aleisha was trying a coconut I got from la fedia which is a farmers market on Saturday's. They cut off the top and give you a straw to drink it while you shop.

This is how the girls watch their movies these days. We haven't gotten a t.v. yet because they are sooooo expensive here. Whatever you would pay for one in the states is doubled here. Crazy!

Costa Rica

Aleisha and Aubrey were playing outside yesterday and I got these pictures of them. There is a little boy next door who is two years old and his family shares the same compound as us. Our houses are right next to each other so they are able to play together. His uncle who is our landlord bought him a swing set for Christmas so the girls go outside often and play with Andreas on the swings. They have fun together although they can't understand anything he says in spanish.

This is a house in our neighborhood. This pictures shows just how beautiful all the plants are here!

This is our school. As you walk down the stairs you pass by all the adult classrooms and then on to the day care and childrens classrooms. The school has been there for 60 years and is still a beautiful place.

This week was orientation for the school. Next week starts our first classes. Cecil and I took our written and oral placement tests the first day and realized we know absolutely nothing. The only thing I wrote on the test was my name. I was so embarrassed. That's why we're there though, to learn spanish. I'm praying God equips us to learn fast. I'll try to keep up with this blog so check it out from time to time to see what we're up to.