February!

February started off with a great trip!! Alex and I both worked incredibly hard before leaving for FL + Costa Rica but in the end it was all worth it! We flew to FL to spend time with my parents and grandparents and they got to watch Sasha for 5 days while Alex + I headed to Costa Rica on our first trip alone! While we were sad to go- once we got there we were thrilled to be able to just relax and not worry about any nap times, feeding times or needs not associated with our own.

We went to Playa Esterillos Este which is about 40 min. north of Manuel Antonio Park and it was gorgeous!! We splurged and stayed at a beautiful and peaceful resort- we hardly saw anyone else and it was incredibly relaxing laying on the beach, reading and sleeping. After 2 days of that although I think we both could have spent the entire time there....we headed inland to the La Fortuna/Arenal area. This drive was incredibly long and for someone who doesn't ever get car sick I was pretty close. The landscape is beautiful but you drive on switchbacks and the roads are curvy and bumpy, there is also a ton of elevation gain and decline. Once there we were a little more active and went on a hike, did a waterfall repelling adventure and a zipline tour. I almost backed out of the zipline tour but in the end was glad I did it!! If you are afraid of heights it will make you pass out!! It was so cool though and the longest stretch was a 1/4 mile!! We definitely recommend heading to CR- the food was decent, the people incredibly friendly, and the scenery amazing!! We hope to go back soon!

While we were away Sasha had a great time with her grandparents!! You can see in the pictures, it was like mommy daddy who? She went swimming, went to the zoo, the beach and was showered with love and attention...wait a minute nothing changed at all. Nana + Papa [as they are now known] had a great time as well- I think they would like to keep her...we figured we'd be happy to take another trip but for the long haul she's ours! Her great grandparents also enjoyed having her there and she took to them pretty well. At Oma's she curled up and I think could have slept right in her arms.

The rest of the month has been a mix of catching up from being away and doing some fun local things. Workwise, Amy has started the RE thing and has a ton of trainings she has been attending. Alex has been picking away at the kitchen and working hard at work. We also enjoyed the 3 day weekend this month and decided every weekend should be 3 days!!! Really why not? It allows us to get our projects done, while also relaxing and feeling refreshed for the next week. Does anyone not agree? We attended a fun Oscar Party and even fit in a date to a great Tapas place in the Gourmet Ghetto. On my own I even got a chance to fit in a movie at the beer theater with a friend [the Great Debaters] which was great if you haven't seen it. And Alex enjoyed his ukulele class and is learning a bunch of new songs- even some Beatles. We'll have to record him and post a video! HA! [He'd never let me do that...]

Hope all is well with you! And if you have some time check out the pictures of CR + Sasha in FL!

http://picasaweb.google.com/amyres/February?authkey=sWNp0VhtKZs