Happy AnniversaRica!

Allen​ and I have been planning an anniversary trip to Costa Rica for the past three years.  I don't know what is more surreal: that our trip is now behind us, or that we have been married for TWENTY years (on President's Day).  Even though we did so many fun, adventurous things (surfing lessons, snorkeling, jungle-hiking, zip-lining, crocodile spotting, whitewater rafting, dusting off all four semesters of my rusty, college Spanish), we also just got to relax on the beach every day, eat yummy food, and hang out with our fun and fabulous friends, Troy​ and Brenda​, who were celebrating their THIRTIETH anniversary.  It was an unforgettable vacation, and I just keep telling myself that all the snow I'm currently shoveling is strengthening my surfing muscles for the next trip . . . 

AnniversaRica!

Both of us surfed for the first time, but
Allen KILLED it. It was indescribably fun

Even when our strength was flagging after
15-20 runs, it was so addicting to go out
just. one. more. time.

Off to Tortuga Island!

Oh yes we did.

Snorkeling in clear, warm , beautiful water?
Yes, please.

I spent all of my snorkeling time watching Allen, who is incredible at all things water-related (ways water are, Brenda). The guides, who seemed to assume that we were all first-time snorkelers, advised people against diving, but Allen was cruising along the ocean floor around a small coral reef the whole time. He can go straight down, 20 feet, like a fish, and hold his breath for minutes before coming up. The fish and coral were so cool, but my boyfriend was the most awesome thing in the water.

One of the snorkeling guides brought this starfish
around to show everyone--it was even more vivid in person!

Meet Diego. Resident porker of Tortuga Island.

We did a 2-3 mile hike around the island--it was
so beautiful and the perfect way to work up an appetite.

Our kids were all excited and happy for us until they saw this picture. "No fair! You got to swim in a pool?!"

Our condo was the one very closest to the beach,  and it was
heaven on earth: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen,
a washer and dryer, three balconies...

Zip-lining through the Costa Rican canopy
was a blast--it was so lush and green and beautiful.

Crocodile tour--whaaatttttttttt???

You could tell they were crocodiles and not alligators
because this one was saying "After while."

The tour guide was hilarious. "If one person fall in, then we
gonna push you all in because we don't wanna bad review on
TripAdvisor."  Troy and Brenda were so fun--
the perfect friends to adventure with!

I did not "probabla" Coke with coffee, but
I did have a "Coke Light" in a glass bottle with
every lunch and dinner.  Mmmmm.

We were laughing pretty much the entire time!

Whitewater rafting on the Rio Savigre (Savage)
was awesome because THE WATER DIDN'T
JUST MELT FROM A GLACIER

There were iguanas everywhere! One of the guides caught this one and let us hold it--it dove in the water and swam along the bottom before he expertly scooped it up. It was so rad!

My friend Cori made me shoot milk out of my nose
when she said "Iguana frame this picture."

This bridge was even more rusty (mas oxidada)
than my Spanish.

Allen spotted this CRAZY spider, which was
bright red on its underside. It is missing a hind leg,
but it looks like it can handle it...

Every. single. night.

Welcome home!  Extra snow on the menu!