Birthday Boy

After Deep Sea fishing, we came back to the villa to find the dinner table decorated for Bryan's birthday =)

 

Dinner was full of laughter and yummy food.
Francisco and Pablo sang for Bryan,
while Noel tried to teach him how to play the bass made from a bucket.



And what would a celebration of Bryan be without fireworks.
In Costa Rica, close to Christmas, you can get the real deal kind of fireworks.
Below are pictures of Bryan and I lighting off roman candles--all of those fireworks were shot from our hands. Reason #862 why The Rica is AWESOME.

Fishin' in the Deep

We caught nothing, 

but the day was still stellar seeing as it was B's birthday. 

Lots of sunshine, a bit of seasickness [on my part], 

and tons of practice fishing 

[darn fish kept getting off!] 

These are my parents. Aren't they cute? I think so.

Our Trip to Costa Rica

Bryan and I felt so fortunate to be able to get away this Thanksgiving. 

We are in a busy and stressful season in our lives and so it was perfect to take a vacation--and an incredible one at that!

This is Villa Costa Mar--an awesome vacation home. You can see all  their pictures on their Facebook page here. This place is perfect for a large family or group to take a vacation. And the house comes with breakfast, lunch, and dinner on their beautiful patio, yumm-oh drinks served all day, and your own tour guide that will take you to the best locations. Every time I go, I seriously think it's the best vacation I've ever had. 

 

They just added a bocce ball court and putting green, which overlooks the beautiful Pacific. 

And I can't even express how awesome this view is!

Happy Birthday!

To my main squeeze,

You are handsome and rugged.

You have crazy rough farmers hands, but a gentle heart.

You have a deep genuine love for everyone.

You think everyone is the most amazing person you have ever met =)

You and I dream up some crazy things. I love it. I am so excited for our future farm. 

You are my favorite to photograph. I feel lucky. [I think you could be a REI model].

You put hard work into everything you love: God, farming, family...

You make life SO fun! [You even change bocce ball rules to make it more interesting for me]

You are my favorite to banter back and forth with. We say such silly things.

You remind me to be humble with all the humbleness you are.

You pull over to help anyone with car trouble. Sometime they are just out of gas, but you also change their oil and fill up all their fluids. And leave them feeling better about humanity. Ha =)

You love to go above and beyond in giving your time, energy, and talents.
You are passionate about the things you do. 

You are my hero.

A huzzah to you, my love! Happy Birthday!

Love, 

Your Rose

In 4 Days!!!!!

We are leaving for Costa Rica to visit my family! Last spring, Bryan and I were suppose to be go, but unusual weather made it important for Bryan to stay at the farm. Me, being a lucky girl, got to still go and I brought two girlfriends along. It was probably the best vacation I've ever had.



Well, we still have Bryan's ticket that we needed to use within the year, so this Thanksgiving we are headed down there. I am so thrilled to see my family and the beautiful country again. It's suppose to be the best month to go. The rains just ended and the jungle is lush. I made a chain count down [I'm a huge fan of em] to get excited about the trip. Each ring has something that I'm excited for Bryan to see this trip--like the monkeys that hang outside your window!

If you don't see a post for awhile, know that it's because this next month is packed. I come back to two more weeks of school, finals, and then graduation!

Pura Vida!

Date Night

In the midst of a busy season, we have worked hard to keep a date night. I think it has been what has kept me sane in all this chaos. We find it so rewarding to pursue each other in fun crazy ways. Last weeks was particularly fun because we had a bake off. The rules?

1. Had to have pumpkin in it [Bryan has overloaded our porch with freshly grown edible pumpkins; anyone need some?]
2. Could be your own recipe, a spin off, or taken from someone else.
3. You could win in best time, most mess, and of course best flavor.
4. All else goes.

Bryan made Apple, Pumpkin, Persimmon Spice Muffins [his own recipe] and I made Pumpkin Spice Donuts. Both turned out delicious. I won best time, Bryan won biggest mess, and I would say it was a tie in best flavor.

Here's the recipe I used for Pumpkin Spice Donuts. The only thing I changed was using fresh pumpkin. They were super yummy! I'd give you Bryan's recipe, but I don't think he even remembers. He's a baking wizard =)

A lovely note...

to wake up to after you return back to reality.     

Nothing like a note from your love and a healthy smoothie to finish a year out strong.