costa rica: day 6 (water and lightning)

Remember that time back in 2011 that we went to Costa Rica? And I posted about the first half of the trip, but never got around to posting about the second? Probably you don't, but I do, and until I can clear the mental clutter from leaving that unfinished, I don't think I can blog anything else. And there is a lot of "else" to blog about. So I'm gonna crank this out. Here's a refresher on the first several days, just to put it in context:

Days 1 & 2: here
Day 3: here
Days 4 & 5: here


On our 6th day, we left the rain forest with some Costa Rican Oreos and milk on hand for the bumpy ride back to our hotel in Guanacaste. It was an adventure that included a few spilled cups of milk, let's just say that. Once back, we walked out of our hotel to the beach and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening playing in the sand and water. I look at these pictures and feel like this trip was just a dream. It was so perfect in every way.

I want to bring my family on every trip I take. Mostly because I love their company, but a tiny bit because I don't have to take care of my children :).


I am in love with this picture of Madeline and (a tiny, adorable) Pearl laughing at each other.


She's like, "Hey, does this nipple have milk?"


Loving her Papa, and leading him around like she's the boss. 'Cause she is.


Occasionally my family would allow John and I some time with our kids ;). Pea and I played in that glorious, toasty water.





And John helped George try out some boogie boarding, which he LOVED.




And only wiped out a few times.


But was even thrilled about that.


Pearlie in the sand while Daddy and George play in the ocean in the background.


Twede girls (minus me).


All my brothers and sisters riding the itty bitty waves. A thunderstorm rolled in that evening, but the waves never got very big. I was cool with that-- small waves make me happy.



My baby-est sister playing in the sand. She has a fierce combination of bright eyes and dark skin.



Of all my sisters, Rachel and I get told that we look alike most. Our baby pictures definitely show a pretty strong resemblance. And now people who know both Rachel and Pearl tell us that they think Pearl looks like Rach.


The empty beaches were one of the best parts of the whole trip.



And now, a billion pictures of a baby with a boogie board.




This might be the cutest ever. I love her tininess next to his tallness.



Girl knows where she wants to go.




As I mentioned earlier, a giant rain/thunderstorm rolled through that evening. It started pouring while we were playing in the ocean, and once we saw lightning we figured we should probably get out of the water. But it was so much fun to play in. Warm rain might be the most blissful thing on earth. This picture is blurry but I totally love it because you can get a feel for how awesome the storm was. My mom snapped this of John, Rachel, and me from the porch area of their hotel room.


George and Pearl eating Starbursts and watching the rain from the cover of the porch with Nenski while their parents were out running around in it.


As the sun started to set that night we realized that it was going to be a pretty show. John and I grabbed Pearl and the camera (George didn't want to come) and ran down to the beach.


This was the night that John just happened to snap this crazy cool picture of Pearl and I and lightning.


Yay, another day down! I'll be back.