November

The month began with a nice, all inclusive paid night at a hotel in Orosi with another couple from church, Shirley and Pepe.  We, well really Gera, won it in a facebook contest.  It was a great night of fellowship, fun, games and a time to reconnect with what brought me to Costa Rica.  Twelve years ago I fist came to Costa Rica and lived in the little town of Orosi for three months.  On our way out we went to visit the family that I had stayed with and I was able to show them so pictures of my beautiful family.  It was a very nice weekend.

Our dinner

A fresh catch

 We continue getting used to having a dog in the house.  The morning routine has been a nice change as I am getting up early to walk her every morning, forcing me to exercise.  The girls absolutely love her, sometimes too much.

November was another long month, but for a specific reason.  I (Sara) got really sick with a relapse of mono - something rarely seen here but it happens.  After a week of doctor's appointments and lots of blood tests, the final result was given and two weeks of sick leave were issued.  Needless to say, those two weeks were spent watching lots of movies, reading lots of books and sleeping.  My mother-in-law was wonderful taking on much of the house and care of the girls.  Both Gera and I learned a lot about changes that needed to be made in our lives to recover as well as maintain good health.

Despite being sick, we still managed to get off to the beach for Thanksgiving and Katy's birthday.
 

Elena loves the beach and water, she couldn't even wait for mommy and daddy to take her.  Thanks Mike!

Katy's cake - the heat made it difficult to frost, but it still tasted really yummy.

Opening gifts

back to the beach, armed and ready to go

our first vacation with Tara and it turns out she is deathly afraid of water

bring it on

watching the waves

Castro Lopez family with Calderon Dieirnger

the whole gang

It was a great time to spend together with family (first trip with my in-laws to the beach) and friends from church.  Two years in a row spending Thanksgiving with friends at the beach, hoping to make it an annual thing.