2020 Costa Rica

Happy New Year and New Decade!  My kids were super excited about the latter.

I'd like to the think we rang it in just right.  We said hello to 2020 in Costa Rica.  Which was absolutely amazing if you are in to rainforests, sloths, and natural hot springs {which apparently we are}.  The vaca was one adventure after another and I can't really imagine a better way to unwind after the bussyiness of the holidays.

This definitely goes down as one of my faves.  So here we go....

We flew in to San Jose which was a 3 hour drive from our resort.  Not fun but so worth it.  We arrived at the The Springs Resort in the Arenal region just in time for dinner and bed which turned out quite perfect.

We woke up our first full day to sunlight. The difference in scenery was unbelievable.  Hey, there's a volcano right next to us!

Our first stop after breakfast was the animal sanctuary at the resort.  We could have left right after this experience and called it a vacation.  This was incredible!  After a short bus ride down to "Club Rio" we were immersed in animals and given a guided tour through their homes.

Can you say adorable?  We immediately fell in love with these creatures.  Our new family slogan is #slothlove.  I'm telling you we are obsessed!

Next up  at Club Rio was horse back riding.  I hurt my back right before we left {apparently that comes with broken toes and boots}, so I opted out.  Trust me, it killed me, but I yoga'ed my tail off the rest of trip trying to become mobile again to make sure I didn't miss a thing.

And Jack isn't a huge horse fan, so it all worked out.  But look at these fun pictures Clay got of him and the girls!

Before long, we all met back up and were amped up for our next adventure.  Which was none other than the Arenal Hanging Bridges...

We were in the canopy of the Rainforest.  I was seriously amazed. Up until this point in my life I had only read Dr Seuss's Rainforest book to my kids 100 umpteen times.  This was for real.  We were in it!

 And look at that volcano...stunning!

So, I know we have devoted all of our family love to sloths, but this Howler Monkey who joined us on one of the bridges was pretty cool.

Our evenings were spent back at the resort, eating dinner and enjoying the many natural hot springs.  Medicine for the back {and mind}.

Okay, I think I'm about to overload blogger with pictures.  So the rest of the vaca is coming in a second post.

Until then...#slothlove

Christmas Merriment

Merry Christmas!  We were greeted by very happy pattering feet at 7:30am this morning.  Not too bad, although I wonder if that is actually when they woke up or just decided to come downstairs.  Even Lucy was in the mix, doing her best to be filled with the spirit.

Per usual Santa left the kiddo's Santa Sacks under the kid's tree in the playroom.  I just love how he does that.  Brilliant.

There were smiles all around.  Lucy was gifted with American Girl doll items and even a tent to play with them in {or if I have it may way a place to hide all the doll loot from off of her floor}.

Maggie got a keyboard.  She has recently begun piano lessons and is loving it!  I foresee lots of practice on this thing.

And as always, the way to this boy's heart is through Legos.

They opened lots of other goodies from Santa, Grammy and Aunts and Uncles too.  It sure is fun to be so loved!

Lucy squeezed in a good 4 hour nap before Grandma arrived and we exchanged grown up gifts.

My favorite part of Christmas is giving gifts.  How amazing does my Grandma look in her new sweater and scarf?  Everyone needs a little leopard in their life even if they are 83 years old.

Aunt Scrub even took a break from the kitchen to join in on the gift exchange.

It wasn't long before she was back to her talented kitchen ways.  We were ready to host the Dumbacher side of the family with our annual Christmas dinner.

I just love having this crew over to celebrate the Merriest time of the year!

We take up three dining tables now!

And just like Christmas Eve, Lucy trooped it out as long as she could.  This is the last we would see of her for 20 hours.  Yes!  She slept for a full 20 hours straight.  I'm actually kind of jealous.  But it did her wonders!

Merry Christmas to all!  I hope yours was filled with love and merriment {and no Flu germs}.

Christmas Eve Until 3:05

Merry Christmas Eve!  

We welcomed family in town yesterday and it couldn't feel more festive around here.  Christmas Eve  traditions went off without a hitch until about 3:05 pm.  But let's not spoil the morning, I'll wait until later in the post.

So Christmas Eve at the Cibula house goes a little like this...the kids wake up {almost as early as Christmas morning} and are ready to exchange sibling gifts and get their gift from Mommy and Daddy.

This year we gave all three kids new sets of luggage.  And although that may not sound too exciting, they were thrilled!  With luggage comes vacations and we love a good vaca.  Not to mention they had a ball rolling around the playroom on the ergonomically designed 4 wheel upgrade.

From there, we are up stairs for breakfast and Gingerbread Houses.  Would you believe all three are still up for this?  I for sure thought my tween would scoff at the idea, but he was raring to go.

Our little GG Elf was in attendance to help with the masterpieces.  There is nothing better than GG in the kitchen. 💗. Oh, what am I talking about, there is nothing better than GG anywhere!

Does anyone notice this girls starting to look a little droopy?

Next up on the Christmas Eve agenda is getting all dressed up and attending 4:30 Mass.  It's time to celebrate baby Jesus' birth.  But wait, this Christmas Eve is different.  Around 3:05, in the midst of getting all dolled up, Lucy comes down with a blazing fever.  Poor little one.

So this is where things get all turned around and upside down.  Clay and I decide to divide and conquer.  I take the well children to church and snap their Christmas Eve pictures.  And he takes the sickly child to urgent care.  Boo!

And so this is what Christmas Eve 2019 looks like....

It's not the same without Lulu and Daddy.

Sadly, Lu's diagnosis was the Flu!  My poor baby girl.  And yes, we did get the Flu shot.  With lots of Motrin and Tylenol, she was able to keep her fever down and make it to Grandma's house for dinner and gifts.  But little one was right back in bed after an abbreviated visit.

So now all that's left to do is wait for Santa.  Surely a little Christmas magic can heal my baby.