Mom and Dad Visit! Part 3: Por Fin, the National Park

Por Fin! I finally did it, and can cross it off of my goal sheet for the year. It only took me a year. But I made it to the Manuel Antonio National Park. This is the second smallest national park in Costa Rica, but second only to Monteverde in visitors. It even made the list of 2000 Places to visit before you die. Check out the book if you don't believe me.

Johan, a friend and guide, took us through the park. As we were walking, he would stop, look up in a tree, and pick out a line of small bats pretending shaking in a line, attempting to look like a snake.

The Park has beautiful beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. We saw three classes of monkeys, exotic birds, sloths, large rat-like animals, lizards, bats, and bugs.

We were able to put our camera in the microscope to get close up pictures of the animals.

Mom and Dad Visit! Part 2: Line Fishing!

While my parents were here, I even had the chance to try something new. Fishing. Now, no Holland girl can say without losing all her pride that she hasn't gone fishing... I have just never been fishing like this. On the ocean. In a small lancha (fishing boat). Without poles. That's right. We had lines with hooks tied on them. Below, I show off my "pole", the most advanced of the collection. and Jorge's brother dices up the bait, fresh sardines.

Below, the small harbor in Quepos, with the local fishing boats.

Below, Dad with his high-tech fishing equipment. And Jorge with the catch of the day.

Above... Mom still figuring it out. Dad showing of my catch (two at once!).

Below, Lydia's big catch. And Jorge's brother's. The ugliest of the day.

Above: my two-for-one catch, and the pelican that wanted to steal our catch.

Below: the amazing sunset. And then us getting out of the boat and Jorge pulling it.... becuase it was too shallow. He had to wait two hours for the tide to come in, and we had to wade ashore.

Mom and Dad Visit! Part 1: Welcome Back!

I drove into San Jose late Thursday night to pick up my parents, Lydia, and Keith at a local "tico" hotel. We had to take a double take at the stained glass mural behind the desk. Yup. That's a windmill, with a few tulips at its base. We had a good laugh. it is a small world after all.

Although it was a last minute trip, they pulled it off. It was great to have my parents back to visit. And this time they took friends! The Frens joined us this time, and we tried some new things this time... we made it to the feria (famer's market) to pick out veggies for the week. We hit up the National Park with Johan, a friend a park guide. And we even tried fishing... without poles. Tico style! Check out the next few posts for pictures and details. It was a great week, and I was blessed to have them back!







Above, the feria. Mom, Lydia, and Keith picking up some verduras for the 6-avocado guac we destroyed later that night. Nothing like fresh guacamole at sunset.




Above, Mom, Dad and I at sunset. And the picture I told my mom she would never actually use...

Pastors' Daughters "Pijamada"

Debbie and Bill are missionaries and supporting pastors at our local English Church. The work to help equip local tico pastors. Bill mentors pastors, leads studies, and supports churches throughout the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica. Debbie leads english classes and offers support to pastors' wives.

This week, she decided to do something for the pastor's daughters... a pijamada! A Slumber party! Debbie did an amazing job planning crafts, games, and devotional times. And, besides a 2 1/2 hour power outage, everything went great!

Saturday morning, we stopped out at Barb and Jim's to see some exotic monkeys and enjoy their new place! I had the privilege to go along, meet the girls, and lead a devotional in the morning. It was an awesome opportunity to share and participate in Debbie's ministry! (and the girls had a blast!)





Above:
Debbie demonstrates how to make cream cheese "swirl" brownies (not a common baked good here)
Amy stares at the pile of flour ahead of her. She lost the mixer and has to "dig" the ring out without using her hands

Below:
I also lost. You can see the ring in my mouth. This is why I hate mixers :)
Me with Angie, a new friend!





We were BLESSED to use a friend of a friend's house for the sleepover. It was beautiful! Check out this hand crafted staircase. Click on the picture to blow it up and see the details... it is a work of art! The infinity pool overlooked the construction on the new marina, what a view!

Send off

Remember, last spring, when I met Manfred and Silvia? When I went to their baby shower? When I met Abigial right after she was born? Well, now, Abigial is over nine months old! They had their send off a few weekends ago and invited family and friends to say goodbye. They are moving to Central Asia to study, which is a scary move with a small child! But they are excited about the opportunity!

I also had the chance to hang out with some amazing tica women who loved on me all weekend! Thanks Elena, Nati, and Maribell!

Christmas in Michigan

Home for the Holidays.

After spending the fist few weeks of December in a small town of Costa Rica, I found myself seriously homesick for family and a "real" Christmas. There is something about plastic santas and 90 degree weather that negates any familiar feelings of holiday spirit.

And that is why I set up my automatic timer and took a picture in front of our tree. Because it finally started to feel like Christmas, sleeping in, drinking coffee, avoiding the snow, and wrapping presents.

On Christmas morning, we opened presents as a family. The boys got kayaks, the present of the year. Below, my dad opening his wireless radio noise-blocking headphones. (or something like that...) And my mom holds up some necklaces I bought for her on the beach.

Below, Slenk Family Christmas. Because of Joe and Lisa's wedding, everyone was in town! We had the whole family together to celebrate.

First great-grandchild! Cousins... and the annual Christmas-day-cousins-basketball-game.

Surprise shower for Linds! Congrats!

Me, Pissed. Because it is cold.

The dog we almost bought our parents for Christmas. They didn't ask for one. or want one. We were filling out the paperwork when we were informed that she was already adopted.

The boys take mini-ball this seriously.