Boy Scout Encampment July 30-August 4

Kirt and Tanner had the chance to go to a 16 stake boy scout encampment near Camp Cowles. 

 Tanner and Nick Schwartz.  Nick used to live in our ward in Spokane when he was really young.  He lives in Moscow Idaho now.

 Scott Williams making deep fried Snickers

Garret Looses His 1st Tooth

Olympic Opening Ceremonies

My friend Nicole Gamble loves the Olympics.  She had an Olympics opening ceremonies party at her house.  There was a torch run, activities that the kids could do to win medals, a huge blow up screen to watch the opening ceremonies on, and Olympic themed food.  

 I made red, white, and blue chocolate covered strawberries and a American Flag fruit pizza.

Discovery Park

We went to Discovery Park with Michelle and the kids and Garret was so sweet with Sadie.

Garret's Dresses

Garret is such a good sport and he lets Katie dress him up in dresses and put make-up on him.  Katie always makes him pose for pictures too.  Katie has a folder on her phone entitled 'Blackmail Photos'. Most of the photos are of Garret.

Random things about Costa Rica

1. Being escorted home by Norman.  Sunday night July 1st, we had dinner on the beach.  Garret really wanted to walk home so Kirt drove home with Katie and Tanner, and Garret and I started walking.  Shortly after we left the restaurant, a security guard started yelling at us in Spanish.  I couldn't understand what he was saying, but I could tell that he was offering to walk us home.  I kept saying no, but he kept following us.  He walked us all the way home all the while trying to touch my hair and hold my hand.  I made Garret hold my hand and stand on the side in between me and Norman.  I would have been more frightened if I wasn't several inches taller than him and several pounds heaver (OK maybe more than several).  I'm pretty sure Norman also offered me some weed and some beer.  When we reached the house he leaned in to kiss me and I quickly turned my check.  Sorry Norman.
2. Living in fear of the 137 varieties of snakes that live in Costa Rica.  When I walked, I had to walk in the middle of the road because there was so much grass on either side of the road and I was afraid there were snakes hiding in the grass.  One time we walked home from the beach the short way through the field and it was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other because I was so afraid that there might be a snake in the tall grass.
3. Encountering men standing on the side of the road sharpening their machetes while I am out exercising.  Granted they were just gardeners using the machetes to cut the grass, but it was still a little unsettling.

Nicaragua and Costa Rica Trip Day 31

Heading home.  Good-bye Costa Rica.  We flew to Atlanta, then on to Salt Lake.  We stayed the night in SLC and then got up Thursday morning and flew home to Spokane.  It's good to be home. We couldn't leave Costa Rica without taking a picture of Mildred (name courtesy of Jon).

This vehicle definitely qualifies for the category of piece of crap car.

Nicaragua and Costa Rica Trip Day 30

We went to Playa Grande and rented boogie boards and a surf board.  The waves were much bigger on this beach than any we have seen on this trip.  The kids loved them.  Tanner, Kirt and Garret, surfed and all of us boogie boarded.  It was a great last day in paradise. 

Nicaragua and Costa Rica Trip Day 29

Kirt and Tanner went white water rafting on the Tenorio River today.  It had class 3-5 rapids on it as well as a 12 foot drop.  They had a blast.  Katie, Garret and I stayed home and went for a walk, went to the beach and swam in the pool.

Candid shot before the rafting begins

 They got out during the middle of the rafting and walked a short way to this beautiful waterfall.

 Tanner said that he wasn't sacred, but he looks a little frightened in this picture.

 The 12 foot drop

 Paddling 

Tanner fell out except for his foot 2 times.

Nicaragua and Costa Rica Trip Day 28

We went to church in Liberia today.  This was the most active (read irreverent) ward that I have ever been to.  Everyone got up and walked around during the meeting, the kids were running up and down the aisles playing, but it was still the same church with the same sweet spirit.  It was so neat to go to church in another country and see how the gospel is the same no matter where you go.  Today was fast and testimony meeting.  It was touching to hear people testify of the same truths that I believe-that the Savior lives, that this is His true Church, that there is a prophet on the earth today and that the Book of Mormon is true (even I could understand that much in Spanish).

We dropped Brett and Kristie off at the airport after church.  Thanks so much for coming guys!