Still On Summer Break

Since the kids are still on summer break here in Costa Rica, I am trying to plan as many fun activities as I can without overloading us with a ton to do because we still want to just enjoy our time off.  Not having much to do, being home taking it slow and just going with the flow is really what summer break is all about.  I relish summer days.  It seems now that time just flies by, so soaking up all this time off is bliss.

The Perfect vacation

We've had some really awesome family vacations.  The kind that make us want to live at the beach year round and sip drinks by the pool and enjoy sunsets on the sand.  Vacations that we never want to end.  And every year we try to plan a vacation that we can enjoy to the fullest.  This year, while our vacation was not exactly perfect, it was a really nice way to spend a few days away from real life. 

The perfect way to relax by the beach is at an all inclusive resort where everything is taken care of for you.  You don't have to worry about much as entertainment, activities and of course food and drinks are all built into the price, which makes for a very worry free relaxing vacation.

Keeping With Tradition (Again)

It wouldn't be New years Eve without a trip to the amusement park.  That has been our tradition now for the past 4 to 5 years.  It always proves to be the best day to visit the park with few people and hardly any lines.  It was also the perfect sunny and breezy day with blue skies all around.  The perfect way to spend the very last day in 2018.

 And of course, what better way to ring in the new year than with fireworks.  There is nothing more traditional than that.

Vacation Plans

I cannot contain my excitement.  My entire body is vibrating with it.  My brain is on fire.  I am in full on OMG mode.  And it's all because of our upcoming vacation plans.  We always go on our annual family vacation around the holiday season because it coincides with the kid's summer break.  Usually right after Christmas and the New year, we head to the beach for a few days of rest and relaxation, for days filled with fun in the sun and surf and sand.  We look forward to our family vacation every single year.

This year, we took our time planning our vacation and as sort of a last minute decision, decided to go BIG for our beach getaway this year.  As a special treat for the entire famliy, we are headed to one of our all time favorite vacation destinations; Double-tree All Inclusive resort (now known as Fiesta Resort).  We are so over the moon about it.

All inclusive hotels and resorts are wonderful.  Everything is at your fingertips, literally.  Food, drinks, fun.  You never have to leave the resort because all you need is just a few steps away from your hotel room, all in one place.  But all inclusive resorts are also very pricey and when we started looking around, we never thought we could fit that kind of vacation in our budget for our family of 6.  Well, as luck would have it, we did and we cannot contain our excitement.  We will be living our best life for 5 days and 4 nights of just pure luxurious bliss.  I personally cannot wait. 

Our Amazing Christmas

Starting the morning off with stockings and finding lots of goodies inside

The gifts were bountiful and much appreciated.  The kids' reactions were priceless

We had quite the spread for brunch and my plate says it all; everything was delicious

Out to dinner with the family, our annual Christmas day tradition

Christmas comes but once a year, and oh what fun it is! A season filled with lots of cheer and a chance to be holly, jolly and gay.  Another year, another wonderful Christmas day spent with family.  Now onto a new year filled with adventure.

A Fun Family Christmas Eve

Another amazing Christmas Eve has come and gone and I cannot say enough good things about the day.  It was the most wonderful day, spending time together as a family, preparing our delicious holiday meal, gathering around the television for a Christmas movie and watching the kids open their Christmas Eve gifts.  It was just absolutely magical!!