On my last day of work before my "big" birthday, I walked in my room to find my table wrapped and 40 balloons, all with sweet birthday wishes from my co-workers.
On the 6th, Creed and I headed to our favorite place- Costa Rica! Instead of flying into San Jose and renting a car again, we flew to the much smaller, but more convenient airport, Liberia. We still had about an hour drive to our hotel, but our driver was awesome and taught us so much about Costa Rican history and culture, and gave recommendations on places to visit.
We stayed at The Coast Beachfront Hotel in Tamarindo and ended up in the same room as we did on our first trip. It felt like home. :)
The next morning we woke to our favorite view!
Playa Tamarindo
This big guy lives in the tree right outside our door and it was always fun to see him each day.
After morning surf sessions, breakfast was always waiting on our patio.
We had a few visitors one morning, very interested in our breakfast.
We moved the food inside, and thankfully, they kept moving.
Not a bad way to celebrate a birthday...
Tamrindo has the best restaurants. Each evening we would walk the beach and eat the most incredible food. No reservations or even shoes are ever needed!
While we were super sad when it was time to head back to the States, the one thing that made it easier was landing in Miami and then driving to the Keys for a long weekend. We celebrated 16 years marriage in Key West and it was the perfect ending to our vacation.
It's hard to top a Mallory Square sunset.
It was the Key West Poker Run that weekend and we saw the most incredible boats up close at the parade on Duvall Street!
While traveling to Costa Rica and then back to Key West was easy and uneventful, our luck ran out when our flight back to Louisville was cancelled. We ended up spending the night in Houston, and thanks to a very helpful United worker in Key West, we were put on another airline and made it home the following day.
While we were away, the boys and Lacey were with PeePaw and Grandma Beth in NC, living their best life...
Peepaw's friend, Ed, invited them to spend a few days at Crow Hill Hunting Lodge and the boys loved it. Crow Hill is on the coast, and the boys were able to fish both salt and fresh water. They loved driving the golf carts around the property and loved having the hunting lodge to themselves. It was a once in a lifetime trip, and the highlight of their week.
Ed was super patient and helped Luke reel in a keeper!
Caleb landed this one all by himself!
Caleb also said that Crow Hill was the most beautiful place he had ever been, and based on his sunset pictures, I see why.
On the drive back to High Point, they stopped in Raleigh and met Uncle Matt for lunch.
When Mom's away, someone always gets hurt. This time it was Lacey when she cut her leg. Grandma Beth took the best care of her, though!
The following weekend we went to the lake and Creed got in some winter fishing.
We also got our new tree up and decorated for Christmas.
Lacey's leg didn't heal as we expected, due to her licking it anytime we took her bandage off, so she left the vet with a week of antibiotics and the "cone of shame."
On Thanksgiving, we headed to Charleston,WV to have dinner with Creed's family.
Caleb & Ava have both grown so much this year!
Then we headed on to High Point, NC...
Oysters are a Thanksgiving tradition!
