Oreo Loves the Beach

I don't normally take Oreo with me to the beach, it's just too much to handle with the kids, the stray dog gangs, and the occasional wedding. This week, since Owen is in town and I had the extra hands, we took him along. It was tons of fund to ride our bikes up and down the hard packed wet sand and have Oreo chase us. At one point he just stared very royally out to the sea, with his tongue hanging into the breeze like a dog with it's head out the car window. Reflecting on the times when the beach was an expensive adventure and not just jaunt down the street . So grateful !

Rainy Days of Summer

Our summer vacation feels a little backward here.  When the traveling is over, we flee indoors to rest and listen to the rain.  It's dark by 6pm (as usual) but it feels even darker when we skype our family back in Utah at 9pm and they are all still out on the trampoline!  Of course, we get to do the "nanny nanny boo boo" in December when we spend our Christmas vacation sailing and picnicking sea side.

One plus side to the rainy season is our rainy day walks.  We need something to break up the long days when we our out of school and most of our friends are out of town.  Nothing like puddles and a red umbrella to brighten the mood!

Random but Good

Elliot has paid enough attention when others write her name that she knew there was an e and an o in it. She also got pretty good at drawing . Besides our attempt at a Waldorf preschool that went awry, she has had no preschool. She is such a clever funny girl!!!






Our favorite place to go when we're bored is Bahia del Sol. We always get a smoothie and swim. Even if it's just for an hour or two, it's a nice quick walk over and a way to break up these long summer days.







Elliot and Brooklyn climbed into bed with me and fell back asleep this morning. They are very, very close sleepers! As far as sleeping with them goes, it nears torture, but when you put the two of them together thy are cozy and cute!

Shoes on the Go

If you need a pair of shoes, just honk . Faster than Zappos! Always something fun to see around here...

A Different Kind of Panache

Our friend James A. Berry wrote this hilarious e-mail to us last night after we enjoyed and evening with them:

So...Brooklyn and I went through Reid's entire wardrobe looking for an acceptable pj ensemble for Ellie. Most were received with a 'talk to the hand' wave off. (insane amount of panache BTW) Others with a 'are you kidding?' look. Finally Brooklyn was able to convince her sister that THIS wonderful combo was where it is at! And why you must wonder? Because it matched...

Matching outfit...Pretty much the last thing I was thinking would be the tipping point.

Good times tonight Burtons...we must roast wieners again together sometime.

The Panache

This Wednesday we had some random holiday that proceeds Easter in such an awkward spot. What can you do with a free day in the middle of the week? Can't go on a weekend trip, can't even go on a long day trip, because there is still school on Thursday and who wants kids completely wiped out? No where to shop, no movies to go to. Of course there is ALWAYS the beach, or a local beach club, but the kids weren't feeling it. We did the beach every day for the entire previous week. We could clean? No, we did enough of that yucky stuff the week of Easter when Reyna was off. "Well", I sat around thinking, "what to do, what to do?" I called my good friend Alex to see what she was up to. She announced they were going out on The Panache, a great catamaran that leaves out of the harbor 3 minutes from my house. I called and they had the extra space. Wahooooo! I can't think of a better way to spend a Wednesday, plus kids sail free!

Just Relaxing as we set off out of the harbor.

Our good friends Jon and Alex who had the great idea!

They have 3 girls all of whom are adored by my children. We have known these guys for less than a year, but it feels like we've known them for ages. Lovin' us some Zepedas!

Then we found the perfect spot for a little dip. Alex loves the water as much as I love the sun. If there is water around, she'll be in it!

We all did a little snorkeling and swam.

Arms up!

Then we dried off and ate some yummy fajitas and bottomless glasses of Fresca!

Sun starts to set as we sail towards home.

The trampoline up front doubles as a great spot for the kids to rough house. Tom came up with some pretty 'safe' games. (In my opinion tripping and boats don't really go together...)

The sun had set but the cloud was reflecting the colors and the light from the sun. I wish I had something better than the Olympus Stylus to capture the moment. It'll have to go on my Christmas wish list. (hint, hint Tom)

The Zepedas all call Elliot a blueberry, because she loves wearing blue and purple and she's just so round and delicious!

Heading in for shore. What a wonderful Wednesday!

La Carolina Lodge

La Carolina Lodge is a little slice of heaven just two hours away from the daily paradise we have to endure!  The change from the blazing hot sun, to the cool and cloudy temperate weather, with a drizzle here and there, made for a much needed getaway.  The drive there transitions from arid to jungle, the road seemingly leading us into a scene from Jurassic park.  The landscape is so different, more hill-ish (it would go to far to say mountainous,) and definitely more lush.  The property of La Carolina has a river running right through it, where they have simply detoured small sections to make fire heated hot tubs both shared and private.  It's self sustainable, with all the food that is served having been bread or grown on the property.  The cabins are quaint, a slight upgrade to camping, but after a day of hiking, swimming, and hoarse back riding, the extra amenities such as linens and a hot shower are a welcomed indulgence.  This is a place I will return to time and time again to truly unplug and reconnect, whether with my husband, family, or just to enjoy some time alone.

Enjoying a large hot tub with fresh water straight from the river.  We could hang our hand off the edge and into the rushing water.

Brody went on an adventure with the camera and came back with this pretty little number.

We got to milk the cows bright and early.  The same milk we enjoyed with our dessert later that night.  That's fresh.

'Canned' creatures that had been previously found on the blue river hike.  Welcome visitors!

The Blue River and Water Falls

Elliot hiked the whole way in except the last few steps down the steep, steep hill.  That's one tough 3 year old!!!

Brooklyn and Devin after enjoying the hike to the falls.  It was long and intense at times, but well worth it.

Brody was the only boy of 17 girls that were on the trip with us over the weekend.  Sometimes being the only boy pays off ;)

You can see Brody swimming to the side of the rock after his plunge.  The water was ccccccold.

Horseback riding included in the adventure.

Brooklyn and Sibley on their ride.

We went fishing and rowing on the boat the ranch owners built in their little private lake.

On the ride home the kids are enjoying an ice pop as we try to keep them from falling to pieces after our car had broken down.  Good thing we were so zenned out from our weekend at La Carolina Lodge!