Costa Rica

Where do I start? Patty and I boy recently got back from one amazing vacation-- Costa Rica! We had been planning this trip for almost a year and there was a lot of anticipation leading up to it, mainly because this was going to be much different than any trip we'd ever been on. Pat and I have traveled quite a bit since we've been married- Aruba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, St. Martin, Grand Turk, Bahamas, but these were all the types of trips to "lay on the beach and relax." This trip was going to be exploring, spontaneous, adventurous...all of the things this girl is not. But marriage is about compromise right?! Don't get me wrong, I was SO excited to have the opportunity to explore this absolutely beautiful country but I was having major anxiety about all of the exciting scary things I would be doing. BUT it was a success, we came back alive, and I overcame some major fears, and checked a few things off the bucket list. Will I ever zip line again? Heck no, but I can say I did it:)

Tamarindo - A small beach town south of Papagayo where we first stayed.
Amazing beach, amazing food, and amazing weather!

Tamarindo Beach

Dinner first night at resort- Hilton Papagayo

Food was AMAZING!

Coffee love! It is true coffee is MUCH better/fresher in Costa Rica, as to why I came home with 10 bags:)

Hilton Papagayo- beautiful!

Massage on the beach = a must for everyone. SO PEACEFUL!

Private beach at the resort we stumbled upon

The next  stop was in La Fortuna. We made the drive down from Papagayo and rented this cute little villa on a huge horse ranch. By far each of our favorites! (Our friend Henrietta:))

Amazing bedroom

Ahhhh this is the life!

Lava Lounge - our fav restaurant of the trip in La Fortuna

ATV excursion

We took the ATV's to these awesome hot springs. Walking down to the hot springs.

The hot springs were right in the middle of the jungle, so awesome!

Heading to dinner

Time for zip lining

A few of the zip lines we went across, the view of the waterfall was breathtaking!

Here I come!

Such a champ!

Almost 3 years with this guy, each year just gets better and better. Love him!

Cheers!

 

Arenal Volcano Hike

Hiking through the jungle with no guide...a little scary.

La Fortuna Waterfall, my favorite part of the entire trip.

Just gorgeous

Pool time at the villa

It rained most mornings/nights, the most peaceful rain.

View at our villa, ahhhhhh

I will forever remember this trip and the special memories Pat and I created! Despite the crazy roads, even crazier drivers, and all of the panic attacks I about had- it was the trip of a lifetime and I wouldn't have wanted to share it with anyone else!

Life Lately

Hello! Sooo...my last update was in February, and it's now June- oopsies! It is just crazy how fast the time gets away these days. This just gives me more to try and remember, which these days seems like it gets harder and harder to do.

So let's see first things first, in February Pat and I received the best news ever; we were going to be expecting our first niece or nephew in September! I was sooooo estatic when I found out, okay let's be honest, and extremely emotional, I just couldn't contain myself. My baby sister was now going to be having a baby, sheesh, so crazy! We couldn't be happier for Cort and David, we also now know that it is a BOY and we will be having a little nephew, Wyatt James, I can't wait to meet this little guy:) I don't think my Dad stopped grinning the entire night we all found out, it is going to be so weird to have a boy in our family, but also so exciting! Babyshower planning is well under way, I can't wait to help throw Cort her shower this August:)

In February, Pat and I also made it down to Oklahoma City for a Thunder game. We took a few of his clients to the game and got a night away. I then turned around and drove straight up to Kansas City for my Chi-Omega Sorority Reunion the next day. It was such a fun weekend, so good to catch up with so many that I hardly ever get to see. It is hard to believe I have been out of college for SIX years, but yet when we all get together it seems like just yesterday we were all living together!

March and April were blurs as we had several birthdays, Easter, family get togethers, etc. We also did a lot of yard work, planted flowers, and enjoyed a few free weekends.

While I was in KC, a few of us girls got this great idea to do a girls trip to Scottsdale in May, so that is what we did, the next day it was booked and the countdown was on. My friend Holli's parent's have a condo (which was amazing) and we pretty much had our own pool (no one else seemed to want to joint us- not sure if we were too loud?!). It was seriously SO much fun, sometimes you don't realize how much these types of get a ways are needed until you do it. I haven't laughed that hard and that much in a long time, gosh I want to go back already!

 

Before I had left for Scottsdale we had sold my car, so very bittersweet. But yes, it was time to start thinking about the future and how I would probably need something bigger eventually. Before I got back I was a little stressed about not having a car on Monday, etc. etc. Pat had picked me up from the airport and we turned on our street, and low and behold, my good ole' hubby had already taken care of it. New car in the driveway. He is pretty darn amazing. So now I have upgraded to a 4-door, or a Mom car as I would like to call it. First 4-door ever in my life, I officially feel old.

As the nice weather started to arrive, it was also time for me to start hitting the pavement again. I run here and there throughout the year on the treadmill, but don't do a whole lot of outside running most of the year, mainly do to the weather, and I get bored, I have to keep things mixed up. It felt great to get back outside again and enjoy the fresh air though. In May I did my first "Color Me Rad" 5K race with my friend Caitlin, I wasn't sure what to expect but it was fun (besides the darn humidity). Oh and the fact that the majority of the people walked so we had to run through the grass and mud the entire time, still worth it though:)

The following weekend was the annual River Run 10K race which we also did together. I have done this race several times, but this was the hottest I have ever remembered, mostly due to the humidity, boy it sure was a hot one, but we did it!

Now it is June and I can't believe summer will soon be over. We have lots to look forward to the remainder of the summer, and we leave for our vaca in 50 days, yes that's right, I have a countdown started, duh. Patty boy and I will soon be in Costa Rica, in this exact spot. Can. not. wait.

 

A little fitness survey...

Happy Friday Folks!

I couldn't be more excited for a weekend at home. Last weekend was almost like a blur it happened so fast, Pat and I headed to Nebraska for his cousin Mandy's wedding bright and early Saturday morning. It was a beautiful wedding and great to see a lot of his family that we don't get to see very much. We had to leave early Sunday morning since it was Father's Day, we hurried home to make lunch at my parent's house with my whole side of the family. And then it was Monday again..

 

Me and Lover Boy

Pat and his Aunt Beth

The beautiful ceremony and couple

 

So needless to say I'm looking forward to a semi-relaxing weekend, hopefully will get some stuff done around the house before we head to Beaver Lake next Thursday with some of our great friends- Nick & Ashley! Can't wait to sit on a boat and enjoy the sun for a few days!

 

As I was reading one of my favorite blogs today, Peanut Butter Fingers, I came across this POST  thought I'd repeat, 1. Because I love surveys (weird I know) and 2. Because I love fitness:)

 

 

1. What did you eat for breakfast?
A piece of toasted Ezekiel bread topped with some avocado and one fried egg with a side of fresh strawberries.

2. How much water do you drink a day?
I drink at least a gallon of water a day. People think I'm crazy... but water does a body good:)

3. What is your current favorite workout?
Currently I love Title Boxing's Power Hour Class. Pat and I became members a few months ago, and it is such an AWESOME workout, plus I get board with the same ole' cardio so it's nice to mix things up!

4. How many calories do you eat a day?
Most days I'm not sure, but when I'm counting I try to stick around 1200-1500

5. What are your favorite healthy snacks?
Oh goodness- I love my snacks! Here are my most favs: beef jerky, celery with almond butter, string cheese with some turkey breast, hummus with carrots and cucumber (I make my own sweet potato hummus and it is fabulous!), almonds (raw, cocoa, smoky flavors), protein shakes, homemade energy balls, quest protein bars

6. What do you usually eat for lunch?
I pack my lunch and snacks every day. For lunch I try to stick with a big salad with either tuna, steak, or chicken. I make my own salad dressing as well or even just use some lemon juice. I may top it with some fresh fruit and nuts or dried cranberries.

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train?
Shoulders!

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
Chest (probably because this is my weakest area)

9. What are your “bad” food cravings?
I have a major sweet tooth, so it definitely takes major discipline, but when I do "splurge" my picks would definitely be cake, especially the frosting:) or ice cream and anything with chocolate!

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
Yes! Multivitamin, Calcium, Vitamin B, Fish Oil, L-Carnatin, CLA, Probiotics

11. How often do you eat out?
Usually only on the weekends, 1 to 2 times a week

12. Do you eat fast food?
I hate fast food. But if its my only option I try to shoot for a salad if possible and nothing fried, ever.

13. Who is your biggest supporter?
Patty boy and my Mom and Dad, hands down.

14. Do you have a gym membership?
Yes- we have memberships to both the YMCA, Title Boxing Club, as well as a Yoga studio

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
8- and its so important!

16. Do you have a “cheat” day?
No I don't have cheat days, but I will "splurge" a little more on the weekends, I try to keep it really clean during the week.

17. Do you drink alcohol?
Honestly since college I really don't. These days one drink will give me a headache and alcohol just does bad, bad things to my body, so it's just not worth it to me, I feel so much better without it.

18. Do you have a workout buddy?
My Momma:) or my good friend RaeAnn, we share a lot of the same fitness passions! Most of the time I'm solo though, which is totally cool with me, its my "me" time.

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?
I've always enjoyed fitness and nutrition. But over the last few years I have grown an even stronger love for not only fitness but living a healthy lifestyle. I'm blessed with umm... probably the worst metabolism ever. I've always had to watch what I eat, but over the last few years have noticed it has gotten even harder. So you have to make a choice. And I can truly tell a difference in what "clean, whole" foods do for your body. It's definitely a lifestyle you have to choose to live, and in my mind is worth it in the long run without a doubt.

20. What was the last healthy thing you did?
Went to Title Boxing after work tonight, great way to end a long week!