here are a few pics

my favorite part of the house was the master bathroom

hello infinity bath tub

But we had to admit the cutest part of the house … Elsie and Kai in the modern lounger!

Here is Elsie walking in the water for her first time …

She was a bit hesitant, but Niko wasn’t

Both kids were extremely impressed with the stamina of the waves … we hear over and over “WOW, here comes another one, here come another one”

Elsie got some courage up to venture into the water herself …

Eventually all of the clothes were wet and Niko did what any smart kid would do, strip down and streak the beach …

After breakfast we spent the rest of the day napping, and playing in the pool. The sound of waves, airconditioning and pool exhaustion make for some loooong naps.

We have a couple of new Costa Rican pals…

more to come …

We had a great night in San Jose and enjoyed the breakfast at the Hampton Inn before heading to the airport.

We arrived at 12:00 for a 1:30 flight – they told us we couldn’t check in until 1:00 (we were in a tiny cessna to Tambur) and there was talk of a weather delay (outside it was pouring rain). Elsie and Niko pulled out their toys and made the best of it …

First we played with Niko’s bugs …

We chatted with the desk agents …

Niko ran in circles and Elsie tried to catch him…

Niko took a cat nap…

then Scott invented the most fun game ever … try to get past the security ropes.

After much yelling and running we pulled out Finding Neee-mo. This was elsie’s first time to see it and she was in awe (Niko just wished she would be quiet)

There was finally a break in the weather and we jumped on the plane, Elsie took the window seat on dad’s lap so she could get a great view…

We arrived to the airport and were greeted by Hansel our tour guide/house manager. He loaded up the luggage and we headed to the houseo. We ut did ourselves this year … this place is amazing.

Elsie was so tired she headed right for a nap, but Mark jumped into the pool …

the house is amazing (love the bed complete with towel sculpture!)

So we made it to Casa Pacifico … now we are ready to relax.

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P.S. I am actually only on a dial-up modem, so my post schedule and photos may be a bit delayed. We also found out that our Mac Laptops don’t even have a modem, so I am stuck using the house PC which makes uploading photos extremely slow and painful …

We will be enjoying Casa Pacifico in Tango Mar for the week!

Yesterday we headed out to the airport with what we considered to be a light load (we would soon find out that scott and julie packed everything into just one suitcase making us again look like overpackers!). We flew to Houston Texas where we met with great excitement Niko (cuco), Julie (JuJu) and Scott (cott). Niko immediately gave us hugs and kisses and shared his bugs with “baby elsie”.

We all boarded the flight to San Jose (funny johnstons were able to fly from San Jose, CA to San Jose, CR!) sitting next to each other. (Good Job Mark and Julie!). The flight was great – we had a nap, some snacks, videos, dad had a margarita, mom had some wine – by the way Continental was amazing, we had snacks and dinner provided on the flights!. Just as we started our descent, we got some news that there was fog in San Jose, we would hold for a bit and if it didn’t clear we would need to divert to Nicaragua for more fuel. A few minutes later the pilot said it looked clear and we went in for a landing … just as I could see the blue lights on the run way … acceleration and we aborted the landing. Back up to the holding pattern. Twenty minutes later we tried again and as we came through the thick fog, the pilot went for it … the ground seemed to come a bit earlier than he expected and he slammed on the breaks (I squeezed Elsie, stomach in my throat and mark reached over to me and said breath!) – the plane broke into applause!! We were here!

We entered the terminal to find a maze of people standing in line for immigration – with two tired and somewhat irritable kids, the line seemed daunting. This was the disneyland line from hell … Niko kept saying “all the people, all the people”. After about 15 minutes in line a Costa Rican man came up to us and escorted us to another area. Once we gathered with a few other people, he escorted us to the front of immigration (past the loooong maze) to the special needs line – along the way he grabbed any families with small children. First Experience in Costa Rica SUCCESS! In the end it benefited all – as both kids were on the brink of meltdowns.

We had a van waiting to shuttle us to the Hampton Inn where Julie had secured us rooms with cribs. We were off to bed! This morning we take a small plane over to Tambor where we can settle in for the week (and you will be overloaded with Costa Rica photos!

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Interesting notes: We are in the Mountain Time zone and like clockwork Elsie slept until 7:00 am, we woke up turned on the TV and it has our Denver News Channel. I am writing this while elsie takes her re-rack (morning nap).

Perfect size for a little boy. After our naps we got dressed up again in some cute outfits …

and hunted for golf balls

Niko found a green sand strainer which was the perfect size for a golf ball

And Elsie practiced putting the ball in the strainer (a new form of carry the egg on a spoon and don’t drop it – much cleaner!)

Later we used the strainer as a lollypop

The next game was for Niko to run around with the lifelike stuffed rabbit and Elsie to try and catch him

Its hard to run as fast as Niko! Fortunately Sumo was there to rescue elsie if she fell…

Later in the afternoon, Saffie, Josh and Amy came over for some grass time (more cute outfits!!)

I was happy to see that Saffie also did not like Julie to hold her (I was beginning to take it personally – but now realize that Saffie is a momma’s girl)

Niko had more fun in the house

We all had a lovely dinner (cooked entirely by Me – which is  amazing because I totally suck at cooking!)

We had such a fabulous time with Niko and crew (yes, Scott, Jul and Sumo you are now just Crew and Niko is the main attraction! ) – we loved seeing the kids start to really interact with each other.

Cheers to great friends!

This is a adults only trip so we are leaving the chillin’s behind … we are flying grammie and grampa down to watch Elsie and Saffron and Pat Johnston is coming down to watch Niko. I am a nervous wreck – why? Because I am me – a nervous wreck about anything!

Even though it is clear that my parents have successfully (well at least with me) raised 2 children I still felt necessary to over arm them with information about Elsie.

I created the Elsie User Guide …

the user guide is complete with 8 pages of information including special “Mom says” notes. In the guide you will find information on

• A typical Day Guide – a schedule overview
• Going out checklist – What to pack in the diaper bag
• Food Guide – What food is in the freezer
• Troubleshooting – tips and tricks if you encounter a bump
• Extras – looking for a binky, bloanket or wipes…
• Fun things to practice Here are two sample pages.

Cheers to Grammie and Grampa who will be caring for my prized possession while we are out on our first adults only vegas extravaganza! I am sure they will do great!

and here are some photos of Elsie Lane (also wearing her new Puma’s in honor of Sarah Herman)

The best part of dresses – is pulling them up and chewing on them …

Here we are at the party with our new puj baby sling

The party was lots of fun – we are still to young to socialize, so we had fun playing with toys on our own … more things to put into our mouth

Jessica purchased a “kid friendly” Dora the Explorer  pinata – just pull the strings and out come the goodies …

Elsie picked out a disguise … I don’t even know who the little bean is?

Of course there was cake, here’s Emma getting ready …

Sophie’s first cake

It was a great birthday – Emma made a great princess.

I remember many weekends with her at her and Norman’s place on Fire Island, at retreats on Shelter Island, and lunches at the Harvard club (with bouts of Chinese checkers at all of them). Brooke loved champagne, Ouzo and ice with almost everything. Poor waiters would puzzle at her request for a glass of ice to go along with her beer – she was a woman who knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask for it. (See Norman)

Brooke, we’ll all miss you.

Here’s Brooke with Greg D in New Zealand last year during the Nelson boy’s school reunion (where Michael went to school). That night we not only had a great deal of fun but also learned about the tragic toll being taken on New Zealand’s male population – the silent epidemic of suicide. Not a funny subject, but enough to make us all wonder what sort of reunion we had walked in on.

NY Times Obituary

Here she is snuggled in her double swaddle – good work dad!

Elsie wasn’t too sure about meeting her new cousin – she definitely gave Josh the stare down wondering who this new little bundle was

Amy was in great spirits and looking fabulous after such a long labor – here is the New Richau family

Here’s the little smudgekin out of her swaddle

being cold makes her mad

a little finger from dad will help

As mark and I walked into the hospital I squealed in delight – I am a new auntie!!

She is absolutely perfect! Great Job Josh and Amy (especially Amy for doing all the hard work)!!

Here is a photo run down of the day …

First a photo shoot for Niko (Surfer) and Elsie (Flutterbug)

Then we headed to the beach, swimming for Niko, Scott, Julie, Mark and Me …

while the little bean slept in the shade

Scott killed a coconut

Niko played in his own plunge pool

Once awake we tried more beach for elsie, she’s not that in love with the water

We wanted to wash Elsie off so we headed to the outdoor shower

not a big fan of water in the face

some cuddles will do the trick

Scott attempted to surf off of our beach (it was scary) – the break was crap, and he had to swim 14 miles off shore – there are definitely sharks out there!

The boys packed it up and headed up to hanalei to surf

the girls stayed back with the miniatures for nap time (next year Jul and I will have an activity that we do while the boys stay back for nap time – spa’ing perhaps?). Elsie practiced her hula girl look with a flower behind the ear.

When the surfers returned Mark cooked up some yummy mussels

Scott cooked up the lobsta

And we had a huge feast

We headed to bed. We woke up at 4:00 to see if Josh and Amy had delivered their baby – and yes, hooray Miss Saffron Richau was born 8lbs 1oz, with a dark head of hair. We can’t wait to meet her (photos when we get them!).

We had a final breakfast and packed up – Mark and I don’t leave until a red eye tonight so we are off to do a bit of shopping. Scott, Jul and Niko are off to the mainland.

We have had an amazing time and can’t wait for next year – Greece perhaps! Here is a final shot of team vacation before we headed home.

(all kauai photos)

Mark brought Elsie down to finally get her whole body into the ocean .

here I am convincing her it will be fun

now starting the dip, not paying attention to the surf

a wave gets us both, we are not happy

now dad, tries, with us both watching the waves

hoping our laughter will make her enjoy the water … it doesn’t

she prefers the beach (dressed as the little mermaid)

chewing on dad’s hands

writing in the beach

We headed up for cocktail hour and got ready for our second night out, adults only

(note to CPS, she only had a little taste of beer)

Tonight we tried the south island (the beach house near poipu – or as scott says Poipoi). We went out near the beach for some sunset poses

and literally stuffed ourselves, but still *thought* we had room for dessert

It was a lovely night. More sun and beach tomorrow!

When we arrived they told us to buy some beverages because it was HOT at the Fern Grotto – uh oh, already Mark and Scott were skeptical and starting to sweat. We boarded the river boat and headed out …

here are the cute matching rompers

Niko relaxed with some snacks:

Elsie hung with mom and dad:

When we arrived at the Fern Grotto we had to walk about 200 yards back to a wooden platform that overlooked a large cave covered in Green ferns. It was not spectacular. It was just a fern covered cave and it was extremely hot. They asked how many had been to the grotto before, 50% of these people had been and decided to come back – why, I have no idea.

I snapped this photo, we turned around and headed back to the river boat.

I had the bean on my shoulders for the walk back, she has lots to learn from nicholas on how best to ride on shoulders (note to elsie – mom’s hair should not be used as reins or put in to your mouth!)

At 11:00 we headed to a local beach for Mark and Scott’s surf lessons. Julie, Me and the chillin’s hung on the beach …

The boys were clearly paying for confidence …

Mark’s first attempt:

Scott’s first attempt:

Niko decided he would show everyone even a baby can surf:

Elsie thought the beach looked better:

After surfing we went back to the house (stopping first for shaved ice). Jenna, our hawaiian nanny came around 5:30 to meet the kids and the parents were off for drinks with Cara and her mom Eveylyn and dinner in Hanalei at La Cascada.

We watched the Sunset from the Living room – a beautiful view:

We said goodbye to Cara and her mom and headed down to dinner. Yummy food, great conversation and a delicious bottle of wine. We made it home around 10:30 ready for bed!

turns out we have the entire beach to ourselves (another reason julie rocks!)

Thats us with the pop up shade hut …

Niko (like his dad) loves waters, waves and squealing …

Back at the shade structure

After we had enough sand we went back the the house for more drinks … Niko was sick of his suit …

Elsie slept for a total of 1 hour and 5 minutes all day – Scott clearly has some sort of anti-sleep energy that he is pushing on my daughter. Fortunately for us she spent the day awake, but very happy!

Today the dad’s are going surfin!

More photos 

Elsie had a day of firsts … first trip to hawaii, and first time in business class – mommy had to wait till she was 26 before she got to ride in business class – this munchkin is living large

We arrived to Honolulu late and missed our connection to kauai but we eventually made it and Scott was at the airport to grab us. We came back to our house and since it was dark we didn’t get to appreciate the amazing spot julie found!

Scott has already visited the store and dropped $500 on groceries – I think we will spend the whole week eating and drinking – but isn’t that what vacation is for!

We headed to bed, listening to waves and woke up to a sunrise …

Niko and Scott were already awake and had been down the the beach and decided they should show us the sites:

Now for some yummy fruit

and a nap

More photos – Its only 9 in the morning – imagine how many photos I will have at the end of the trip.

Here’s a look at our past vacations:

Last year we stayed in the states at Shadow Mountain Lake. We brought our newest arrivals Sumo and Lola:

The year before we went to Zihuatenjo (or as Mark and Scott call it the Surface of the Sun):