Eight Years Down the Pike

As you may (or not) recall, Biggy and I got married on George's B-day, back in 1999 (Oh, and when I said Biggy painted the swingset to use as an arbor, you thought I was kidding!). And, yes, that was the same year Lola was born--8 or 9 months later. I wasn't getting any younger, after all, so after we were engaged in October, we started "trying" in March, a few weeks before the wedding. I never imagined, at 36, I'd get lucky the first time.


So, truth be told, Lo was at the wedding with the rest of 'em. And, unlike the rest of the kids (and unbeknownst to us), she was also in Costa Rica--hiking, horseback riding, drinking beer...

I wanted to post some pictures from our honeymoon. It's hard to believe the amount of time and life that have transpired since then. We've been through some really tough times, but also made a lot of wonderful memories, and learned plenty.

I believe I've made my way back to happy; however, whatever normal might be, it ain't us and never will be.

Here's a sample of the past--to compare with the pics we'll take next week:


We stayed in the honeymoon suite at the Sueno del Mar. It was like being in a beautiful treehouse.






We went on a seven-mile (3.5 each way) hike to the waterfall you see. We were the only two at the falls, so Biggy skinny-dipped. Nobody sees me naked in daylight.


Me and Lola having a cocktail in the hot springs at Arenal (the volcano). See the little tummy already at a mere 2 weeks.


I'd wanted to get married in Vegas, but Biggy's parents disapproved. I have to say this was the next best thing.


La Fortuna, the little town where Arenal bubbles.


In Costa Rica, they have these outdoor bars where the kids surf all day, taking breaks to drink the cerveza and nap on mats.



Dogs are everywhere.


And below are some of the reasons I'm so excited about taking Lola:

More monkeys than Grandpa's got war stories.


Frogs bigger than muskmelons.


Bugs that would scare Gary Busey.

Bonus: we can show the kids where McDonald's hamburgers come from. No lie.