Visitors and Volcanoes | Making Storytellers

Sometimes it is crazy to think about the fact that we had zero visitors from July through late November because I think we have had something like EIGHT sets of visitors since then!?! Some just stay for a night before or after they start vacation elsewhere in the country. Others stay for 2-3 nights. But regardless of length of visit, it has been a lot of fun getting to share a little taste of "non-touristy" Costa Rica with friends and family. Audrey already put up a post about our visit from the Browns in late January. In February, we had a crazy-busy week of visitors around Boston's February vacation. We drove out for a brief visit with the Mandels in Guanacaste, were joined by Mary and Shawn later in the week, and then had an overlap dinner with Mary, Shawn and the Masferers before Mary and Shawn left for the airport and the Masferers took their spot in the guest house! First up was a drive out to the beach. We let the kids skip a day of school because the drive to Guanacaste is a bit too much for a one-night trip. I don't think they were all that upset to trade school in the cool air of Heredia for some 90 degree weather and pool time.

Next up was a visit from Mary and Shawn (or Aunt Mary and Uncle Shawn if you are writing or reading this from the kids' point of view!). Mary and Shawn spent a few nights in Manuel Antonio followed by a few nights in Arenal so they were all ready for a few more days of warm weather, beaches and hot springs. Instead, we were able to share with them streets filled with cows and cool mountain breezes. : ) Actually, they really liked the change of pace. We had coffee at the Mercadito in San Rafael, they got to see the kids' school, experience the wonders of Pizza La Finca, etc. And we took full advantage of Shawn's kitchen skills when he offered to prepare some amazing guacamole! Above all, it was nice just to have some TIME to hang out and talk.

Out for a walk on our street with Uncle Shawn and Aunt Mary

I'm not sure what this little happy hop was for but it kinda cracked me up so I'm including it in the post...!

Mary in the guest house, writing in the guest book (as all guests MUST do...or face the wrath of Audrey!)

In a first even for the Costa Rican branch of the Gavin family, we then transitioned from one set of guests (Mary and Shawn) to another (the Masferers) over the course of a dinner. The Masferers had spent a week out at the beach and were clearly trying to transition back to Boston by going from 90 degree beach to 65-70 degree mountains BEFORE returning to 10 degree snow. We are glad they made that decision, though, because it was a super-wicked-fun weekend. A couple of sleepovers for the kids, laser tag in the dark, trampoline time, a day trip up to La Paz, a couple of fun dinners at the house, etc. We couldn't believe it when Sunday rolled around and "the week of visitors" was over!

Masferer and Gavin kids on the trampoline

Abby and Liadan after some sort of play/show that they put on (with teddy bears and dolls dancing...that's about all I remember...)

Masferer family and toucan (not part of the Masferer family...borrowed for the photo from La Paz)

The next few weeks were busy but more 'normal busy' than 'hosting busy.' Kid activities, school, a bunch visits to/from other kids from school, and planning our 4th quarter (more on that in an entry I will probably post later this week). But we did get to have some fun with another set-of-cousins making the trek to Heredia this past Friday when Uncle Brendan and Auntie Katie came to stay with Grey, Maeve and Violet. Although they were only able to stay one night, it still felt as if we fit in a lot of fun into 24 hours. The Westwood branch of the Gavin Clan was coming from a beach-and-hot-springs week and made it to the house by early afternoon on Friday. After some lunch and settling in, we made them get BACK in the car to come with us to pick up the kids at school. BUT we made it worth the while for the kiddos with some playground time at the school and then a trip to the always-popular Pops (ice cream store) in San Rafael. It was great to watch all the kids playing here there and everywhere in and out of the house that night and the next day. And also awesome that the whole crew is old enough now to pretty much self-entertain, leaving the grown-ups to get to hang out, talk and catch up.

The Westwood Gavins and Milton/Heredia Gavins meet again!

Wow, those two are devilishly handsome, aren't they?

This guy is devilishly handsome too! (had to include it because when Audrey and Katie went for coffee, Katie got to see the elusive "Ox Cart Guy" on our street).

Maeve preparing for a recitation of her latest multi-page poem/song (which is QUITE good, btw!)

Liadan corrupting another guest (this time her cousin Violet) into joining her in her quest to destroy our landlord's table with paint

Hanging out while the kids run around outside in the dark having fun. : )

Just before the cousins depart (or I should say "before the cousins ATTEMPT to depart...")

Following up on that last caption, First Prize for "Enduring the Most Insane Travel Story" to get to/from Costa Rica goes to Katie, Brendan and family. It all started on Thursday afternoon (while they were blissfully enjoying their last day in Arenal). Unbeknownst to them, this was happening just outside the Central Valley...

Ruh-roh. Turrialba is evidently upping its game as it tries to get the attention of volcanologists...

And when it comes to ash...what goes up...

...must come down. This was my car when I left the gym late Thursday. It was literally RAINING ash (sort of a light drizzle of ash, mixed with a light drizzle). Totally weird...

These days, when ash goes up, another thing that happens is that planes DON'T go up --- which left a small airport like SJO completely overwhelmed by Saturday morning (when it was fully open). Brendan, Katie and family sat on the runway for hours only to have their flight canceled. After sitting on the runway for hours AGAIN the next day, they made it to Philly --- only to be told that all flights to Boston were booked and they would have to take a 3:00 am flight to Detroit the NEXT morning and go from THERE to Boston. Eventually, the airline relented and paid for them to rent a pimped out Cadillac for the luxurious DRIVE home from Philly to Boston. And you people think the Volcanoes are all just for show... Thanks to one and all who made the trip to Costa Rica and fit in a visit with the Heredia Gavins. We loved seeing each and every one of you and can't wait to see you again this summer!