TAMALES!!

These are not the normal/ordinary mexican tamales that most americans know. These are speacial Tamales!! They are supposed to be different from country to country, and the best ones are the homemade. These are a tradition in our country for the holiday season. And a very large and awesome tradition in my family. My grandfather plans for all the whole family to be there on a certain day, and we all help out with the makings of the tamales.

My Uncle and FI mixing the tamales base

Dough was to be mix by hand to get the right consistency

My cousins cleaning and cutting the plantain leaves.

And this year it was not the exception. I had a blast, and enjoyed watching FI help around and being part of this large family tradition. At the beginning he didn't understand why so many of us had to be there, and why so early in the morning. Well, he later learned and understood why, and was happy to be part of the process of making tamales. And much more, to taste the final "product".

Preparation Table for the tamales!!

Everyone helping out!

I love my grandpa!! Here he was trying the first Tamal!!

Rushing!! I don't think so...

So we've been told to do 3 things:

• Plan a Budget
• Set a Date
• And make an estimated guest list.

Well, for us to do those three things, except for the guests list, which we are calculating is going to be around 100 people, we need to find the right venue, and then we can set a budget and date for the wedding. Ohhh!! and also the time, cause we still don't know if to do it in the morning, or in late afternoon.

So I was on a mission to find the right venue for our wedding. I bought "T.H.E Wedding Magazine" for Costa Rica, which has all the info for venues, churches, decorations, flower places, photographers, etc. I called every venue and hotel; was asked a bunch of different questions, which for all I answer, "I don't know mam' depending on the price, the cheaper it is, the sooner we'll be getting married". And so, I was emailed all these info regarding menus, budget, music, food, dates, etc.

After sitting at home on tuesday with FI, and looking at numbers, and prices, and the different options we were given, we've decided that it is time to look for a plan B.

Today's my Birthday!!

For my B-day present, FI (I love calling him Fiance :D) gave me a weekend at one of the most beautiful beaches here at CR. We drove for 4 hours on friday night, and got to this beautiful place!!

Here are some gorgeous pics of our trip, and of course of my brand new engagement ring!!

The view!! Sitting under those palm trees was heaven, it was soooo hot!!

My Ring!!

Us talking a walk by the beach

I love this pic, we were having so much fun that day!!

Our first trip after our engagement!!

White sand, clear water Playa Carrillo, Guanacaste!

And of course, you can't never go to the beach and not have a snowcone!!

Delicious!!

I’m engaged!! I’m going to be getting married!!

I still remember the first date I had with Ale. It was a long time ago, the day before my b-day. He took me to this really cool restaurant, which I remember we were both sick of our stomachs so we barely ate, we just talked and talked for hours. Later we went to the movies, and I just didn’t want the night to end. A few years later and we have been through sooooo much. We’ve had such a year, that never in my mind did I think it was going to end in such an unexpected way.
I’m so excited and thrilled to say that in a year or less I’ll be marrying my best friend. This is going to be such an interesting year; I’ll get to plan the wedding of my dreams and enjoy each and every blessing that this new adventure will bring to both of us.