Monthly Archives: September 2019

Our Baby Aeden’s First Year Celebration!

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Where has the time flown!? Our baby has officially turned into a one-year-old! We decided that we had a lot to celebrate after this first year, and that we should throw a party in honor of making it through (literally since I almost died)! Our property is like a sanctuary to us and we are sort of hogareños (home-bodies) and don’t often have events or people over. But we have the space and we also very proud of all the work we put into it and wanted to showcase it.

Before the party, not only did we mow and clean both the houses, but we also removed another section of fence that we have always wanted to take out in order to open up the meadow area and connect it to the upper courtyard. This took many steps, including a tow rope and the truck, but it turned out great and will look even better when the grass grows in.

We also had fun going out and finding the craft stores and party stores around. There was one I noticed close-by in Aguada and just had to check it out. We got all sorts of fun party supplies and then stopped for ice cream. And of course we went a couple of times to the All Ways 99 stores. They have pretty much anything you could want for cheap but fun home and party fixings.

Raising a baby really helps you to see time go by much differently. And it is like a marker point for reference now (before Aeden, when I was pregnant with Aeden, when Aeden was ___ old, etc). It is not always easy and the challenges always change, but I’d say having a one year old is much better than having a newborn! Holy smokes we can sleep again! We are so grateful that I am alive to celebrate this milestone of life that the party was more than warranted.


Aeden Cakes!

For the party, we rented a big white tent and chairs since we don’t really have entertaining space and it was a good idea since it was both roasting hot in the full sun and then we had a downpour for about 20 minutes in the middle! Aeden enjoyed his little smash cake that we bought from a local small business “reposteria.”


Nice tent at the party


Fun at the party!

   
Memories in the making! Thanks to some friends for some of the photos/videos

Here’s a fun video of the party and highlights of the first year and before!

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Hacienda El Jibarito: San Sebastian, Puerto Rico

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We are always on the lookout for new cool places to see. Hacienda El Jibarito was a great new find. We also like to scout out places to eat for lunch or brunch on the weekends and this place will meet the requirements for that as well. It’s a nice boutique resort with a “Jibaro” or old style Puerto Rican countryperson vibe. I loved the outdoor pool (and it even had an interesting indoor one!), the poolside bar/restaurant and the coffee shop and restaurant. There were even some small waterfalls/creeks flowing. San Sebastian locally called “Pepino” is quickly becoming my favorite little mountain town in Puerto Rico.


Front of Hacienda El Jibarito


Cool windy staircase


Hammock on one of their country style cabanas


Large, sprawling grounds


Cute little shed! Looks like our chicken coop!

Here’s a fun video of our time there.

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Surfer’s Beach for Survival Beach

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Checking out Surfer’s Beach

I have been wanting to check out Survival Beach for some time. It is supposed to have some pretty picturesque sea rocks and caves and a really fun hike. One day we were out driving around and we thought we would run some errands in Aguadilla. I remembered that Survival Beach is accessed by foot with a 30-40 minute hike that starts at Surfer’s Beach. “Hey, let’s check it out!” I’m sure if we were surfers we would already know about it, but it was another first for us.


This sign cracked me up!

To get to Surfer’s Beach you must go through a gated area that looks to be owned by the Electric or Water Company. I assume it is always open, but it was strange that it was gated. Once in, the road is very beautiful lined with palm trees and flamboyans with a rock curb. Upon arrival there is a small skate park and a little coconut drink place that was closed when we arrived. It looked like maybe someone had parked their van to stay/live there with a grill, tarp, clothes hanging out, etc.


Little Coconut Kiosk


Pile of Coconuts (used for said kiosk I presume)


Small skate park and picnic tables


Nice (very tall) bench to watch the waves


Fun at Surfer’s Beach


De Camino a Survival Beach

We found the sign that pointed the way to the start of the hike, but weren’t prepared with the right shoes, food, water, etc. So we walked a few yards down the path that was strewn with fallen trees to one of the beach outcroppings, and said we would save that hike for another day. I am not sure what the story is about why it’s called Survival (or sometimes Survivor Beach), but it did look rough and that you would need to use your survival skills if you washed ashore out there with no road, but a hike of a trail to it.


Going under some fallen trees on the early part of Survival Beach trail

Looks like another adventure is in the queue! But until then we enjoyed our short time at Surfer’s Beach.

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