3D Prints, Cosplay, Events / Parties, Projects

🏴‍☠️ Princess Bride: Dread Pirate Roberts and Buttercup Cosplay

Ahoy, nerdy nobles and masked marauders! ⚔️ We set sail for the Swashbuckler Soirée – A Legends & Lanterns® Masquerade Ball, and it was nothing short of inconceivable fun. We donned our finest fairytale pirate gear as The Dread Pirate Roberts and Princess Buttercup – though Sarah added her own twist as The Dread Pirate Buttercup 🏴‍☠️ (because why let Westley have all the swordplay?). From 3D-printed masks, weapons, and belt hardware worthy of Florin royalty, Sarah brought our costumes to life in true DIY fashion. Scott even sacrificed his beard for a full Ron Swanson-style mustache – commitment, right? We made it to the costume contest finals, mingled with another Dread Pirate, dodged a few ROUSes, and were serenaded by a live band with a custom Princess Bride song just for us.

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Hiking, Travel, Tropical

🦥 Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Sloths & Surf

Our week in Costa Rica was the perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and laid-back beach time, starting in the misty jungles of Arenal where we hiked lava trails, soaked in hot springs, and spotted sloths, toucans, and frogs. We celebrated Abby’s birthday with volcano views, waterfall swims, and a surprise engagement at sunset – one of many unforgettable moments. From there, we headed west to Potrero for snorkeling, surfing, and sunsets from our beachfront infinity pool. We wrapped it all up in Playas del Coco, kayaking to secret beaches and sipping chorreador coffee while soaking in those last golden rays. From ziplining and white water rafting to sloth-spotting and seafood feasts, this trip truly had it all – pura vida at its finest.

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Hiking, Travel, Tropical

🌋 Arenal, Costa Rica: Volcano Views, Wildlife Encounters & Epic Memories

Our Costa Rica adventure began in the lush Arenal region, where we stayed at an amazing house overlooking Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal – the kind of view you don’t mind waking up to howler monkeys. We kicked things off with the Mistico Hanging Bridges, surrounded by rainforest and framed by volcano views. We then packed in more thrills, soaking in steamy natural hot springs, soaring through the treetops on a zipline, and braving some seriously intense white water rafting. On Abby’s birthday, we hiked the rugged Arenal 1968 lava trail, swam at the base of the La Fortuna Waterfall, and explored the incredible Bogarin Trail, spotting sloths and frogs while hearing the heartwarming story of the man who built the refuge. We wrapped up with a sunset volcano-view dinner, a surprise engagement, and one very lucky cat enjoying Sarah’s leftover fish – a perfect end to our stay in Arenal.

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Travel, Tropical

🏄‍♂️ Pacific Pura Vida: Surf, Scuba & Sunsets

After a few wild and wonderful days in Arenal, we headed west to the Pacific Coast for the beach portion of our Costa Rica adventure. Our home base was the dreamy Villa Corazon del Mar, a beachfront Airbnb in Potrero complete with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean – perfect for catching sunsets. We kicked things off with a chill afternoon of beach lounging. The next day brought a bit more adrenaline with a surf lesson in Tamarindo, a beachfront lunch at Pangas, and tropical brews at Volcano Brewing Co. To top it off, we spent our final morning scuba diving, exploring the vibrant underwater world near Las Catalinas Islands. Sun, surf, and sea turtles – this stretch of the trip was pura vida at its finest.

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Travel, Tropical

🌴 Playas del Coco: Coastal Beauty & Sunset Dreams

We wrapped up our Costa Rica adventure with a relaxing stay in Playas del Coco, a laid-back beach town known for its golden shores and coastal charm. Our home base was a beach front house, a breezy Airbnb just steps from the sand – perfect for unwinding after the action-packed days in Arenal and Potrero. We kicked things off with a lazy afternoon soaking in the Pacific vibes and gorgeous sunset. The next morning we set off to explore the powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters of Calzón de Pobre. This beach was the perfect peaceful sendoff to our week in paradise.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Hawaii: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Aloha

Each Hawaiian island we visited offered its own version of paradise, creating unforgettable memories at every turn. On the Big Island, we explored the otherworldly landscapes of Kilauea, hiked the Kilauea Iki Trail, wandered through lava tubes, and toured flavorful stops like Greenwell Farms and the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory – all topped off with a swim alongside wild spinner dolphins. Maui delivered the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation – from learning to surf at Goofy Foot Surf School and winding our way through the lush landscapes of the stunning Road to Hana, to celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks on a sunset dinner cruise and enjoying a traditional luau at The Feast at Lele. We ended our journey on a high note, watching the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā and biking down the slopes of the volcano – an unforgettable finale to an incredible island experience. Oahu blended history and beauty with visits to Pearl Harbor, a UTV tour at Kualoa Ranch – the real-life Jurassic Park, and iconic sunsets on the North Shore at Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline. Kaua’i captivated us with its raw natural beauty, including a thrilling, doors-off helicopter tour over the Na Pali Coast, a bucket-list hike along the Kalalau Trail, and surfing along the golden beaches of Poipu. Every island had its own charm – and together, they left us completely enchanted by the spirit of aloha.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Big Island: Lava Flows, Chocolate Dreams & Liquid Aloha

The Big Island welcomed us with open arms – and a bright red Mustang convertible! From the moment we landed, it felt like we were in for something unforgettable. We settled in at the peaceful Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, where mornings began with plumeria blossoms and ocean views. We celebrated our anniversary with the best breakfast we’ve ever had at Island Lava Java, explored the flavors of Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms, and learned how real chocolate is made at the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. One day took us across the island to experience Kilauea, the Kilauea Iki Trail, and the surreal Thurston Lava Tube. Along the way, we swam with wild spinner dolphins, relaxed on black sand beaches, and witnessed a lively hula and fire show. The Big Island gave us a perfect balance of adventure, flavor, and Hawaiian spirit.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Maui Magic: From Haleakalā Sunrises to Hana Waterfalls

Maui was pure magic – literally and figuratively. After a short flight, we checked into the Kaanapali Beach Resort, where nightly sunsets and the sound of the waves quickly made us feel at home. Our days were filled with memorable moments, from learning to surf at Goofy Foot Surf School (we both stood up on the first try!) to snorkeling with sea turtles at Honokeana Bay. We explored the legendary Road to Hana, hiked to waterfalls, and took in dramatic views at places like Waiʻanapanapa State Park and Wailua Falls. The Fourth of July brought an unforgettable dinner cruise with fireworks over Lahaina, and we even caught a magic show (Kupanaha) at our hotel.
The Feast at Lele was an unforgettable evening of gourmet island cuisine, mesmerizing Polynesian dance, and a breathtaking sunset right on the beach – an elevated take on the traditional luau experience.We greeted the sunrise from Haleakalā, biked down the volcano, and wrapped it all up with a beachfront meal at Mama’s Fish House. Every day in Maui brought a new adventure – from epic hikes to ocean breezes – and each one ended with the most breathtaking sunsets we’ve ever witnessed.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

O’ahu: From Pearl Harbor to Jurassic Valleys

Our 2021 Hawaiian journey began on the vibrant island of O’ahu, where we split our time between cultural landmarks, scenic beaches, and thrilling outdoor experiences. The highlight was exploring the land of dinosaurs on an epic UTV Raptor Tour at Kualoa Ranch, the legendary filming location for Jurassic Park and LOST. We paid our respects at Pearl Harbor and explored sacred sites like the Byodo-In Temple. The North Shore gave us a taste of island surf culture with stops at Turtle Bay, Sunset Beach, and Banzai Pipeline, where we watched pros ride massive waves. From scenic hikes like Diamond Head Crater and Manoa Falls to a relaxing afternoon at Kailua Beach, O’ahu gave us a perfect mix of cultural landmarks, cinematic landscapes, and natural beauty that surprised and inspired us at every turn.

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Filming Location, Hiking, Travel, Tropical

Kaua’i: Helicopters, Hikes & Hanalei Bay

Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua’i captivated us with its raw beauty, emerald cliffs, and hidden waterfalls – but getting there was half the journey. Between COVID delays and rental car shortages, this was the fourth time we tried to book this trip, and we were beyond excited to finally make it happen in 2021. At the top of our list? The legendary Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast – and yes, we finally hiked it, in perfect weather no less! From a doors-off helicopter ride over the island’s dramatic cliffs to exploring Waimea Canyon, snorkeling in Poipu, and sipping coffee at local spots like Imua, Kaua’i delivered everything we hoped for and more. It was the kind of trip that made every rebooking and delay totally worth it.

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