Sharing some traditions with the Brazilians

It seems that since we arrived I am constantly asking people how to get to places, where to shop, how to cook..... So, it has been nice to share a few things finally and do some things for other people. For Thanksgiving we had a family from our ward come and experience a Thanksgiving dinner. It wasn't a full on Thanksgiving meal as we didn't have some of the salads I typically like to make (for lack of ingredients here) and instead of a turkey we had chicken (because they only sell turkeys at Christmas time). However, we did have homemade stuffing, mashed potatoes, chicken, gravy, rolls, veges, and best of all homemade apple pie! It was the best meal I've had since we arrived. It was fun to share it with a Brazilian family. Our kitchen was sooooo hot and I was so sweaty by the time we sat down but it was all worth it. (notice Ethan isn't at the table. Too bad he was still taking a nap - we could actually enjoy our meal!! sorry ethan!)


We had Fernanda and Camilla over to make salt dough Christmas tree ornaments. They were pretty fascinated with the process. A week later we had them over to do almost the same type of thing - make sugar cookies and frost them. The kids LOVED it and Ethan seemed to think any cookie he frosted he had to eat before frosting the next one. When I finally told him no more cookies he seemed OK with it.I looked over at him a few minutes later only to find his hand full of sprinkles. He had dumped almost the entire jar into his hand and was happily eating away!!




Brazilians don't know what waffles or pancakes are. Fernanda use to live in the United States. One day she told me she LOVED waffles and pancakes. Come to find out she was talking about frozen waffles and pancakes. She had no idea you could make them. So, she was very happy to learn how to make them and even had her husband buy a waffle iron on a trip he took to St. Joseph not too long ago.


When we first moved here I did whatever I could to get syrup sent to us. It became a big hassle and got held up in customs. Since then we have had it delivered to us from people who come to visit from St. Joseph for work. Anyway all of Andy's co-workers somehow became very aware of his wifes desperate need for syrup. So, we had some work friends over to try waffles, pancakes and the syrup they had heard soooooo much about. We did a big breakfast dinner with pancakes, eggs, bacon, waffles, syrup, and juice. It was really fun and they all seemed to like it.

Camilla is such a sweetheart! She came to our waffle party and is expecting her first baby in April. Before leaving she really wanted a picture with the moms to be! (so for those of you who keep asking to see a picture of me pregnant...here I am at 8 months pregnant and feeling pretty huge!!)

Our Little Ballerina

This weekend Lucy had her first ballet recital. Andy and I really weren't sure if she would really get on stage and dance. She was extremely nervous and Andy left her crying with the teacher but was told a few minutes later that she had stopped crying. When he found me at our seats he told me he wasn't sure if we'd end up seeing her dance. He really didn't think she'd end up walking out on the big stage. However, Lucy amazed us! Not only did she go out on stage but she ended up leading the line of kids because the girl who usually does got scared and didn't end up dancing that night!! Anyway, she did a great job and loved it!! Lucy has come a LONG way since our arrival to Brazil. For most kids dancing in a recital or going to school without mom and dad are normal things but for Lucy, who has always been extremely shy, these are BIG steps!!
















Lucy loved her hair and wanted to make sure her grandparents got to see what it looked like!

Lucy is holding the hand of the girl in the white costume

A little potty talk

Last week was very exciting at our house! Lucy is finally - after 4 1/2 years - potty trained!! We do realize that most parents with 4 1/2 year olds were celebrating this years ago but our turn has finally come!! We've tried just about every bribe possible. We've been really patient with her but it was starting to get annoying when Lucy would wear underwear all day long but as soon as she had to poop she'd come and ask for a diaper - long enough to take care of business and leave me with another dirty diaper to change. Finally we told her NO MORE TREATS of any kind until she pooped in the toilet and that she could poop in her underwear (which Lucy would NEVER do) or the toilet but diapers were not an option anymore!! So she did it!! And just as amazing - Ethan who has showed zero interest in the toilet started wearing underwear one day later!!!! Miracles do happen!! Ethan is not in underwear all the time but he is close. Perhaps our christmas gift will be not having any kids in diapers (which will only last for a week or so but it's better than having 3 in diapers!!)

Eric Goes on a Mission

I was working on some old family videos and came across this gem. Thought you guys might enjoy it. Just click on the play button (arrow thingy) below.

One last hurrah before the baby comes!

We spent a little over a week visiting a couple of beautiful places in Brazil. Our first stop was Florinopolis which is an island off the coast of Brazil with over 100 beaches. It is beautiful. We especially loved being in Florinopolis because we got to spend our time there with Andy's sister Amy and her husband Mike. We were sad to say goodbye. The kids especially loved being with them. As we were leaving Florinopolis we asked Lucy what her favorite part of the trip was and she said it was seeing Uncle Mike and Aunt Amy!



Amy and Mike with Lucy and Ethan


While in Florinopolis we took a 4 hour boat ride which made stops at different islands. Our favorite stop was on an island where there was an old Portuguese military fortress from the 18th century. The grounds were so pretty and there was a lot to explore.
Unfortunately it rained some of the time we were in Florinopolis. However, that didn't seem to keep Andy and the kids from playing in the water. One morning we got all ready for the beach and by the time we got there it was raining. However, the kids had their hearts set on playing in the sand and swimming. There was no way they were getting back in the car before having some fun. So Andy, being the GREAT dad that he is, took the kids out to the water even though it was raining. Mike, Amy, and I stood under a covering and watched them get soaked!

After saying goodbye to Amy and Mike we flew to Iguacu Falls. It was one of the most beautiful places I have seen. The pictures don't do justice but here is a little taste of what we saw. The first day we stayed on the Brazil side of the falls. On the second day we crossed over into Argentina which was really neat and gave a different perspective to the falls. There are bridges that take you over the top of the falls. It is beautiful. We also had fun taking a boat ride down under the falls. We went out on a motor boat and passed many of the different falls and made our way to the biggest one. It was tons of fun and the driver gave us a great ride. The kids loved it too. Ethan was laughing whenever we'd do crazy turns in the water. Lucy claims she liked it even though she kept asking if we were going back yet! While in Iguacu we also came to know their public transportation. It was great because as soon as we got to the hotel they were trying to sell us on their taxis that would take us to the Brazil side one day and Argentina another day. However, the prices were crazy. Given we both served missions in South America we knew we could get there by public transportation much much cheaper. So, for example the first day they wanted to take us to the Brazil side for $R90. However, we ended up taking the city busses for a total of $R8!!! I will admit it was not quite as easy to jump on the buses with 2 kids and strollers as it was to get on as missionaries. However, we did it and saved a lot of money and had fun!!


The first day we were at the falls these strange looking animals were everywhere. They weren't afraid of us at all. We were told they'd approach us but to not feed or touch them.

Halloween in Brazil

Halloween just wasn't quite the same this year! It is not a holiday here in Brazil. However, we did have random trick-or-treaters knock on our door on the 29th, 30th, and 31st. For the most part it was always the same group of kids. A few of the kids were dressed up but I really think they only knocked on our door knowing we typically celebrate halloween and would be thrilled to give them treats. It was pretty funny. Anyway, on Halloween day, my friend called to see if I'd like to bring the kids over to have a little halloween party with her daughter. They moved back from the United States last year so they know all the American traditions. She told me to dress the kids up. So, we threw costumes together. Lucy was obviously a princess and I'm not quite sure what Ethan was but he looked dressed up and was thrilled with the hat I found which was left behind by the family who lived here before we did. The kids had a great time and didn't realize they were missing out on trick-or-treating back home. I think it was me who missed it the most this year!

Lucy starts school

Lucy has recently started going to an all Portuguese speaking school. I have been attending with her for the last 5 days. However, today I stayed just for a little while and then left her. She cried a little as I left but then managed just fine. For anyone who really knows Lucy, this is a BIG step for her - especially given she doesn't speak Portuguese. We did teach her the most important words like water, bathroom, and more (for snack time!!). She attends 5 days a week from 8:30-11:30 am. (unfortunately they don't do pre-school just 2 or 3 days a week like they do in the states) The school is perfect for her given she doesn't speak the language. It's a very hands on type of learning. They do a lot of learning through play and don't spend lots of time at a desk. Lots of kids attend the school but there are only 5 other kids in her class. So, she gets lots of time with her teacher and her classmates are so kind to her. They are always holding her hand to walk to the next thing they are doing and are always calling for her to play with them. Lucy, of course, can't speak to them. So, a few days ago as she was leaving she said "chao" to everyone. They all looked in amazement and gave a big cheer. They were so happy to hear her speak Portuguese! It was cute. Here she is sporting the uniform she has to wear everyday. She loves it.

Go Tigers!!

Rio de Janeiro

We had a great time visiting Rio de Janeiro. We love all the national holidays Brazil has which gives Andy time off of work to go see some of Brazil. We flew out on Wed. morning and returned "home" on Saturday. It was the quickest flight any of us have ever been on - only 40 min.




Our first stop was to Sugar Loaf Mountain. We took a gondola to the first mountain (which is more like a giant hill) and then took another gondola to the next mountain. It was BEAUTIFUL on top of the mountains. Our pictures don't do it justice but here is a small taste of what we saw.


Once we were on Sugar Loaf Mt. there were beautiful trails to hike on. The kids especially liked climbing up this steep hill. It was so steep they have ropes to hold onto to help you up. I told Andy if he really wants me to have the baby before the end of the year he just needs to take me back to Rio and climb that hill a few times and that will definitely get our baby here for the tax break!


We also loved visiting the Cristo statue. Once again the view was amazing and the statue was huge. As you can see we weren't the only tourists that day. As it happens they were celebrating some anniversary of the statue so had a special ceremony going on while we were up there. It was neat to be part of what was going on but it was very crowded that day!!









We took a train up the mountain to get to the Cristo. The kids loved it! For the kids the trip was all about HOW we got to a destination not what we were there to see!

We enjoyed a couple of afternoons on at the beach. Ethan fits right in with all the other Brazilians wearing his speedo!



Here are Lucy and Ethan hanging out in the hotel after taking baths. At the end of the trip we asked them what their favorite thing was that we did. Lucy told us she liked the bus ride and the soda she drank at dinner! It just goes to show you don't need to spend lots of money on trips for kids. They are perfectly happy to just have a can of soda!

We also enjoyed going out to dinner with one of Andy's mission companions and his family.

Lucy's Birthday

Lucy was very excited about turning 4 this year. We weren't planning to have a birthday party for her given we just moved here but she asked if she could have some kids over for her birthday so we ended up throwing her a party. She had a great time!
Lucy chose to have a Dora cake for her birthday. Brazilians aren't use to cakes like this. So, it was kind of fun to serve them something they weren't use to.
We sang happy birthday to Lucy in both Portuguese and English - we did everything in both Portuguese and English that day!!


This is how we decorated the inside of the house. Nothing fancy but the kids loved all the balloons.

Instead of doing pinatas here they fill a giant balloon with tons of candy and confetti. Instead of hitting it with a stick as we would with a pinata an adult just pops the balloon while all the kids stand under the balloon and try to catch the candy.


Here are all of the kids that came to Lucy's party