BRAZIL

We were so excited to get to travel to Brazil with Brandon the end of April.  We FINALLY got our visas, packed our bags, and headed out early one morning.  We had plans to go to the beach and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer Statue) after Brandon finished working.  We arrived and drove 3 hours from Rio to Macae where Brandon had to go for work.  That evening we headed down to the beach, checked out the ocean and the sand, had dinner and decided we'd head down to the beach the next day. That was Wednesday. Thursday it rained all day and Friday we had just enough time to head to the beach to walk around and play in the surf a bit before heading to Buzios.  After that, it was all downhill from there.  Adalyn started running fever before we left and did not feel well at all.  We got to Buzios, had dinner with Brandon and some others in town for a golf tournament and headed back to the room.  We spent the whole weekend in the room except for venturing down to eat.  Then, when Brandon got back from the tournament on Saturday he wasn't feeling well.  He and Adalyn spent all of Sunday sleeping before we had to leave for Rio.  We got to Rio that evening, had some dinner, and spent the rest of the evening in bed. Poor Brandon still wasn't feeling well on Monday, so Adalyn and I ventured down to Ipanema Beach and played in the sand and surf.  Even though we didn't get to do everything we had planned, we still made the most of it!  We'll head back, hopefully, in the next month or so.  (we all 3 ended up at the doctor on Thursday when we got back to B.A.--it was either the flu or bad colds!)

                                           

 Ipanema Beach Bound

 Running on the Beach in Macae



Ipanema Beach

Best thing about hotels....JUMPING ON THE BED!!

EASTER

Easter was a lot of fun, again, this year!  We went to the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the community Church here.  Adalyn got to do a few crafts, read some books, and of course, hunt for eggs! Then, that evening, after choosing just the right flowers for her Easter nest, she got it ready for the Easter Bunny.  She still wasn't sure what she wanted him to bring at nest building time, but was thrilled the next morning when she found what he left for her.  After church and lunch, we came home and had our own egg hunt.  Good Times!

On Your Mark.....

 Checking to make sure I got my alloted 10

 Looks Good!

 Easter Bunny's Nest

Checking Out the Loot from the EB

I See Another One!!

Any in here?

NEW HELMET

We weren't 100% sure if the horse riding lessons would stick (who are we kidding) so we invested in a new helmet.  It may look a little big, but there is a lot of padding in there with room to grow.  She was so proud and wouldn't leave the shop to start her lesson untill she had that new helmet!

DOGS

I have been wanting to get a picture of the dog walkers in Argentina but seem to NEVER have the camera when I come across one.  Well, I had the car one day and on my way from picking A up from school, I lucked out!  Had the camera and actually had to stop in the middle of the road to let the guy cross the street with all 8 of man's best friend!  These guys are out every morning and we have counted up to 15 dogs being walked at one time.  This is an actual profession in Argentina!  AMAZING!!

SCUBA

I attended my first Vacation Bible School the last week in January and had so much fun!  The theme was SCUBA-super cool underwater bible adventure.  I learned so much and did a superb job!  One of the teachers told mom, "She knew the entire story of Jonah!  She was finishing the sentences for me."  I even volunteered to say the prayer before snack time.  Mom and Dad are so proud! (Mom has some video of me singing our songs, but it won't download for some reason...she's working on it) 

 Receiving My Certificate

Watching the Homemade Bubbles

Estancia La CinaCina

This past weekend we went to an Estancia called La CinaCina located about an hour away from Buenos Aires in San Antonio de Areco.  We had asado, played at the playground, went for a swim, watched some Argentine dancing and the Guacho exhibitions.  The video is an exhibition of how the natives view the relationship between man and the horses.  It was very spiritual and amazing!  This man performed at La Rural the biggest livestock exhibition in Argentina.  (we went last year)

 

 Brandon Showing Some of his Dance Moves

 Adalyn and One of the Gauchos

 Entry to One of the Homes in the City

 Old Corner Building in the City

Asadoro/Gaucho

More Catching Up!

 International Food/Fair Day at the International School

(one of the few family shots we seem to get these days)

 Showing off my skills!

 Mmmmmm......can you say "Cupcake?"

Yes...Santa comes to Argentina, too!  Poor guy had to be hot in that heavy red suit.