Counting Blessings

I know what you're thinking.. "What does one do to celebrate an American holiday when you are not in America??"  Why, you head to the beach of course! :)  Brandon and I took the kids and headed northeast about 3hrs to the most rustic beach house I've ever laid eyes on.. A-MAZING! :)  We shared the joint with some friends of ours and had a wonderful time!  3 days in the warm sun, and a legit Thanksgiving meal (back to back with an authentic Brazilian churrascaria - Mmmmm) made for PLENTY to be thankful for!!!

For the sake of overbearing you with photos, I have arranged them into these handy dandy collages.. does it give me away that I have just as many shots of the food as I do of the beach?? lol

And the beach house of course! :)  Couldn't leave that out of the collage brigade! :)  All in all, good weather, great food, and amazing friends made a "family" holiday without family not only bearable, but FUN!!!

Foreign Communications

Today was the primary program in our ward here in Sao Paulo.  Bailey was given a part which we practiced until she had it memorized.  ..Turns out it's quite difficult to memorize a part in a foreign language when you have no idea what you're saying!  Her part was "Posso mostrar reverencia pelas coisas e locais sagrados."  Aka "I can show reverence for sacred things and places."  I wasn't sure if she would do it under the pressure of an entire congregation of Portuguese speakers watching, but bless her cute little soul she did it!  And didn't skip a beat either! :)  I had her "replay" her moment for keepsake purposes.. I am SOOO proud!  I have yet to speak at that pulpit myself - GO BAILEY!!! :)

3rd times a Charm

Look out world, it's official!  Our little whirlwind has turned 3!!!  Landon is the rough n tough, bruiser, linebacker-in-the-making son we all adore.. maybe it's his smile, his shocking baby blues, or the fact that after he's finished destroying the house and tackling his unsuspecting siblings he snuggles better than anyone I know!  He's always good for a laugh, endless story books, or an impromptu game of "put all the food back in the pantry and fridge". ;)  Thank you Landon for keeping us laughing, and ensuring I don't have too much time to be idle!  I love you more than you love binks (aka. pacifiers.. and sorry again we had to take them away..)!  Happy Birthday buddy!!!

We had a nice intimate get together with some friends here in Sao Paulo in honor of the big day - complete with a sandwich bar, cake and ice cream, and some pool time!

Landon got sufficiently "car" spoiled and LOVED every second of it!

One of my personal favorites was an iguana from Val Hale and her sweet family to mock our (or "my" rather) naive experience with a live one: http://minutesformama.blogspot.com/2011/09/mother-of-year.html

We have been SO blessed to find such great friends out here!

After one failed cake attempt, we opted to keep this one in the pan.. topped with "match" candles, and we were ready to sing!

Hunter couldn't contain the excitement and was itching to help out his brother...

After this picture, Landon gave Hunter a piece of his mind - apparently he didn't need (or want!) the help! ;)

Down at the pool we had a perfect afternoon of sun and fun - I am LOVING springtime in Brazil!!!

McKay Thomas helped us wear out the kids.. everyone slept GREAT that night!  THANKS MCKAY!!!

Later that night we gave Landon the gifts from us which included plenty of sand toys for the beach,

The "David" books, which I never did find cute or funny until now ;)

..more DINOSAURS!

= one very HAPPY birthday boy!!!  We have been SO blessed to have this little guy in our lives!  No amount of unbroken household items could ever replace the joy I get when I see his sweet face light up!  We love you Landon!!!  HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!