Glen Beck's Tribute to the Prophet

I don't know how many of you listen to Glen Beck, but Jordan adores him and I try to listen sometimes (usually in between Sesame Street and Elmo). Glen Beck joined the church a few years back and gave this tribute on national television. Watching this was the first time I cried (bawled actually) over the Prophet's death. It's amazing the profound and life changing effect the prophet had on everyone who cared to get to know him.

Brazil

I have to say one of the great highlights of going to Brazil was meeting the famous brazilian Thais. Isn't she beautiful? I absolutely adored her which only made our decision to name our daughter after her all the more sweet.

Churrasco Anyone?



These pictures are of us at a Churrasco that some members put on for us. For anyone who doesn't know what a Churrasco is, let me enlighten you: It's basically a meat lovers feast where various types of meat are cooked on a sword, rotisserie style, and then brought to the table where you eat to your heart's content. We went to a ton of these while in Brazil but this one was by far my favorite because it was made by friends we loved (not to mention the meat was amazing :O)


Falls Do Iguacu

This was the one tourist stop that we made on our trip and as you can see, the falls are absolutely breath taking. At one point Jordan and I stood underneath one of the falls and softly sang, "How Great Thou Art." I felt like I was walking through the most miraculous painting I have ever seen.

The Devil's Throat

These are the falls on the Argentinian side. They call this the Devil's Throat because...well take a look for yourself!

The MTC

Here we are in front of the Sao Paulo MTC where my boy learned to be a good missionary :O)

This is one of Jordan's Companions.

Jordan spent many hours in this room (or one like it) learning Portuguese.

So this taste's about as good as it looks. This is a little concoction that Southern Brazilians adore and I pretty much think it tastes like poo
(no offense).

This little angel is quite possibly the cutest little baby in Brazil. Her name is Moani and we instantly became best friends as she took a liking to my singing her The Eensy Weensy Spider.

Nana and Papa: The one's who made this trip possible

This picture was taken the day we got back from Brazil. As you can see, Thais was happy and well taken care of while we were gone and I have to just say another quick thank you to Nana and Papa for watching her for a week. Thais really fell in love with them during that time and still asks about them. Even today the doorbell rang and Thais' eyes got huge and she excitedly said, "Is Nana..Papa?" She also expresses a particular interest for them every time I am giving her a time-out. Smart girl! She already knows how to work it...When Mama is being mean just ask for Nana :O)

Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween

I haven't put up a single picture since before Halloween, so this post will be a bit of a review of the holidays! (Note my new year resolution at the bottom of my blog..I am vowing to become a better blogger)

Christmas



Does Santa give out Weapons? :


My parents have a guy in their ward who looks just like Santa and of course the kids were thrilled to talk to him and get candy canes. Peni was hilarious because when it was his turn to sit on Santa's lap he said, "Santa do you give out weapons? Because if you do I want a gun!" Santa looked quizzically in Jenna and Vita's direction as if to say "I don't know..Do I give out weapons?" It was pretty funny and to make for a happy ending good ole' Santa must believe in The Right to Bear Arms because he did give Peni a weapon (or at least a laser gun that shoots toy cans down)




We each received our favorite college sweatshirt for Christmas. Of course UofA is the best lookin' one :o)




Sorry to do this to you mom ( I know you won't love this picture) but I have to show off the new gal of the family (or soon to be new gal of the family). Kim and David got engaged over the holiday's. David proposed while they were in Salt Lake the week before Christmas and he asked her by taking her on a horse and carriage ride around the lights of Temple Square. Kim pretty much froze her butt off (it was snowing the whole time) but the ride was worth it because she got off with one heck of a rock and one heck of a guy I might add :O)



I just stinking love my sissy's! This picture was taken right before we left to watch The River Dance in Sacramento.


David, Kim, Thais, Peni and Mele all singing Jingle Bells. Note how Thais has the word jingle all the WAY down pat as she sings. This was by far her favorite Christmas song!



Thanksgiving ...Brazilian Style




I'll put up more picture's of Brazil later but in the mean time here is a picture of our Thanksgiving dinner while in Brazil. We spent a good portion of Thanksgiving day in an airport so we paid tribute to America by dining on burgers, french fries and milk shakes. I loved a lot of the Brazilian food but let me tell you it was so good to eat something familiar...that burger was dang good! Not quite the traditional Turkey and stuffing but I'm convinced even the Pilgrims and Indians wouldn't have passed up a meal such as this.


Halloween


Here's a picture of my tired Lady Bug. Thais LOVED Halloween and she has developed a great love affair for candy. Much to my displeasure, she now wakes each morning and says, " I want candy, please." It's very polite and all but I would like to hear, " I want broccoli, please. " Yeah, I'll have to work on that one!

Cute and Not So Cute..

Cute: Thais said I love You for the first time the other day. We were walking down the aisles in good ole' Wally World and I said I just love you Thais and as clear as could be she said I...love ...you. We then spent our shopping trip repeating I love You back and forth to each other. Ahhhh the sweet moments that make you so glad you're a mother :O)

Not So Cute: I was eating breakfast this morning in my sports bra (I had just gone on a run) and Thais came up to me and grabbed by belly roll and said, "Boob Mama? Dis Boob?" Ummm, not cute!