Busy Few Days

As you all know, we finally got our stuff about a week ago. So, we've been super busy unpacking and finding a place for everything. It's been fun. We brought just enough stuff to make it feel like home, but not too much that we are overwhelmed and crowded. It's nice. Well, except for in the clothes area. We have lots of clothes, but I don't know how to not have a lot of clothes when you have all sizes for girls and boys age newborn to 6 (Grady can already wear some 6 stuff). We had alot given to us before we left also. Not to mention all of my maternity clothes. I've been pregnant in every season of the year, so I've got alot. Plus, again...despite having weeded out alot before we left, had more given to me too. I can't really give away...I'm obviously not done with pregnancies. So, other than the clothes issue (which will be an ongoing issue I'm sure), we are good. The clothes thing isn't that bad either...just takes alot of time to go through each closet and put away what doesn't fit anymore and put stuff in that does fit. So, lots of my time has been spent doing that. Now, geez...enough about that, right? :)

Last Wednesday night we went to a choir concert thing. It was supposed to start at 7:30, but didn't end up starting til 8:30. We were late as usual (because we are always late...and thank God it no longer matters now that we live in Brasil:) ), but since it was so late starting, our kiddos were done before the opening act. So, even thought it was nice...we had to leave.

Thursday night Asas de Socorro had a country party. It was fun. We all dressed up like country people and went and had good eats and played fun games. I say we dressed up like country people. I had pigtails in my hair and a sort of cowgirl looking shirt, but if I really wanted to look country like the country people I know, I would've had pink rollers in my hair and worn my house slippers.

Friday was the Brazilian equivalent to Independence Day, or 4th of July for the U.S. So, we were invited to a BBQ next door with our American friends who have been here about 15 years. They had also invited another couple who lives 2 doors down from us...he is British and she is Brazilian. They've been here 5 years. And another couple was there too...the brother of the host and his friend. It was a plus day for me though...they all spoke English. So, what did we speak all day? English! Ahh...it really was nice.

Saturday night we went over to Steve and Kristin's for a Mexican night. YUMMY!! We girls really miss our Mexican food, so we just had to whip some up ourselves. It was fun...and oh so tasty.

Sunday and Monday were spent just doing more unpacking. Joel left Tuesday morning to go to Belo Horizonte, a city southeast of here. He and Steve flew the same plane down that he had to go get in Boa Vista last month. They had to go get some documentation work done so the plane would be fly-able.

Last night Kristin, Michael, and Maira came over for some more Mexican...yeah, we just can't get enough.

Anyhoo, here are some pictures of our activities the past few days. The pictures from the Independence Day BBQ and the Mexican night are on the camera that Joel has with him, so you'll just have to wait for those. Enjoy the country party pictures though.


Before the country party pictures, here is one of the kids loving their loot from the crates. This is still going on. Toys are a good thing.
At the country party on Thursday. Kids just love to jump, don't they?
This is Jeyson. He's got an interesting story. His parents are Brazilian, but he grew up in Ecuador...his parents went there as missionaries. He went to an American school there and then to college in the states. He speaks perfect english with no accent, plus speaks spanish and portuguese of course. He is a student with Joel. He is getting married in December...to a girl from new Jersey.
Fishing...for paper fish.
Mmmmm!
Horsey rides and friends.











Asa making her way around.
















One of our favorite people, Josemil. He and his family are always laughing and having a great time. The church that we are thinking is our church is actually the church that they go to too.






The John Deere boy with his lasso.
















Michael bust-ing out. He is a dancing fool. He surprised everyone, even his parents. It was hilarious. The music started and he just got after it...for a long time.
Our leader...yes, the president of Asas de Socorro. He is so great. So silly just like the rest of us, but of course very leader-like when it's needed too.
A game where they had to find a ring with only their mouth in the pudding.









Can you tell we really enjoyed the candied apples?















Grady loving it too.
Most of the gang that was there.