More Utah Trip

So, the whole reason for our trip was to go here

to see a wedding

So G dressed up like Dapper Dan

and despite the cold, just wanted everyone to walk with him every where.

I wish I could say I was more help for this event, but sadly I think I missed many opportunities. I didn't get to cook anything for the reception, due to a mix-up I ended up at the temple when I should have been babysitting, I didn't even have my recommend so I couldn't go to the ceremony anyway, and then I tried to make it all up by running the kitchen. Which I'm happy to say, may have been sufficient repentance. I had a lot of fun coming up with jobs for all my nieces and nephews who were very eager to help.

We were all very tired the next day, which was bad since we were having a party for G's birthday. Mostly what was bad was the weather, very cold and rainy. So thank you! to everyone who not only braved the cold but brought presents!! G loved (and still does) everything he got. I wanted to have the party at Wheeler Farm because G loves animals, and the cold did not stop him or his cousins from running around having fun.

The race began

Then the ducks got involved

Tractor!

I think the best part of the whole thing for G was running down this ramp.

Utah Trip

So in my attempt to catch up on a bit of blogging (or three months worth) here's a look at our trip to Utah this March. I will post a part two when my laptop again reconnects to the central hard drive and all my pictures. While you wait for what may be sporadic posting, take heart, grandparents, that G's 2 year books are being shipped to me right now, and from me to you. Hopefully that will take the edge off.

G had a great time bonding with his grandparents. This is because unlike real parents, grandparents get to make everything other than their grandkids unimportant. They can put off housekeeping and making elaborate dinners for a day, or a few hours, and just focus on playing. This means I get to see a side of my parents that didn't exist during my childhood. Not that I'm complaining. As a parent, I totally see the necessity of letting the children entertain themselves. Anyway, here's the G Man playing with Cousin P and Grandpa.

It must have been a rare and warm afternoon. I think there were only two or three in the two weeks we were around.

Grandpa graciously volunteered to watch the kiddos while he sent the women to the spa. I'm not sure he realized what he was getting into.

Now that I remember from my childhood.

This picture is not nearly as frightening as it looks. Sweet G was just finishing giving his cousin a hug. He is not trying to push him over. I promise.

My sister and I decided to pack up the kids and hit the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum on St. Patrick's Day because she had discount passes. Turns out she didn't need them since it was get-in-free day for all parks and zoos in Utah! Which, while awesome, was problematic, since it was St. Patrick's Day. So we spent the day trying to keep track of two green boys amid a sea of green children and parents. I'm not sure any of the pictures truly capture the overwhelmingness of the green, but I was sure grateful P was wearing red pants and G was only minimally green.

He's a very responsible driver.

As much fun as sending the balls down the Planko-like board was, I think G liked lining them up more.

More to come.

Brazil Part Two

After 3 days in Belo Horizonte, we took a night bus to Montes Claros. Our hotel was right across the street from Johnny's apartment, which was above this burger joint.

Here's Johnny enjoying a burger.

They were huge. And full of steak, pineapple, ham, cheese, egg, lettuce, and corn.

Unlike some food, this lived up to Johnny's expectations.

We visited with a family Johnny had baptized. They were great. And everyone had a good time.

There was a local market where we saw some capoeira. It was large and full on interesting smells. We bought some bottles of peppers that we gifted to Johnny's sister for watching The Captain.

We had dinner by the lake.

At a pizza rodizio. Great idea.

From Montes Claros we took the train to the coast. Despite Johnny's face the train ride was actually really awesome.

Some of the beautiful country side we got to see.

We made it to the beach and hiked up to this monastery.

It was really high up. And windy. Good thing we were used to walking a lot by then.

This is one of Johnny's companions, Renan, who served not only as our tour guide, but our body guard.

Ah, the beach.

Ah, chocolate. We love you.

We went to a train museum. And took a picture for The Captain to enjoy.

One of the awesome bridges in Victoria.

Here is the state dish of Espirito Santo. It was delicious. Fish and shrimp in a tomato-based sauce. One of the most delicious things I ate.

We spent the afternoon in the old part of town, visiting dance schools and cathedrals and governor's mansions. It was fabulous. I had sugar cane juice. It was so much better than the time by brother emptied sugar packets into my water at that restaurant.

We ended the day eating hotdogs on the street. They were filled with carrots, corn, peas, raisins, fried hashbrowns, tempura mayo, and a hotdog. All in a regularly sized bun. Amazing. Except the hotdog, that was boiled and gross, but the rest of it was wonderful.

This is the sunrise on the beach and the view from our hotel window.

Before we left, we spent a little time on the beach.

And I couldn't leave without at least dipping my feet in the Atlantic Ocean below the equator. It was nice and warm. Next time we'll go swimming.

Brazil Part One

Some of you have already heard of the horrible time we had trying to make it back to Kentucky to see The Captain again. I don't want to get into it, except to say that in the two weeks I was in Brazil, I understood more than I did during the 48 hours of hell we had in airports in the U.S. coming home. Communication is not the travel industry's strong suit. Which it should be.

But enough about that, the trip itself was great.

When we got to Belo Horizonte we didn't have a hotel, so this is me waiting at a mall for a late enough hour to call a hotel.

One of the many beautiful parks in the city. Johnny wanted to bring his wife here one day. Check.

We ate at the most expensive restaurant in Johnny's area. We both agreed it was the biggest waste of money on the trip. But dessert was very pretty.

Johnny's old apartment.

Belo Horizonte at night.

Johnny eating goiabada and quejo minero. One of the things he's missed the most.

We spent the day in Ouro Preto, a town where missionaries are not allowed. It was very old, and very beautiful.

It is built in the mountains on very steep hills.

It has lots of churches because it was the gold mines of Brazil, and one of the only ways to escape the high tax on gold imposed by Portugal was to give it to the church.

So they built lots of churches.

Puppy Love

I had my second big motherhood scare the other day. I was detailing the car for our upcoming trip. It's a little early, I know, especially with a toddler, but I had to take advantage of another beautiful day. Well, beautiful when the wind wasn't blowing. That wind is a killer.

Anyway, G was enjoying climbing around in the car and playing outside in the yard. I went in the house to put away the cleaning supplies, and when I came back out he was gone. He's never done this before. I didn't really panic, I just started out to find him. I figured he was half-way to the park, but after going a few paces in that direction, felt like I should turn back. It was about that time when I heard my neighbor calling G's name. I ran through the yard, and there he was, in a bright red sweater, luckily, three houses down and across the street staring at the doggies. My neighbor and I reached him about the same time. She had seen the car door open and figured out the rest, so he hadn't been on his own very long. I'm so glad we have good neighbors. That's really the reason I didn't panic. He knows enough people on the street that would take care of him. Plus, it wasn't a time of day when there were many cars on the road. So he was safe. He was looking at this dog,

who came to visit while we were playing on Sunday. He loves this dog cause she's small and less intimidating. Too bad we don't have the time or stability to get a dog right now, cause G sure likes them. I think he'll settle for a stuffed animal right now instead.

Touch of Spring

We were super blessed this weekend to have spring weather. That's right, the snow took a break for a 55 degree treat. Needless to say, everyone and their dog was out walking on Sunday, playing at the park, or in the street. We joined them with a walk to the duck pond. Despite two days of warm weather, there was still ice on the pond. But the ducks didn't seem to mind, and the Canadian Geese visiting for the winter had no idea what to do with themselves, I'm sure. (It's hard to say since they generally keep themselves separated from the other geese. I guess Mother Nature segregates, who knew?) G had a great time walking and wasn't too scared to throw a piece of bread or two. I was grateful to put the stale end of my loaf to good use.

We stopped by our neighbor's house on the way home to check on her. Her husband is in the Sudan right now, so we dropped by to help her wear out her dog before bedtime.

All in all, a great day. It reminded me that winter will eventually end, though this year it seems like it's been dragging out forever. I am super excited for spring, and because of that, I was really motivated on Monday. Here's a look at what I got done:

3 loads of laundry

2 loads of dishes

4 diapers changed

3 recipes made

vacuumed kitchen floor

bought a ridiculous amount of fabric at the store

prepped 2 pieces of mail that are months overdue to get out

worked on my sewing projects that I need to get done before Brazil

finished 1 seminary lesson

and all without Meth! It's amazing when you look at what I've managed to get done on a normal day in January, which is 1 load of laundry and about 7 hours of watching tv. I can't imagine what craziness Spring Cleaning fever will bring around here.