And We're Back!

We've all been back in Arkansas (Home) for about a week. We've been on the run ever since, but are loving our time here. Several play dates with Millie and Sydney, the trampoline park, Christmas with family, and seeing lots of lights. 

Heath and I were talking about how much more fun it is to take the kids to do Christmas things, and really, anything. The spirit of the season is never more apparent than watching it through the eyes of your kids. Beckham has this noise he makes when he sees something new or something really cool - It's like a huge intake of air. It's really funny. 

Beckham rode a pony for the first time at the Fayetteville Square. Cayden watched, but didn't want to take the leap and actually get on the horse.

We have lots of fun activities already planned for the rest of our time here, and we are going to make sure we enjoy every minute of it. We took the boys to ride The Polar Express last week, and they LOVED it! We have also consumed a copious amount of terrible (really great and yummy) foods. Oh well, 'tis the season!

Juquehy 2.0

We made our way back to Juquehy a few weekends ago. We went last April (?) and had a pretty good trip, so we wanted to go again. It's really nice to get out of the city. Sao Paulo has a way of making you tired, and getting out and breathing some fresh air and relaxing is always good for the soul. 

The kids were excited. Last time, they weren't really into the sand and stuff. We spent most of the time at the pool, but this time was different. Isn't it amazing what 6 months can do. 

Cayden got a new kneeboard/boogie board and was itching to go "surfing." It's technically summer here, but there has been quite a bit of rain (all the time) and the temps haven't been too high (I'm definitely not complaining). With that in mind, the water was a little cool.  Juquehy isn't one of those Caribbean beaches, where you can swim and snorkel. It's definitely a surfers beach. Wave after wave, after wave. Beckham was determined NOT to get into the ocean. Thankfully by the last day, he would go in and jump some of the waves. 

We alternated our activities. We would go to the beach first and play in the sand, and the ocean. Then we would wash the sand off and go to the pool.

The weather the first day was gorgeous! I decided to torture my family and try to get some family photos. Some turned out better than others. We managed to get one that we put on our Christmas Card!

This is Beckham running in fear from the water. Silly kid.

We built some Sand Cities. A giant Crab, and a giant Sea Turtle. Our sand sculpture game is pretty strong, I'm not going to lie.

The last time we went to the beach, I was not in one. single. picture. I gave the camera over to Heath so that when the kids look back at these pictures, they will know I was there. 

Burying kids is always fun.

We went into this trip with a laid back attitude. We didn't push Beckham to nap, although by dinner at 7:30 each night, he was totally pooped. We just hung out and played as much as we could. It was a great trip. I'm hoping we can go back in a few months!

Here are some more photos:

Happy Halloween

This is our second Halloween in Brasil. Halloween here is NOTHING like it is in the US. Each year there is a mad dash to have people smuggle Halloween candy in their suitcases from the States, costumes are ordered months in advance, in order to snag a ride back with someone. You can find costumes in a few places around the city, but again, it's nothing like it is at home. 

Our complex is becoming known for it's Halloween celebration. We have fairly large group of Americans, all of us have kids, and so there are a few that take the organizing by the horns, and try and make it the best each year. 

This year there were crafts for the kids, a costume parade walk, and a costume contest. The little kids got a head start on the trick or treating, and all went really smoothly. 

Last year, I felt like the kids didn't really know what was going on. We went and did the candy run, but this year the kids were totally into it. Cayden went as a Red MegaRanger, and Beckham was Captain America. 

Early on, Beckham took off his Captain America hood and lost it, and then tried a few alternatives.

They had the chance to decorate some cookies too. Beckham was all over it!

Beckham loves Georgia. Really, he loves all the ladies, but he really likes her. Although, after his first loop around the pool area, he decided he would try and push some kids in the pool. Good grief - that kid.

Cayden and Hunter walked all three loops together, hand in hand.

And Beckham jumped off the chairs.

Once the trick or treating started, the kids were in the zone.

Beckham was determined to carry his sack the whole way. It was literally on the verge of busting by the time we got done. Cayden was excited just to eat the candy.

It was a good evening. Lately, Heath and I have been missing home. The Apple Festival, Halloween with friends (we used to host some pretty good Halloween parties), Thanksgiving. I'm definitely ready to be home for a visit. Only 6 more weeks!