Moving in and Thanksgiving

This week started off with getting our household goods! The base allows you free hours of childcare at the CDC (not center for disease control as Denver calls it, but Child Development Center). So at 8 we dropped off the 2 nonschool aged kids to be watched while we received our stuff. The movers got to our home at 8:30. There were about 15 of them! They first took out all our loaner furniture and then unloaded the crates with our things. They had everything where we wanted it and the beds set up by 10:30!!!!! That was fast. We have never had such a good experience with movers. After they left, we had tons of time to take things out of boxes and put them where they belonged. It was soooo nice.

They set up all the beds, which was good because that would've taken us more time and we just wanted to get as much done as we could before kids got home from school.


Needless to say we were EXHAUSTED Tuesday evening, but we got alot done. We finally got to sleep in our own bed and I've slept like a baby ever since! I love our comfortable bed. By Saturday afternoon, the whole house was unpacked and put together, except for wall pictures.

Wednesday morning I ran the turkey trot. I really wanted to run the 10K, but I've changed my shoes to the barefoot shoes and you're not supposed to run as much and you're supposed to increase your mileage slowly. So, I opted for the 5K. We ran on the boardwalk along the beach. It was so beautiful. The first mile and a 1/2 the wind (which was super strong) was against us. The way back was much better! I beat the turkey and got a personal best of 27:57.

Here we are at the beginning of the race, waiting to start.
Running in past the finish line. It's blurry and I was talking to the people at the finish and pointing behind me, not trying to do a crazy pose.
Friends of ours, Levi and Kim Davis ran it too. Other friends ran it too, but we had to get back home quickly so Denver could get to work before 9 and see his patient, which we found out too late that he could've cancelled and stayed longer because this was a base event. Oh well.
Wednesday at 1ish we had a Thanksgiving potluck with the Dental flight. Once that was over, we were all free to go enjoy our 4 day weekend.

We had a great Thanksgiving. We ate and ate and ate. It was all delicious. Denver carving the turkey with his electric knife I think his brother gave to him. We have loved that knife, it makes carving turkeys a piece of cake.
Our Thanksgiving spread: Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, homemade rolls, corn/green beans, deviled eggs, candied yams, carrots/celery and dip, jello and pies (apple, pumpkin, and cheesecake). Oh and we can't forget the drink, which we discovered this year. Egg nog and ginger ale, mixed equally, topped with nutmeg. Our new traditional Thanksgiving (and probably Christmas) beverage.


Friday after Thanksgiving the kids got to ride their bikes and scooters! They had been waiting so long to ride them. This is Sterling on his new birthday bike which he got in Illinois before his birthday right before we moved, but finally got to ride 3 months after his birthday.

Following tradition, we set up our Christmas tree and decorations the day after Thanksgiving.

Ta Da!
Maelie and Garrett got to break the wishbone.
And Garrett won. This picture was staged. Denver wanted a sad Maelie and a happy Garrett. But, Maelie was bummed because Garrett won last year too, according to her.
Saturday we went to District conference in Angra. The Mission leader came from Portugal to speak at it. I really felt out of my comfort bubble. Everything was in Portuguese and since we were the ones visiting their country, we listened to headphones while the missionaries translated. They didn't have enough head sets for our kids so they had to just sit and listen in Portuguese. I kind of felt bad for them, because I know they do listen, but there was nothing we could do. We did let them wear ours for awhile so they could hear how it was done. It was really a neat experience for us. I loved singing the hymns in Portuguese with the Portuguese people. During the hymns was when I felt like we were unified. I didn't pronounce all the words correctly, but I learned quickly. Being immersed in the language like that would be the only way to really learn it well. It was really neat. Because we had District Conference on Saturday, we only had one hour (sacrament meeting) of church today.

Saturday after the conference Denver and Maelie went to a Daddy Daughter Dance sponsored on base. We transformed her baptism dress into a Christmas dress and she wore that. They had tons of fun eating and dancing. They danced the macarena, YMCA, chicken dance and much more. The last song of the evening was butterfly kisses. Denver told me that Maelie started off timid and didn't really dance, but by the end they were dancing, sweating, and having a good time. They were worn out when they got home. They took a picture of each couple and gave it to them in a frame before the dance was over.


Sunday nap on our comfy couch. Denver fell asleep reading his book and Sterling had to lay on Dad. We had a great weekend and I'm not so sure I'm ready to start a new week just yet. It was so nice to have our family together and home and to enjoy our many blessings!

2 week update

I didn't blog last week so here is a two week update. For FHE we made our traditional Thanksgiving tree. Each person got 6 leaves. Here are the things we were thankful for in 2011 in no particular order:
toys, job, my thumb, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost, time, my big comfy bed, lightbulbs, my family, clothes, freedom, being done with school, parties, people, food, diapers, bugs, beautiful Earth, my teachers at school and primary, Maelie, Garrett, Sterling, Colson, candy, movies, cookies, the scriptures, puzzles, the temple, running/exercise, blanky, school, water, husband and friends.


Denver had Monday off for a 'goal day'. I don't care what they call it, I'll take it (:

We went to lunch with some other couples. We went to La Rocha and had their famous chicken on a tile. I forgot my camera so our friend took one of us and our food. I don't have them yet so I'll just have to wait to post it. One of the couples had octopus. It didn't look very appealing.
Denver hadn't been to Serra Do Cume yet so we went there after the kids got home from school. It's fun to go different times when the sun is different in the sky or the clouds and weather is different. It was really pretty with the sun shining through the clouds.





On Saturday we went to a PTO activity at the school. It was Thanksgiving Bingo. Each kid that won Bingo got a free book. Sterling won 2 times and Dad won once so each kid got a book except Cole, but he didn't really care. At the end each kid that didn't win got a really cheap book so Cole got that.
They also had snacks and juice boxes there for everyone to enjoy.
week 2: A group of the branch ladies went to dinner together to say goodbye to a sister that's PCSing (permanent change of station) to Germany. We went to La Barca together. This restaurant was right on the water, but it was night and dark so we couldn't see the water.

I forgot to take a picture until I had already delved into my meal. That's an egg on top.
The sign is made of lots of bottle corks put together.
The group: (from left to right) Tina Carlson, Kim Davis, Jessica Jackson, Laurel Bingham, Michelle Ramey, me, and Erin LeNeave.
We got an email this week saying our household goods had arrived. Hooray! The email said they could deliver it on Thursday. So I called the place on base that we are borrowing the loaner furniture from to schedule a time for them to pick up their furniture. They couldn't pick our stuff up until Tuesday, next week, so we are scheduled for that day, the 22nd. We could've had them bring our HHG on Thursday, but then we would have way to much stuff to fit in our home. We are excited and ready.

This is where our stuff arrived, about 5 minutes from our house.

Because cows are such a big part of the island, I decided that they're worthy of a place on my blog each week (: This one was posing for us, it's ears blowing in the wind.
My visiting teacher and I made these cornucopias for our sisters. Ingredients: sugar cone, reeses pieces, trail mix, tea kettle, saran wrap and ribbon. Use the tea kettle to steam the ends of the sugar cone. Once the end is soft, use a pencil to roll the end. Let it dry and harden. Fill with candy and trail mix, wrap with saran wrap and place a ribbon around. My visiting teaching companion made this for me last year and I decided then that I would make them for my sisters next year so...
On Saturday we went to a baptism for Isaac Davis, a boy in our branch. He chose to get baptized in the ocean. It was a really neat thing to see. The day was sunny, but windy and I'm sure the water was cold. I'm sure it was a day he'll never forget. We told Garrett he can choose to get baptized in the ocean or in the font at church when he turns eight since we'll still live here. For now he's choosing the ocean.
Today we had a branch potluck. The food was great! We love our branch and the families that make it so wonderful. It's neat being in a branch. There aren't a lot of people so you really feel like a family. Everyone knows everyone and everyone's a friend, even with all our very different backgrounds.

Until next week!

Halloween and Serra Do Cume

The kids finished soccer last week, but I forgot to post their trophies and pics so before I start with the week, here is a picture displaying their trophies and pictures.

Monday was Halloween. The night was spent with the Parkinsons and the Rameys. We ate chili dinner at the Parkinsons and then went trick or treating together.

This Halloween was like none we have EVER experienced! The gates to the housing closed from 6-7:30 for the American kids to trick or treat through base housing. After that, the gates open for the Portuguese (who come from all over the island) to trick or treat from 7:30-9).
While we were trick or treating, we saw this costume. Sterling didn't believe us when we told him it was a man. He insisted 'she' was a 'girl'.
Following tradition, we took of a picture of each kid with their nights hard work earnings.




We got the kids situated with a movie and some candy securely in our home and then waited for the Portuguese. This is the gate into housing. Their were TONS of people waiting to get in.
Here they are coming to our neighbors door and shortly ours. We were out of candy in less than 10 minutes! We've heard of people buying $100 worth of candy and it's gone in no time. We literally need to start planning now and buy candy for next year. It was crazy and fun. The kids were opening their bags for candy and so were the adults!
oops, pictures are out of order. Here is another shot of them waiting outside the gate. Some were even on top waiting to jump down when the security guards gave the word.
Tuesday and Wednesday we had a weather alert. The wind got up to 45 knots or above, which is about 52 mph, so the kids school ended early before the wind got to 45 knots. It was really kind of fun to stand outside and feel the wind push you along. Colson got off balance a few times trying to walk against the wind. Friday the kids had a day off because the teachers had a teacher day. I took the kids to duck lake and my new favorite place, Serra Do Cume.

Driving to duck lake we saw some pretty scenery.
And, a common occurrence, COWS aka vacas.



We got to duck lake and it was kind of chilly outside, even though the sun was shining. The ducks saw us coming and followed us all around waiting for us to throw them some bread. The kids were scared of the ducks. Cole ran away from them.




Then we jumped in the car and headed toward Serra Do Cume
Some of the views on drive up the steep hill. This is a view of Praia, where we go to church and the beach. Also you can see the Mary statue.
Introducing...Serra Do Cume: I LOVE this place!

There are windmills there too.

More Serra Do Cume





Here you can see the flight line on base and a couple planes.
I was surprised to see cows eating on this steep hill.
For date night, we stayed in and made cookies. Before they cooled, we topped them with ice cream and toppings. Mmmm.
On Saturday I went to a market (actually a Portuguese man's garage). He has about 5 or 6 greenhouses and grows fresh veggies, fruits, and herbs. He also has other people bring some things to sell. I bought this strawberry guava jam. After trying it, we found that I'm the only one in the family that likes it. It has a very strong flavor, but it's good.

Saturday night we made caramel apples as a family.