How has November already come and gone

Soon the new year is going to be here!!

 Broke out a new game from Nana and Papa, it's our new favorite

 Hosted a end of the season basketball party for Aubrey's team

I even broke down and made them all homemade donuts

 Taking the trainers off this littles bike

She's nervous but working towards learning

 Yeah to Madison and this great crew

She was assistant director for EAB's play

Did an incredible job that included tons of practices, decisions and steeping up and leading 

 Enjoying our Golden Holiday with the little one in tow

 Had to snap a picture of this for Daddy

He doesn't like when we put up Christmas before Thanksgiving

With no such holiday in Brasil it seems by mid November Christmas décor is out in full swing

 Celebrating our 2 year anniversary in Brasil by eating at 

my kids favorite Mexican restaurant

 Setting up our Christmas and the train track around the tree

 My Christmas present came early this year!

Prepping for our families summer, it's going to be grand!!

 Christmas cards addressed and mailed

With the rate mail moves out of Brasil they should be hitting the US by Christmas

 Enjoying Thanksgiving Feast at school with J

Nothing better than turkey and Brazilian rice and beans

 Thanks to my awesome gardener I had fresh celery in my garden to pick for stuffing

 What an incredible spread our family enjoyed

Thanks to friends that hosted a huge crew

The food was delicious, the company a delight and our family so enjoyed the day!

 We skipped town once the feast was over

Rob was traveling for most of November 

The girls and I opted for a "girls" weekend and a nearby hotel

It was a great break and fun to spend a day in the sun

 Sisters are the best!

 Congrats to Sam who received MIP from her basketball coach for the 2018 season

 Aubrey earned the Coach's award for her basketball 2018 season

Sadly she was home sick with strep throat and couldn't accept the award

 Starting the Christmas season right with homemade gingerbread cookies

They were delicious, thanks Aubrey!!

    

 Getting brave and making homemade yogurt in the instant pot

It was a breeze and I'm sure going to be a regular staple now that I realize how easy it is

 Aubrey just finished this super cute embroidery project

The days are getting longer which makes for perfect after dinner scooter riding

Special Project

As many of you might know our family helps two rural schools that are located about 1 hour outside of Brasilia. We have been visiting the schools for two years and love the visits that we make there. At this time of year we like to buy food kits for the needy families. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is provided at these schools. When school is not in session many of the families struggle to provide food and kids go hungry. Their summer break is during the months of January and February. If you have any leftover money from your Thanksgiving budget, please consider donating to these sweet kiddos. For just $15 we are able to purchase a food kit that can feed a family of 4 for a week. Donating through PayPal is the quickest way for us to purchase these food kits. 
https://www.paypal.com  user: meredithholman@hotmail.com

October little things

October was busy

With a family trip 

and girls in all their activities

the month flew on by

 Little staying occupied with Peppa the Pig, 

her current obsession

while Jo plays tennis

  

 Munching on churros at one of the few "Mexican" restaurants in town

 My favorite French bakery opened another location closer to home

Not sure if this is a good thing or not??

 Getting ready for our church's semi-annual General Conference

It was incredible and awesome

So lucky to have 2 missionaries over to watch one of the sessions with our family

 One of the talks given by our church Prophet challenged us to read the Book of Mormon before December 31st

I started right away and hope my girls and I can all accomplish this challenge

 My awesome hubby installing what might or not might be a garbage disposal

   

 My little lost her first little tooth

It's bitter sweet knowing she's my baby

She was sure excited to get 5 reais

It's the cutest because she calls her money "rea-dollars"

Jo wrote a note to the tooth fairy for her because she swallowed the tooth

 So proud of my three scholars, all induced into the National Honor Society this month

 Little loving her chocolate peanut butter protein shake

 Basketball games hard at play

This one featured M&S

 J was thrilled and nervous to get to MC a school assembly

She did an amazing job

   

 Halloween at the Embassy with

Rey and Princess Leia

   

 Open house at Gwen's school

The decorations and displays were amazing and so 

fun to have Gwen show off her school to Jo and I

 Halloween party at the girls school just a few days later

and look...we found Chewy

 Legos for all ages, it's awesome!

We sure miss Dad when he has to travel stateside 

but the goodies he brings home makes it all worth it!