We always are looking forward to "mail day". Every Thursday and Friday, the embassy sorts all of the mail and packages from the states for everyone to pick up. We love going down to the mail room and picking up our goodies. 

Thanks Nolan Harper for the package!

The commissary at the embassy was just re-stocked last week. It is now full of American treats and food. We don't usually buy anything except for some random items like vanilla or tortillas.

Mom and Dad are in the process of looking for a little "buzz-around town" car. Gwen has enjoyed going wiith them on their shopping excursions and doesn't mind testing out the cars.

 Hanging out at my volleyball game

 Buying gas in reais and liters

Dad has enjoyed taking Gwen and Jo on bike rides in the trailer. The Brazilians have never seen something like the bike trailer before, so a ride usually involves a bunch of stopped cars, waves, and shocked faces. 

 Post workout swim to cool off

 

Gwen was the first one to visit the Brasilia ER. Her pinkie finger got slammed in a door, so we Dad took her to the hospital just to make sure nothing was broken. She got an X-ray and everything was fine, just a bruised and swollen finger. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is just around the corner and we are ready for it! Trips to the pool, making cookies, completing puzzles, and looking at Christmas lights got us in the holiday mood this year. 

This year we decided we wanted to find someone in need and look for ways we could help them and lift their spirits. We ended up finding out about a school an hour from our house that could really use some help. A lot of the kids attending the school are living in extreme poverty and are often not able to get food at home. The school works to help all of their students get fed during the day and provides them with a free education. However, trying to provide basic necessities for over 100 students is difficult, so the school asks for donations. We all pitched in and bought basic gift baskets for the school to give to the most needy students and family. We were able to go drop them off at the school and got to meet the students and were able to talk to them as well. 

Fireworks leading up to Christmas

Puzzle fun! Aubrey decided to pull out a puzzle and the family quickly flocked to the table to help. Only a few hours later it was finished. 

We found a fun display of lights near our house on the lake. The set-up was cool and we were able to walk around the lake.

We attempted gingerbread cookies this year with no sprinkles or powdered sugar. It was lots of fun to make them and they tasted good as well.

When we moved we were able to put some of our stuff in an air freight that would come before our long shipment or HHE. We were all thrilled when our 7 boxes of needed stuff arrived. We had clothes, kitchen supplies, books, toys, etc. arrive a few days before Christmas. We all said it was our early Christmas present and enjoyed unpacking the boxes.

Mom and I finally stopped at the "I love Brasilia" sign. We took a few pictures and were on our way.

Christmas morning fun! All the girls slept in the same room Christmas Eve and had our alarms set to wake up the next morning.

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Bonner for the rain boots!

Gwen and Jo's gifts from Santa- Gwen wanted an Elsa doll and Jo asked for a tennis racket.

 

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