We started our trip with a stop in Ouro Preto or the city of Black Gold

"The former gold-rush capital is the best place to see the legendary Aleijandinho's artistry. Now a lively university town, it's been preserved as a national monument and a World Heritage site. The surrounding mountains, geometric rows of whitewashed buildings, cobblestone streets, red-tile roofs that climb the hillsides, morning mist and evening fog- all give Ouro Preto a singular beauty"

-Fodor's Brazil 2014

The city had beautiful views and the sunsets were amazing!

Cooling off with some ice cream

"Bite for bite" at its finest

The roads were so steep it was insane! We had two little stick shift cars for the whole trip and at one point we had to hop out of the car so it could actually make it up the hill. It was a little scary...

On the day that we arrived in the town we were able to take a tour of a super cool cave/mine. The entrance was super small, so some of the taller family members had a difficult time going in without hitting their heads. They had us wear these funny hairnets under our helmets and we all looked a little crazy.

 

Poor Aubrey touched the electric shower head and electrocuted her finger. We all had a good laugh, but she was concerned her finger had been permanently bent or damaged. 

One of our new favorite games "Splendor"! This trip was full of countless games of "Ticket to Ride" and "Splendor". Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Holman and Bonner!

                                                          

We were ale to visit tons of beautiful churches. The first one pictured below is the 2nd church with the most gold in all of Brazil!

 
 

We haven't had broccoli in so long and this little girl was in heaven!

 

We were able to go to this super neat waterfall during the trip. The water was great for swimming and the older girls were actually able to go underneath the waterfall.

Delicious buffet place for lunch!

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.

 

'