Rio - every day

Dear Brazilians,

I know you can't resist this cute face and just want to squeeze, touch, poke, prod, kiss, hug, and any other form of touching all the time but enough is enough. He has the right to his personal space. When he runs away from you, pushes you away or squawks at you (since you wouldn't understand his English anyway), for the love, just stop. Stop touching. Do you not understand he doesn't like it? Yet, you keep going and going and going... I promise, he isn't going to warm up to you like that. I wouldn't either.

This cuteness can only handle so much, and mama bear is about ready to lose it. So, I'm warning you now, back down a little. Instead of 20 pokes/touches in an hour, maybe try 2. If so, he just might want to be your friend. And so will I.

Regards,

Dane's mommy

Rio day 8 - Sao Paulo

Oct 13 we traveled to Sao Paulo. Dane got to experience boarding the plane on the tarmac which he loved. He was also thrilled to see we were going on 'the green plane' since his favorite color is green. This, however, is not a favorite airline of mine. Can't complain about the price though - about $140 USD for all three of us to fly. But you get what you pay for. My knees hit the seat in front of me. No drinks, not even peanuts. Don't worry though, this pregnant lady comes complete with my own American snacks.

I love the pic above.
And my two handsome men in my life. I love you both so much. Thanks for making this a memorable trip.

Rio day 7 - Belo Horizonte

Not too much to blog about today. Since we were out so late last night (and Dane woke up at 530!) i was back in bed by 10. After some much needed rest we left to go to a park and also go to a lookout to watch the sunset.

I've never had a coconut.
And this was Dane's first taste too. He was a fan.
The sun setting over Belo Horizonte. Such an amazing sight. Wish our camera could have captured it better.

This is us in the plaza with the city in the background.
And one of Dane's new friends - Deborah. It was fun watching them play even though they don't speak each other's language. I've decided though that laughter is an international language.

Rio day 6 - Ouro Preto

Today (Oct 11) we went to Belo Horizonte for two days. We were greeted at the airport by another person on Paul's team - Marlon. We were staying with his family - which was fabulous. His wife was an amazing cook. In fact, i was completely over fed at their place. She didn't think i was eating enough for the baby. I just hope i have enough Tums to last me the rest of the trip. Oh, the heart burn. And she makes her own cheese bread. One word. Yum.

Marlon, Paul and Patrick advertising their Revv.
And then that evening there was a planned meeting with others on the team but due to weather, only two showed. Since many rely on public transportation, weather can play a huge role on turnouts.
This whole area is know for it's mining of jewels and precious metals. There are lots of historic towns and today we decided to plan a day trip to Ouro Preto. Mental note, check the weather reports first.

We met up with Patrick's sister and family, who is also on vacation in Brazil, to join us. Coordinating with multiple people is a challenge and i've realized i'm not a huge fan. If Paul and i went on our own, we would have left about 11am. Instead, we didn't get out until about 2pm which put is right in the middle of a rainstorm.

Once we arrived, we went straight a restaurant. 1. because we were hungry. 2. To wait out the rain. Just after we sat down the power in the town went out. Great. Paul and Patrick ventured out to find something we could eat. Success at a bakery.
After eating we went to the museum and just as we were walking up the steps the doors closed. Yet another set back. So about all we were able to do was take some pictures. This is from the museum from above looking out over the plaza.

Dane with Erik (Patrick's nephew). They were having so much fun telling stories in the back of the car.
And this is the whole group. Then on the way home we got stuck in the worse traffic of our lives. Took about 2 1/2 hours to go 5 miles. Awesome. At one point we ended up in a "buses only' lane. Thank you patrick. By the end the whole day was so messed up that I was in tears I was laughing so hard. At least it was memorable.

Rio day 6 - traveling

This is our week of traveling around. And this is how we waste time waiting for flights.

'come on patrick'

This morning we wanted to leave by 9:30 to get the rental car back on time. At 945 Patrick was still downstairs getting ready. When Paul told him the time he had no idea. We got everything loaded up and waited, and waited. Dane was sitting is his car seat already when he yells out "Come on Patrick. Hurry up. I'm serious." Funny, funny kid.

Rio day 5 - catch up day

I welcome down days after a few busy days. Today we returned our rental car - $100+ for 2 days, but over $60 in gas! Yikes. Transportation here is EXPENSIVE. Except our plane tickets between cities (like $140 for all 3 of us!). After returning our car, we went to Roberto's apartment where Dane and I have spent the day here while the others went to the office to work. Very different from the beach house. Constant noise, horns, delivery trucks, etc and the view of the next apartment building across the street. Not the tranquil crash of waves and blue sea to look at. I prefer the beach house.

After doing some work, i decided to get caught up on here. And since nothing else happened today other than a lot of sitting around and Dane keep saying "I want to go home", i'll post just a few random pics that haven't been included yet.

Here is the bouquet that paul's coworkers brought to me at the airport. So thoughtful.
Family time at the beach.
We finally got Dane some beach toys so he was thrilled.
More playing.
This is taken from the living room into the kitchen. Dane's playing "Angry birds, i'm making something and who knows what Patrick is doing...
Sunset. I'll get better pics of these. The sun goes down so early - like 530. And is up by about 5am.
Dane got the camera and kept himself busy while i did a little work. As you can tell by my face, not my favorite time of the day but something that needs to be done.
And this is one of my favorite pics. Love this little boy!

Rio day 4 - Sunday feast

Today (Oct 9) was Sunday. Paul, Dane and I went to a local Brazilian ward. Dane wasn't too hot on not being able to understand anything. I was glad it was testimony meeting because I was able to understand a lot more than I thought. I decided to share my testimony. I cried. Brought back a lot of feelings from the mission. And there were two missionaries with their investigator there. So tender. As soon as I started talking, the room was silent. I think there is something about the spirit when someone is talking about the gospel in a language they don't understand. The spirit can speak stronger than anything that's actually said. Next week is stake conference. If we have a car (since it's a 25 min car ride away) Paul will go, but I dont think Dane will make it through 2 hours of Portuguese church.

Patrick, Paul's business partner is staying at the house with us. He invited a friend of his over and we also invited the corporate employee (Roberto) and his wife (Flor) to stay. It was nice having company.

Here we are just getting ready to eat. (Dane was napping.)
And this is what we ate. So yummy! Flor made a traditional brazilian dish with chicken, rice, beans.

And then we had to do a little laundry because we are leaving for the week to go to see some historical sites and for Paul to do a couple of meetings in other cities. It's been a LONG time since I've had to hang my laundry out to dry. Off for more adventures...

Rio day 3 - Sightseeing

Today (Sat Oct 8) was a long, long day.It started at 630 am. This was how it ended at 1130pm.

We all survived and Dane was a trooper. We had plans to do more but with traffic, tourists, lines, etc we didn't get everywhere. (Pictures ended up out of order.)

The day ended with a trip to Walmart (notice shopping cart). We went to pick up a business partner's wife from work so they could come back to the beach house for the night. She works on the opposite side of town in the rich part where all the good grocery stores are so we took advantage to get groceries. It took about 2 1/2 hours from the time we picked her up til we got home (about 1130 pm). Partly because it was far, partly because of a wrong turn - not Paul's fault I'll add. In fact, he's the one who got us unlost.
Most of the time was spent at the Christ the Redeemer statue. Since is was made one of the wonder's of the world, it's become even more popular so it took awhile. lots of different lines. Once we got up there, while looking up at the statue Dane said "I don't like that guy. That's not Jesus." I guess he realizes at 4 yrs old that Jesus lives. He isn't a statue. Or that it was a good depiction of Him? Not sure but it was pretty funny.
Rio has amazing topography. We are standing on a mountain. The photo above you can see a lake, then some buildings, then the ocean. A smaller hill, etc. Below you see more city. There is just so much variety. Great views from up here.

This was the start of the day. Our bus ride to get our car rental. Dane loved the bus. I did not. Bad roads, car sick, boo. My hair is already hammered. Stupid humidity. But i love this photo. Dane looks so happy and he's holding my hand. Awww...
This is us picking up our car. Behind us is Sugar Loaf. Another tourist area where you can ride a gandola between two peaks but we didn't make it there. Maybe another day. It took about 2 hours to finally get the car. So we left at 730, rode the bus and didn't leave the car rental place til 11.
Just dane and mom chilling, while we wait...
Above this is looking out at Christ the Redeemer statue towards our place. The beach we are staying on is just to the right of Dane's head. you'll see a sand strip. We are at the far end of it.

We also drove past Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches. Super famous beaches. I didn't see what all the fuss was about. I've seen prettier.

day 3

Day 3 was yesterday and pretty much the same as day 2, other than Paul worked from the beach house.

And we got home super late so day 4 will wait til tomorrow - sorry, Dad. :)