Feliz Ano Novo! (Happy New Year!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone! 

We had a very non traditional Christmas this year and had a great time. Our Christmas Eve dinner consisted of one of the best churrascarias (where they bring the meat around on skewers to your table) in Sao Paolo and we ate ourselves silly. 

We let the kids open their present a day early pretending it was Christmas so that on actual Christmas day, we could hit the beach when the crowds were low. Also we haven't had many toys for them to play with since we have gotten here and they definitely needed some. They were so happy with everything they got (thanks Grandma and Grandpa, Nana and Papa, Mimi and Papa, and the Haymores!) Clara was very excited to use her new towel from Santa.

 We went to Guaruja beach (about an hour east) and it was a beautiful sunny day. So sunny, in fact, that we all got awesome sunburns except for our little tan Clara. The ocean was warm and it was an awesome day.

Later that week, we headed to Burle Marx park in Morumbi (a newer area, where the temple is located). The designed of the park (Burle Marx) was apparently a pretty renowned landscape architect. It was gorgeous and felt like a jungle!

Part of the park was an ancient tree that had fallen and was then converted to a play structure.

Here's our extended stay hotel:

The girls decided to do some posing in front. It isn't the biggest, but we get amazing breakfast every morning and a maid that comes and cleans.
There is also a lot of staff (front desk, garage attendants, and security at the front) and they are soooo nice and so sweet to the girls. They are always talking to them and calling them princesas (princesses).

One day the girls and I decided to go get our nails done. For R$65 (like $24), we all got our fingernails done and I got my toes too. The girls were so patient and the workers there, like most people here, were so excited to see the girls and to do their nails. It was pretty funny though, when it came time to do my feet two workers each had a foot on their laps. I was glad I hadn't worn a skirt!

We went to another beach with some friends that same week, Barra do Sahy, that was amazing!! It was in the middle of a cove and had the most amazing sand. The waves were tiny and there were fun crabs everywhere. Pretty much perfect for a family. It was in this cute town and it wasn't too crowded.  

We went with some amazing friends that are working down here and they have two fun kids for ours to play with. I really feel so blessed that we have met them--they have made our adjustment about 100x easier. She also gave us peanut butter, and that officially made us friends for life.

Peter catches crabs almost anywhere we go (haha!)

We were lucky enough to have our meals paid for the last few weeks, and we have been enjoying that. One of our favorites, Rascal, makes fresh pasta daily and makes you fresh juice.

They also make the best cheesecake we've ever had, and they put this yummy guava paste on top. The cheese and guava combo is big here; they call it Romeo and Juliet. It is delicious!

People seem to stay up later here, and as a result we have been too. So we have had lots of snuggle sessions and long naps.

For New Year's Eve a Brazilian family in our ward invited us over. We went to their family members house and swam. We ate dinner at 10:30 and then had ice cream at midnight. The kids loved it and we had a blast too. I only understood about 2% of the night's conversation but everyone was so nice it was fun just to be part of it.

We went to this restaurant Hecho en Mexico (Made in Mexico) that had such fun ambiance and styling. For all you Nacho Libre fans, there were pictures of Luchadores all over the walls and some authentic corn. It was pretty funny though, they brought out each of our entrees 15 minutes apart from each other. The kids got their food, then peter, then me, and then the corn. I think the slow timing of things will have to be something that we just get used to. 

Although we miss everyone, we are having a blast and are all doing well. Hopefully we can find a place to live soon and then we will even better! Tchau Tchau!