Home for Christmas

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There's nothing like spending Christmas at home! We had a full house for Christmas Eve, just like when I was little. Except that this time, there was a whole lot of kids running around! My older brother himself has a 2yr old, who hung out w/ Lucas a lot, and twins who are 3 months old. Lucas was a bit shocked at first, with all the people getting in his personal space and wanting a hug or a kiss, but after a while he got over it.

Our visit to my hometown has been as busy as always. Since we arrived last Thursday, we have not had much time to do much, let alone do a blog entry. There have been 3 parties celebrating our arrival, a trip to my father's 'chacara (ranch)', and a whole lot of visiting old friends, and family members. Lucas has been ok through most of it. His schedule is ALL SCREWED UP, and I have a feeling we'll end up paying for it when we get back....that's ok 😊 The kid has actually enjoyed his mommy's old stompin' grounds though. So much so that, since arriving, I swear we have aged at least 10 years keeping an eye on this kid so he doesn't get hurt. Since he got together with his cousins, he has scrapped both knees and elbows from running and falling, jumped on an empty metal bird cage while being chased and in the process scraped his side and finger, and just this morning he fell and cut the inside of his little lip after triping and faling onto the edge of a chair! When you see me next and I have a couple of fresh gray hairs on my head, it's all from worrying about this kid! The coolest thing though has been how easily he has adapted to the Brazilian cusine. I cook a lot of Brazilian food at home, but I didn't know how well he'd adapt to eating it down here (Michael says I worry too much), but at my dad's ranch, he even learned and fell in LOVE with eating fresh mangos right off the tree (yes I make him wash it first). He'll hold on to the thing like a baseball and get himself all dirty in the process! Note to self: next trip, double the number of t-shirts we bring for Lucas! At the ranch, he ran around without a shirt or shoes, half the time. He even got on a horse! Of course, he'd only do it if his daddy rode with him, otherwise he'd rather run and chase the thing....at which point his pregnant mom would have to chase him down and get him to back away from the horse before he gets hurt!

Today, we head out to the last leg of our trip.. We're going to another beach. This time we will be having some fun in the sun with my brother, nephew, mom, and aunt. That is a LOT of people to get ready and in a plane at once...I would not be surprised if we looked like that scene from HOME ALONE with everyone just charging the airport like crazy folks...just so long as I dont forget the little dude (aka our first born), we should be alright! We'll be riding the dunes of 'Praia do Presidio' near Fortaleza, and enjoying our last week here before heading back home. The plan is to unwind and relax by the water, and have a great time on New Year's Eve. Our hotel is having a 'Luau' sort of thing that night, and everyone is wearing white, as the tradition goes! 😊 😊 😊

We hope everyone has had a great Christmas! We love travelling, but we miss the States and enjoying the holiday crazyness with our friends 😊 I'll have pictures of the beach later 😊

Bye for now,
Patricia

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Photos

Just Chillin
Daddy teaching Lucas how to swing in the hammick at the Chacara

Christmas Eve
Home for the Holidays