August 29, 2010

The First one.......

Yesterday I cleared the first hurdle of getting my black belt and catching up to David (like I can do that).   I got my yellow belt.    It has been a lot of fun so far.   Was super excited for David to be there and cheer me on.     Been fun.  

I also managed to pull a muscle (hamstring?)  It is painful and has kept me from doing much of anything.   I go trying to do a roundhouse spinning hook kick and then BAM instant pain.  LOL   I guess I need to stretch out more.   

August 20, 2010

New Adventures!!!!!

Over the last couple of weeks I have been doing my certification for scuba diving. It has been much more fun than I had expected. I am not the best swimmer, but thiings are just so calm and relaxing underwater. This past Wednesday I made my first dive to 50 feet. (prior we had done skills dives at the bottom of a 12' pool). That was really neat. We went to the crater at the Homestead in Midway, utah.

Last night they had a discover scuba class. I took David to see how he'd like it. I expected a bit more nervousness and maybe reluctance to attempt some of the skills he had to learn, but he suprised me and suprassed all my hopes. He did great. We spent a half hour or so after the class scubaing around under the water together. He did great!!! We need to work on normal swimming skills, but once he masters that more, he wants to get cerified as well and then we can go on diving trips together!!!! That would be a blast!!!!

July 26, 2010

David's activities thus far.....

This has been quite an eventful year for David.

He has participated in 2 local orchestras playing Violin. The ridgeline beginner orchestra (was below his level) and the Orchestra housed at American Heritage Academy by the Mt Timpanogas Temple. He excelled there this year and might be moving up into the Chamber Orchestra there this year. In addition to this he continues his private lessons with Dr. Judd Sheranian.

Karate has been just as eventful. David has developed a passion for karate that has far exceeded previous years. He has been participating in the Swat Team ( a demonstration team that performs and competes), he has moved into the "ban bu" area of ranks where he now prepares himself much more diligently on testing for his black belt. (he still has at least another year before this test). And he is working towards the leadership group at his karate school.

He has participated in a tournament this year already where he received 2 medals in Forms and self defense. He has also done the kicks and tricks karate camp and participated in the asian festival and a couple of parades.

He has enjoyed board games and playing with his dogs Nina and Sofia.

He also was devastated by the loss of his Grandpa Darrell recently. They were very close.

July 25, 2010

Changes.....

So there have been some changes to my life and the lives of my family. Suffice it to say David will continue to be the focus of this blog and his activities. I love him tons and am thankful to have him in my life. More posts shortly!!!

November 1, 2008

It is Halloween time.....



Well it is halloween time again so we made our annual trek to Monica's house to trick or treat with them. (You can't imagine how answering the door every 30 seconds is not an activity I miss.) So as you can see (picture taken last night, hehe) I dressed up as a cowboy.


David, as usual, wasn't the most excited about the thought of trick or treating. In fact, this year he didn't want to so much that he didn't want to even get a costume. At last minute he changed his mind. So he went in his karate uniform. Monica's kids went as follows: Rachel - pirate, Cameron - camouflage dude, Natalie - Princess and Mark - pirate.

It rained just after Kirk and I left with the kids. We went until David and Natalie decided they had enough.
We returned to Monica's home where she had hot chocolate and hot apple cider waiting. Another fun halloween.

October 18, 2008

....A Patria Amada.....VIVA O BRASIL!!!!!

Well after a long absence it is time to update our lives.

We just returned from our trip to Brazil. Davina and David were lucky to spend a month in Brazil. I left on the 25th to join them.

This trip was very important for us as Davina hadn't seen her parents and family (save Anderson) for 13 years. Of course that means David hadn't met his Maternal grandparents in person yet. We were able to enjoy many fun activities together getting to know a new part of Brazil for me, a return to where Davina served her mission and an entirely knew continent for David.

First stop Caldas Novas

We spent a day at the resort water park completely created using the thermal water found underground in the area. It was great!!! David had a blast. Most of the places to get things to drink and eat were in the water.

Also in Caldas Novas I finally quenched a 16 year desire to eat another Acaraje. It was every bit as good as i remembered it.


We returned to Goiania on Monday the 28th. On Monday and Tuesday we spent doing some shopping and doing some documentation we needed to do with the govenment. On Wednesday we went to the Goiania Zoo!!!!

The Goiania Zoo was really great!!! So many animals I hadn't seen before. We were on a mission this day. David wanted to see a "tamandua" He really really wanted to see one. On our way we saw numerous parrots and macaws, Antas and Capivara (of which I ate at a churrascaria there I think. was quite good) Unfortunately, the Tamandua stayed hidden in it's little hole the entire time we were there and David didn't get to see it. David did teach some talking parrots a new word. "wow". It was quite funny as they would repeat it and repeat it. When we tried to move on the parrots went crazy until David came back into view. It was quite a sight.

Between activities we continued to shop, eat ice cream, shop, see different areas of Davina's mission, shop, etc.
We really had very little time to just sit around Always something fun and exciting to do. Saturday we spent getting ready for a big birthday that David's grandparents wanted to give. It was alot of work, but it was worth it. Lucky me, I broke the key to unlock the room right in the door and the party had to wait 40 minutes to start so a locksmith could arrive. It was all worth it. David had such a fun time. He wanted a soccer theme so maybe you can guess which is his favorite Brazilian Soccer team?

David had such a great time. We went to bed that night exhausted.

On Sunday the 5th, Davina and her family had to go vote. It is obrigatory in Brazil. Early on Monday we left for Brazilia!!!!

We spent 2 days in Brazilia and didn't come close to seeing everyting. There is just SOO much to see there. Some of the highlights there for me were the JK bridge, the Kubichek museum, the Cathedral and the Congress building.

On Wednesday we went to the "chacara" of some friends of Anderson. They had at least 10-12 different kinds of fruit trees
there. We had fresh "suco de caju" and ate fresh mangos. I'll try and make a list of all the fruits they had there later. They also raise chicken, cattle and horses. They have a couple of dogs to keep the wild animals away like the jaguars. It was alot of fun there.

On Thursday, out time in Goiana came to an end. Many thanks to Davina's parents and family for making our stay incredible!! We miss you tons!!! David especially.

From there we flew to Sao Paulo. Titio Paulo picked us up at the airport in a big van. When we left it was more than 95 degrees F after a 1 hour and 10 minute flight we landed in Sao Paulo where it was 55 degrees F. Titio Paulo sent a very detailed list of what we ate and the itenerary of the activities we did. As soon as I figure out how to post a link to a word document I'll post that. We were treated to very very good food and desserts as many of you already experienced in their home.

On Thursday afternoon, we talked alot and got a tour of the neighborhood. I had almost forgotten how beautiful the houses are there. We got to know Andre while we waited for Regina, Jabes and Silvinha to get home.
On Friday, Jabes came over early with Andre. (Regina had to work in the morning and Silvinha had to work the whole day) We had breakfast, talked a bit waiting for Regina to call. Jabes and I went and picked her up from work. We came back and had lunch. During this time Titia Ana Maria was teaching David how to make pasteis. (see picture above) He loves those. So that is what we had for lunch. In the afternoon, we went and finished some shopping. That night we played uno with Jabes, Regina and Silvinha until late.
On Saturday morning we got up and went by the "feira" which is an outdoor market similar to the farmers market in the USA. Right after that we headed to Aldeia da Serra, the area that Jabes and Regina live.
Regina and Jabes have a beautiful house in the mountains. The view is gorgeous. Regina prepared and delicious lunch and we headed out to feed the ducks, geese and swans. Andre and David loved getting so close to the birds and feeding them. After the bread was gone we went on a walk around one of the lakes they have in the area. It is so green and pretty there. Everyone that lives there takes good care of the area and it shows. After the long walk we went to the banca da revista and got David some "Cebolinha" and "Cascao" comic books.
That night we had dinner at the restaurant that Regina and Jabes had their wedding reception. Jabes' parents and sister and brother-in-law joined us for dinner that night. We had Brazilian pizza. It was so good.
On Sunday we got up and went to a park in Titio Paulo's neighborhood. We barely got there when David got stung by a bug right near his eye and couldn't see well. We went back to Titio Paulo's house and got medicine. While we waited for Jabes, Regina and Andre, we relaxed and watched a celebration from St. Petersburg, Russia on dvd featuring an opera piece, an incredible celloist, and another vocal number. Unfortunately I can't remember the names of the performers, but it was incredible to hear. Thanks Titio for showing that to us!!!!
Once Jabes and Regina arrived we went to the clube. We had a delicious lunch there and then proceeded to walk around. David and Andre found a park with jungle gyms and stuff and that ended our walk. After leaving the clube, we went back and finished packing our suitcases as our flight to the USA left that night.
The time went by way to fast. We had so much fun. I don't think we wasted anytime. Everyone was wonderful. As always, Brazil was beautiful. We miss it there when we are away. We look forward to our next trip there. I'll have to make a seperate post detailing our flight back home. The trip home was an adventure in and of itself.