GRAMADO

After Christmas we took two days vacation from the mission and we drove up to Gramado which is a German town, famous for its Christmas celebrations and for its chocolate. As we got closer we told Meagan that there would be lots and lots of hydrangeas blooming on the sides of the road (she LOVES hydrangeas) but you can never really be prepared for how many flowers there actually are.

The city was decorated beautifully.

One of my favorite ways that they decorate here is with things made of recycled 2 liter bottles. See if you can see all of the ways the bottles are used. Even the poinsettias on the white trees are made from 2 liter bottles.

In Gramado instead of a "cow parade" they have reindeer painted in many different ways.

Of course my favorite is the nativity reindeer.

There are lovely churches in the center of Gramado, and the neighboring city Canela. They each have beautiful stained glass windows.

At night we went to the concert and fireworks extravaganza on the lake in Gramado. We had forgotten how LOUD it was, and when the show got going we were worried about Bennett being upset. But he just stared at everything wide-eyed, and sucked on his binky a little harder.

Here the choir members are walking in.

There are opera singers in each of the lighted gazebos on little islands in the lake.

That night we stayed in Canela. The following morning we found this great candle shop, where the owner gave demonstrations of how she made the candles.

I loved these flower candles. I had to buy a couple of them.

Afterwards we drove up to see the famous waterfall Caracol.

Here the intrepid hikers have just finished their trek down and then back up the 176 stairs to get closer to the falls.

Curt and I and Bennett decided to relax and wait for everyone at the top of the stairs.

It was a wonderful Christmas for us to have the kids here, and spend time together playing games, doing puzzles vacationing and just having fun. It all ended too soon. But it is time for us to get back to work and be missionaries again. Thanks so much for everything kiddos.

MERRY DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

A very merry Christmas arrived for us on December 19th when Danielle, Josh, Meagan and Bennett arrived to celebrate the holidays with us. Here Curt and I are meeting Bennett for the first time.

Here is the family posing in front of a wonderful nativity display at the Port Alegre airport that was on loan from Gramado durring the month of December.

Curt and I are enjoying all of the "loot" that the kids brought us from the USA.

As you can see, Curt is all set with his M&M's and I was especially thrilled about the hairspray they brought.

Josh, Meagan and Danielle got into the Christmas mood by decoration our windows with snowflakes.

I LOVED this nativity snowflake!

Josh created this train snowflake for Curt.

Meagan and Danielle helped with the Christmas dinner by making these yummy fresh berry and peach pies. YUMMY!

Bennett helped out by just being such a cute and smiley baby.

We held Christmas Zone Conferences with our missionaries on December 21st and 23rd.
You've just gotta love the two Elders posing in the background of this family photo.

Here we are with the missionaries from the North part of the Mission.

Our Mission Office was stacked to the ceiling with new pots and pans for the missionaries. Half of the apartments received new Washing Machines as well, so everyone felt like they received a gift for Christmas.

I would like to introduce you to our Elder Bennett, posing with the future Elder Bennett.

This is Ana, the talented cook who prepares all of our huge meals for the missionaries in the South part of the mission. She always makes everthing very delicious, and colorful as well.

Ana and Marcos with their two sons, who always come to help serve.

Our Missionaries in the South part of the mission, along with some service missionary couples who are helping us out.

A FEW THINGS I WANT TO REMEMBER

Every once in a while as we are driving through the farms and ranches of our State of Rio Grande do Sul, we come upon procession of Gauchos in their full regalia, with flags and banners waving. It is a wonderful site to see.

Should you be drinking Coke?

This is a fun photo I caught while filling up at the gas station.

This is a scary site I see almost every week, when the maid across the street (on the third floor) climbs on the ledge to wash the outside of their windows. This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, " I don't do windows."

Here are Danielle, Meagan and Bennett at the end of a long Zone Conference, and a long drive back to the city . . . . . we got stuck in the elevator of our condo building.

Last but not least, I want to remember these wonderful, happy, hard working, diligent, enthusiastic, and sometimes a little bit silly, Missionaries!