Sollie is 6!!!

Well, Sollie wished these were all for him....but we praise God that even birthdays are about God and not us!!  We praise God for another year of life for our Sollie.  He is such a wonderful gift to us!

 Cinnamon rolls and an egg....on the birthday red plates. Growing up, we had a family tradition of red plates on our birthday.  My mom gave these to us when Darius was born.  We were able to get them out and start using them.....11 years later. The boys already love the special tradition.

Birthday day was heading downstairs for a little pool fun and a game at the end of the night.  The rules were in Portuguese and we never figured it out...would someone come please play this game with us?!???!!!

Picnic fun

The 3 big boys are doing a little futsol and had a Saturday tournament.  It ended up being right beside our friend's house and at the beach.  We had to have a little picnic before heading home.  Tia "V" spoiled the boys with popsicles...."Thanks Tia!!"

The days are flying by

 

These sweet boys wanted to wash dishes.  They just came right in the kitchen and dug in. I'm in love!!  Then they came over and asked to be paid. I guess I am still in love. Train em' while they are young, folks... train em' while they're young.
School opening of the Olympics.  I am such a proud momma-Darius came and sat with us after his big part.  We liked the glasses.

Love those school projects.  I couldn't figure it out, either could Doug...thank goodness for "youtube" kite making instructional videos.
We are still enjoying the fish Tara caught us. 

Orchid festival

Lucy's mom (Bi-Vo) is amazing.  We went to see, while the boys were at school, some beautiful plants at an orchid festival. This palm is called "man with a beard."

Before and after

Zayin's 10 now

 

Well, the truth is we live 30 minutes from this (no traffic).  But it is a difficult thing to have a day where we can get away and enjoy.  Zayin's birthday was a school day, but we had until 12 to "party".  So, I invented a little outing. I dropped the big boys off at one end of the beach with their bikes, then me and the little boys headed down to the other end and waited for them to have a birthday bike ride.  This beach is called "Boa Viagem".  There are sharks here, so as a scaredie cat mom they didn't get in even to their ankles. But what an incredible day and a beautiful beach!! 

 

A typical father to son talk....this one just happened to get a pic.

Happy Birthday, Zayin!

 

 

This pic was actually for you to have a double take to the punk in the back.  We were out having a nice little "play time"...when muscle man came and took over the play ground.  The boys tried to follow suit and work on their 6 packs...while I kept an eye on Lukas talking out to the guy sleeping under the little bridge.

 

Busy days

God provided a way for Doug to get a bike. One car is wonderful, but schedules were just overlapping and now husband is a very eccentric looking professor. He even tucks his pants in his socks while riding. But the funniest was the first week.....5 flat tires! He went through the city carrying the bike on his shoulders. 5 sounds unbelievable, but than maybe you don't know Doug.

 

The big boys room was in the paper. Guess bunk beds for 3 is a pretty "wow" thing.  I was just excited to have a clean room.  Friends-you can look for all the beautiful things you have given us.  Josh and Lisee, we brought your furniture and have it in nearly every room!  I was like a kid getting out the dart board I had hidden under my bed for at least 4 years (a garage sale find) finally getting used!

Two sick little boys.  Seems we keep getting one fever and flu after another.  But they sure are sweet.

Finally, after the conference I got a hubby for a day.  I kindof like our way of keeping the mess to a minimum. Really works!  $2 mirror we hauled from Indy didn't quite make the long haul, so I turned it into a white bulletin board.  Thanks, Sandra, for sending the cork board roll with Tara. 

This is our aunt's maid and she is wonderful!!  I asked her to give me a lesson one day on cutting meat.  Wow-impressive! I have read about it and tried and tried...but there is something like 40 years of experience that was invaluable! Lucy, my mother-in-law, still makes the best though! 

Doug speaking

This was a huge and exciting week! We are so privileged to be here! Doug spoke at the first biblical counseling conference in Recife. There were more than 400 people!!  Just wanted to give you a peek! 

Finally a few Pinterest projects

Table runner.... Needed an excuse to finally get the guts to try and make one. A friend posted one her mom was making and it was inspiring ;)

I just had to try and make the Pom Poms. I know u all have done it, but I had to learn.  We had a special baby shower this week.

Come on, u know u all look at the banners on Pinterest.....and finally- I am obsessed with frittatas!! Giada's recipes are wonderful and it's another winner for leftovers that all the boys love!

Miss Tara!

We had a special night out with TARA and the family! The 3 big boys got to go to an all u can eat meat restaurant for the first time. Pretty exciting!

Miss grandma!!

School bike ride

Thanks CFC! Zayin and Darius got to go on the school bike ride today. 

So the big boys hitched a ride and came to meet us in Porto. Our Tia Suzana has great ideas and we decided to go and visit the "mange" the boys are learning about. These trees and roots are the home of cherished marine life- so went to go see. Remember that I pretty much only post fun things.... No dirty laundry or dishes on the blog! We do live a lot of reality around here.

A seahorse!!! This pic is for our cousins!!!

We have mentioned how everything in life is better with Tara here, right?