tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70480850001234108672024-03-04T20:32:04.898-08:00My Life Is A Circus"Set your goals high and don't stop till you get there." -Bo JacksonAbigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-48974909979138208212014-07-21T21:54:00.002-07:002014-07-21T21:54:37.445-07:00BAThe past couple of weeks in Buenos Aires have been a blast. I know I have to say goodbye soon, so every moment feels soaked in joy, filled with care and appreciation. I wish that time could stop, if only for a few minutes, so I could breathe it all in and remember the sights and smells and gratitude I have for this past year, for Corteo.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where I've Been the Past Few Weeks:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(because lists are easier)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1) At work!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I blog a lot about our travels, but sometimes I forget to mention that I perform daily, sometimes twice daily. We usually have 8-9 shows a week, so most of my time is spent at the big top. I wouldn't have it any other way! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3UNVSrSqk6q1MyfI_GpEmZTI3s9zul4yTYImimYfIbVeQ7zSjZCHxOert1Nj_5mWabynec8OmYCoo3wrOxTgLnetZiKrAdhSB5JzTGvNYd8uUdLsDcHrs7PmwJPljT3P_WuGWIefOE4/s1600/photo3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3UNVSrSqk6q1MyfI_GpEmZTI3s9zul4yTYImimYfIbVeQ7zSjZCHxOert1Nj_5mWabynec8OmYCoo3wrOxTgLnetZiKrAdhSB5JzTGvNYd8uUdLsDcHrs7PmwJPljT3P_WuGWIefOE4/s1600/photo3-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jQf05tMUj2aR6PGl3lOoKsQ5YDSC9kmCFgfXNRbrVbQ6MZxbsQzuv41ahgy7_IfICMMRePTjTPkjvumypJR16PA8nkmlYyGnyxl-nCydZMdd4MADm6pdmg7SGe5CzjKC0UboLtGBB_o/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jQf05tMUj2aR6PGl3lOoKsQ5YDSC9kmCFgfXNRbrVbQ6MZxbsQzuv41ahgy7_IfICMMRePTjTPkjvumypJR16PA8nkmlYyGnyxl-nCydZMdd4MADm6pdmg7SGe5CzjKC0UboLtGBB_o/s1600/photo4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Friends between shows in the kitchen <3</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GaT7UDLI1nPd0zjYCMUYOEfFMbklwofhFiAuB56CKbLBmdbE7kH43W63w2yMxWWnSkew6HHdlg6ngoCLaKChVhuyuspnekQCXSCpueVJqhfXFxhyphenhyphen0owxOXuyPxhjZvCehCzt2giqFfk/s1600/abbeygabby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GaT7UDLI1nPd0zjYCMUYOEfFMbklwofhFiAuB56CKbLBmdbE7kH43W63w2yMxWWnSkew6HHdlg6ngoCLaKChVhuyuspnekQCXSCpueVJqhfXFxhyphenhyphen0owxOXuyPxhjZvCehCzt2giqFfk/s1600/abbeygabby.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupTqf1uysJSaCP-tgFJ-SjcApv2_aHq1nJD2AGNPR96Pmq-_8ApVMpvCz91o4lVs6IRtF0s7GvQIwN9CzU-BW9PTfJrc50i713eYvOFzbAAqBtinS6KkGYbH2iQ7AykBwStimzpWMDGg/s1600/gabbyabbey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgupTqf1uysJSaCP-tgFJ-SjcApv2_aHq1nJD2AGNPR96Pmq-_8ApVMpvCz91o4lVs6IRtF0s7GvQIwN9CzU-BW9PTfJrc50i713eYvOFzbAAqBtinS6KkGYbH2iQ7AykBwStimzpWMDGg/s1600/gabbyabbey.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gabi and Abbey! Gonna miss this guy a whole bunch!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZP3C-MO1R7VtmoLyl7xEMsJTutPvUMYJEDaIp0pXwLyU8Mnae5ZrpSLfdEoMxQT51kngKRmOnku-fJeVv1-Mc1p14KHzr1e_MiiP_Htny06KWifP6ID6EjzDP25It9rhj4l67110Ubk/s1600/novatos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZP3C-MO1R7VtmoLyl7xEMsJTutPvUMYJEDaIp0pXwLyU8Mnae5ZrpSLfdEoMxQT51kngKRmOnku-fJeVv1-Mc1p14KHzr1e_MiiP_Htny06KWifP6ID6EjzDP25It9rhj4l67110Ubk/s1600/novatos.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gabi and Alix went into paradis as jumpers this city! Welcome to the best act in Corteo ;)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFtqGwwXj2jvJ2-CrNIX5dmi1CPXcggntgnLmb9UzjKGdxOmXwUSXtspUVrAAxOFn73AE7wQvOH8KdstBDlsX-aDZh579cvivyv1-lJ0IfpxWiCh7lkqkBrEtWrx2XkIcNB3sTSZolD8/s1600/novatosbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFtqGwwXj2jvJ2-CrNIX5dmi1CPXcggntgnLmb9UzjKGdxOmXwUSXtspUVrAAxOFn73AE7wQvOH8KdstBDlsX-aDZh579cvivyv1-lJ0IfpxWiCh7lkqkBrEtWrx2XkIcNB3sTSZolD8/s1600/novatosbar.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Novatos Trio <3</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TtHGZuJ2o1tEqPVj5Ab4IlDoP6fYW9gvIGFDPoUIToBjndigNHD8VQtLcNo85OsuZva-90v4-G5ubpAvrgV1kBcQIa-Fvf8-6PJ2050aRu0EPOAItwrZ5LwybOMLGQMQaL0Nub03Kcg/s1600/onearm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TtHGZuJ2o1tEqPVj5Ab4IlDoP6fYW9gvIGFDPoUIToBjndigNHD8VQtLcNo85OsuZva-90v4-G5ubpAvrgV1kBcQIa-Fvf8-6PJ2050aRu0EPOAItwrZ5LwybOMLGQMQaL0Nub03Kcg/s1600/onearm.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Almost there!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2) The Argentinian Experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tonight I went to The Argentinian Experience with some co-workers and had a blast dining with traditional Argentinian food: wine, empanadas, steak, matte, and alfajores. The staff was great and entertained us with Argentinian cultural facts throughout the dinner!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgH8bxiYlFtY18UMKCFPLxemsrN_fiRB7nHuJ7vejk-Lb7tZwkqwHMJbPl_-uBIjsMJp4wzl4KbdvhobjBxl3FjA86BHQqwu1egN897RMze1hubeSeBnqScdzYULZ34jM8XrvdU7phBM/s1600/photo1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgH8bxiYlFtY18UMKCFPLxemsrN_fiRB7nHuJ7vejk-Lb7tZwkqwHMJbPl_-uBIjsMJp4wzl4KbdvhobjBxl3FjA86BHQqwu1egN897RMze1hubeSeBnqScdzYULZ34jM8XrvdU7phBM/s1600/photo1-3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
That's hot sauce y'all, not ketchup. Can't forget soy de Tejas!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN-xk_mXQtFGGcWYAr9yntL1YTk644NP0l50T01mElBzFI3URX7VRDzAXpFSxkzHnjbQ9XqKfLhj3cl6Wm9ZO-vrhLBlcOWu9MUFo46UX7XjFIz-erbmdBazzwxiOwmlqQsu6w_0MaMY/s1600/photo2-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMN-xk_mXQtFGGcWYAr9yntL1YTk644NP0l50T01mElBzFI3URX7VRDzAXpFSxkzHnjbQ9XqKfLhj3cl6Wm9ZO-vrhLBlcOWu9MUFo46UX7XjFIz-erbmdBazzwxiOwmlqQsu6w_0MaMY/s1600/photo2-3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
^^ I made that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3) Flies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Max was also here for almost two weeks. Alain, our French Canadian singer on Corteo taught Max how to tie flies! We were joking that we will always remember that Max learned how to tie flies from a Canadian singer in the middle of Buenos Aires. What are the odds? I surprised him with a trip to his friends lodge near Yosemite coming up, so he's officially ready to tackle the fish at Henry's Fork now. Thanks, Alain!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfW0vcOSms8kZTLXlSX9G0dsN1ZCp2RAxgQM23EN0WRWE4KW_KikFQ3acpMayavq7iJAI3rBhnlgZSks3DDgVb05l92fEzlOd0HcpjZGWd95zhByV3p7-Fas-Kp_KRybeyAzGeSVddlA/s1600/photo1-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpfW0vcOSms8kZTLXlSX9G0dsN1ZCp2RAxgQM23EN0WRWE4KW_KikFQ3acpMayavq7iJAI3rBhnlgZSks3DDgVb05l92fEzlOd0HcpjZGWd95zhByV3p7-Fas-Kp_KRybeyAzGeSVddlA/s1600/photo1-4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV3DIBokhGd8HOfkdJGVT9sdqN03rHDLYcpuAf454vxso_7dmISDOrj6mNQ1VJ3A1kHzxLNvfXJaVe02422PgDovZjyvouoQdikSwPYtjNXI1V5J_uYyQkzum5Euk_xeuQT9JDVts9_M/s1600/fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwV3DIBokhGd8HOfkdJGVT9sdqN03rHDLYcpuAf454vxso_7dmISDOrj6mNQ1VJ3A1kHzxLNvfXJaVe02422PgDovZjyvouoQdikSwPYtjNXI1V5J_uYyQkzum5Euk_xeuQT9JDVts9_M/s1600/fish.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
4) The World Cup!<br />
<br />
Argentina made it to the finals (if you didn't know that then you need to get out of your cave), and we were supposed to have a show the Sunday of the game. We were all a little worried that absolutely no one was going to come to the show, and when we showed up to work on Saturday, we realized the show was cancelled! We have an extra show this upcoming week, so we will have ten shows this week, but it was well worth it.<br />
<br />
Staff put signs up all over site to let everyone know that we didn't have work on game day. I don't know who had the idea, but it was brilliant and fun.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WZ9xoH0VLj33qi7nIdWWSLxrCtAIjUGyIx4zt9AyK4H08mMQKnhoYrN2ZVVMXwnEHd_53gTi6uLOHRP24-C0aQ2n44bP9LRQwKHmrA-9DSmuO37NacncDchP6hKSX1iIWedG_UZT3fo/s1600/photo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WZ9xoH0VLj33qi7nIdWWSLxrCtAIjUGyIx4zt9AyK4H08mMQKnhoYrN2ZVVMXwnEHd_53gTi6uLOHRP24-C0aQ2n44bP9LRQwKHmrA-9DSmuO37NacncDchP6hKSX1iIWedG_UZT3fo/s1600/photo1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZZWGxwNj-FkHbwL5yWJkWp9glQEX4Ln6QT1RwWZ0n1ALp_CwTx_dKbLkUlu19IhjblcvLFuK_NvZW-dTsZPAigkyKvqLyQWQCKaTmh38nUrj9WdNsBXNQy4_WGS0YJQQm_DN6Ez8xSQ/s1600/photo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZZWGxwNj-FkHbwL5yWJkWp9glQEX4Ln6QT1RwWZ0n1ALp_CwTx_dKbLkUlu19IhjblcvLFuK_NvZW-dTsZPAigkyKvqLyQWQCKaTmh38nUrj9WdNsBXNQy4_WGS0YJQQm_DN6Ez8xSQ/s1600/photo2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max was in town, so we went to a cast mate's apartment to watch the game. We watched the first half at his part with friends, and then we headed next door to Inna and Roberto's to watch the remainder of the game. We are obsessed with their almost-two-year-old, Sofia, so we spent most of the game playing with her!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnOPfIsGZ9SOQikJd4JUAxc1K1sVCYxCaSbXIiYsvbTALa4exUqkKdkmAC8ftbpXg-_17kbXZ6aogaZwDexR8KcqZpbe7DG7x7OGglIE7pNYsh7CtWOJSzI2nWOzod6Krm8Rkx6yc0pY/s1600/photo1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnOPfIsGZ9SOQikJd4JUAxc1K1sVCYxCaSbXIiYsvbTALa4exUqkKdkmAC8ftbpXg-_17kbXZ6aogaZwDexR8KcqZpbe7DG7x7OGglIE7pNYsh7CtWOJSzI2nWOzod6Krm8Rkx6yc0pY/s1600/photo1-2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwitVBpJdgXHEUnhbovjrJTWf1TcI-Zjh3Rf2w08nMzIs0iAkCA0-90IsXpQl4vuWaiMbqSuKLDpkYSGsKK70_49evc5FsJFf3zn4zzoaWPj3JGG3yfZbGCDcpTiarkY9xp6wPj9a2CE/s1600/photo2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwitVBpJdgXHEUnhbovjrJTWf1TcI-Zjh3Rf2w08nMzIs0iAkCA0-90IsXpQl4vuWaiMbqSuKLDpkYSGsKK70_49evc5FsJFf3zn4zzoaWPj3JGG3yfZbGCDcpTiarkY9xp6wPj9a2CE/s1600/photo2-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNR_aAGJ-QP_bjOgGt0jlu_dgvH8_rx0xrs3pRXd1BIbqm2FXACCYGTbQ3AJlDdXdz31WV9_nKP-YIz_-Iw3HQaT8Tz5buBuZdayooHPqQq6iyAaXeBInESC2Sj-J06htu4ylntcXeMg/s1600/photo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNR_aAGJ-QP_bjOgGt0jlu_dgvH8_rx0xrs3pRXd1BIbqm2FXACCYGTbQ3AJlDdXdz31WV9_nKP-YIz_-Iw3HQaT8Tz5buBuZdayooHPqQq6iyAaXeBInESC2Sj-J06htu4ylntcXeMg/s1600/photo3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
5) La Boca, El Caminito.<br />
<br />
Max and I went with friends, Hayley and Matt, to El Caminito on a beautiful, sunny winter day here in Buenos Aires. El Caminito is a street museum and tourist area, famous for inspiring the music for a famous tango. We mostly went to see the bright colors and enjoy our day off. I got a new leather cross body because Argentina is famous for leather (and do I really need a reason for a new bag?), and we also got a few paintings from some local vendors. I'm excited to finally have a home to display our multi-national art!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sjASAY6qWcrM-X_R9T3CFaJFu0szl7o84zk_KU-WrJUesEJeeZaXvE66jImFp5HNjuaz8_g3WPjIZvXDEEOsQBiajSLcBirNZ4AAC9cWHCbqaJqQ-OJnOHRTKlS6OuPq58aMAsoiWSo/s1600/photo2-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5sjASAY6qWcrM-X_R9T3CFaJFu0szl7o84zk_KU-WrJUesEJeeZaXvE66jImFp5HNjuaz8_g3WPjIZvXDEEOsQBiajSLcBirNZ4AAC9cWHCbqaJqQ-OJnOHRTKlS6OuPq58aMAsoiWSo/s1600/photo2-4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZaeVdmFjnOToQjkZognk03u8SWUvXzrwq0GyCWQkgdeXUgbPDnndy0FPQdC4SwD2GdeuQ-HV9mvquuckbU_7UcgyG7EiI92mjV_JMkgB-U4-vqMkAIoZokAkhVrO8pUOp9qN8y7d5KE/s1600/photo2-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUZaeVdmFjnOToQjkZognk03u8SWUvXzrwq0GyCWQkgdeXUgbPDnndy0FPQdC4SwD2GdeuQ-HV9mvquuckbU_7UcgyG7EiI92mjV_JMkgB-U4-vqMkAIoZokAkhVrO8pUOp9qN8y7d5KE/s1600/photo2-6.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLCQjFBfXlCLpTc3WwA41vYjMPpy8JPkm_9i8StkQatxg9IOdHzKU2NFYnT4_-HSgYgA12At_vUe4tAoQfSx-XGMdMyeolF9RXTkp6gWXcI-kyG601fUE1csxnYSOGZweKbqlW9RO6ps/s1600/photo3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLCQjFBfXlCLpTc3WwA41vYjMPpy8JPkm_9i8StkQatxg9IOdHzKU2NFYnT4_-HSgYgA12At_vUe4tAoQfSx-XGMdMyeolF9RXTkp6gWXcI-kyG601fUE1csxnYSOGZweKbqlW9RO6ps/s1600/photo3-3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeS66CaJ_vPzWb2yF6lI4JQ0BSc83qhIpU4MzRyL7Q4FSOl18AMtqhRJlCrbcvbP7zckykGtbM-JaFD81LoZNI9bJMYP7qtYFoarvB6NdkLL9ko7Ht9oa1QxqZwXfjjdT83B1Ns5K7v1k/s1600/photo3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeS66CaJ_vPzWb2yF6lI4JQ0BSc83qhIpU4MzRyL7Q4FSOl18AMtqhRJlCrbcvbP7zckykGtbM-JaFD81LoZNI9bJMYP7qtYFoarvB6NdkLL9ko7Ht9oa1QxqZwXfjjdT83B1Ns5K7v1k/s1600/photo3-4.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3DsIT87ksqvdWhgVpWBiFZ65x6XipAX2PcpVvaQNXpxmUSY8zmGVvf1DzpBRRA6Z33b5wEsEhWBKPLVPc08jPHqa6R5pyowkZBFO2teIRzyVwCOAP26WOLShLe4Br4-kJjTUf_1dHm8/s1600/photo4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3DsIT87ksqvdWhgVpWBiFZ65x6XipAX2PcpVvaQNXpxmUSY8zmGVvf1DzpBRRA6Z33b5wEsEhWBKPLVPc08jPHqa6R5pyowkZBFO2teIRzyVwCOAP26WOLShLe4Br4-kJjTUf_1dHm8/s1600/photo4-2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz95Kqa6HZ77PSBaSuqwPy3Ri-4wH1cUKqDuWpmf3MonSDxscaljAzyKIG6ITwE7shbW8kUcdQ_xbsuWfIyWi1oa8neV5lSA05hOjA0MufNeE3MIMJ8Nalc1ID62dadsS72TokMjcfJ8/s1600/photo4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz95Kqa6HZ77PSBaSuqwPy3Ri-4wH1cUKqDuWpmf3MonSDxscaljAzyKIG6ITwE7shbW8kUcdQ_xbsuWfIyWi1oa8neV5lSA05hOjA0MufNeE3MIMJ8Nalc1ID62dadsS72TokMjcfJ8/s1600/photo4-3.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqa9ByD8jFaEs2r9GQ4_7gwpst73CCMisxy9V0US7itymjGO7fxIusvVoP8k912fYNlVbvnPL-XuStcs-DH2ikaVEs01mCNzTkyuyUHyk8S8VW5mTlrRje-xWwb6NdZAFGOAVOjYMSIc/s1600/photo1-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqa9ByD8jFaEs2r9GQ4_7gwpst73CCMisxy9V0US7itymjGO7fxIusvVoP8k912fYNlVbvnPL-XuStcs-DH2ikaVEs01mCNzTkyuyUHyk8S8VW5mTlrRje-xWwb6NdZAFGOAVOjYMSIc/s1600/photo1-5.jpg" height="263" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVcxT58VHCxAOpxNzTIqvTWjHGXB_XKwwGNDjzYTYiZObUmQ5TXnJUf3pB9BEUsRlH038kZWLhXhUFT9yH57uL3VuADZAKAVhO9WO4grVdDT0k3axKVcnCvVhvtTS-ronMVGACitJmZg/s1600/photo5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVcxT58VHCxAOpxNzTIqvTWjHGXB_XKwwGNDjzYTYiZObUmQ5TXnJUf3pB9BEUsRlH038kZWLhXhUFT9yH57uL3VuADZAKAVhO9WO4grVdDT0k3axKVcnCvVhvtTS-ronMVGACitJmZg/s1600/photo5.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, that's about it! Time to enjoy these next two weeks before I say "Ciao" to Corteo! Don't count the moments; make the moments count!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-74333671755790287342014-06-26T11:48:00.001-07:002014-06-26T11:48:57.089-07:00Bittersweet
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t really know where to start. Usually when I have this
problem, I mumble roundabout phrases that lack little sense, and I end up never
really getting around to it. “Uhhh.. so I have something important to say… but
the weather is nice today… and how are the kids? And I know you weren’t
expecting this… and I don’t really know how to say this, but…” My sister is
usually on the other end of the phone line yelling, “Abbey! Spit it out!” I
figure maybe her technique will suit me best here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Max and I would like to share that I have accepted a
position in Las Vegas at O. My contract begins in August; therefore, Buenos
Aires, our current city, will be my last city on tour with Corteo. Max and I
know this is best for our family, and as much as we would like to say that it
should be an easy transition, we know all too well that new changes always come
with new challenges. This time for us is simply bittersweet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are thrilled for new opportunity, but we are also
devastated to leave our family at Corteo. While I’ve only been working for
Corteo for just under a year, we have developed a special kind of love in our
hearts for the adventure of traveling, the people we have come to know and
love, and of course, maid service twice a week. ;)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been a bit sensitive about our situation lately, and
although Vova K (my paradis coach) will definitely blame this on the fact that
I’m American, I know it lies deeper than my cultural affiliation with
dramatics, OMG-ing, and excuses for bingeing. This opportunity has been handed
over to me on a golden platter. It has been handed to me like a free gift, as
if God is just whispering in my ear, “This is for you, Abbey. Just take it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, my friend suffered from a C7 fracture in his neck
last week after landing on his head during Teeterboard training. Days later, he
is already back in England, home for him, where he will spend the next several
months recovering. Even he trusts that this difficult time will lead him
somewhere great, but as I make this announcement, I can’t help but feel a sting
of guilt as he faces new heartache and I
delight in new opportunity. We are all on a different road, and I trust
that our paths guide us toward a place of rebuilding and restoration.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With all of that being said, I still have five weeks left on
Corteo. My focus will be here, and I will be spending every opportunity to
cherish my time left on this show. Corteo has brought me so many gifts-
relationships, art, adventure- I can’t express how grateful I am to have had
this opportunity. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Corteo has required that Max and I be long distance during
the months that he plays professional lacrosse, and this time has only made us
give more attention and nourishment to our time together. O will enable Max and
I to live our lives as one, in the same location, without 14+ hours of
traveling that separates us.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Corteo has taught me Russian cradle and roué cyr, new circus
arts that will forever remind me of special people, Vova and Stephane, and
their patience as I made (make) mistake after mistake. O is an opportunity to
learn more, nourish my art, and forward my career.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Corteo has given me international friendships, which
includes appreciation for other cultural values and the ability to say just
about every bad word in Russian. Spacibo, Genya! A stationery life in Vegas
requires that Max and I make new friends and build a new community, but I’m
guessing I can still use those words every once in awhile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Corteo has required us to be far from our immediate
families, and we are so looking forward to being a quick plane ride away from
our loved ones in Texas and Ohio and, even shorter, drive to San Diego.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My costume will change from Angel to Zebra, from a woman of
the late 1800s to a Flayed One above water. My makeup will change from an
average human appearance to exaggerated show makeup, and my hair will no longer
be my own, but a cap or a wig’s. Our home will change from hotel to house, and
our belongings will move from suitcases to shelves. One is not better than the
other, solely different. We realize it is time to move on, and in our fear, we
realize that <b>courage is fear that has
been prayed upon</b>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We trust that change, when nurtured,
fostered, and cherished, unfolds comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So to my Corteo family, thank you for blessing Max and I
with your talents, personalities, and encouragement. We never doubted our
acceptance on Corteo; you have opened your lives to us and welcomed us since
day one in Belo Horizonte. I know any form of whistling will bring me right
back to being annoyed in my loge and the sight of wooden sticks will make me
cringe in fear, but I will always smile back on these memories… on the funeral
that is Corteo. <3</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We build sandcastles next to the water realizing that the
tide will come in and wash our work away. We push for things in our lives that
God does not allow to remain permanent, but I do know that He does remain. He
is. We will carry these days in our hearts; they will be treasured deep in the
pages of my stories of Corteo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“He was making
art because he has to, and because he’s brave enough to try and make contact,
right there on the edge of madness, where he dreams.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
“It’s like: We made it, we love it – oops, it’s gone. But
the best part is still here.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
-Anne Lamott, <i>Traveling
Mercies<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>See you soon, USA.</b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-90104506133151284262014-06-25T09:40:00.000-07:002014-06-25T09:41:10.014-07:00PatagoniaI realized that I haven't posted since we were in Rio, which was about four months ago. Oops. The best news that I have to share is that Max shaved his beard! The rest is fairly boring ;).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For a quick recap, we went to Texas to visit my family after Rio. From there, Max and I traveled to Porto Alegre, Brazil for six weeks of shows. Max went on the trip of a lifetime with his brother to explore in Santiago and Valparaiso, Chile and fly fish in Patagonia while I was performing in Porto Alegre. You can view footage from their trip <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdRssR6ElEA" target="_blank">here</a>!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After Max and Brandon's trip, Max headed back to the States for MLL season. We have been doing long distance since then, which is mostly miserable, but we are doing our best to stay busy and continue living out our dreams. I'm happy to say that this is temporary, and we will be together again shortly! I was in Columbus for our annual leave in April, and after my two week stay, I flew to Córdoba, Argentina where we performed a quick four weeks of shows. I drank a lot of Argentinian and Chilean red wines, which is almost impossible when a bottle is about $4 US, and I ate enough steak for three people. If you like wine and steak, Argentina is your place.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3 pounds and 4 weeks later, I headed back to Columbus for a short five days before I had to be back on tour. We are now in Buenos Aires, where I'll be until the first week of August, and Max is due here in a couple of weeks! I'm so excited to have him back with me for a bit. In the meantime, I've had plenty of company because my best friend from Columbus, Nicole, came to visit me for almost 2 weeks! Nicole and I met through college gymnastics when she took a recruiting trip to Maryland. She ended up choosing Ohio State, and my close friend and former teammate, Kelsey McDermid, encouraged me to reach out to her when Max and I moved to Columbus. Kelsey knew Nicole through club gymnastics in Indiana, and she knew we'd hit it off. We went to get coffee and a movie together a few years back, and we haven't stopped talking since. Just ask our husbands.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCuTclLT6EnsESN-PZw_RGGSrCNZ0POeVAFIaFsUATGwF9nb6M-jlEt02TZmhU2NkXbCfOL7xmJ2z-qKy2bS_tHElqqzVMblbc1fXAFAqmN7mnLyXkyhexfVh4_KFnnTA5OsjlJU3wEI/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCuTclLT6EnsESN-PZw_RGGSrCNZ0POeVAFIaFsUATGwF9nb6M-jlEt02TZmhU2NkXbCfOL7xmJ2z-qKy2bS_tHElqqzVMblbc1fXAFAqmN7mnLyXkyhexfVh4_KFnnTA5OsjlJU3wEI/s1600/IMG_5194.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nicole and I at CoCo Cafe on Calle Cabello in Palermo, Buenos Aires</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Nicole arrived on a weekend and was able to watch the show from the audience and backstage before Corteo had a triple dark, or three days off. Nicole, Gabby, and I went to El Calafate for the time off and had an incredible time. El Calafate, you ask? I'll save you the time it will take to look it up on Google and go ahead and give you the location: South. Really, really, really South.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr29GS9TBuIWgmJliBo2s9ZXgOJn3vTyVdII18KRMFbO_wEO8U_EtlwuDJ8VKVJr-B3U_gXCJRTQ9UDyrtPfQ9XYR4tH5z0SzEDNZOQfA1ZClG2Ob5gordCVNvojPxSdlfXma4k867W7k/s1600/IMG_5429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr29GS9TBuIWgmJliBo2s9ZXgOJn3vTyVdII18KRMFbO_wEO8U_EtlwuDJ8VKVJr-B3U_gXCJRTQ9UDyrtPfQ9XYR4tH5z0SzEDNZOQfA1ZClG2Ob5gordCVNvojPxSdlfXma4k867W7k/s1600/IMG_5429.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Told you it was down there.</div>
<br />
Monday morning, we left for the airport really early. When you go to sleep at 4 AM most nights, really early means anything before 11 AM. We had some much needed coffee and quiche at the airport before boarding our flight! We look like we are still sleeping because we were.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX3qO5pwZmQslwmTQmFRzUS-3StCCm1Q7vRqUAdX5fyV4wTk5fE7vc3iHOi2rI1Jr3PkOIG5lAHv6-DHx6_6rzrOF0wRXLqoHyrP9dV0PWGWb7K-J0bdy_MFdUptbdsR44ziYazixgAs/s1600/IMG_5202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX3qO5pwZmQslwmTQmFRzUS-3StCCm1Q7vRqUAdX5fyV4wTk5fE7vc3iHOi2rI1Jr3PkOIG5lAHv6-DHx6_6rzrOF0wRXLqoHyrP9dV0PWGWb7K-J0bdy_MFdUptbdsR44ziYazixgAs/s1600/IMG_5202.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We should have asked for bigger mugs!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRh9fOuv-8VkB5NwUF6Kj_BlEq21LpaK_fnJFN3OxuD3fKaEtJxUlNC9ISNG7L9UeruPE81NzCDffF7pbiJWr3JSJRQYgnSYgqfrzwaYVSW9nTyEQtE-kFnxwWljzz5zP42aXWlu7zNw/s1600/IMG_7352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRh9fOuv-8VkB5NwUF6Kj_BlEq21LpaK_fnJFN3OxuD3fKaEtJxUlNC9ISNG7L9UeruPE81NzCDffF7pbiJWr3JSJRQYgnSYgqfrzwaYVSW9nTyEQtE-kFnxwWljzz5zP42aXWlu7zNw/s1600/IMG_7352.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As you can see, I got stuck in the middle. Gabby is kind of a window seat hog, but I'm working on letting that go... </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfikfaiODp1styHjVDwoMhruGJ55veefYS4mvdrLiLoD1KuiCzdLGDAFWZK3e7S7GrfZ-im5gliRw7Dlq3aPu1cilTI9dWdoLlfblj6KljzykiI-kQZ89G6UkuumtiWbCKd2np6vTlbs/s1600/IMG_7362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfikfaiODp1styHjVDwoMhruGJ55veefYS4mvdrLiLoD1KuiCzdLGDAFWZK3e7S7GrfZ-im5gliRw7Dlq3aPu1cilTI9dWdoLlfblj6KljzykiI-kQZ89G6UkuumtiWbCKd2np6vTlbs/s1600/IMG_7362.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nicole, Gabby, and I at the airport in El Calafate.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We headed straight to our hotel, <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312851-d302577-Reviews-Hotel_Kosten_Aike-El_Calafate_Province_of_Santa_Cruz_Patagonia.html" target="_blank">Hotel Kosten Aike</a>, and we went and explored the area for the remainder of the day. El Calafate has an adorable downtown area with souvenir shops, fly fishing and winter gear, and some restaurants. It was a quick walk to the main drag from our hotel, and we grabbed some lunch before heading down toward the lake. El Calafate sits next to the tiniest portion of Lago Argentino, which is the largest lake in Argentina and is fed by glacier meltwater. The lake is surrounded by the Andes, and we instantly fell in love with the natural beauty. The best part is that the lake was frozen over, so there was miles and miles of activity space for us to play and take pictures! You can always expect fun photos with three acrobats.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also want to mention that all of our pictures were taken on iPhones. Unfortunately, it's all we had! We did our best to get some good ones though! I guess I can put a professional camera on my Christmas list :).</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbP0_U3FR170cNiaQ8mXI699VAkRsaPTUzTJyKWmjDeeE2zPAJ5ZoFTENOeKWiD6WbnmU6J5nt2IhymSvUd_UeQFttghU-Aym1z2Cg32YzhvaobT0LSs0ZZhBJGcwb-ppOeDW8xmCtnJo/s1600/IMG_7483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbP0_U3FR170cNiaQ8mXI699VAkRsaPTUzTJyKWmjDeeE2zPAJ5ZoFTENOeKWiD6WbnmU6J5nt2IhymSvUd_UeQFttghU-Aym1z2Cg32YzhvaobT0LSs0ZZhBJGcwb-ppOeDW8xmCtnJo/s1600/IMG_7483.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A sign on the way down to the lake</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnU0MXk0Kd4ZlcMcr4KMJUzA7NWItHoorPyXHs_wpa_lviLx3P1ejY-5fkpMeC72SpFSCsatFgPxUH_3ri0ydsbvTTy_FAwFYTp7GXYB1wSXvjopBdvMY1tbtiiJkomk14zcjc8zCTO4/s1600/IMG_5452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnU0MXk0Kd4ZlcMcr4KMJUzA7NWItHoorPyXHs_wpa_lviLx3P1ejY-5fkpMeC72SpFSCsatFgPxUH_3ri0ydsbvTTy_FAwFYTp7GXYB1wSXvjopBdvMY1tbtiiJkomk14zcjc8zCTO4/s1600/IMG_5452.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cause why not?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we were walking the couple of miles to the lake, we found this concrete lookout that had a view of the Andes and Lago Argentina, more specifically Bahia, our area of the lake. It just so happened that the sun was at its highest point of the day, which is still really low compared to pretty much anywhere else, and we got some great shots holding the sun! The sun rises around 10 AM and sets around 7 PM this time of the year, so even at 2 or 3 PM, you feel like it's almost evening.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPx2OHzjsaBP6RHsNWu57cgRSIIXAaFrAjEirYuLwJxPerf8LlpNd_ngx605M9T_iv7PrN5z7RYFBZPl7cj-F0XhEbIPH5EjAMBNZ_M6CvuLepauliNC7RqboUthLa-zHgN7zJJkje1I/s1600/IMG_8131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPx2OHzjsaBP6RHsNWu57cgRSIIXAaFrAjEirYuLwJxPerf8LlpNd_ngx605M9T_iv7PrN5z7RYFBZPl7cj-F0XhEbIPH5EjAMBNZ_M6CvuLepauliNC7RqboUthLa-zHgN7zJJkje1I/s1600/IMG_8131.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4pm-m8kHhWLy5U2qZcCVCctXP_Tk9cieLX8Yax80B2hS6LkH4I7WnN_DWhbxX8vJoZHIMaKpimU3B5Ml0ep1R52P73BsiROU2SOp1DbmMf1F6lBNLgRwM1r1BJmjpvOBmLfwGb_hv50/s1600/IMG_7498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4pm-m8kHhWLy5U2qZcCVCctXP_Tk9cieLX8Yax80B2hS6LkH4I7WnN_DWhbxX8vJoZHIMaKpimU3B5Ml0ep1R52P73BsiROU2SOp1DbmMf1F6lBNLgRwM1r1BJmjpvOBmLfwGb_hv50/s1600/IMG_7498.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBhraO9k6VB-SbbQVnfOT4dfdFnqUs23NpJbJyIKxizZF2TsbgBACOXoUdAL9rikZUXrE34XU5KgDw53w4_2B4d7aXiTVfThWtaBsMdBvl3npLZg4U0qWiK_qXe3H7814YiqFFdR73WE/s1600/IMG_7383_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBhraO9k6VB-SbbQVnfOT4dfdFnqUs23NpJbJyIKxizZF2TsbgBACOXoUdAL9rikZUXrE34XU5KgDw53w4_2B4d7aXiTVfThWtaBsMdBvl3npLZg4U0qWiK_qXe3H7814YiqFFdR73WE/s1600/IMG_7383_2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRu9EpN5kJHxvg7ckS_8sQ56tPSR_g-WmepzYBAEn63eJefEgmnQNi9MNqVTclPEytNQ1eEYENDstYIw0d4panP-mdMOMTAVIhSxYwn5Lms0b5hxsniEWMroDe0ZW9Ext9HP7HD45q2o/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRu9EpN5kJHxvg7ckS_8sQ56tPSR_g-WmepzYBAEn63eJefEgmnQNi9MNqVTclPEytNQ1eEYENDstYIw0d4panP-mdMOMTAVIhSxYwn5Lms0b5hxsniEWMroDe0ZW9Ext9HP7HD45q2o/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP_sf7qQDMm0tLpN_oXkt8BVjFyc01OA3K3hfwNlglVnVirYHGW7-T-Xmgf9b-vozFFU0Lhdzj2dk9WfFzVZeUM90rXwnN7zZekUzh4goRwd2KLlQcg0nd2bbgH4oqnbCT2AO3UMy1e0/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP_sf7qQDMm0tLpN_oXkt8BVjFyc01OA3K3hfwNlglVnVirYHGW7-T-Xmgf9b-vozFFU0Lhdzj2dk9WfFzVZeUM90rXwnN7zZekUzh4goRwd2KLlQcg0nd2bbgH4oqnbCT2AO3UMy1e0/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Now begin the ice shots! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ3OcLnKCMPiHU4MFpLP82w-1nBtJvCLWbz34mplzrZTPT4xQM-6Q7MiITgzIokjPZNp_0q5AimyTvySZb1Zooml41KnG1X4GsYQRjvg1XLuWG23vYCqhF4r8hJLtMPUf97yGJtNYaCk/s1600/IMG_5455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQ3OcLnKCMPiHU4MFpLP82w-1nBtJvCLWbz34mplzrZTPT4xQM-6Q7MiITgzIokjPZNp_0q5AimyTvySZb1Zooml41KnG1X4GsYQRjvg1XLuWG23vYCqhF4r8hJLtMPUf97yGJtNYaCk/s1600/IMG_5455.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJazbJDnpRYqdjXayuR6ASe_vQcwapEjkaKCm2uZJQGV2jQrZfYVez5J8r2sgaR74nmq80r74EEexiMaHYHypKjkEL64HM0pg8yiXci848xfQr6cIg-wt_8qhzL4p59Kysl_YF070_54w/s1600/IMG_5457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJazbJDnpRYqdjXayuR6ASe_vQcwapEjkaKCm2uZJQGV2jQrZfYVez5J8r2sgaR74nmq80r74EEexiMaHYHypKjkEL64HM0pg8yiXci848xfQr6cIg-wt_8qhzL4p59Kysl_YF070_54w/s1600/IMG_5457.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxmkmowuy-L5L-YE-Ux9XJn4bZ_OxlCX9hB9VNUw47IsVH7MTZNLezq38-ugaDE1DQ1WOkUVELv1dbDbNsMzfXWMLtsfqQF6GNvtIjr95OCHmpnkhi5gva30jrjSgQp7-DJIo71eYDNs/s1600/IMG_5458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxmkmowuy-L5L-YE-Ux9XJn4bZ_OxlCX9hB9VNUw47IsVH7MTZNLezq38-ugaDE1DQ1WOkUVELv1dbDbNsMzfXWMLtsfqQF6GNvtIjr95OCHmpnkhi5gva30jrjSgQp7-DJIo71eYDNs/s1600/IMG_5458.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Uwo_gbDne40N8JLKAIyRqYeTtybftacJSSTVwJhZYSi1i3umtH2GyRyMpYGkipaGrzGx7Lkur0YFd9iaIaahfatbYgYE2ZWHN58RhPaSDGuXJFdUuv1NWDR-gVtntyYmpLTtokvf0o/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Uwo_gbDne40N8JLKAIyRqYeTtybftacJSSTVwJhZYSi1i3umtH2GyRyMpYGkipaGrzGx7Lkur0YFd9iaIaahfatbYgYE2ZWHN58RhPaSDGuXJFdUuv1NWDR-gVtntyYmpLTtokvf0o/s1600/IMG_5499.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb21Mwgj0u75de0mFdMOl4w_0sRQ6GgOwCX34yLhK87gvxdZvdNLOTx-m-_bYQY-iY8SqQnYV9rNPR4HEg2e_Ki67ChVr3uFItMU44sBSsG4cXcyb69p_y3SJ9S6W9ctbi6epHkBeLFI/s1600/IMG_7413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb21Mwgj0u75de0mFdMOl4w_0sRQ6GgOwCX34yLhK87gvxdZvdNLOTx-m-_bYQY-iY8SqQnYV9rNPR4HEg2e_Ki67ChVr3uFItMU44sBSsG4cXcyb69p_y3SJ9S6W9ctbi6epHkBeLFI/s1600/IMG_7413.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdiYCG2zmC_UJiAovSV44CQQVkPgwlXivMh1uyTOouTMmo9Kw9N3Csavnl7_QyOzPR703m0Up_Ns13-FyLEZSQI0b9Rg89qQ2Fw9l1Er3HPzu3dxmD6z88QGS-LHSYptk7GLG-nsRuII/s1600/IMG_7419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdiYCG2zmC_UJiAovSV44CQQVkPgwlXivMh1uyTOouTMmo9Kw9N3Csavnl7_QyOzPR703m0Up_Ns13-FyLEZSQI0b9Rg89qQ2Fw9l1Er3HPzu3dxmD6z88QGS-LHSYptk7GLG-nsRuII/s1600/IMG_7419.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfytZO2Z5SicLj8MiwBOEF6NRZ8XUroV6i2ZFDv7oGJscqDcYTe0-0GWYrqk7_JDqnWfW6NZ_RaYiMBGwLDYjko_2SUP94-2G0lepAfhF09_gqIG4j0jpudyR6GH5zYqFuASGXwq39Rnk/s1600/IMG_8129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfytZO2Z5SicLj8MiwBOEF6NRZ8XUroV6i2ZFDv7oGJscqDcYTe0-0GWYrqk7_JDqnWfW6NZ_RaYiMBGwLDYjko_2SUP94-2G0lepAfhF09_gqIG4j0jpudyR6GH5zYqFuASGXwq39Rnk/s1600/IMG_8129.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We walked on the ice until our toes were numb, and then we walked into the city for dinner and a little World Cup watching. Who am I kidding? We just ate dinner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TRE3PvzJ6MEjlwxZb5EThpapayeioHCWuVLJ_ZYeOUl1xvvrIA5iC5Jq9gNH3kaeEBVkaiN4hA-denza3gGwC5HUnPVWXAKUFNVEQvM5-Tfxv5BI-1-9fFjaI2x9zzEtzX7tYIWqHR8/s1600/IMG_5234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TRE3PvzJ6MEjlwxZb5EThpapayeioHCWuVLJ_ZYeOUl1xvvrIA5iC5Jq9gNH3kaeEBVkaiN4hA-denza3gGwC5HUnPVWXAKUFNVEQvM5-Tfxv5BI-1-9fFjaI2x9zzEtzX7tYIWqHR8/s1600/IMG_5234.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Argentinian Parrilla </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FvOSGoxJPkc2cF5MrkJ7lDbWMBFaote4pgtoWGGzMO9tOK2oPyD59eFBwnZhvnnZCXXdR3xGtMmi41o3-Ue88NZ_8cnMtOEz-v3xxNw_G6C9A82IrDl4PUe7ATCBN_7Z-qtgO6IbrEQ/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FvOSGoxJPkc2cF5MrkJ7lDbWMBFaote4pgtoWGGzMO9tOK2oPyD59eFBwnZhvnnZCXXdR3xGtMmi41o3-Ue88NZ_8cnMtOEz-v3xxNw_G6C9A82IrDl4PUe7ATCBN_7Z-qtgO6IbrEQ/s1600/IMG_5236.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our favorite hangout, Libro Bar</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs20nY6Iz5_CZOGfb9gJxoOPJ4nQZ2dQZC5p75xAe4yR8VY0grcv4ztdKUS0ORscnqD5wA7808_0QGVHGOiBQNDz2lFuigZu3BHWTWxUOA_0BYEhWgE3StXZ8EHs0jnquubNMxN6wbD0M/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs20nY6Iz5_CZOGfb9gJxoOPJ4nQZ2dQZC5p75xAe4yR8VY0grcv4ztdKUS0ORscnqD5wA7808_0QGVHGOiBQNDz2lFuigZu3BHWTWxUOA_0BYEhWgE3StXZ8EHs0jnquubNMxN6wbD0M/s1600/IMG_5238.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Souvenir shops in log cabins! </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8VKLiN_njfz58PIr-qGHPLlJf2M-fFTNvWtGHmeF1f1_BmXLglKhebWZXMSBkYsobXIO82VxthwXOS7kbY09h4eDb3ahaql9_R63LofGdNyse85eP_ITP4LpuQ9hpMoxEb-MYrFixy0/s1600/IMG_7493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8VKLiN_njfz58PIr-qGHPLlJf2M-fFTNvWtGHmeF1f1_BmXLglKhebWZXMSBkYsobXIO82VxthwXOS7kbY09h4eDb3ahaql9_R63LofGdNyse85eP_ITP4LpuQ9hpMoxEb-MYrFixy0/s1600/IMG_7493.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gabby bought us a bottle of wine and dessert to share! How sweet is he?</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We slept like babies the first night after a long day of travel and exploration, and it's a good thing because Tuesday was another long, adventurous day. We woke up early to catch a van that drove us an hour and a half through the Andes to our destination, Perito Moreno Glacier. On the way to the glacier, there were endless photo ops. It seemed like every curve in the road gave us a new opportunity to be amazed by the landscape.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oPfgjLJKJpajnMjtCDEO4eWMMQmSeKPc9qp0xReayrbNkIqZVs1qWgfaghbbcZxeiVWZ61GXfzKRGfB8ydsn24sqFw-Gg8cIP-2bjbtyPEBY_AD_c4uHYQvqQnZzjxNIFYlEim74b5U/s1600/IMG_7538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0oPfgjLJKJpajnMjtCDEO4eWMMQmSeKPc9qp0xReayrbNkIqZVs1qWgfaghbbcZxeiVWZ61GXfzKRGfB8ydsn24sqFw-Gg8cIP-2bjbtyPEBY_AD_c4uHYQvqQnZzjxNIFYlEim74b5U/s1600/IMG_7538.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Casual drive through the Andes</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq49FgU4-eAPYIXO2VukvD62d6dsbCCOF1MR3qVoa2m_ekauWZ59vf0rdz6DiDg_sjb1_HGKWV07380LHXsi5Smo2uQsxS8Ix0iOmrwLMVnPArbIJvscD3aXHZkwIX4D5QUlVorx9HR7w/s1600/IMG_5461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq49FgU4-eAPYIXO2VukvD62d6dsbCCOF1MR3qVoa2m_ekauWZ59vf0rdz6DiDg_sjb1_HGKWV07380LHXsi5Smo2uQsxS8Ix0iOmrwLMVnPArbIJvscD3aXHZkwIX4D5QUlVorx9HR7w/s1600/IMG_5461.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCQ1vk2RIrBcMu9UFpofwGUx8J084gCD2HUr7kVqEI2VRSGqpDiOMi5G3_Qcu64TW5l2KlBHjU9AZjcpw21dMx3UGEPYa0RZOdRfKhTegmfYIGbsK_WwCZwYGNaby14aEFBxAtVTRCKg/s1600/IMG_5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCQ1vk2RIrBcMu9UFpofwGUx8J084gCD2HUr7kVqEI2VRSGqpDiOMi5G3_Qcu64TW5l2KlBHjU9AZjcpw21dMx3UGEPYa0RZOdRfKhTegmfYIGbsK_WwCZwYGNaby14aEFBxAtVTRCKg/s1600/IMG_5464.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zNrBjvlU7KT15kuH3N1uywKKRX98yFaHbRFUHPvQuJETSH_uGUcf5BL6QDWhHe18KKCga3eisYWVjF_DOn1a1X6p7lScNK5ylEShPz3ARw0bYY7QiBuxkGi7lps546R5PN6BTacuIFA/s1600/IMG_5468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zNrBjvlU7KT15kuH3N1uywKKRX98yFaHbRFUHPvQuJETSH_uGUcf5BL6QDWhHe18KKCga3eisYWVjF_DOn1a1X6p7lScNK5ylEShPz3ARw0bYY7QiBuxkGi7lps546R5PN6BTacuIFA/s1600/IMG_5468.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_NSHOQrehCQ2EiG6S_LRBK0dTVfsRRSqtF_cpA1us4q8cKSGaynWgJ7zUAzm8qgpwwU_8LEMzFeMRMve-NHNF_4T498gTZq46jdhjEQKP79GzoEQX_txdv-FvxMBA3wxRBmzdOiSwKc/s1600/IMG_5505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC_NSHOQrehCQ2EiG6S_LRBK0dTVfsRRSqtF_cpA1us4q8cKSGaynWgJ7zUAzm8qgpwwU_8LEMzFeMRMve-NHNF_4T498gTZq46jdhjEQKP79GzoEQX_txdv-FvxMBA3wxRBmzdOiSwKc/s1600/IMG_5505.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGVGKGg0aU4rbdpF1MmTo7eHCpXouIB9m6ABHnzPuZH1oouVQ19j1P30_1-vBx7az7eCDwx7BPW2lLrLFotEp_5-XCPZWCbEBVyMF2PHftk_gLNZyfWif170KKQwa02QSjpVHTxgs46g/s1600/IMG_5507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGVGKGg0aU4rbdpF1MmTo7eHCpXouIB9m6ABHnzPuZH1oouVQ19j1P30_1-vBx7az7eCDwx7BPW2lLrLFotEp_5-XCPZWCbEBVyMF2PHftk_gLNZyfWif170KKQwa02QSjpVHTxgs46g/s1600/IMG_5507.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZN5WRDJxh1abvpZ0BZxPXI9q3pAXeYdij-Zwbkq4c_leXHzMp1g6i0xN7Yy5rYLo9Gtj30eZ4IsxCq93t-SeOmD1wdLFTbd4eVDs87ApzNOQQDqyyo0Ka1hthlpecQDKy_t-EoW1zC4/s1600/IMG_7525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZN5WRDJxh1abvpZ0BZxPXI9q3pAXeYdij-Zwbkq4c_leXHzMp1g6i0xN7Yy5rYLo9Gtj30eZ4IsxCq93t-SeOmD1wdLFTbd4eVDs87ApzNOQQDqyyo0Ka1hthlpecQDKy_t-EoW1zC4/s1600/IMG_7525.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Frrraaaaannnnndddzz</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd9Q-OT5Meh8HJD24K12bVj0VaRm-vIDvFM7gM2Ybv_3LpyVLujAEmS5CI7QelTk8BBjenloAhocNnxuNOdEpYmc0-QJ5csOg7NYsFa-5wARCkbO0kNoGDI9-A0qOZCNgoyoEcFhcpQQ/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWd9Q-OT5Meh8HJD24K12bVj0VaRm-vIDvFM7gM2Ybv_3LpyVLujAEmS5CI7QelTk8BBjenloAhocNnxuNOdEpYmc0-QJ5csOg7NYsFa-5wARCkbO0kNoGDI9-A0qOZCNgoyoEcFhcpQQ/s1600/IMG_5506.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vk1HuoqIETFPBumPkumzOskbjjYESo-kPE6ww7IfvxtDWrkmNQr2yM7dI9JMzyVmIQpKV7cdRuQzzH_aIGX2s4FYwUsUzHvZ02RptqKQj1rYa0rF4ncgzWLVIoMEP2iISO4j_aoBR5c/s1600/IMG_7532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vk1HuoqIETFPBumPkumzOskbjjYESo-kPE6ww7IfvxtDWrkmNQr2yM7dI9JMzyVmIQpKV7cdRuQzzH_aIGX2s4FYwUsUzHvZ02RptqKQj1rYa0rF4ncgzWLVIoMEP2iISO4j_aoBR5c/s1600/IMG_7532.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
During the drive, I saw a hare in the middle of the road. Seconds later, we watched an eagle fly directly in front of our van and snatch it up with its claws! We were completely shocked. It's not every day you witness an eagle having its lunch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a scenic drive, we arrived at the glacier. We took a boat ride to the glacier first, where we got to see the glacier from yards away. We were so cold, but the views were something out of this world! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPgZXGs3-zKFPcZCghArgVFtAuWsQPqeB4bptW2Pgl9yw00pVL5ISkUfhVX5CsMzfuqsbCWySVgTg8TIz91WPUECBoKX86q7StWR8BhE5BigOvqtXhav2oFHQgNLAJQy7dwPN2nzp1lk/s1600/IMG_5246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPgZXGs3-zKFPcZCghArgVFtAuWsQPqeB4bptW2Pgl9yw00pVL5ISkUfhVX5CsMzfuqsbCWySVgTg8TIz91WPUECBoKX86q7StWR8BhE5BigOvqtXhav2oFHQgNLAJQy7dwPN2nzp1lk/s1600/IMG_5246.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqG4VUMwNfeGUyNOozTcPDTAyImrZCSWsr7KYBkb-2-bovtJRxeE28-BQxxffaQ-IuNV8u2KSrjOyhCuJM7VxCe3u953qB12uA-V3nXMDpOSBDp8DUXpzkGeVk65BvHevH0_N8zPyJZM/s1600/IMG_5265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqG4VUMwNfeGUyNOozTcPDTAyImrZCSWsr7KYBkb-2-bovtJRxeE28-BQxxffaQ-IuNV8u2KSrjOyhCuJM7VxCe3u953qB12uA-V3nXMDpOSBDp8DUXpzkGeVk65BvHevH0_N8zPyJZM/s1600/IMG_5265.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtRsNSCwa7IrcVFS-q-drpIjZCNcGXvpwyQNo1lrZ47ud-wrurrusa5Ral-Y_0ew-CqVVhM_hu27PANaNjJZd_jCmNFCPlBIbpYzf5s7o1NrrG-vwXvTGqKYRuwr98LdMkA6aPDvRrqw/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtRsNSCwa7IrcVFS-q-drpIjZCNcGXvpwyQNo1lrZ47ud-wrurrusa5Ral-Y_0ew-CqVVhM_hu27PANaNjJZd_jCmNFCPlBIbpYzf5s7o1NrrG-vwXvTGqKYRuwr98LdMkA6aPDvRrqw/s1600/IMG_5449.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLkoaxPTTWqwCw-4tKxVcCnlH6WUaX3sui0A7Y4Kww9na4DugtrNqupI3ipEWYQ0v2o48xx-adRd4Q2g2l3s_pmR5Jk6IRhiMNWNmFeHDFPdjncM4wT-vtRvuIiDV4eICkRo-VcEgWrA/s1600/IMG_5450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLkoaxPTTWqwCw-4tKxVcCnlH6WUaX3sui0A7Y4Kww9na4DugtrNqupI3ipEWYQ0v2o48xx-adRd4Q2g2l3s_pmR5Jk6IRhiMNWNmFeHDFPdjncM4wT-vtRvuIiDV4eICkRo-VcEgWrA/s1600/IMG_5450.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoibA67_dZhoIBnhZ9VeSOGtVEGR3vHJMs5AiJl078no2RqDMhS6T0S5A9ReU_bJwJnCFc4fsgGcRn68LlHwK1ASpALXldBfQ_CLXDCkeftpj8H4H8adf7215GMkS-LAWKpbXGPdwXus/s1600/IMG_5465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoibA67_dZhoIBnhZ9VeSOGtVEGR3vHJMs5AiJl078no2RqDMhS6T0S5A9ReU_bJwJnCFc4fsgGcRn68LlHwK1ASpALXldBfQ_CLXDCkeftpj8H4H8adf7215GMkS-LAWKpbXGPdwXus/s1600/IMG_5465.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6SBZWw6HHYnuhz3nrB9mWXrLci8w3CaEn9cUPWEE2H85BZfMw6kHyROXGlm2q2hrjdIK0PnVjYMq3DB-mB9lwcB5x-547coWfriUfJplG_Vd7CZARra1ehy2AKCXprMwCjkqJ6mknhE/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju6SBZWw6HHYnuhz3nrB9mWXrLci8w3CaEn9cUPWEE2H85BZfMw6kHyROXGlm2q2hrjdIK0PnVjYMq3DB-mB9lwcB5x-547coWfriUfJplG_Vd7CZARra1ehy2AKCXprMwCjkqJ6mknhE/s1600/IMG_5504.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpidtP5hk9YbfNMclU2Y-CMhpEEVdJzB7HxahyDXC7ulwmjVEAiE-8uuF7Nh3l751UT4YUz4dtS6sWrV9gnk-oaM2Wk638gGFZ4GvqyU1KxxbCesIgThn60x6WnnCmhHS53TeTcq7VQE/s1600/IMG_5508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpidtP5hk9YbfNMclU2Y-CMhpEEVdJzB7HxahyDXC7ulwmjVEAiE-8uuF7Nh3l751UT4YUz4dtS6sWrV9gnk-oaM2Wk638gGFZ4GvqyU1KxxbCesIgThn60x6WnnCmhHS53TeTcq7VQE/s1600/IMG_5508.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1nhtt-4MEcIN3jCVNLkb9xB0TiaxIizNmglRgb0styqeX0GFtMNB4WfVUAXgiXyK5Mtw8_dWUVXtsQ0CA9cOy-eStC57H7KIiuBJT5xjONhfrWrwNYom_WVxehvNrR-CqHJcZnFPTp4/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1nhtt-4MEcIN3jCVNLkb9xB0TiaxIizNmglRgb0styqeX0GFtMNB4WfVUAXgiXyK5Mtw8_dWUVXtsQ0CA9cOy-eStC57H7KIiuBJT5xjONhfrWrwNYom_WVxehvNrR-CqHJcZnFPTp4/s1600/IMG_7652.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3-OGh5bHHdoCksIqKrl4lQh1EJ7BNSqOb5IPH4B92k9Jhyphenhyphen5MR2sHAKI_x4Dt6yIX_UUuUWnV7VBmjKSOYN5dyNNZn9dEHY1uYZ0YUtOEfdJYuRH5XBm7e8r8ZPHC9LI4jvAvobuG0xM/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3-OGh5bHHdoCksIqKrl4lQh1EJ7BNSqOb5IPH4B92k9Jhyphenhyphen5MR2sHAKI_x4Dt6yIX_UUuUWnV7VBmjKSOYN5dyNNZn9dEHY1uYZ0YUtOEfdJYuRH5XBm7e8r8ZPHC9LI4jvAvobuG0xM/s1600/IMG_5389.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Warming up inside the boat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHT4pFzUA7XumQMGlkV_ZGOK4usClUsXop16eykGjVg2ZVDgIP1xLUXkPvDi02h394s5W5AUiD6M8X1PDDvkYnwY2YrCHZD4bbfoMiw3L9s3I6CiOT-cE2uXc2BXyo4Ts7WR11meQ0yA/s1600/IMG_7666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHT4pFzUA7XumQMGlkV_ZGOK4usClUsXop16eykGjVg2ZVDgIP1xLUXkPvDi02h394s5W5AUiD6M8X1PDDvkYnwY2YrCHZD4bbfoMiw3L9s3I6CiOT-cE2uXc2BXyo4Ts7WR11meQ0yA/s1600/IMG_7666.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although this vacation was the trip of a lifetime, we did face one casualty. Fortunately, this picture happened! Unfortunately, this excessive leg lifting caused Nicole's phone to fall out of her coat pocket and onto the lower deck, and I guess the glass wasn't made for antarctic temperatures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7htWrO4aPbB5aU3KA6z3VJ0WETyA6PZSKFH2aj0kZzt5vqagV97uCoyJ0Kj99gs2PrGt1dajD96kvLUxrYQSfPomqycGLJBm541nuG_imk14Duf4PYtXMq0D8L79gdh8Z2_A56ZmnEt8/s1600/IMG_5270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7htWrO4aPbB5aU3KA6z3VJ0WETyA6PZSKFH2aj0kZzt5vqagV97uCoyJ0Kj99gs2PrGt1dajD96kvLUxrYQSfPomqycGLJBm541nuG_imk14Duf4PYtXMq0D8L79gdh8Z2_A56ZmnEt8/s1600/IMG_5270.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As my cast mate said, "She got the new Spiderman app."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the boat ride, we made our way to an area of the Glacier National Park where there are a series of balconies to view the glacier from above. Because the glacier is constantly moving, every ten minutes or so you hear a thunderous roar as a chunk of the glacier breaks off into the lake. We got to witness two pieces falling off. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't quite describe what it looks like in person! If you've seen Despicable Me, then you've seen the part where the Egyptian Pyramid was stolen and replaced with a blow up version. The glacier looked so amazing that it looked fake! I was expecting to reach out and pop it. I felt like their was a giant movie screen in front of me with a giant picture of the glacier on it. It seemed like an illusion because I've never seen something so large, bright, and mesmerizing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisItqX7NkXOn3MM3xKrKcUpA0z41FA7AiVYdOOZytOiuXkY1IhqCIJUOrqhkd31gH5KeYOLM0BSSFtgdptLFbvvhYKynPRoDKrgSbrrtwNDCf3R38AaR4w71UgYlk0Qd2itmJLPQdSc4c/s1600/IMG_8148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisItqX7NkXOn3MM3xKrKcUpA0z41FA7AiVYdOOZytOiuXkY1IhqCIJUOrqhkd31gH5KeYOLM0BSSFtgdptLFbvvhYKynPRoDKrgSbrrtwNDCf3R38AaR4w71UgYlk0Qd2itmJLPQdSc4c/s1600/IMG_8148.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The way acrobats "walk" down the ramps</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAY0oFV4JGNq8YfBy6wKrTtHolfg4z7S9gWFFA5FIybGRW8p1Xy6AevazMcBHLFmxsIDJPCSABxNuqW5PFgxaiQe3zFhxjix6Sb-Nt8FlLR2cwELTckdWKQgSLUEt7_CXAdejBO_qvFU/s1600/IMG_5273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAY0oFV4JGNq8YfBy6wKrTtHolfg4z7S9gWFFA5FIybGRW8p1Xy6AevazMcBHLFmxsIDJPCSABxNuqW5PFgxaiQe3zFhxjix6Sb-Nt8FlLR2cwELTckdWKQgSLUEt7_CXAdejBO_qvFU/s1600/IMG_5273.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Perito Moreno Glacier</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyTdSWlRKvQnwehIFq3RSxU7XHunt5MUfhHpiAJ8-doWCbRtDVPS37ywnuC8S66BaSG8_fjiK3hYrMPXIfwYKpT8can7k5wCZTKI2JET3IWYIInR__fclXGWhm7ygxc3cyv9BaPaCXrw/s1600/IMG_5322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyTdSWlRKvQnwehIFq3RSxU7XHunt5MUfhHpiAJ8-doWCbRtDVPS37ywnuC8S66BaSG8_fjiK3hYrMPXIfwYKpT8can7k5wCZTKI2JET3IWYIInR__fclXGWhm7ygxc3cyv9BaPaCXrw/s1600/IMG_5322.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hand rails? Balance beam? Same thing.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXmqF-5KrtgZ2Roamow9M_-86tXNpUyJEsCgbLzYbJOFz17HufJmKuPmG6j81unKijnEtyt7AGDhTyBXeRHO615d5LTpc9fmKV_wFbxh6AYcaPr5DSHDzQlA7OyCrZ1vavT9EkG3vy48/s1600/IMG_5381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXmqF-5KrtgZ2Roamow9M_-86tXNpUyJEsCgbLzYbJOFz17HufJmKuPmG6j81unKijnEtyt7AGDhTyBXeRHO615d5LTpc9fmKV_wFbxh6AYcaPr5DSHDzQlA7OyCrZ1vavT9EkG3vy48/s1600/IMG_5381.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUg_amVKj5QLAJZEYyTGywGyHcjhr7EqZbzfIGFw_iWMmmIA7JITM4QSOfQ_8_DFcKhL6y_fRs6PZOa25YpuuEKFRwFcwb4tRFBCFHFX0HFMWr8lnfzJ6zsp4XzyuMmBZihITX8LViXCk/s1600/IMG_5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUg_amVKj5QLAJZEYyTGywGyHcjhr7EqZbzfIGFw_iWMmmIA7JITM4QSOfQ_8_DFcKhL6y_fRs6PZOa25YpuuEKFRwFcwb4tRFBCFHFX0HFMWr8lnfzJ6zsp4XzyuMmBZihITX8LViXCk/s1600/IMG_5392.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9Xf6V6HMnZfkp7tVlhPxOTzH2UGypdVed1DlsXniORZlNDQFgccEZJ_N0zANP_SjRqctpIwSkH_qMMha6PLBnTioUxyUQtTVh86jOpw0pf6YjuI0rbpR5aOjHcxFc-R4H9YXrbQTo8/s1600/IMG_5444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0K9Xf6V6HMnZfkp7tVlhPxOTzH2UGypdVed1DlsXniORZlNDQFgccEZJ_N0zANP_SjRqctpIwSkH_qMMha6PLBnTioUxyUQtTVh86jOpw0pf6YjuI0rbpR5aOjHcxFc-R4H9YXrbQTo8/s1600/IMG_5444.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYaYWjoQzFluv5fgFL7LHDAa63wDZe4D1andYeZV-IMuaKCmjACwJ5b2y13aQs3RgdrRbZKn9BYz8S73Lb01FmRrGKz1uv4vky-0qX79X15YVKFsAYsuloJsNYIgjI0bGAJbVeT0Yyz8/s1600/IMG_5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYaYWjoQzFluv5fgFL7LHDAa63wDZe4D1andYeZV-IMuaKCmjACwJ5b2y13aQs3RgdrRbZKn9BYz8S73Lb01FmRrGKz1uv4vky-0qX79X15YVKFsAYsuloJsNYIgjI0bGAJbVeT0Yyz8/s1600/IMG_5445.JPG" height="183" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxKDaroxj1GHKQd6SCm97fBctid50qRzyUgZfv2D3aD4zgD1OhS1BZVEDKNXSHJQ3g65XHwRmk_47TPnOleZ7TQhG7CmZAchLl4JfB5ZvD3Hlpoq-U5iDePCsK7qqh8rh933xh6O_gUE/s1600/IMG_5513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxKDaroxj1GHKQd6SCm97fBctid50qRzyUgZfv2D3aD4zgD1OhS1BZVEDKNXSHJQ3g65XHwRmk_47TPnOleZ7TQhG7CmZAchLl4JfB5ZvD3Hlpoq-U5iDePCsK7qqh8rh933xh6O_gUE/s1600/IMG_5513.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXqXwIGG9W7YmN7XQWmS8AleasnZqxQjbnj1b2uK6TiB1cHsGivhhsrnJBllhF_lrgZW2iBBC17VClk3UiPWAmtoV1Fx6qvaR4bIwyroT-iUURhnNsIflWscXVTzn1DQFtb6cdhxBa4E/s1600/IMG_7498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXqXwIGG9W7YmN7XQWmS8AleasnZqxQjbnj1b2uK6TiB1cHsGivhhsrnJBllhF_lrgZW2iBBC17VClk3UiPWAmtoV1Fx6qvaR4bIwyroT-iUURhnNsIflWscXVTzn1DQFtb6cdhxBa4E/s1600/IMG_7498.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkm4OsdDcR0lW3J5r56Koxxmg_zCOdNsFFDa8sCjoPuTBPOyvYdKpbjNhD-y4pP8sMLxF3im0ZIjtdNoxAXsoRAXaFPhN4nP4jQqpnlDTvJugNvv1gyqKnQHudTAy-OZns8c0fZcAU_hY/s1600/IMG_5514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkm4OsdDcR0lW3J5r56Koxxmg_zCOdNsFFDa8sCjoPuTBPOyvYdKpbjNhD-y4pP8sMLxF3im0ZIjtdNoxAXsoRAXaFPhN4nP4jQqpnlDTvJugNvv1gyqKnQHudTAy-OZns8c0fZcAU_hY/s1600/IMG_5514.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm2eJp4mMZ1ZoZUw6uIowbyj7mAIkUODG2HuivQyiI0Nu6LCGKggqDF98PygVbVHyH2SPKhiaLT-O7m-TAn4iQgK_SNjJyqn7EuJP9RpTNVfCdzodySViZ4JXDYHxJnVI1JqTE6lVbdk/s1600/IMG_7794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm2eJp4mMZ1ZoZUw6uIowbyj7mAIkUODG2HuivQyiI0Nu6LCGKggqDF98PygVbVHyH2SPKhiaLT-O7m-TAn4iQgK_SNjJyqn7EuJP9RpTNVfCdzodySViZ4JXDYHxJnVI1JqTE6lVbdk/s1600/IMG_7794.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTd00NXkI-vruRPAjNjpyr3bMQO8pljsSYsyN_-wF81bMp-uELvbzmOSF5VjY9Npj6sXvyoI4rBY1nNcQRO49MEj8dGYlptmTiSBnn2bIpMX1v4LvJK2gERjaZlLR3AMngrCoizuhASo/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTd00NXkI-vruRPAjNjpyr3bMQO8pljsSYsyN_-wF81bMp-uELvbzmOSF5VjY9Npj6sXvyoI4rBY1nNcQRO49MEj8dGYlptmTiSBnn2bIpMX1v4LvJK2gERjaZlLR3AMngrCoizuhASo/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg307i5ld_TtQ7YiyRWB-U5oRlWZiA3ZhFd7SdovfFak0Vy3SFKuGw7fqAO3ywHGxhn8Ds3uhMq30f2ssKwXBP9MUtJFp20uLrFM9UcqlAoqOPypxuKeYcQPyK28xVn3YAXhhn0gZhjJzw/s1600/IMG_7849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg307i5ld_TtQ7YiyRWB-U5oRlWZiA3ZhFd7SdovfFak0Vy3SFKuGw7fqAO3ywHGxhn8Ds3uhMq30f2ssKwXBP9MUtJFp20uLrFM9UcqlAoqOPypxuKeYcQPyK28xVn3YAXhhn0gZhjJzw/s1600/IMG_7849.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HCxjd6ZSPujweM_EekYS1YasnvU5dGpsrs0FzezMYkZxJhj__X_6WFJaGGVSMlXZ6_m8Pvelxbdv5P4AD9xIDB3zqfQhFLtuk6pTGtKJ9zVk9A9DG-03kjMkGud8i6SjgyewLVjT-Os/s1600/IMG_7850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HCxjd6ZSPujweM_EekYS1YasnvU5dGpsrs0FzezMYkZxJhj__X_6WFJaGGVSMlXZ6_m8Pvelxbdv5P4AD9xIDB3zqfQhFLtuk6pTGtKJ9zVk9A9DG-03kjMkGud8i6SjgyewLVjT-Os/s1600/IMG_7850.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm a bit embarrassed to say that I was sore for almost three days after taking these pictures. Maybe it's possible for me to get into these positions, but I can't say that my body can handle it quite like it could ten years ago! I think it was worth it though. One day I'll hopefully be a mom, and I'll have these pictures to prove that I was cool back in the day... as they push me around in my wheelchair. I'm 25 this year, so that officially means that I've been in the gymnastics/acrobatic world for 20 years! It's bound to catch up to me at some point.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We took some fun sunset photos at the lake that night after
we got back from our glacier excursion, and then we headed to grab a bite to
eat at our hotel and laughed over the videos we made throughout the trip.
Hopefully I can convince my husband to put together a video for us of the trip!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquZ23laCj9FKe1_ZzBLKCUfQAWGJxzIAV0i73XS2rM2UYrhak6q7DGG3mzLmbU3lNoa-echYUB5-t_f4Yh1LPIQyFqsnwE0A650LBBvuzRWwbraDFIR4tNBuSAj9Zj08gvUyuYst3MKI/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquZ23laCj9FKe1_ZzBLKCUfQAWGJxzIAV0i73XS2rM2UYrhak6q7DGG3mzLmbU3lNoa-echYUB5-t_f4Yh1LPIQyFqsnwE0A650LBBvuzRWwbraDFIR4tNBuSAj9Zj08gvUyuYst3MKI/s1600/IMG_5342.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYA2fSUEjpO80ix7kV4RwEe6C1vp2UuPBs0vUd5ZgI1EA7l6rmLTNBcRI5sJjjvLTPEkHPo1-jsqBc6dySUD7-2bs8mGMRphrE7jhT2sY8BFGyfdnyPflyvJMCU2-pRyRwG0aY7YUt2g/s1600/IMG_7869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYA2fSUEjpO80ix7kV4RwEe6C1vp2UuPBs0vUd5ZgI1EA7l6rmLTNBcRI5sJjjvLTPEkHPo1-jsqBc6dySUD7-2bs8mGMRphrE7jhT2sY8BFGyfdnyPflyvJMCU2-pRyRwG0aY7YUt2g/s1600/IMG_7869.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj0omlw3QNOSkl8se_ofSJgcjMRe-q0JrbmAlIKWxJia840Es-6O9QpeZvdiwZW6lU1MvltxT6aethLcqJu0ecly2-ZFT1CVo6tRfbe1ubYrhuUWmDMpk-9HBochebwsKcqY6mIjl0ng/s1600/IMG_7872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguj0omlw3QNOSkl8se_ofSJgcjMRe-q0JrbmAlIKWxJia840Es-6O9QpeZvdiwZW6lU1MvltxT6aethLcqJu0ecly2-ZFT1CVo6tRfbe1ubYrhuUWmDMpk-9HBochebwsKcqY6mIjl0ng/s1600/IMG_7872.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ll_I03SHIcyg1kZdOyREewalmASSoeqW6K97F0weHuKJ46MwEnf5VIZdYZSHUN2kTYtO61cvWZmtKj8OE8Xb3urrIzBS1_XTVtWshkh9T81f3Q5z_6RX4J4QgYDQoGyK4lMkczoZODA/s1600/IMG_7944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ll_I03SHIcyg1kZdOyREewalmASSoeqW6K97F0weHuKJ46MwEnf5VIZdYZSHUN2kTYtO61cvWZmtKj8OE8Xb3urrIzBS1_XTVtWshkh9T81f3Q5z_6RX4J4QgYDQoGyK4lMkczoZODA/s1600/IMG_7944.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii650XZwjE4UjY3sFXTHWkncL6vdFNSR-wrYtyklo3SFUcUpF_idkvokypXxj2SYv5_ubUHYpTYxnm1ZTGkG8NSZZzipVa7QCZtu6bUI1P-8-LbRRlMS068sp5x2z6tzcU9J1yCGfqcFw/s1600/IMG_7946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii650XZwjE4UjY3sFXTHWkncL6vdFNSR-wrYtyklo3SFUcUpF_idkvokypXxj2SYv5_ubUHYpTYxnm1ZTGkG8NSZZzipVa7QCZtu6bUI1P-8-LbRRlMS068sp5x2z6tzcU9J1yCGfqcFw/s1600/IMG_7946.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a night
of rest, we woke with the sun (10 AM) and headed back to our favorite frozen
lake for some ice skating! I wish my Olympic medal winning brother-in-law would
have been able to watch our speed skating skills. According to the bruises that
I still have on my knees over a week later, I think I can count my talents elsewhere.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuFlsHCCELOT1iJpZqjLsUkFYp2cHbkgPRkZutxi6d13YMw4uGmAAjNQBD70-wjxcF8L63t1HXcNl2Ay-CgCbq9BAnp-9OVQ-HkruqvaDeGwN5rW3pTYLLr-UOu-ZDotleWeABD5W0Lw/s1600/IMG_5395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuFlsHCCELOT1iJpZqjLsUkFYp2cHbkgPRkZutxi6d13YMw4uGmAAjNQBD70-wjxcF8L63t1HXcNl2Ay-CgCbq9BAnp-9OVQ-HkruqvaDeGwN5rW3pTYLLr-UOu-ZDotleWeABD5W0Lw/s1600/IMG_5395.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I wore my Patagonia sweater in Patagonia just to be cool.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLladDD1m662VEHNboO_CpkKA-29mL63QfsZ8TV2LR7Ty-ROHtVsBy5U0hZBlSbGVrXRAdqyhdYR_atSi_ncBHwZlPxELNfa-DzD6foXxdK8CpeJSg0NYlQlbgyVnhML1u0fNYDuFr_0/s1600/IMG_5402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLladDD1m662VEHNboO_CpkKA-29mL63QfsZ8TV2LR7Ty-ROHtVsBy5U0hZBlSbGVrXRAdqyhdYR_atSi_ncBHwZlPxELNfa-DzD6foXxdK8CpeJSg0NYlQlbgyVnhML1u0fNYDuFr_0/s1600/IMG_5402.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKxXGnatFDtFybRcBxb-ly07N3hBsypGE6KZD_FaZHgueuVMAYz_HEiaykvw7nnAc1N5wjCDqo1tXorLL8q8vFyPBXc7pNScnTW5lRnxbikJVYtYqppgVJS9-6ALcNoJGlZYgqWrK52Y/s1600/IMG_5403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKxXGnatFDtFybRcBxb-ly07N3hBsypGE6KZD_FaZHgueuVMAYz_HEiaykvw7nnAc1N5wjCDqo1tXorLL8q8vFyPBXc7pNScnTW5lRnxbikJVYtYqppgVJS9-6ALcNoJGlZYgqWrK52Y/s1600/IMG_5403.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We should stick to gymnastics.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmK3JJ8_fqvldpUohqkKW2_XKWNSFXdT3xeXlgZzIcugDGktTiytMAfQGbCRQ6lqvgi5P7XqpBo8sDjlsrZ-bUONayCYH0JSq7cIWpUF2X9122jDU3hIedk3PZtNZJeOzFCvt5bTGyrI/s1600/IMG_5408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmK3JJ8_fqvldpUohqkKW2_XKWNSFXdT3xeXlgZzIcugDGktTiytMAfQGbCRQ6lqvgi5P7XqpBo8sDjlsrZ-bUONayCYH0JSq7cIWpUF2X9122jDU3hIedk3PZtNZJeOzFCvt5bTGyrI/s1600/IMG_5408.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1qgEM28xByAW-HeiEz-Jr2NOZkULeydowPly6sWgGAvsIGqRdoGy8GjY8p-WPVTwrJ5dHdJoJYG8Web0Rfqeb0L5ibFzpxypf_7vdBxKyT_zru9bKXprQ_SZHRkS_ThHbGdZJUsEVd8/s1600/IMG_5411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1qgEM28xByAW-HeiEz-Jr2NOZkULeydowPly6sWgGAvsIGqRdoGy8GjY8p-WPVTwrJ5dHdJoJYG8Web0Rfqeb0L5ibFzpxypf_7vdBxKyT_zru9bKXprQ_SZHRkS_ThHbGdZJUsEVd8/s1600/IMG_5411.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIF21by5sha5rfgd5f1Wv5CW6Gc_pqv3K7Ja-8JX-Elj09krYNz3ylYjYzcMjiUhl4ougGwGFXnvieejaH60HNJNO9IjhqVyGzBmdv5_7fhpLJ95XFGkG5mXO-gcHWaTMz1K9YlnIZTw/s1600/IMG_5412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIF21by5sha5rfgd5f1Wv5CW6Gc_pqv3K7Ja-8JX-Elj09krYNz3ylYjYzcMjiUhl4ougGwGFXnvieejaH60HNJNO9IjhqVyGzBmdv5_7fhpLJ95XFGkG5mXO-gcHWaTMz1K9YlnIZTw/s1600/IMG_5412.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0DNLQ9yeC2gmaGD17xpPEM_fGfZvXUmaY8jgtVaE2jlPmlaCEsyo_BUwo6TzFWoP8xLpEG6dAO1XCEIBYtaB8BmA9CMeqvVayABkQYlzRYfK-JXpzV2ciPMlBLvnsj-c2aBKUXfw8zs/s1600/IMG_5422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0DNLQ9yeC2gmaGD17xpPEM_fGfZvXUmaY8jgtVaE2jlPmlaCEsyo_BUwo6TzFWoP8xLpEG6dAO1XCEIBYtaB8BmA9CMeqvVayABkQYlzRYfK-JXpzV2ciPMlBLvnsj-c2aBKUXfw8zs/s1600/IMG_5422.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CU5Zc5JS5wzyJLMAWgOWTwrTjn_6DnLsEbmuNf0aTu0hJV0KPZH5BIQ_0W_UBnV1O7cvG6ZJJ15ZbkTa3V1a-j2kXavbuaOwkjITi6Lvm8EWyBjJl-3rtFWpu_cTnJDZR0-5DHjD8Gg/s1600/IMG_5424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CU5Zc5JS5wzyJLMAWgOWTwrTjn_6DnLsEbmuNf0aTu0hJV0KPZH5BIQ_0W_UBnV1O7cvG6ZJJ15ZbkTa3V1a-j2kXavbuaOwkjITi6Lvm8EWyBjJl-3rtFWpu_cTnJDZR0-5DHjD8Gg/s1600/IMG_5424.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Couples skate :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifim2el62YUfP756LWvhcu6bMnkB6UQTdM4YCy6EwGxVhUJ6A7YezJKJdCga24Isq4DpumWumiX-ANbC820zfjQrS_8qbJEBoPN0Mb9hiH9v8bd7tgEWfGhCW0w9tMOzi0RevuHYpJMJ8/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifim2el62YUfP756LWvhcu6bMnkB6UQTdM4YCy6EwGxVhUJ6A7YezJKJdCga24Isq4DpumWumiX-ANbC820zfjQrS_8qbJEBoPN0Mb9hiH9v8bd7tgEWfGhCW0w9tMOzi0RevuHYpJMJ8/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8SgFqNDPRjOXGMm-4mOaWN696Pc4wCO8yn0i9fhByVGUcDfDMMbEJSQqB7vafk54V49nqbrAYuGP_pbSjdHaCk7ZI4gEssB6uZR-hpz3reMYmEHJ7elQM_-0v7Ko69dXc69InhXWp_s/s1600/IMG_7969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8SgFqNDPRjOXGMm-4mOaWN696Pc4wCO8yn0i9fhByVGUcDfDMMbEJSQqB7vafk54V49nqbrAYuGP_pbSjdHaCk7ZI4gEssB6uZR-hpz3reMYmEHJ7elQM_-0v7Ko69dXc69InhXWp_s/s1600/IMG_7969.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHumZh1328_fCHVFq9074M7su-HQhyphenhypheni3q3wEoSBRwwrfRC8OsXDiOR6UUXcAB8EVpZ1AcZ2uuhkA18A_g0m86eBOVWfi1piY0Op4eIQDsRQ6D-kZH8JlV1zVQvHnx3bC8hMrhTk1K2nqM/s1600/IMG_8115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHumZh1328_fCHVFq9074M7su-HQhyphenhypheni3q3wEoSBRwwrfRC8OsXDiOR6UUXcAB8EVpZ1AcZ2uuhkA18A_g0m86eBOVWfi1piY0Op4eIQDsRQ6D-kZH8JlV1zVQvHnx3bC8hMrhTk1K2nqM/s1600/IMG_8115.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCwQu1_sbhB1P_U0zGPeWO8_8sULeW7RChwRYu_DqpCfZr0qDLAK6QrptmPF3RAeRpvEuWtZDR-TdWpz8LqmzAoC6efkRERie0tHUK6WHn0wd2V68omdlj4LOoipTjrs3HoEEsWD39Oc/s1600/IMG_8160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYCwQu1_sbhB1P_U0zGPeWO8_8sULeW7RChwRYu_DqpCfZr0qDLAK6QrptmPF3RAeRpvEuWtZDR-TdWpz8LqmzAoC6efkRERie0tHUK6WHn0wd2V68omdlj4LOoipTjrs3HoEEsWD39Oc/s1600/IMG_8160.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's safe to say that our favorite spot was the frozen lake. It was about two miles there, and we walked there and back quite a few times! I'm so happy to have those memories with such special friends in my life. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh1Ph2rxalop6kvPKmFPQ0blR4FK7GtoomCDExgrPWJ7AZVauK5boroJc3cKXS4dRO2wZlpCu6l8w5ZWNv7njFS7yqcgSL63XvP2Pnk09HNiVMKl2Tz_TKcCgDYiX771PZ-ENXX15hl4/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrh1Ph2rxalop6kvPKmFPQ0blR4FK7GtoomCDExgrPWJ7AZVauK5boroJc3cKXS4dRO2wZlpCu6l8w5ZWNv7njFS7yqcgSL63XvP2Pnk09HNiVMKl2Tz_TKcCgDYiX771PZ-ENXX15hl4/s1600/IMG_8123.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't take advantage of the window seat...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_2BhPng-8kzu2hc_4pVFSRzOPYozwF2VBFydYRGEoYrzs3ZTKqatqg6O_hDQXQqqs3XVxvQUf-0yw4K0zYFB3doc5OXO_NIjsX9NkS8Cj_sLclVpHyYH1tONtSR30bjeUNZM_9odGdg/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_2BhPng-8kzu2hc_4pVFSRzOPYozwF2VBFydYRGEoYrzs3ZTKqatqg6O_hDQXQqqs3XVxvQUf-0yw4K0zYFB3doc5OXO_NIjsX9NkS8Cj_sLclVpHyYH1tONtSR30bjeUNZM_9odGdg/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ciao, Patagonia!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...until next time. <3</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-2138518963654511842014-02-03T18:13:00.003-08:002014-02-03T18:13:54.291-08:00ArpoadorMax and I watched the sunset with friends tonight from Arpoador, a famous lookout where a rock point separates Ipanema beach from Copacabana beach. We've watched the sunset here before, but I think we can all agree that it's impossible to watch the sun set too many times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcNchuGO-AZqaAQ0AAc-wSSBF48Dr3ZkidtVJsAuIk5fG4JuoUaN9LY9bAJ_Dli5mPtG1YEGMipORCdJSwhTD2s87ui6qpSnIWW-jV2aASRUJVKsYMuLjpRzg7EtGbUAgq7uAIIiOJf0/s1600/P2030007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcNchuGO-AZqaAQ0AAc-wSSBF48Dr3ZkidtVJsAuIk5fG4JuoUaN9LY9bAJ_Dli5mPtG1YEGMipORCdJSwhTD2s87ui6qpSnIWW-jV2aASRUJVKsYMuLjpRzg7EtGbUAgq7uAIIiOJf0/s1600/P2030007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aKTRZgWh-ea5REwjVoXF0j3teJT4qJUUo4HuSY34bjPg7K2HYzAWiKq3n-UNCs0G8ik1uiXv3MdTeA14w1Mx2iVJ7CUZo5pWzOAf3giLDZNSTEBVmsrLjZvfqpDfFlawJwe-7EpsJZ4/s1600/P2030013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8aKTRZgWh-ea5REwjVoXF0j3teJT4qJUUo4HuSY34bjPg7K2HYzAWiKq3n-UNCs0G8ik1uiXv3MdTeA14w1Mx2iVJ7CUZo5pWzOAf3giLDZNSTEBVmsrLjZvfqpDfFlawJwe-7EpsJZ4/s1600/P2030013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EqEAuSfQ6dcqKWICVt72-CFftJyCPY9HIw1tsn5X_0_T_ycVhwkwITOKeNdmjBoZ1nZ6yHHFq4oyu4RpOsvbBzdXXdpmYWxHOji4Telld24hqPWDCDv0qkpEAA9j8S9S81iBvQKfLSI/s1600/P2030016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EqEAuSfQ6dcqKWICVt72-CFftJyCPY9HIw1tsn5X_0_T_ycVhwkwITOKeNdmjBoZ1nZ6yHHFq4oyu4RpOsvbBzdXXdpmYWxHOji4Telld24hqPWDCDv0qkpEAA9j8S9S81iBvQKfLSI/s1600/P2030016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu77iqeV3H86c-ywcqSODNdIUSgTZMNOyJIz9fRBDLWFFZ5cMZpQrWdSh_VB62zi7fd0LUrprw6TKkhIS5ws9sOEMHkd2JjpxLRfOs68adKkvr-mNnNMBnl5jZR6U-biWeJriUd3ISyRc/s1600/P2030019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu77iqeV3H86c-ywcqSODNdIUSgTZMNOyJIz9fRBDLWFFZ5cMZpQrWdSh_VB62zi7fd0LUrprw6TKkhIS5ws9sOEMHkd2JjpxLRfOs68adKkvr-mNnNMBnl5jZR6U-biWeJriUd3ISyRc/s1600/P2030019.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBewbh9YHR-asuncxK79W-sazTRDAIVyF65KMsNjsLB5Iik72O2oeVzsdLDzQgP8K_PvaJt4fQJe_Zt6Rlk2QvTLb-qaGhpet-fP3LCQ8ZLpne5JgMW_Iw4fXbgd3JmE72bWg0ro6tL9Q/s1600/P2030025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBewbh9YHR-asuncxK79W-sazTRDAIVyF65KMsNjsLB5Iik72O2oeVzsdLDzQgP8K_PvaJt4fQJe_Zt6Rlk2QvTLb-qaGhpet-fP3LCQ8ZLpne5JgMW_Iw4fXbgd3JmE72bWg0ro6tL9Q/s1600/P2030025.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul0NVegbs8OfduocVngp58GOGuNb2oTHkr8btVlFR9797dAp6JPbGIoZbI_yKwdZMJ6tMxqPBAiQ50ROeN776eTEI7IO9Vyq6qYb90dGSn-St_y3Koyw5FWUGI-9J1JBuEumeLQZ3b70/s1600/P2030038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiul0NVegbs8OfduocVngp58GOGuNb2oTHkr8btVlFR9797dAp6JPbGIoZbI_yKwdZMJ6tMxqPBAiQ50ROeN776eTEI7IO9Vyq6qYb90dGSn-St_y3Koyw5FWUGI-9J1JBuEumeLQZ3b70/s1600/P2030038.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNCAZsdnG3qawhnTyJt2838f6YfmlQ6YziRPkmuz2_ANfScZKXBHFl5tv6lbs4tdBM2wqn2FxuEKS7FhDlo4iMSQkabNoLEfkBTN3atOU6J3SUsbudqkQ7-I6eIU_1jnLsMxu0udhdA8/s1600/P2030041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHNCAZsdnG3qawhnTyJt2838f6YfmlQ6YziRPkmuz2_ANfScZKXBHFl5tv6lbs4tdBM2wqn2FxuEKS7FhDlo4iMSQkabNoLEfkBTN3atOU6J3SUsbudqkQ7-I6eIU_1jnLsMxu0udhdA8/s1600/P2030041.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXx3ndS7Ptm2nz-jaDk2oyVWDSV6ie5hZVjcfpevoM1ofNvF7o7rqAwOcb9Z01qpIVEgJsYp56eF7ITtBjMdLgya3UJtfY0WkZzuQrnnGKLBdL5GbMFL9P82kliTb4YIN44MeBxr7nSQ/s1600/P2030046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXx3ndS7Ptm2nz-jaDk2oyVWDSV6ie5hZVjcfpevoM1ofNvF7o7rqAwOcb9Z01qpIVEgJsYp56eF7ITtBjMdLgya3UJtfY0WkZzuQrnnGKLBdL5GbMFL9P82kliTb4YIN44MeBxr7nSQ/s1600/P2030046.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcBldu3_XuNUcqhDGXx3OEKTefDiKeEO8w2cf-d3mSM5-cEzFrb4Gv_K4n9pkadvy1RV8l7F53jvhxFtRse8bg0Ok8qGBT1yKT5iq6dPRRTssbD0kR5XrJzotfWrAxH5BxGuzRNX-1FY/s1600/P2030051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcBldu3_XuNUcqhDGXx3OEKTefDiKeEO8w2cf-d3mSM5-cEzFrb4Gv_K4n9pkadvy1RV8l7F53jvhxFtRse8bg0Ok8qGBT1yKT5iq6dPRRTssbD0kR5XrJzotfWrAxH5BxGuzRNX-1FY/s1600/P2030051.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm back to work tomorrow after my day off! There is now an official countdown happening in the Schmidt household/hotel room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pops Arrives: 7 DAYS</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Arrive in Houston: 22 DAYS</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are enjoying every second that we are here, and we are looking forward to good things coming in the future!</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-75803131078816814742014-01-28T07:19:00.002-08:002014-01-28T07:20:35.358-08:00SeasonsWe just crossed the halfway mark here in Rio, and I've found that around the halfway mark is where the exhaustion sets in. The beginning of every city is so filled with newness; Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I find myself renewed by unfamiliar surroundings, like the first snowfall of winter or finding a new favorite restaurant in a city you've lived in your entire life. The unfortunate side to this beginning phase is that, at some point, the freshness wears off as the city becomes more and more familiar. The fortunate side to the halfway mark is that, by this point, I don't feel guilty staying in and relaxing or going back to that one restaurant instead of trying another new one, and I definitely don't feel guilty spending all morning in bed recovering from the first four or five weeks of shows.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
It's kind of like this hike that Max and I went on a week ago. We decided to hike Pedra Da Gávea, the largest mountain that directly connects to the ocean. We heard it was around two hours up and two hours down, but kind of like life, it was an <i>unexpected</i> 7 hours total, including some free climbing up steep, slick rock, multiple cliffs with sliding gravel, and a headache because I forgot to have my morning coffee. At the starting point of the hike, we were excited and anticipatory of what the day would bring, and so it began.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUr-cVjAA5fH7gHEpQeALoE3OFy9xittZO_JD1JzJMb9kfqkTxWEmquQnT2f2-ggeTHe6yinWaZeiZu7AwuTaQOb6nBdfxAfIZp2uHotUXRXnK_uA05Vzul0ANca0GhglJ4e6zY92c2w/s1600/PC260053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUr-cVjAA5fH7gHEpQeALoE3OFy9xittZO_JD1JzJMb9kfqkTxWEmquQnT2f2-ggeTHe6yinWaZeiZu7AwuTaQOb6nBdfxAfIZp2uHotUXRXnK_uA05Vzul0ANca0GhglJ4e6zY92c2w/s1600/PC260053.JPG" height="241" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The of Pedra Da Gávea from our hotel room</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbFCPeHDcU8it6IqbjIg-NxiQsHkLi-Y9ksKt1jkjRsMrLHKw3kEkvcKOFfpkxEMIpFQ_4EeVSDisP9ZrV5YxHpH2chB6ZEj2hHdIFD1CticeQRuAhmKX8izel4e4gAtspk-Nb3ERC1g/s1600/P1190027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicbFCPeHDcU8it6IqbjIg-NxiQsHkLi-Y9ksKt1jkjRsMrLHKw3kEkvcKOFfpkxEMIpFQ_4EeVSDisP9ZrV5YxHpH2chB6ZEj2hHdIFD1CticeQRuAhmKX8izel4e4gAtspk-Nb3ERC1g/s1600/P1190027.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Near the beginning of the 844 meter hike up Pedra Da Gávea</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
I know this halfway mark is the hardest for me. I begin to miss my family, and there are days when the tears start flowing just at the mention of my sister's name. My body doesn't seem to function like it did at the beginning of the city; I rely on more coffee, more sleep, and I accept the fact that I will go to sleep with pain and pain will still be there in the morning. I keep pushing through because I know this season will be over in short time. On the other side, toward the end of the city, it's as if the freshness reappears, and the excitement of the future carries me to the finish line. This city is especially unique because my father-in-law is coming to Rio, and he will be our first visitor on tour. Max and I are also heading to Houston after Rio, and I know that I will get to follow my big sister around like the little sister that I am, refusing to leave her side and indulging in her overprotective, motherly, and irreplaceable friendship. I won't stop kissing my nieces and nephew, I'll cuddle on the couch with the dogs, and I'll laugh when my brother jokes about... everything. I will cry tears of joy when I arrive, and I will cry for days after I leave, and when I arrive in Porto Alegre, the entire process will begin again, as if life is less linear than it is circular.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The beginning of the hike was a steep brick path, and I remember joking about already being out of breath. Sometimes when we start our journey, we are expecting it to be effortless, sweat free, and untroublesome. The brick path was by far the easiest part of the hike, and from there, the difficulty continued to amplify and expand until we reached the top. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7ibn3Us-tarF1UwY7xok3CBEgQhAD7gilSR8DtkIgl-p0sxPnbxPmROEUTXrzs_8Ja7syQzKKrAzjiYr4IF3iAxvzqigQtX5Ff6eyTZAkM1FA9dkt0Go3AT3YU85C2Y97F5ofeO3fn4/s1600/P1190022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7ibn3Us-tarF1UwY7xok3CBEgQhAD7gilSR8DtkIgl-p0sxPnbxPmROEUTXrzs_8Ja7syQzKKrAzjiYr4IF3iAxvzqigQtX5Ff6eyTZAkM1FA9dkt0Go3AT3YU85C2Y97F5ofeO3fn4/s1600/P1190022.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFSPqopI4bmnmM5U0pEOgOQn6-OF9cd32jgsVb_wQwANMWraFapAfAPIA4ZC5dpnTiET9vIDUk5bXB1m7tBua_1F5oRIqLke_PYstPt1WT_fy1rsAx2cAlrdqKHv4BbKrVIpSvkFpOe8/s1600/P1190040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqFSPqopI4bmnmM5U0pEOgOQn6-OF9cd32jgsVb_wQwANMWraFapAfAPIA4ZC5dpnTiET9vIDUk5bXB1m7tBua_1F5oRIqLke_PYstPt1WT_fy1rsAx2cAlrdqKHv4BbKrVIpSvkFpOe8/s1600/P1190040.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4qoUxvdqHKTVYlcwdrOFemKWd7tZjNE5kJSgn_ycRLdSCMjCaXYrSVDT7rD2_rDsOJWkTV5PmjbluFuRqrWV54Joc_TxxJ7LXBW3ChF3wtBXOz74nhze-7EFc4Y7lwdPrJ8w6S_8Fk4/s1600/P1190042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4qoUxvdqHKTVYlcwdrOFemKWd7tZjNE5kJSgn_ycRLdSCMjCaXYrSVDT7rD2_rDsOJWkTV5PmjbluFuRqrWV54Joc_TxxJ7LXBW3ChF3wtBXOz74nhze-7EFc4Y7lwdPrJ8w6S_8Fk4/s1600/P1190042.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBAiMWL8bJY5LnGpXqwcJdM8oYAQB_24RZVrEM4ds7sUzYTZ9lwRrzfk5V1lQFxgw4d2TM3PZgs8f7_1E1uG9rCvJTR2FMn5eo1AEAKusJ1uW4lAp-dB0RAjmNMljmLUJraMa9PzTfBA/s1600/P1190049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBAiMWL8bJY5LnGpXqwcJdM8oYAQB_24RZVrEM4ds7sUzYTZ9lwRrzfk5V1lQFxgw4d2TM3PZgs8f7_1E1uG9rCvJTR2FMn5eo1AEAKusJ1uW4lAp-dB0RAjmNMljmLUJraMa9PzTfBA/s1600/P1190049.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Making our way toward the top</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Lately, my mind has been wandering and wondering more and more about life's seasons. I feel like I am at a place where I understand the importance of life's highs and the lows, the stagnant and the moving, the bitter and the sweet. Since we have been on tour, we have missed birthdays, family holiday gatherings, and the birth of our first nephew on the Schmidt side. While we were missing those events, we have a whole list of amazing, once in a lifetime opportunities that we have had on tour.<br />
<br />
Before I go to bed, I often scroll through Pinterest craving the season of life that will allow me to pick out paint for the guest bedroom or try that new crockpot apple pie and ice cream recipe that makes my mouth water when I see it. I long for the feeling of home; The smell of dinner fresh from the oven, a pile of overdo laundry next to the washing machine, my husband sitting on the couch yelling at the Buckeyes, and sounds of children playing in the background. The longing comes on fast and strong, and I quickly have to remind myself that I was longing for the exact place that I'm in right now less than six months ago.<br />
<br />
I'm learning that I shouldn't feel guilty for longing for the next season or missing the season before. In fact, if I allow them too, the past and present are capable of boosting my appreciation for my current season. When I think back on the time when I was single, the period of dreaming on a contract with Cirque Du Soleil, or the years I spent training 5+ hours a day as a gymnast, I am inclined to realize how blessed I am to have a God-given husband, God-given career, and God-given talent. I don't believe that life is random; the season that you're in, the season that I'm in, the season that your neighbor is in, maybe it's all part of a plan, and those plans are probably all linked somehow.<br />
<br />
I know some who have recently lost friends, parents, and unborn children. I know some who, like me, miss their families and long for home. I know others who are new parents, recently received promotions, or another who is doing her best to do more of a starting over than a renewing, kind of like switching to Verizon rather than staying with T-Mobile (which I recommend). Whatever season you're in, maybe it's not time to ignore the past and present, but to use them to help you embrace the exact place that you're in right now, at the specific longitude and latitude, this instant.<br />
<br />
I might be really missing a home cooked meal, but like roasted lemon pepper chicken or crispy cinnamon and sugar apple slices, life's seasons continue to season me, making me more appreciative of the bitter and the sweet.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<strike>Sometimes</strike>, most of the time, the seasons are worth it. If we choose to let the beautiful and the rough mold us with new impressions, then we are able to see more clearly, be more appreciative, and accept our seasons. When we remember what it feels like to be at the top, we learn to welcome each season, every opportunity, any occasion because we know where it leads us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSsipeJXRrKRlUI8gKWEj-LWIITQfVGZ1UC1grS6GPLjVpTK7XbdGnpRGuxbDlWnJGX7IqD-xI1FlZIjeDPvbndddWsNwB4sfo8ash1S41bMsIVNDm2eStg8SdBIqWQuIfQQXE4Y5kkc/s1600/P1190066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSsipeJXRrKRlUI8gKWEj-LWIITQfVGZ1UC1grS6GPLjVpTK7XbdGnpRGuxbDlWnJGX7IqD-xI1FlZIjeDPvbndddWsNwB4sfo8ash1S41bMsIVNDm2eStg8SdBIqWQuIfQQXE4Y5kkc/s1600/P1190066.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Flyers... get it?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AYjFrlLV70gHPkyuNO_yU6wEEMkUM4lFc896LDAqdQ3vGJYygjZaseFUpyO7_WslU0bPxLKNXE3dS7YRuHEZUFk7KeMLxKvqrKWsMvdi0C32tEoWnSkqCH5K3GuMn-dukR2gnjAwpyU/s1600/P1190069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AYjFrlLV70gHPkyuNO_yU6wEEMkUM4lFc896LDAqdQ3vGJYygjZaseFUpyO7_WslU0bPxLKNXE3dS7YRuHEZUFk7KeMLxKvqrKWsMvdi0C32tEoWnSkqCH5K3GuMn-dukR2gnjAwpyU/s1600/P1190069.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The man who convinced, and still convinces, me to do it all</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC0LT_XF7VD0hIjolX7JN-iGTdXnAhONcefsVfFPR2hkn1rYc_4X8EFU9xcXnws2eDaH6XtQ6DdY2sxJ61IHx-8mv91rlJDd-dWFGfGubFv8ZBjfYZdw6J96S5L1hWZ7bkXpKQWkk8iw/s1600/P1190091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiC0LT_XF7VD0hIjolX7JN-iGTdXnAhONcefsVfFPR2hkn1rYc_4X8EFU9xcXnws2eDaH6XtQ6DdY2sxJ61IHx-8mv91rlJDd-dWFGfGubFv8ZBjfYZdw6J96S5L1hWZ7bkXpKQWkk8iw/s1600/P1190091.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sorry, mom.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM7q209nfirVVoffWF3trFtyphRuDip7-XFN_Omt4lIjdm8gOvGBwf2FGPUxMDjX1zgnw7HZfYdF77iubs3NzjgovKYG9LD8D0d7i2UXxc6sLqJaAQUeGR48atlaKTJnE7vR0jzBbUTA/s1600/P1190096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM7q209nfirVVoffWF3trFtyphRuDip7-XFN_Omt4lIjdm8gOvGBwf2FGPUxMDjX1zgnw7HZfYdF77iubs3NzjgovKYG9LD8D0d7i2UXxc6sLqJaAQUeGR48atlaKTJnE7vR0jzBbUTA/s1600/P1190096.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZv14KMbrHj60yxzZcAQkH2eznocomwAB8KL0nLn978WiGrajF4aS78pMvFB78ItXx4Gkpf1Cmr9xCf3mbRz4qO_z3HcZvlHU3yMmbdDcFaFxqhrZPJKncRoYPy296uBPzUjDj4tTEjM/s1600/P1190109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZv14KMbrHj60yxzZcAQkH2eznocomwAB8KL0nLn978WiGrajF4aS78pMvFB78ItXx4Gkpf1Cmr9xCf3mbRz4qO_z3HcZvlHU3yMmbdDcFaFxqhrZPJKncRoYPy296uBPzUjDj4tTEjM/s1600/P1190109.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxpv6a6VxVjI0vq0PNR79Gw6NZJ7kQfQ4ibeCkxhbNARbKdVbniWa49EEeXniMOiStz3tTbgasnng9d3IPRfkzsepKDh5snuH_ThlQStL0H_rngMvaI4rMWlYhbkP1JoO8Nr1C9SquEA/s1600/P1190110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxpv6a6VxVjI0vq0PNR79Gw6NZJ7kQfQ4ibeCkxhbNARbKdVbniWa49EEeXniMOiStz3tTbgasnng9d3IPRfkzsepKDh5snuH_ThlQStL0H_rngMvaI4rMWlYhbkP1JoO8Nr1C9SquEA/s1600/P1190110.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkaaQzDZ8s3HrK12gItX8Yp0IpcJOvXZDn6UHoXH8_NJOGVb7kG7WcW773RMLBJaaalYddqJAaNcEkdYDtqhrCrikwKdImaBK3XZftW_DtZuKkBmQat95Swk2RyiH4B83WO77JrPINYs/s1600/P1190119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkaaQzDZ8s3HrK12gItX8Yp0IpcJOvXZDn6UHoXH8_NJOGVb7kG7WcW773RMLBJaaalYddqJAaNcEkdYDtqhrCrikwKdImaBK3XZftW_DtZuKkBmQat95Swk2RyiH4B83WO77JrPINYs/s1600/P1190119.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUTmbSxRDNaFyYd-w27Z2GHdSZbYI4roF7DgCoTI4gPuqll-NFMRF5Xjy13o0Jr2eyMwuDoffyt7NEe0KkQzS9IdkN7bBn91ncjMsnAdV6q5b8kavZSQ5BqjdzU88AvnxrSDiUhyphenhyphenIZwM/s1600/P1190130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUTmbSxRDNaFyYd-w27Z2GHdSZbYI4roF7DgCoTI4gPuqll-NFMRF5Xjy13o0Jr2eyMwuDoffyt7NEe0KkQzS9IdkN7bBn91ncjMsnAdV6q5b8kavZSQ5BqjdzU88AvnxrSDiUhyphenhyphenIZwM/s1600/P1190130.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkjHKWGJmscTMbpHD9jqXQjgkThyVFKPlQaZjssIxbZ8sO8k4FzApPeARQDsPTgThxL-HWA6srM-FRBCIKVP3NxwFrynEJTRmsIJgO8IOjI_wk0eSnel2u75YbMeRqOPochthgb_Ho4/s1600/P1190135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwmkjHKWGJmscTMbpHD9jqXQjgkThyVFKPlQaZjssIxbZ8sO8k4FzApPeARQDsPTgThxL-HWA6srM-FRBCIKVP3NxwFrynEJTRmsIJgO8IOjI_wk0eSnel2u75YbMeRqOPochthgb_Ho4/s1600/P1190135.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRqC8QA88v8TGoHvAe-UasHr0Hveksdqa6-8nVwFyNzLWhlzCFXbp8ZJrcdxw89T9zmX4pSvPc5rudkvu2jKqnTE56JfSQHRT4hQRabtaFsvPu74WaGXAi5SKmmAQJFYqPzp0Q5-40d4/s1600/P1190139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRqC8QA88v8TGoHvAe-UasHr0Hveksdqa6-8nVwFyNzLWhlzCFXbp8ZJrcdxw89T9zmX4pSvPc5rudkvu2jKqnTE56JfSQHRT4hQRabtaFsvPu74WaGXAi5SKmmAQJFYqPzp0Q5-40d4/s1600/P1190139.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbwngRC0lr4-fnVhiQ9RBEwknCzVgdZxnEbWmtYOR90iFV7V3t8m_f4tEisoGvhMrFi4-_5VetayY-1B4LzuCyKZGob8wDtLKq0bIoDjEAm5-dEBw3_ipatFjSY7n2upUaSBMVb63AeI/s1600/P1190142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbwngRC0lr4-fnVhiQ9RBEwknCzVgdZxnEbWmtYOR90iFV7V3t8m_f4tEisoGvhMrFi4-_5VetayY-1B4LzuCyKZGob8wDtLKq0bIoDjEAm5-dEBw3_ipatFjSY7n2upUaSBMVb63AeI/s1600/P1190142.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsz7nZHSaPgjgjlZrqW-c-Hrl1WWWHjz7hmg-6dkXMuQ-XuSQ8PgJS4F74juotI5Y14HD9hDZvIf4gsznQeh9cc8ubeiID0ynY2OI140qG-gAVKtvjLhnBESmnAyL9Eb_u7IkCQi-B8s/s1600/P1190154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsz7nZHSaPgjgjlZrqW-c-Hrl1WWWHjz7hmg-6dkXMuQ-XuSQ8PgJS4F74juotI5Y14HD9hDZvIf4gsznQeh9cc8ubeiID0ynY2OI140qG-gAVKtvjLhnBESmnAyL9Eb_u7IkCQi-B8s/s1600/P1190154.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tJis7BKjMcIB38a8WY3G2hRWK-GNapptHtPY_DNlt1B8nWOLIzIPoU-VvbMMVEBta7XDbYzlmJYCWfTG-By6mhyphenhyphenDWyfqhO3WgjIv_-TeYXTyiNL0M6peBVJDWWxYKWv1SgtjfX7umDk/s1600/P1190170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tJis7BKjMcIB38a8WY3G2hRWK-GNapptHtPY_DNlt1B8nWOLIzIPoU-VvbMMVEBta7XDbYzlmJYCWfTG-By6mhyphenhyphenDWyfqhO3WgjIv_-TeYXTyiNL0M6peBVJDWWxYKWv1SgtjfX7umDk/s1600/P1190170.JPG" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOfDvRKcKktnPbUGeITT8DwZjVBLaVMv7Xf5lhJO2a8tcumGSOAWQjt6Hz7OA1vw4IQ3aGKkL6bqg6JOSlSQAa8Y2DknFeCS_abp_z3JxtyxaRQmmLZuD81nrFzaoFtYZ2KmCOMYOMMM/s1600/P1190188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOfDvRKcKktnPbUGeITT8DwZjVBLaVMv7Xf5lhJO2a8tcumGSOAWQjt6Hz7OA1vw4IQ3aGKkL6bqg6JOSlSQAa8Y2DknFeCS_abp_z3JxtyxaRQmmLZuD81nrFzaoFtYZ2KmCOMYOMMM/s1600/P1190188.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkn92Vf_UyKgPbP1nLPLDYHhM_nXK2Bf2JxwgjctPoNyaE4IywLpPIC6JwTsem8lNy_O6ldo-WBHZaSYoCSey_d2wz0CcSAsKczuy5xAKT-yp3XTlt6T3zybqYidsaj4kaywiLozty5U/s1600/P1190197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkn92Vf_UyKgPbP1nLPLDYHhM_nXK2Bf2JxwgjctPoNyaE4IywLpPIC6JwTsem8lNy_O6ldo-WBHZaSYoCSey_d2wz0CcSAsKczuy5xAKT-yp3XTlt6T3zybqYidsaj4kaywiLozty5U/s1600/P1190197.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgjcnQlQ_9Ev_NFRDLQ5OSxRtrgiT0Cm64qgayr0YjoS7-zHmjCGHutu-Cb-d1tvg_9FmK5zcCI-Ilr5Q6UXGYGRDfISL-Uz5kzDJieX8HedUxAOJUrMIgyFCZUAAN2jPtJ300x_05u4/s1600/P1190208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgjcnQlQ_9Ev_NFRDLQ5OSxRtrgiT0Cm64qgayr0YjoS7-zHmjCGHutu-Cb-d1tvg_9FmK5zcCI-Ilr5Q6UXGYGRDfISL-Uz5kzDJieX8HedUxAOJUrMIgyFCZUAAN2jPtJ300x_05u4/s1600/P1190208.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_ItegnkveaM7mDNmEEnhIz3eufcNILm8-Z_6wd3DHbm0gJFB6QStWCfu_KGeSg5jMXbfhsT0xycWRDqbUNFYgnWErDn9gnvURR6DTemRJtNH3bdNuLIt2hWs5aP0lYtpgvKxz0wOKO0/s1600/P1190224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_ItegnkveaM7mDNmEEnhIz3eufcNILm8-Z_6wd3DHbm0gJFB6QStWCfu_KGeSg5jMXbfhsT0xycWRDqbUNFYgnWErDn9gnvURR6DTemRJtNH3bdNuLIt2hWs5aP0lYtpgvKxz0wOKO0/s1600/P1190224.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3tHZ_QTqcrurCSdLd6BiC6RlQ1eUcC7dMF5FmnkfxGDkQOGL5nYwvtwysawiSECYUlOiVzhVtVRV77beFbxyUFhCjyJZz7odCSb7PYBqgzmDol1cJtDCJJZZpZp6nppEncHVUs63LdA/s1600/P1190231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3tHZ_QTqcrurCSdLd6BiC6RlQ1eUcC7dMF5FmnkfxGDkQOGL5nYwvtwysawiSECYUlOiVzhVtVRV77beFbxyUFhCjyJZz7odCSb7PYBqgzmDol1cJtDCJJZZpZp6nppEncHVUs63LdA/s1600/P1190231.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_TTAuE5qmkHe3fIcp2zd0OFoyhrVF3vDmu4UtJ1b25inbB4m_QfHjDT7vMhwj7KHJ22qHfjDK91bOdaPC2BZarYef0-3AlTnFqVGTohUi3nH6GXKGMEyPODih1aSgAHOxqkOEErTcEg/s1600/P1190240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_TTAuE5qmkHe3fIcp2zd0OFoyhrVF3vDmu4UtJ1b25inbB4m_QfHjDT7vMhwj7KHJ22qHfjDK91bOdaPC2BZarYef0-3AlTnFqVGTohUi3nH6GXKGMEyPODih1aSgAHOxqkOEErTcEg/s1600/P1190240.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Embrace it; All of it.</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-88984750135691625572014-01-10T06:20:00.001-08:002014-01-10T06:20:23.639-08:002014 Has Begun!<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>New Years</u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's tradition in Rio to wear white for New Years as a representation of a clean slate for the New Year. Max and I put on our white, and we had a great time celebrating the New Year with our friends on Corteo. The hotel has a room that we use as a common room, so we spent some time there before hotel room hopping to spend time with friends. Just before midnight, we headed down to the beach for the New Year. We watched fireworks, toasted to the New Year, and, as is another tradition, we jumped seven waves! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5HFVfd8j_TDkRPZS-FkoBn3dzrwzYpU8Qr3-6Tse_lXuhjnw3_ulOp9OLq2Yc2hbcXl3hfjnI2FyDxfU8K6ZcRHqe1wfRha64_d6r9uGgt3EiXOzDsn9yCy3-i42MupxHbaPpmN7thk/s1600/PC310002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq5HFVfd8j_TDkRPZS-FkoBn3dzrwzYpU8Qr3-6Tse_lXuhjnw3_ulOp9OLq2Yc2hbcXl3hfjnI2FyDxfU8K6ZcRHqe1wfRha64_d6r9uGgt3EiXOzDsn9yCy3-i42MupxHbaPpmN7thk/s1600/PC310002.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hanging in the lounge!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EBLQgXS3bLvqlEQuO3ZDLqiafNe8sPh3SHJHiRgDH2f66qt9_2-u0YrUxFDoRCI34jTdbcQuDYckuSexsohR0Q6y301wQCoj8XPsO91d5-KPqXABslMsl8PEjAtDWDRhPyuikZSq5sQ/s1600/PC310011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4EBLQgXS3bLvqlEQuO3ZDLqiafNe8sPh3SHJHiRgDH2f66qt9_2-u0YrUxFDoRCI34jTdbcQuDYckuSexsohR0Q6y301wQCoj8XPsO91d5-KPqXABslMsl8PEjAtDWDRhPyuikZSq5sQ/s1600/PC310011.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ringing in the New Year on the beach! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58cxBtwImcFzm80x8mO9g4nMe4aKBpPR2vG-TLryvTnHX45_7IhN3qUeMnRyOpaPhrN0EcDcZ8W5JNSyW36ThVpBt9bdmsirVc_x8Ha0JVO7rQfic9mNETi0nWf1YgTLKN4rkK-ULa9I/s1600/PC310017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58cxBtwImcFzm80x8mO9g4nMe4aKBpPR2vG-TLryvTnHX45_7IhN3qUeMnRyOpaPhrN0EcDcZ8W5JNSyW36ThVpBt9bdmsirVc_x8Ha0JVO7rQfic9mNETi0nWf1YgTLKN4rkK-ULa9I/s1600/PC310017.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Since when did Max turn 50? I was expecting cigars, beards, and beer at</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
a much later date.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNkEKsrI0A7jku9lH9QXujb7eNxY_oC7B_TWVlIKFNoPvs_VVXgo7yvE6pFcnrdglCIisIXUi6h_F9W6LiB5zAfni-mTV67CnTYwniz9mJ_aGHfJWPUoFV2wF-LmKnOtAz-g3AOq4270/s1600/PC310035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNkEKsrI0A7jku9lH9QXujb7eNxY_oC7B_TWVlIKFNoPvs_VVXgo7yvE6pFcnrdglCIisIXUi6h_F9W6LiB5zAfni-mTV67CnTYwniz9mJ_aGHfJWPUoFV2wF-LmKnOtAz-g3AOq4270/s1600/PC310035.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Olga, me, Alix, and MC</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wearing all white on a beach was a lot different than last year's celebration spent with Erin, Brandon, and our nieces! Last year, we spent the night on their couch, woke up and had waffles, and made tents in the living room with the girls. We missed it so much this year and we can't wait to get back to have a slumber party with the girls! Our nephew will be there by then, too!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Cliff Diving in Leme</u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Max and I made a bucket list for Rio, which I was supposed to have already posted, and on that list was cliff diving in Leme! In one of the Lonely Planet books that was gifted to us, we read about a place in Rio where the locals often cliff dive. We just happened to be in the area a couple weeks ago, and Max talked me in to checking it out. We walked to the spot, and my crazy husband talked me into checking it off the list!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pZbW0xED_z45qUZJdNEVmvHE8r277zC6eA8lYavfOJbtfqOMkBJGqZvFVUc2gLF-eip2oV9NXe0ek4apMCDPm-NY7Gnn3EVOMgaSuCzkX6eSIwKs1__L82Gx8RK7qZVJmgy9ZOKQQEk/s1600/PC300008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pZbW0xED_z45qUZJdNEVmvHE8r277zC6eA8lYavfOJbtfqOMkBJGqZvFVUc2gLF-eip2oV9NXe0ek4apMCDPm-NY7Gnn3EVOMgaSuCzkX6eSIwKs1__L82Gx8RK7qZVJmgy9ZOKQQEk/s1600/PC300008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leme/Copacabana beaches from the cliff at Leme!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9PjKp9SntQGLBLQVazhb9pGigIM552LbVKFXiDQ0-q3fT80AaJYdxm5GRRZhDO3hmSEGutjDIJ9BDRvanKlrVVoVRk1BF7M0mPYep0CaA8yt-5XG2eSsjm6WgtssQEsYBRPckAq5YqE/s1600/PC300012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9PjKp9SntQGLBLQVazhb9pGigIM552LbVKFXiDQ0-q3fT80AaJYdxm5GRRZhDO3hmSEGutjDIJ9BDRvanKlrVVoVRk1BF7M0mPYep0CaA8yt-5XG2eSsjm6WgtssQEsYBRPckAq5YqE/s1600/PC300012.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One of the local kids going for the dive!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDNrJNnjd09vuepgAu4W3Lp5ieOZ3by65sUurPiZiLjdD_8d8piBx2mJXHicXODS9yBUaXbw9cCph2lq-Vm7yrWUZXuu9VRc6mR0oLGlgjkob21EihqRFu4rZ8AAhZK37btQ5lMsubWg/s1600/PC300013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDNrJNnjd09vuepgAu4W3Lp5ieOZ3by65sUurPiZiLjdD_8d8piBx2mJXHicXODS9yBUaXbw9cCph2lq-Vm7yrWUZXuu9VRc6mR0oLGlgjkob21EihqRFu4rZ8AAhZK37btQ5lMsubWg/s1600/PC300013.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max sizing up the drop</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXKGFBmKNMgBhTfFHPpFnAwrUKO17E3HGkLAL5uL2-NZH8w6ex-Og2e7wFpqVA4i9blf59VcFOtaG9WpCMDp1ruvcRGxOBm7w8spk5Da4MgRjPbCHvzLfZ9xZ9qbcSUwynCN0KEJ3ubU/s1600/PC300014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXKGFBmKNMgBhTfFHPpFnAwrUKO17E3HGkLAL5uL2-NZH8w6ex-Og2e7wFpqVA4i9blf59VcFOtaG9WpCMDp1ruvcRGxOBm7w8spk5Da4MgRjPbCHvzLfZ9xZ9qbcSUwynCN0KEJ3ubU/s1600/PC300014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max's jump!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gInGZzK7aXWrWQ7inoQzjs7lngn0N1gboxkATt-ufGMhzRo5WbCB8XiomGqtcd5xCkuOp-j6xBw_-qeCwekwyDacTiigUdNsN8nBWeJwqx5ZuZwpFXFWT4zn2u9t0YQKhP3CknVm3kE/s1600/PC300017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gInGZzK7aXWrWQ7inoQzjs7lngn0N1gboxkATt-ufGMhzRo5WbCB8XiomGqtcd5xCkuOp-j6xBw_-qeCwekwyDacTiigUdNsN8nBWeJwqx5ZuZwpFXFWT4zn2u9t0YQKhP3CknVm3kE/s1600/PC300017.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The rope climb back up</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvt3JICvdrOF8Qw_M3VkEcIkWrLO8tSw6U3isdgZ3a-yD1dCTQpFzpztoX9mWvpBxUEyHE4PFKhxWb32JsgyN03XL9S-TZdZWdKkiWAT-0GQPlRlLaATEZJGvyYdsRLaqVXGiiYha8IM/s1600/PC300024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjvt3JICvdrOF8Qw_M3VkEcIkWrLO8tSw6U3isdgZ3a-yD1dCTQpFzpztoX9mWvpBxUEyHE4PFKhxWb32JsgyN03XL9S-TZdZWdKkiWAT-0GQPlRlLaATEZJGvyYdsRLaqVXGiiYha8IM/s1600/PC300024.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The locals talking me into the jump!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP4hgE-J9Je0yBUwG0MYUGx6dBQ06cRbi0y6hnoDW_bIxXH6VYya7WHPQQ8ZnhkcJZv4JWu9pa-jcnRQ5s_HuXQ6GyvcsHHff3lauDRPkwlCXnfBMVqxdOwwZwVUflgvB3L8vveBRP-Y/s1600/PC300033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcP4hgE-J9Je0yBUwG0MYUGx6dBQ06cRbi0y6hnoDW_bIxXH6VYya7WHPQQ8ZnhkcJZv4JWu9pa-jcnRQ5s_HuXQ6GyvcsHHff3lauDRPkwlCXnfBMVqxdOwwZwVUflgvB3L8vveBRP-Y/s1600/PC300033.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Going for it!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJNQ9KuewpTraiTUNxQkKLH0HBBaOF4346mHbxc7WUtUg0Kk53lnVIsdA-sOVgOxk83U66RJ1Ws-6y3zuyS2-3NY6V__GaRdEVDrI4C_9MzmQvenc6S6V-H6ZRUcoR7W-ZwVcC4rAnXw/s1600/PC300030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJNQ9KuewpTraiTUNxQkKLH0HBBaOF4346mHbxc7WUtUg0Kk53lnVIsdA-sOVgOxk83U66RJ1Ws-6y3zuyS2-3NY6V__GaRdEVDrI4C_9MzmQvenc6S6V-H6ZRUcoR7W-ZwVcC4rAnXw/s1600/PC300030.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Climbing up!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Sunset at Arpoador</u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also on our bucket list for Rio was visiting Arpoador at sunset. Arpoador is a point where a large rock sticks out between Copacabana and Ipanema. Supposedly the best sunsets are at Arpoador, so we made the trip out after cliff jumping! Unfortunately, it was a bit cloudy and we didn't get the best view. Fortunately, we are here for several more weeks, so we can see it again!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ1c4Uibl2wdIUvchD8aorbnJvxh62jq6Vuy-AzZVzqhkCqqPtMQd127fRx3TGPixYzAR1TpSCmENbdkeTaLIRmhyphenhyphenMmHzOcyRM-EB9JdUF6rIZnCGO7GyothLZPOfLfJRoUzC9M3QBt4/s1600/PC300038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ1c4Uibl2wdIUvchD8aorbnJvxh62jq6Vuy-AzZVzqhkCqqPtMQd127fRx3TGPixYzAR1TpSCmENbdkeTaLIRmhyphenhyphenMmHzOcyRM-EB9JdUF6rIZnCGO7GyothLZPOfLfJRoUzC9M3QBt4/s1600/PC300038.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KnMa8ftnNV6k9NFEc9LMLPA1HEmn2xhokpeZe2_Ron3aclEP5f_2jBkBk8m44gkvGPGFjN86yTpC0sVvb-8Bw54bHDdfNINmzLOUZe9qDx4dTF0zaH10V_PiTZtRjm4vkbNeyl8i_BU/s1600/PC300039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KnMa8ftnNV6k9NFEc9LMLPA1HEmn2xhokpeZe2_Ron3aclEP5f_2jBkBk8m44gkvGPGFjN86yTpC0sVvb-8Bw54bHDdfNINmzLOUZe9qDx4dTF0zaH10V_PiTZtRjm4vkbNeyl8i_BU/s1600/PC300039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_EqQF6Cs9tIkIYbXviDgYAY0l4FkF1AsQoSmDxxiwZLeV4O0DpPoF9U5UM3rEtjF5MO0kmfGFYCe1GUcsmWVMvN5bvyGcdm5C2-ho2hJdAGoUPZvhnD2-mKl_zCFgFGGBzoEfHnE9Dk/s1600/PC300040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_EqQF6Cs9tIkIYbXviDgYAY0l4FkF1AsQoSmDxxiwZLeV4O0DpPoF9U5UM3rEtjF5MO0kmfGFYCe1GUcsmWVMvN5bvyGcdm5C2-ho2hJdAGoUPZvhnD2-mKl_zCFgFGGBzoEfHnE9Dk/s1600/PC300040.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Botanical Gardens</u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week, Max and I ventured into the Botanical Gardens. Also on our bucket list was climbing a tree in the Botanical Gardens. We checked that off the list! Unfortunately, I don't think Max and I are Botanical Garden type of people. Before we went, we had heard from so many people that it's beautiful and easy to spend hours there. It is definitely beautiful, but we decided there's only so much time we can spend looking at plants before we get really bored and need to get out of there. The nature was pretty and we got some great pictures, but I can't say we were super enthusiastic looking at plant after plant.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UQG6e_PcXBpZhwyTqr9ESymTBHgSBira_eLeuIG9ikd7O1ETCPjBm-kA0fXIrKLkp5jERMwcw2UIR7_PoUqZ4e6gh2OIdbbejkdoW8gz-ai-f_Sn-x1UibVB9exC4umFVWQJOy4VgrA/s1600/P1010005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UQG6e_PcXBpZhwyTqr9ESymTBHgSBira_eLeuIG9ikd7O1ETCPjBm-kA0fXIrKLkp5jERMwcw2UIR7_PoUqZ4e6gh2OIdbbejkdoW8gz-ai-f_Sn-x1UibVB9exC4umFVWQJOy4VgrA/s1600/P1010005.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Japanese lily pads</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN7sYhRcnsUhsiO7eRuMJ9SPT-BmLCc8XMHt8YNITg9vkgSbIaluMTYbwkQAgOWy8dQC2qFmPzV3F8MRv_o0TLRUesX7v6-tuhieZ7RZMxu80aTd52Al4LPSUyVhlZJqPJF7BbzpN7Po/s1600/P1010006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMN7sYhRcnsUhsiO7eRuMJ9SPT-BmLCc8XMHt8YNITg9vkgSbIaluMTYbwkQAgOWy8dQC2qFmPzV3F8MRv_o0TLRUesX7v6-tuhieZ7RZMxu80aTd52Al4LPSUyVhlZJqPJF7BbzpN7Po/s1600/P1010006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6Iq7aU422jWSE9XLLM0deVn5hpj1BTHrkiXneUwp2PbMvAIRILdCtrTNaNegrfEAbimyu9SkM65NXohBMxq1Wx1OjRPHPBIZp7QRr15qVr0SihrGNvRiDd8arnJ4LBPJM25TRUV6UwE/s1600/P1010008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6Iq7aU422jWSE9XLLM0deVn5hpj1BTHrkiXneUwp2PbMvAIRILdCtrTNaNegrfEAbimyu9SkM65NXohBMxq1Wx1OjRPHPBIZp7QRr15qVr0SihrGNvRiDd8arnJ4LBPJM25TRUV6UwE/s1600/P1010008.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max standing by a giant tree. It makes me laugh when he stands</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
by things that make him look tiny!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXIHujWjR2zQR2kFJkwVN2HoYoUwGugiAMCOm0eBRTajuXxzck0eI-rRKIq66yZxCDNy_zwufKgKTVSUaMrv41bBxUh1sXFWSgpRrO1rD4Rva_CdNjSRc_fhGf1tR5ZAodSwgESWmEY0/s1600/P1010010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXIHujWjR2zQR2kFJkwVN2HoYoUwGugiAMCOm0eBRTajuXxzck0eI-rRKIq66yZxCDNy_zwufKgKTVSUaMrv41bBxUh1sXFWSgpRrO1rD4Rva_CdNjSRc_fhGf1tR5ZAodSwgESWmEY0/s1600/P1010010.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyNTcFb_g5d3nUa5Kka5FXXqOvqLLa1_Qs6aaZISDD6T_daeFFfA4UX7nxEBueEQ3CSFI8Eh_OB1FMiUxegNzIjSU-jvJVAsen21WBVJxoEvfMH3m4O8UM-r194uEhnM0BsF-l-rW37A/s1600/P1010011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyNTcFb_g5d3nUa5Kka5FXXqOvqLLa1_Qs6aaZISDD6T_daeFFfA4UX7nxEBueEQ3CSFI8Eh_OB1FMiUxegNzIjSU-jvJVAsen21WBVJxoEvfMH3m4O8UM-r194uEhnM0BsF-l-rW37A/s1600/P1010011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc27SUllMXeuxn-2QxdRXVnYCuLX2uez6WL22vD7KP2k7I2qonThkTKIJ-zKzSepPWMr5SWqCYJin8MaIVpFrdrRfg9Q1KS5_5Qn6ZrUNNHfK7CJNFBJtQ5Cf5XKcmEJKMXOnuCBN-_Q/s1600/P1010015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc27SUllMXeuxn-2QxdRXVnYCuLX2uez6WL22vD7KP2k7I2qonThkTKIJ-zKzSepPWMr5SWqCYJin8MaIVpFrdrRfg9Q1KS5_5Qn6ZrUNNHfK7CJNFBJtQ5Cf5XKcmEJKMXOnuCBN-_Q/s1600/P1010015.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Jaca</i>, or JackFruit, the world's largest edible fruit! The grow up to</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3 feet and hang from huge trees!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU06-EvkzNk__SaKgnLJc81bygkV4LP3fDTO60QSuKfBOhG2kem-i1GWPKorK5eoVZiMB8dDUV0HWKEtwCVcjnWOD4kTTm2YjhrvowWNZuGkWWaJV3P1Oq6zJpplrn8q55uEiFwQtmSLU/s1600/P1010016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU06-EvkzNk__SaKgnLJc81bygkV4LP3fDTO60QSuKfBOhG2kem-i1GWPKorK5eoVZiMB8dDUV0HWKEtwCVcjnWOD4kTTm2YjhrvowWNZuGkWWaJV3P1Oq6zJpplrn8q55uEiFwQtmSLU/s1600/P1010016.jpg" height="640" width="636" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
checked off the bucket list!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEZCXlzAdHhsAILtzuBAQmXB5KtQIMsLIvnDv0o3KKuuA8V36r5788lKIE6DsOR-2Yw_xhs_8lxjtKYt6mXaDREoBE5yHBuHrI9MtIX3JpwqKHDIh5haXYTqZX-ltGDjk7_jrnvSQdE0/s1600/P1010021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEZCXlzAdHhsAILtzuBAQmXB5KtQIMsLIvnDv0o3KKuuA8V36r5788lKIE6DsOR-2Yw_xhs_8lxjtKYt6mXaDREoBE5yHBuHrI9MtIX3JpwqKHDIh5haXYTqZX-ltGDjk7_jrnvSQdE0/s1600/P1010021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
me too!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCIHBMx4S3552hTE_CZZAzsA6HVxP6XX5NPNaIQLhfWcaLtIuT5De5xrRQQsXA5Xd5yrIsABxVHzF12x5fVSV_A3laqCQu6M3_sBWZjcytl7ARFa5O76KKRGfs8V6RvsLPo7bv623NHE/s1600/P1010018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCIHBMx4S3552hTE_CZZAzsA6HVxP6XX5NPNaIQLhfWcaLtIuT5De5xrRQQsXA5Xd5yrIsABxVHzF12x5fVSV_A3laqCQu6M3_sBWZjcytl7ARFa5O76KKRGfs8V6RvsLPo7bv623NHE/s1600/P1010018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGr4hN6Wk8VgNkWUVfjFIWZhhSeyZeW_pSq04sl47Q8cLm_3E9Hk1xboiW_uFcyb4O49778QU81TUD6v2UeJyCyRT7uPnrxehubykA-qGHhSHbmhsObkplKqVNdinklcoyO6mp-4KC2hI/s1600/P1010022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGr4hN6Wk8VgNkWUVfjFIWZhhSeyZeW_pSq04sl47Q8cLm_3E9Hk1xboiW_uFcyb4O49778QU81TUD6v2UeJyCyRT7uPnrxehubykA-qGHhSHbmhsObkplKqVNdinklcoyO6mp-4KC2hI/s1600/P1010022.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elephant ears! :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_JpOi7Q8OT3cAIQZ2Te7lLlVA7CyLSRhC4MtCL4W9K8d_sv1jkfzyRgEmFUTpfE7V2PAStc9ZfGdlhQ_TAUEprapYACXsCvEikxj4RCYNVYK2_DawovKTBTRout7B8Onv2wjNYd_bwM/s1600/P1010024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_JpOi7Q8OT3cAIQZ2Te7lLlVA7CyLSRhC4MtCL4W9K8d_sv1jkfzyRgEmFUTpfE7V2PAStc9ZfGdlhQ_TAUEprapYACXsCvEikxj4RCYNVYK2_DawovKTBTRout7B8Onv2wjNYd_bwM/s1600/P1010024.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvFnvFNNQbsGYqz_cXxv0jCF7kYuyl45IVrT8Y1HoOQnemjxyoacLbws5aPUk882k3IXRPlTNRMsDsvsBTLfO6C7R8nd7i1G3oLvh9sqr8NVwIRRLwdMMOKnrbUkkmTHvMUbsNgmXaZM/s1600/P1010027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvFnvFNNQbsGYqz_cXxv0jCF7kYuyl45IVrT8Y1HoOQnemjxyoacLbws5aPUk882k3IXRPlTNRMsDsvsBTLfO6C7R8nd7i1G3oLvh9sqr8NVwIRRLwdMMOKnrbUkkmTHvMUbsNgmXaZM/s1600/P1010027.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyxVbDP3Gima2kW_LTi2YNsRsSoErwG5Xk0cA7xzgClCTXcY2LKKq5rb2UCPwuzqiU2cOYtxgz95fQ55zC_M4QK6aIw5hZBONSSz4LctbNguuuH8qy9Fu5Dx8GuKRpISJiPWbeKKyEhc/s1600/P1010028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyxVbDP3Gima2kW_LTi2YNsRsSoErwG5Xk0cA7xzgClCTXcY2LKKq5rb2UCPwuzqiU2cOYtxgz95fQ55zC_M4QK6aIw5hZBONSSz4LctbNguuuH8qy9Fu5Dx8GuKRpISJiPWbeKKyEhc/s1600/P1010028.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82eI040RqZ6VXJ-VDm4iBoOT-7ud796axZ8JBTuEp85LYU7bvFRQnvUum-ICgyj2gnpwfSthxCJZa3FtMeMDKDQr2n9Kj4Ksm8-Xj3RW0JbPegBuMRnT4VF3L1v7bchMLIjRRtb8xQm8/s1600/P1010036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82eI040RqZ6VXJ-VDm4iBoOT-7ud796axZ8JBTuEp85LYU7bvFRQnvUum-ICgyj2gnpwfSthxCJZa3FtMeMDKDQr2n9Kj4Ksm8-Xj3RW0JbPegBuMRnT4VF3L1v7bchMLIjRRtb8xQm8/s1600/P1010036.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Christ the Redeemer is visible through the trees!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hsC0B7wVbVU4u5bD6jMhoC_4LHRIxG4dybkE9iMT0wnxMftt59D-baL3WGNpbG8C9lU7gOmXNawMiux67cRAsvO5ndB3FhZXYGBZgwQQhbjM2uVD378G9lDUmQ7IHcPPEJeHWs9bh7M/s1600/P1010039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6hsC0B7wVbVU4u5bD6jMhoC_4LHRIxG4dybkE9iMT0wnxMftt59D-baL3WGNpbG8C9lU7gOmXNawMiux67cRAsvO5ndB3FhZXYGBZgwQQhbjM2uVD378G9lDUmQ7IHcPPEJeHWs9bh7M/s1600/P1010039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another tree making Max look tiny</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6ZVi0M0SA4b275pkabjz2p5b1G42nc3pUHaPZCQBVXKhafbMwvoS3AUOn2lKu8nIL3j1k-9iefElTyJhwl0UhPZv-ovi7M8BqFGw0nIKC1TU41LBMDhqzh1y11r4KNOl8BzBRdBDsug/s1600/P1010042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6ZVi0M0SA4b275pkabjz2p5b1G42nc3pUHaPZCQBVXKhafbMwvoS3AUOn2lKu8nIL3j1k-9iefElTyJhwl0UhPZv-ovi7M8BqFGw0nIKC1TU41LBMDhqzh1y11r4KNOl8BzBRdBDsug/s1600/P1010042.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJH8jsYuzZsbYyXNiAD3d4PTnqvL8RkuwEHvel9AsCSRdtrfBM8aTzCaAt_EruYwqr7kz5IYVpWPJF9txqxaBQgA6qaFmvJtrhc89ehh2oCmM6HDcNSs-dyCd-KadnVMjEFjo5l2IvWc/s1600/P1010045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJH8jsYuzZsbYyXNiAD3d4PTnqvL8RkuwEHvel9AsCSRdtrfBM8aTzCaAt_EruYwqr7kz5IYVpWPJF9txqxaBQgA6qaFmvJtrhc89ehh2oCmM6HDcNSs-dyCd-KadnVMjEFjo5l2IvWc/s1600/P1010045.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l1OdLp0pdd90SYP1a7PgVJAWG5rkJeWmCBxeTbc8FdnpK_pbtE0NHdSfAUvizuoWQDj-D269ThJ6rMwJJKsngQ2UB0MkRqqy3wlzW-qyGdqt_p31keVdRxkqQc4xaJGQ2o-_v3E8zSw/s1600/P1010049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0l1OdLp0pdd90SYP1a7PgVJAWG5rkJeWmCBxeTbc8FdnpK_pbtE0NHdSfAUvizuoWQDj-D269ThJ6rMwJJKsngQ2UB0MkRqqy3wlzW-qyGdqt_p31keVdRxkqQc4xaJGQ2o-_v3E8zSw/s1600/P1010049.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm glad we went because it was beautiful, but it wasn't the most exciting day that we've had in Rio!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u>Pedra Bonita</u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One day while I was at work, Max sent me a text message that said he had just hiked a mountain, and then he sent me some pictures of some of the most amazing views I've seen of Rio. Apparently, Max and Derek, Alix's boyfriend, had this great idea to walk from the hotel to a nearby mountain... and hike it. It took them 4.5 hours to walk to the top, but they did it! I'm a little jealous that I couldn't come, but if he would have made me hike for 4.5 hours, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to move for the next several days.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxbJS4g8TFh-UFrhF1mA91RsA3TIx0yZnu_MBcskWHrPpnz9HO0lfRKTgmK6OfXrXJyZlzZdY3-lkklSGHXqkHg0yO3zTDdqfcFPQ-Vf9-rnHhomrc_LcxwNFMRdm3ErNOLZ3LhH344U/s1600/P1020005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUxbJS4g8TFh-UFrhF1mA91RsA3TIx0yZnu_MBcskWHrPpnz9HO0lfRKTgmK6OfXrXJyZlzZdY3-lkklSGHXqkHg0yO3zTDdqfcFPQ-Vf9-rnHhomrc_LcxwNFMRdm3ErNOLZ3LhH344U/s1600/P1020005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boys hiked the mountain that's on the right;</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The left mountain is the mountain from the view in our hotel</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmknS3p1UuDLEU32LejuXUjHD_Ix8GEDMjVn1z3PC8C9ewudS8eNYdCyEPMAkz6Jwds1CS2BC2e3up-gp-3TFYBvVjRuNZLYebQozqu71CNvuml-uCrGh2Doc3fL1v17MA7GHNHDDhHM/s1600/P1020006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmknS3p1UuDLEU32LejuXUjHD_Ix8GEDMjVn1z3PC8C9ewudS8eNYdCyEPMAkz6Jwds1CS2BC2e3up-gp-3TFYBvVjRuNZLYebQozqu71CNvuml-uCrGh2Doc3fL1v17MA7GHNHDDhHM/s1600/P1020006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The walk up!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXb9QwxAitBK0Xy52k-OfDgi8h9muB8NAoq7P7_F-STK4KMxqHDRTyG0AypTlocJTsas4AUtN6SfOKf-WWxboMrbYIEHZChG8sc8MBD3bIxaocnMPoKxoowEnZqkCOnHgnS48It_KCIo/s1600/P1020007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXb9QwxAitBK0Xy52k-OfDgi8h9muB8NAoq7P7_F-STK4KMxqHDRTyG0AypTlocJTsas4AUtN6SfOKf-WWxboMrbYIEHZChG8sc8MBD3bIxaocnMPoKxoowEnZqkCOnHgnS48It_KCIo/s1600/P1020007.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view on the way up</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX76ctb6_BxeiHrGCP5lEHz2NF9cKQcWbGqWm-A5DLqrFxHQfCQyg5eHwIK4j8H1O0p8XmKtACowT9zTwxvTvfHMTnzfB-5yt5nMcL1JgtUDcTibILCTKRE_8Sb2G2z5wtvxLobxuibg/s1600/P1020014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX76ctb6_BxeiHrGCP5lEHz2NF9cKQcWbGqWm-A5DLqrFxHQfCQyg5eHwIK4j8H1O0p8XmKtACowT9zTwxvTvfHMTnzfB-5yt5nMcL1JgtUDcTibILCTKRE_8Sb2G2z5wtvxLobxuibg/s1600/P1020014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The hang gliding take off location! This is also on our bucket list,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so I'm sure we will be back soon!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpfaupRNxcYXXB9-NMTjM8YqRPVPtBUnTA4-2JjHkl7ts8nKpxXvHwgGIQ5T2hbi51NuwaGK63f3wM8KEwsiGbD7BklkvrltEQ4wk7a8L0salqWF7JC8vEjkCvh_PguPp22L2Qw-yhYk/s1600/P1020019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpfaupRNxcYXXB9-NMTjM8YqRPVPtBUnTA4-2JjHkl7ts8nKpxXvHwgGIQ5T2hbi51NuwaGK63f3wM8KEwsiGbD7BklkvrltEQ4wk7a8L0salqWF7JC8vEjkCvh_PguPp22L2Qw-yhYk/s1600/P1020019.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Someone just after takeoff</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuPCRTXzNnTLP1lfMciCOWwRoN4PZXYSUlSZjFz5GEBrST8NeTI98WA_fDcSyhk13tlCHNUKdZ23S9NBZaBi57MQ8P348kmzUfBnVrswaYYJMOb0ZO0EnV2_ZkbIJ9Muj8p4uZtkO3lA/s1600/P1020025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuPCRTXzNnTLP1lfMciCOWwRoN4PZXYSUlSZjFz5GEBrST8NeTI98WA_fDcSyhk13tlCHNUKdZ23S9NBZaBi57MQ8P348kmzUfBnVrswaYYJMOb0ZO0EnV2_ZkbIJ9Muj8p4uZtkO3lA/s1600/P1020025.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The top!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw8CarhzLqn3ztFhDOHpuusaXHrVu1gXcjYnVAiFOgilW7BDwBo0gNqTJsvdR0ePwmWdTOeD36xP9BCwwKAMnvLE8rqyCIsvK0bPmLlKujD1c7CRp3Q53soGjrUezuO49e8XQw4FcAD4/s1600/P1020030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTw8CarhzLqn3ztFhDOHpuusaXHrVu1gXcjYnVAiFOgilW7BDwBo0gNqTJsvdR0ePwmWdTOeD36xP9BCwwKAMnvLE8rqyCIsvK0bPmLlKujD1c7CRp3Q53soGjrUezuO49e8XQw4FcAD4/s1600/P1020030.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking north! The beach on the right is our beach, Sao Conrado</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmggbA0SRA6lN1hy6x4nWXNp1ilbjBSErF35AiyQNuhGOU1UKR9n7UxgWF54WZXJKcVpCYlda5jJ_f8QB4OM9k7jiGdAw4gz4K7cTdcQ-OymLOilocNIeYXKEA_h7FHIiyHUxYoZYApc/s1600/P1020038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmggbA0SRA6lN1hy6x4nWXNp1ilbjBSErF35AiyQNuhGOU1UKR9n7UxgWF54WZXJKcVpCYlda5jJ_f8QB4OM9k7jiGdAw4gz4K7cTdcQ-OymLOilocNIeYXKEA_h7FHIiyHUxYoZYApc/s1600/P1020038.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking south toward Barra! Barra beach on the left and the Tijuca rainforest on the right</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlp_D5-Z9pTlISVG_lH49fsYgQlVjnjfycAEQjGDuGzYaGKKmbbkRt8GsDuKhNiBu4nzRnquRmm8WSVCiqCsYQhhG6aK16NEDzc5GJDhomLvTvGeM5fGLOexmlN2VpuRH1iKlFvdljQY/s1600/P1020040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlp_D5-Z9pTlISVG_lH49fsYgQlVjnjfycAEQjGDuGzYaGKKmbbkRt8GsDuKhNiBu4nzRnquRmm8WSVCiqCsYQhhG6aK16NEDzc5GJDhomLvTvGeM5fGLOexmlN2VpuRH1iKlFvdljQY/s1600/P1020040.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A view of the mountain behind our hotel from Pedra Bonita. Max will probably</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
hike this next!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMJ-cDYVqCnqfEaeqzwoLVGxA_HfjIXIin5etaj1sYdBri5BXyY19uy5ZLwlLFiMhB1LNCcOwkMGo4M5l7kzobAT_4iaZBaa1ycKYCFz_LrN3LgWMg-43-e3qGw8gmSLc1UpfJT1V2X8/s1600/P1020046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMJ-cDYVqCnqfEaeqzwoLVGxA_HfjIXIin5etaj1sYdBri5BXyY19uy5ZLwlLFiMhB1LNCcOwkMGo4M5l7kzobAT_4iaZBaa1ycKYCFz_LrN3LgWMg-43-e3qGw8gmSLc1UpfJT1V2X8/s1600/P1020046.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wifey thinks that's a little too close to the ledge...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_mdwmm9J8cRplN7Vaz0x6hM_FFxr0eJ6Hfu5goE3AIh4OoGomHKzCLq_U9SxoK5xlIWsf2vVhUf6yzLS2Sawh8laWAmUJYLj1NTVv1Rsgk3cMP8vg2dQ652lssjLTgpAFqjWALdf_-8/s1600/P1020069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_mdwmm9J8cRplN7Vaz0x6hM_FFxr0eJ6Hfu5goE3AIh4OoGomHKzCLq_U9SxoK5xlIWsf2vVhUf6yzLS2Sawh8laWAmUJYLj1NTVv1Rsgk3cMP8vg2dQ652lssjLTgpAFqjWALdf_-8/s1600/P1020069.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX46EFH9KHgByq8JDzaHdfl3hWbisL38v8PKh2riK8vcIi4lE__ypZJ8-2sjHAUgQqqI59G2drLwxWQ-REmj3eAejv0a-EKaZETPCUBfj9_R9B3lG8AHffJef3erIf2qW0sH8M0kQgJA/s1600/P1020073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggX46EFH9KHgByq8JDzaHdfl3hWbisL38v8PKh2riK8vcIi4lE__ypZJ8-2sjHAUgQqqI59G2drLwxWQ-REmj3eAejv0a-EKaZETPCUBfj9_R9B3lG8AHffJef3erIf2qW0sH8M0kQgJA/s1600/P1020073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've checked a lot of things off of our bucket list the past couple of weeks, but we have so many to go! We are excited to keep exploring together. We know these memories will last a lifetime! Also, Max's dad has booked his flight to come visit, so we are preparing for his arrival in February. We can't wait to have our first visitor on tour!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><u><br /></u></i></b></div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-7423181914408378222013-12-28T09:43:00.001-08:002013-12-28T09:43:14.063-08:00The Week in a Jiffy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
1) Christmas party with Corteo at our hotel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXccXLdjuwlGSWileYNTKeQ-kP289Mfe4IBeF9SZ6RuYc0cfpsveuNhPERhxZcEgC90QcmUqZIZs6KgF538WzlYcdjBjCmLL041Lvbw765a3BYCFo7uP3hyjJeN99VM12odT8YIc7YN_o/s1600/PC240005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXccXLdjuwlGSWileYNTKeQ-kP289Mfe4IBeF9SZ6RuYc0cfpsveuNhPERhxZcEgC90QcmUqZIZs6KgF538WzlYcdjBjCmLL041Lvbw765a3BYCFo7uP3hyjJeN99VM12odT8YIc7YN_o/s640/PC240005.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W2WxQjgSnYxrsufNc1s5WT4BH0ZVvK8Eg-ckR4xxuyuaJHF5BtPuesQycLZl_t6qiSt7ZeYvrGXXP1p1ZvU3FgbpUyLPlvQPdEUxAFFfaRRHWM4om4lg2VbbKIKndPon23q0ECnn150/s1600/PC240014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6W2WxQjgSnYxrsufNc1s5WT4BH0ZVvK8Eg-ckR4xxuyuaJHF5BtPuesQycLZl_t6qiSt7ZeYvrGXXP1p1ZvU3FgbpUyLPlvQPdEUxAFFfaRRHWM4om4lg2VbbKIKndPon23q0ECnn150/s640/PC240014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Christmas carols in 6 languages thanks to the kids of Corteo!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mW1mTVSnJMbIEOB4br3S3dIe_0HACUBuskHZWEuUxmvVJuc2ineuwo7awa123eQLLAY0V2kWhBOZc7OfxVFykagLqI-2uy5rIittetUMNISUKlPJOYBctMAwFjK3glwXLSpMnabmlhw/s1600/PC240020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_mW1mTVSnJMbIEOB4br3S3dIe_0HACUBuskHZWEuUxmvVJuc2ineuwo7awa123eQLLAY0V2kWhBOZc7OfxVFykagLqI-2uy5rIittetUMNISUKlPJOYBctMAwFjK3glwXLSpMnabmlhw/s640/PC240020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Friends <3: From Left to Right</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gabby, Derek, Alix, Glaucia, Fabio, Paul, Me, Max</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2) First Christmas alone with my husband</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzAEXtkT2k454OOA0HLPQvUwQb7UcdNE6hCuzSRC4uKmxkOq5OWESPn5Eyk6tRSh-Z5ADlzSKdMLtz2xHCaN80LbAua65_FO176K7ycrPPYvKAguuyVb4QTCAs3012Qw2pWcT1pmWs2I/s1600/PC240001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPzAEXtkT2k454OOA0HLPQvUwQb7UcdNE6hCuzSRC4uKmxkOq5OWESPn5Eyk6tRSh-Z5ADlzSKdMLtz2xHCaN80LbAua65_FO176K7ycrPPYvKAguuyVb4QTCAs3012Qw2pWcT1pmWs2I/s640/PC240001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We woke up and walked down to the beach</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwDrkS7oG40v3LGAgWkueDVjUDFyGdWCWqCwBR1QAIl5ibKhSDa81js6-4Om68JLFMtHK6psESnnKYnrysDd6nbKhBu3PoKuJiBkuoQfuO2y-2LBePeH3JWUR6fFx_DT0LvKhTsd3gt4/s1600/PC240006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMwDrkS7oG40v3LGAgWkueDVjUDFyGdWCWqCwBR1QAIl5ibKhSDa81js6-4Om68JLFMtHK6psESnnKYnrysDd6nbKhBu3PoKuJiBkuoQfuO2y-2LBePeH3JWUR6fFx_DT0LvKhTsd3gt4/s640/PC240006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We laid in the sun because we are in Rio and that's what you do.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyOs2Xd4s8jqatgQTRX0diaj6sfiPB0Hz4yk_UjLLbs2mWr1h3kFj0nFaBBwaAfbgDpU2Qr9IbfaymUxO2ZOw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max took this video to send to his family.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Plus, he still thinks I'm hot after 2.5 years of marriage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
**Not Pictured**</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We ate at Nik sushi. Maybe it's not very Christmasy to have sushi,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but it was all you can eat, fresh, and I don't regret it at all. Besides,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
it's not very Christmasy to go to the beach or work, but I did both of those.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-cCyutrtuVikpyxDW_fKbBMSQJT0fCfjl1p86jyOnAA57TKvfuWyP07Lyw8352j-zsBTmnBizJLiWjZ9BTkyAtDT4aA9xxbge8W-i6_AE3MgvnGrMtTLZDkIQHmnepcOUOvNvLXl7Vw/s1600/PC250005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-cCyutrtuVikpyxDW_fKbBMSQJT0fCfjl1p86jyOnAA57TKvfuWyP07Lyw8352j-zsBTmnBizJLiWjZ9BTkyAtDT4aA9xxbge8W-i6_AE3MgvnGrMtTLZDkIQHmnepcOUOvNvLXl7Vw/s640/PC250005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We walked Ipanema even though everyone said that</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we WILL get mugged if we walk on the beach at night.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvfWcN_82WD9uIfrbXpgJePvR4RaTnsWSbR5FyO7RSMz_cvwwbCRrET7amZpimGW94De_ekLvieDY5a1nYv4ielmdo69tzdzQymQ-5ZlLueMLCBRN0Wf2GmHeBwInwKhPE1NprsRUpyg/s1600/PC250010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvfWcN_82WD9uIfrbXpgJePvR4RaTnsWSbR5FyO7RSMz_cvwwbCRrET7amZpimGW94De_ekLvieDY5a1nYv4ielmdo69tzdzQymQ-5ZlLueMLCBRN0Wf2GmHeBwInwKhPE1NprsRUpyg/s320/PC250010.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We did pull-ups because it's on our bucket list.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaG-AXud4g1-8E9N6TFY3vCqzgh-zsUpimHqYVOewDLGO5xtJb-X67Bg2rz-RoeyTQb68WxmmjpiB748ejp9Q_MXYyrxGJi2uKKzl5eOIJHouqOQIMRsoHNaoejIn3-QVGyYfM0FAOsY/s1600/PC250011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaG-AXud4g1-8E9N6TFY3vCqzgh-zsUpimHqYVOewDLGO5xtJb-X67Bg2rz-RoeyTQb68WxmmjpiB748ejp9Q_MXYyrxGJi2uKKzl5eOIJHouqOQIMRsoHNaoejIn3-QVGyYfM0FAOsY/s320/PC250011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Somebody ^^^ needs to work on his form.</div>
<br />
3) My first premiere!<br />
<br />
I missed the Curitiba premiere because we were still in St. Maarten, so Rio de Janeiro was my first premiere show! It was pretty much like every other show except it had the title of premiere and my body was less sore than normal because it's the beginning of the city.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ywmU0uoR7_Igj6KKgwCRzeXHvplFeoumFLzC57eZoxjF5hKmlQ_mPPdPU-5H3umm3OrEB1LJW95tBkIFkngniR_wa3FF1F-lCKXc-aFstq6MxDdIUo2i3BPFC-CHM1K4xBA_7HV60Eg/s1600/PC260025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ywmU0uoR7_Igj6KKgwCRzeXHvplFeoumFLzC57eZoxjF5hKmlQ_mPPdPU-5H3umm3OrEB1LJW95tBkIFkngniR_wa3FF1F-lCKXc-aFstq6MxDdIUo2i3BPFC-CHM1K4xBA_7HV60Eg/s640/PC260025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zxK0gt58OxnU4tUWNZIdmcbTLblZAFe-R3U9sYVlJeBz3jJQHc-rOxDev-jgJsBpLwkmC20ld3JC-SLU1Gwc6JxGYadBxGwMSN0aYY4a2F_lNo5p67Z_BNcaFPPNidV-_6xGfd_GD8E/s1600/PC260026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zxK0gt58OxnU4tUWNZIdmcbTLblZAFe-R3U9sYVlJeBz3jJQHc-rOxDev-jgJsBpLwkmC20ld3JC-SLU1Gwc6JxGYadBxGwMSN0aYY4a2F_lNo5p67Z_BNcaFPPNidV-_6xGfd_GD8E/s640/PC260026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunset from the site!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4) Ipanema before work on Friday!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPXe8bhkbv451HfS6jwhPVu40V_56JTjmsI9J5RdJ7MtcNB6rbpyTKOPAWUBWvv4qhUwE67Qa9neKNQw6NHtJmQUusSOhudyejzzXB9NOjySDtNS14X5HTampoEjwtNlGPp1qLVYdTjc/s1600/PC270071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPXe8bhkbv451HfS6jwhPVu40V_56JTjmsI9J5RdJ7MtcNB6rbpyTKOPAWUBWvv4qhUwE67Qa9neKNQw6NHtJmQUusSOhudyejzzXB9NOjySDtNS14X5HTampoEjwtNlGPp1qLVYdTjc/s640/PC270071.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2gLTs_V9L5_iAkBTMgFM-Th_vz2TeN5WZzlK4dR5zeNE5zn3CTA_ADC89cT8za0avTPXFzFZ3vb315n3mvS1xjW4hWzpmA_Pi5tiCJGh59xcg4JVhGmkgICd_d9a7CA3QMTNM7wZFgo/s1600/PC260053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2gLTs_V9L5_iAkBTMgFM-Th_vz2TeN5WZzlK4dR5zeNE5zn3CTA_ADC89cT8za0avTPXFzFZ3vb315n3mvS1xjW4hWzpmA_Pi5tiCJGh59xcg4JVhGmkgICd_d9a7CA3QMTNM7wZFgo/s640/PC260053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
First, we woke up to <i>this.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TXqz2AeZ9iDIHK_TB2hfsF8iAOCtin2g9f8NehB0RJrycKZCX9bEYoMMrefDpcc2QDtkEuhpA2seCOHHGVmO6VbAYBBT4ZOPRVv4Q3LseMoDxe6HWUgJGiCqDWAwWXJNO7lH6tiTCjQ/s1600/PC260056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TXqz2AeZ9iDIHK_TB2hfsF8iAOCtin2g9f8NehB0RJrycKZCX9bEYoMMrefDpcc2QDtkEuhpA2seCOHHGVmO6VbAYBBT4ZOPRVv4Q3LseMoDxe6HWUgJGiCqDWAwWXJNO7lH6tiTCjQ/s640/PC260056.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then, we went to Ipanema and did this.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxaM13Tey8TjxK8tNPJNuyGIEPxYhTBwqsOwfUdxS2gZrkLg2Y85UgEQl-JCPFCPOlQRKG87VtQXKbiPa6pZjMFYzFPCPRIPRYGu7jYAytgcEMae_Oo3DqtyknYn4i_CZqx_ByQDRUDs/s1600/PC260061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxaM13Tey8TjxK8tNPJNuyGIEPxYhTBwqsOwfUdxS2gZrkLg2Y85UgEQl-JCPFCPOlQRKG87VtQXKbiPa6pZjMFYzFPCPRIPRYGu7jYAytgcEMae_Oo3DqtyknYn4i_CZqx_ByQDRUDs/s640/PC260061.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When it was too hot, we did this.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I look back on the past several months and it feels like a dream. Technically, it <i>is</i> a dream. I've wanted this adventure since I was a little girl while I was still doing handstands on the kitchen counter, dancing like a ballerina from hallway to hallway, and practicing my beam routine down the grocery aisle. When I was old enough and talented enough to actually apply for Cirque du Soleil, I assumed it was impossible and unrealistic, and I pushed it aside. When Max finally encouraged me to apply (because filling out an application never hurts, right?), I pressed the send button assuming Cirque would get back to me... umm, never.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think it was all part of God's plan. The Bible says in so many places and in so many ways that God has a perfect love for us, all of us. Despite our disbelief, the relationships we ruined, and the long list mistakes that we just can't seem to forget, He <i>loves</i> us. In Ephesians, Paul wrote that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His work within us.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I got a phone call from Cirque, God was proving this to me. He didn't have to prove anything to me because He's God and I'm one tiny measly person on this earth, but like I said earlier, He <i>loves</i> us. I think He wanted to remind me that His power is at work within me, and I know He wanted to show me that I shouldn't live my life assuming the next door will be closed even before I fill out the application.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now I'm 24 years old, and I still do handstands on kitchen counters, dance down the hallways, and sometimes I'll even do a cartwheel at the grocery store. In a lot of ways, I'm the same little girl that I was 12 years ago, but now, I know that things like handstands in the kitchen can potentially lead to traveling the world with my dream job. All I have to do is decide to be brave enough to push the send button and remember that He is able to do immeasurably more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="text Eph-3-14" style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>For this reason I kneel<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29266X" title="See cross-reference X">X</a>)"></span> before the Father,</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> <span class="text Eph-3-15" id="en-NIV-29267">from whom every family<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span>in heaven and on earth derives its name.</span><span class="text Eph-3-16" id="en-NIV-29268" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>I pray that out of his glorious riches<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29268Y" title="See cross-reference Y">Y</a>)"></span> he may strengthen you with power<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29268Z" title="See cross-reference Z">Z</a>)"></span> through his Spirit in your inner being,</span><span class="text Eph-3-17" id="en-NIV-29269" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>so that Christ may dwell in your hearts<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29269AB" title="See cross-reference AB">AB</a>)"></span> through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29269AC" title="See cross-reference AC">AC</a>)"></span> and established in love,</span><span class="text Eph-3-17"> </span><span class="text Eph-3-18" id="en-NIV-29270" style="font-size: 16px;">may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29270AD" title="See cross-reference AD">AD</a>)"></span> to grasp how wide and long and high and deep<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29270AE" title="See cross-reference AE">AE</a>)"></span> is the love of Christ,</span> <span class="text Eph-3-19" id="en-NIV-29271" style="font-size: 16px;">and to know this love that surpasses knowledge<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29271AF" title="See cross-reference AF">AF</a>)"></span>—that you may be filled<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29271AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></span> to the measure of all the fullness of God.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29271AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></span></span></i></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-20" id="en-NIV-29272">Now to him who is able<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29272AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></span> to do immeasurably more than all we ask<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29272AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></span> or imagine, according to his power<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29272AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></span> that is at work within us, </span><span class="text Eph-3-21" id="en-NIV-29273">to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. -Ephesians 3:14-21</span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-21"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="text Eph-3-21"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-50633139048947238742013-12-23T15:36:00.002-08:002013-12-23T15:36:31.967-08:00CopacabanaMax and I went to Copacabana beach for the first time today! And we took the scariest bus ride of my life to get there. I'm not sure how a large, packed city bus can weave in and out of cars and speed near winding cliffs, but it happened. I'm still not used to the Brazilian drivers and neither is my motion sickness. The high point is that we got there in about fifteen minutes, and the drive can easily take an hour during traffic.<br />
<br />
It looked like it was going to rain all day today, but the clouds meant that the beach was less crowded. The beach right in front of our hotel is never crowded, but it's also mostly used by people from the favela. However, Copacabana is one of the most famous beaches in the world, so it's usually full of people. The people watching beats people watching at Walmart tenfold on a normal day. For New Years, Copacabana is crowded with over 2 million people throughout its 4 km stretch!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBBUFtvy4zFVFS4HgH0FEQlh7zTVM2KTU3RQ_ZGelg-U6ZwE8M8U5JK9r-kCGxvb_oRdahX5p-UJh-zeUFsix3oZkCppoEpF6TR99rbI4J7duTzt8LgJs6SOn2YkrZdPjTZ0PqGXi2U0/s1600/PC230001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBBUFtvy4zFVFS4HgH0FEQlh7zTVM2KTU3RQ_ZGelg-U6ZwE8M8U5JK9r-kCGxvb_oRdahX5p-UJh-zeUFsix3oZkCppoEpF6TR99rbI4J7duTzt8LgJs6SOn2YkrZdPjTZ0PqGXi2U0/s640/PC230001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Looking NE</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0iNFiG06CyzL8_sGEKVhMR1hhekyoZJgJQBF_F_sO9g0pLXpydFrmMIP-W6uajYZv5X4SnGpBVowQ12oxPIOug2oV5O6-OSR6Uw7-DIijsp1__r4QkwVTtTJoH9fB3tW7iFpHXB40f0/s1600/PC230002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0iNFiG06CyzL8_sGEKVhMR1hhekyoZJgJQBF_F_sO9g0pLXpydFrmMIP-W6uajYZv5X4SnGpBVowQ12oxPIOug2oV5O6-OSR6Uw7-DIijsp1__r4QkwVTtTJoH9fB3tW7iFpHXB40f0/s640/PC230002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking SW</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDQyyUW5bC_QhH4QKrDK6L4349OB2NiBpwVM6TOtFJXcppd5WyvyalqUFZP5qg4y3LnclETYnLmouFkiTzGXaXJABWJe5klZa1mRHGiApKL_hU72FBIuVHcoKSn9DSk4XLTdcospkcAI/s1600/PC230005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDQyyUW5bC_QhH4QKrDK6L4349OB2NiBpwVM6TOtFJXcppd5WyvyalqUFZP5qg4y3LnclETYnLmouFkiTzGXaXJABWJe5klZa1mRHGiApKL_hU72FBIuVHcoKSn9DSk4XLTdcospkcAI/s640/PC230005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zRKUHEfgV5yclYgNbe5vqYZDCuxE5-HS3n0NIwS_wqleed7iuWcdPjqqOc5jkuL9B-cqS7ubvyBKuy7H5e5HC9xPWs9Yo2bzw1eX_zIoP5ZwDj-MSU21XdFEevhCemNo9m2PbvaV7Lw/s1600/PC230006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1zRKUHEfgV5yclYgNbe5vqYZDCuxE5-HS3n0NIwS_wqleed7iuWcdPjqqOc5jkuL9B-cqS7ubvyBKuy7H5e5HC9xPWs9Yo2bzw1eX_zIoP5ZwDj-MSU21XdFEevhCemNo9m2PbvaV7Lw/s640/PC230006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My new conga!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSEtgkQ3ZxYHvQEhMVF85tCPJYZNGffwEFPXK5qK2hMnWtzBC19lXbYCP2xqaoGGV9QbKPLX9ynw-HdI83zlTkAE0nc-KT-BsGgiy9klbWt43vmeJNCP0_E3upsr5vY3FrqWhhEAHEc4/s1600/PC230008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSEtgkQ3ZxYHvQEhMVF85tCPJYZNGffwEFPXK5qK2hMnWtzBC19lXbYCP2xqaoGGV9QbKPLX9ynw-HdI83zlTkAE0nc-KT-BsGgiy9klbWt43vmeJNCP0_E3upsr5vY3FrqWhhEAHEc4/s640/PC230008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had a swimsuit on... for real.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHTY34-P0Thjb_ruXbvCs4a_YVnnjH7LpV7iAJMISZ0cBXnRMNzOnrcLbjRy0c7pWjSzS-M9i0Mt98ZO6_JRzdgFM4Ngq3USGpehYSYYKqdotMhheMYSmckU-ZBLlz8dRfRIuEIIB7xw/s1600/PC230011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHTY34-P0Thjb_ruXbvCs4a_YVnnjH7LpV7iAJMISZ0cBXnRMNzOnrcLbjRy0c7pWjSzS-M9i0Mt98ZO6_JRzdgFM4Ngq3USGpehYSYYKqdotMhheMYSmckU-ZBLlz8dRfRIuEIIB7xw/s640/PC230011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblHh66FrydaKTv51Jei1isWoGc1SxykkoyZh2qQTHSVI7IRu1I1PERnFr4cYJEBzOAmpeqQ-wDqQASQTapD7SW7gFPwMDTnCi7majXB6rGDdHgstfxoCz5XTwE6HnnvXjK9a8gFiC6bE/s1600/PC230014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblHh66FrydaKTv51Jei1isWoGc1SxykkoyZh2qQTHSVI7IRu1I1PERnFr4cYJEBzOAmpeqQ-wDqQASQTapD7SW7gFPwMDTnCi7majXB6rGDdHgstfxoCz5XTwE6HnnvXjK9a8gFiC6bE/s640/PC230014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and I in our new swimsuits!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPNVTrFP4mEKhcssQA1cQ7eoQuQbXn7Ix3lMN-oqhpe9GvVepuhJAQdToiNaj6e0LfCdsSxt1Nsr38tn3Ook6z3AwOriThR-tETbEEwZ3bKglj8TJJvdK1M2QJYFx24kNb-kP7Pv1g14/s1600/PC230019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhPNVTrFP4mEKhcssQA1cQ7eoQuQbXn7Ix3lMN-oqhpe9GvVepuhJAQdToiNaj6e0LfCdsSxt1Nsr38tn3Ook6z3AwOriThR-tETbEEwZ3bKglj8TJJvdK1M2QJYFx24kNb-kP7Pv1g14/s640/PC230019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sand castles line Copacabana beach. This one had Christ the Redeemer, the Olympic stadium,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the 12 disciples, some favelas, and Pao de<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 19px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;">Açúcar!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMNMugFFTJsfOpw48aIobZUcSEpw_J4StdqQwESUzfTi-nIsGRgFY-i_0aiJ4fJtzcN90uhljXneFjQEprf3wnEK6h99STJjpjQLS-aVGJX3QUA5PxQCVucsKN9h-Jc0lL7IWsT8_FKM/s1600/PC230025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMNMugFFTJsfOpw48aIobZUcSEpw_J4StdqQwESUzfTi-nIsGRgFY-i_0aiJ4fJtzcN90uhljXneFjQEprf3wnEK6h99STJjpjQLS-aVGJX3QUA5PxQCVucsKN9h-Jc0lL7IWsT8_FKM/s640/PC230025.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
#selfie</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5AMLT47mnHnzMG6HiO96W14U4hpFZxTCmvsin5moRMdRx023nbLdggemrYEo3g8UxNuATY5CLMAF-N68wmmjJJuUhliJdKz130_ZCySxAq2QHMqFo3msiBQ7EZrofSrFsU7fH9uqdWs/s1600/PC230028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5AMLT47mnHnzMG6HiO96W14U4hpFZxTCmvsin5moRMdRx023nbLdggemrYEo3g8UxNuATY5CLMAF-N68wmmjJJuUhliJdKz130_ZCySxAq2QHMqFo3msiBQ7EZrofSrFsU7fH9uqdWs/s640/PC230028.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max doing hand-to-hand with me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALJJUuZH-Ntnnaht9aeRwcLDWk9YNd9rDAr2wDQce8zsit0Oq8eUXPEmahLtgG7MDjNX7uE9onO7R33KAWZ7coP9_z_5JZTHfjQI-LU7Uvd51zW8sfCH1zWQv6in1ZruiOqVd7zZF6Vc/s1600/PC230038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALJJUuZH-Ntnnaht9aeRwcLDWk9YNd9rDAr2wDQce8zsit0Oq8eUXPEmahLtgG7MDjNX7uE9onO7R33KAWZ7coP9_z_5JZTHfjQI-LU7Uvd51zW8sfCH1zWQv6in1ZruiOqVd7zZF6Vc/s640/PC230038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's got skills, y'all.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3HGeIpy17Dt7a98X-8svGDSHhuqn39mHaCyj6jEnKxFBYvfKij12a-yJmlBV-edWnS0UbDDZaZxMFRssuAnA9zKxYBwNFePUoyTQr2by1kc5Mu6Tf5zjXMvaeeGJfmfQfM2_D1PMHLc/s1600/PC230040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3HGeIpy17Dt7a98X-8svGDSHhuqn39mHaCyj6jEnKxFBYvfKij12a-yJmlBV-edWnS0UbDDZaZxMFRssuAnA9zKxYBwNFePUoyTQr2by1kc5Mu6Tf5zjXMvaeeGJfmfQfM2_D1PMHLc/s640/PC230040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC3KLmqe-Z5I0IjQgs9rDmh1wC8Q-y_kFuEfxo0p8Zjb2o2uB4ykQQrSMD-oOegWYMrfcMNP-6VIjM4jSg16PP47foHpMS49muU67nOukIh6FQzqqzgDD5wOmceAOa2fXzrjZ942ruE4/s1600/PC230042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJC3KLmqe-Z5I0IjQgs9rDmh1wC8Q-y_kFuEfxo0p8Zjb2o2uB4ykQQrSMD-oOegWYMrfcMNP-6VIjM4jSg16PP47foHpMS49muU67nOukIh6FQzqqzgDD5wOmceAOa2fXzrjZ942ruE4/s640/PC230042.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And he can do pull-ups... on the beach.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqvymvIbLymvVLFPoyXg81tHPmL4zBl4BRa8KK60y5CHLr1je7lA4K097_ppsFpA9Wajxu9PiwlhcuAJWcvkKAKgQUcPlg0jP6oCCUtNDgJa9-6fpJYU5FlS1zCzi3wRqBliITgWzqzg/s1600/PC230049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqvymvIbLymvVLFPoyXg81tHPmL4zBl4BRa8KK60y5CHLr1je7lA4K097_ppsFpA9Wajxu9PiwlhcuAJWcvkKAKgQUcPlg0jP6oCCUtNDgJa9-6fpJYU5FlS1zCzi3wRqBliITgWzqzg/s640/PC230049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also, we saw that Rio 2 is coming out!! Erin and Brandon,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
please tell our nieces that we saw Blue! :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sGY73zvLf_dhM7gB0yyu9CCLHExZXXr-WyV8dpaBgA-GKquFfTuAFsNARCsP8PaI7stS5Gk4bkIj-MB1T6o3Y2TXYH2673iXDBvPU63OYSuBAoakeawsUjxrkUSZtTYczWuLvnvYZqI/s1600/PC230050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sGY73zvLf_dhM7gB0yyu9CCLHExZXXr-WyV8dpaBgA-GKquFfTuAFsNARCsP8PaI7stS5Gk4bkIj-MB1T6o3Y2TXYH2673iXDBvPU63OYSuBAoakeawsUjxrkUSZtTYczWuLvnvYZqI/s640/PC230050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Copacabana Palace AKA celebrity central</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It might have been cloudy, but we had a great time. We will definitely be going back on a sunny day to catch some rays and drink some agua do coco by the ocean! As for tomorrow, I return back to work. It's been an incredible week off, but I'm (kind of) ready to get back to the show! Max will be adventuring into the Tijuca rainforest, cliff diving, and who knows what else while I'm back at work, so don't feel too sorry for him. And on our days off, I'm sure there will be plenty more excursions in Rio!</div>
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-29199495534923561662013-12-23T05:48:00.002-08:002013-12-23T05:48:23.980-08:00Cidade de Deus<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In Rio, peace depends on a delicate balance between the thug's ammo and the cop's corruption." -<i>Elite Squad</i></span></h3>
<br />
Cidade de Deus, or City of God, is the name of the favela that Max and I visited today. If you've seen the movie <i>City of God</i>, then you know the place I'm talking about. If you aren't familiar with the term favela, they are slum towns in Brazil. During the 19th century, slaves were freed in Brazil and many had nowhere to call home. Because it was extremely difficult for slaves to find work, they were often too poor to afford housing in the city and were pushed out into the suburbs. Also, soldiers were brought from Bahia to Rio de Janeiro and left here without land ownership or homes.<br />
<br />
Now, the favelas are the residence of more than 12 million people in Brazil. The largest favela in Rio, named Rocinha, is in walking distance from our hotel and is estimated to hold over 200,000 people. There are police guards armed with machine guns at the entrances to the favelas, and the police constantly roam through the shanty towns looking out for drug deals, sex traffickers, gang violence, and other criminal activity. Unfortunately, many of the officers are paid off by the drug lords, who are known to be rulers of the favelas. Many of the favelas are pacified, but because of the World Cup, criminal activity in the favelas has increased incredibly. Unlike my country and the American Dream, the Brazilians have little to no possibility of escaping their lives in the favelas due to the government and extreme separation between the upper and lower class. The middle class has seen growth in the past ten years, and the government and large companies have put more and more effort into resolving issues related to the favelas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA1OKfXZP_EDsJQzG60fgGrQK1S424jJdJbDPD9xDtpyaCWc3Jf5oRLYDLFIQtl5PXSWjg6iHd5xrLMFpWL8GI_LFUVDt04o4XoR1AwhmGh859cE_KtVAK7CNfcXto-w4C_AflsTQ9KQ/s1600/Leszek_Wasilewski-rocinha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA1OKfXZP_EDsJQzG60fgGrQK1S424jJdJbDPD9xDtpyaCWc3Jf5oRLYDLFIQtl5PXSWjg6iHd5xrLMFpWL8GI_LFUVDt04o4XoR1AwhmGh859cE_KtVAK7CNfcXto-w4C_AflsTQ9KQ/s400/Leszek_Wasilewski-rocinha.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rocinha</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we entered Cidade de Deus, it took less than 50 yards before we were stopped by the police, who had their guns drawn and aimed at us. We were with a pastor, and he explained in Portuguese that we were there for a Christmas party for the children. No one in the favelas own cars, they can barely afford food, so the officers probably thought we were looking for or bringing in drugs. After we explained our situation, we were allowed through without any conflict.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The favelas are incredibly dilapidated, and each house is connected to the next. They look like the slightest wind could blow them over. Most homes are one square room, and the entire family resides in this space. Max and I had the opportunity to walk into a guy's home, and it was probably around a 15 ft X 15 ft space at most. I can't try to explain what the residences look like compared to an American area because not even the poorest government housing units in the States compare to the favelas in population versus the living space. We saw a home where a two parents reside with their 8 children, and it was a bit smaller than the size of our hotel room. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHPcUczJP6QReXbD8lLzUYT7w6IdrwcE3nKNVMHY8ZQ-SQ2epyhVbOPI8sEn-cC2Wo73DfR6U2x8uMSxOPqhRHGbAVgKPj59r5C_APJpivVg14vieFHBzhcZT9L8Y9AEapd-39ybPuI4/s1600/PC210039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHPcUczJP6QReXbD8lLzUYT7w6IdrwcE3nKNVMHY8ZQ-SQ2epyhVbOPI8sEn-cC2Wo73DfR6U2x8uMSxOPqhRHGbAVgKPj59r5C_APJpivVg14vieFHBzhcZT9L8Y9AEapd-39ybPuI4/s640/PC210039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The outskirts of Ciudade de Deus</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we parked our car, we were immediately greeted by some of the leadership team for the Christmas party and all of the children who were already beginning to celebrate. A tent was set up and decorated with Christmas decorations and a sound system was brought in to spread Christmas cheer through Christmas songs. A trampoline was also set up for the children, and food was plenty in the form of spaghetti and hot dogs, soda, popcorn, and popsicles. The barefoot children ran around singing songs, dancing, jumping on the trampoline, and enjoying the holiday spirit!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8sxzNU_Wy4VmuvTc36fahqRKYkNbXan8NWYI-X8D1QAxXBPlw6ughA5PQlVUv2kg0aCraXFObn0UbpvpYUVw4ogBPvIQ0TMetRYUpro8nSVEgrTIWz9gsXgtiAUjU6BSxCRO1wrsbLM/s1600/PC210015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8sxzNU_Wy4VmuvTc36fahqRKYkNbXan8NWYI-X8D1QAxXBPlw6ughA5PQlVUv2kg0aCraXFObn0UbpvpYUVw4ogBPvIQ0TMetRYUpro8nSVEgrTIWz9gsXgtiAUjU6BSxCRO1wrsbLM/s640/PC210015.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We met some Christians who have recently turned to Christianity because of the missionaries that have influenced the area. Paulo, a guy from the church, was telling us that they had a team residing in a house in the favela, and they built a garden to teach the children how to care for their land. Since then, they have built roads and strengthened the infrastructure of Cidade de Deus, and more importantly, they have changed the lives of the people by showing them Jesus through their service.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFylMt-tbctFwSrDq4ItG-YYGW57Jf4A2veSy_06ySEk9O8n03A3ZnW3mx9uh6K7RaSqdWOmIbyVIZFcEO97plQ94Ibtr0xzwga5fdqtzBPY4m-wNRz4c-tHDOTWXxMRDZ1ocAHY9OXxg/s1600/PC210037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFylMt-tbctFwSrDq4ItG-YYGW57Jf4A2veSy_06ySEk9O8n03A3ZnW3mx9uh6K7RaSqdWOmIbyVIZFcEO97plQ94Ibtr0xzwga5fdqtzBPY4m-wNRz4c-tHDOTWXxMRDZ1ocAHY9OXxg/s640/PC210037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
New brick roads and sidewalks built by the church and</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hugs between a church leader and a friend who resides in the favela</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At first glance, the children appeared like every other child I've seen in my life. They might have a little more dirt on their feet and their clothes were obviously not bought at The Woodlands mall, but they were happy, adorable, and enjoying the Christmas festivities. As we began to interact with the children and communicate with them, their traumas became more evident. Max witnessed eight year old boys imitating snorting, smoking, and shooting drugs, and I had an 18 month old repeatedly punch me in the face while I played with him. Of course, children are children and it would be a lie if I were to say that none of my nieces have punched me in the face before, but these children learned their actions directly from their environment, quite possibly their parents. I know these children cannot all be put in the same category, but the majority of these children endure traumatic experiences from a young age. It's heartbreaking to hold a baby knowing that the likelihood for drug trafficking, hunger and poverty, and violence is extremely probable in the future.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7Pz5Kzk4bvw6VHXurwFlrIJNbs9qTyHWA0z17-ItWM2pe3zS7FA9wms2hHgBrfr77cvPGSOAFcoLxhnUMAG1h_4DPIc8JSCqnqeSS_7nU7wfzi7A6OTzRhvcilrsZx0dq8SYjuyBU6g/s1600/PC210004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7Pz5Kzk4bvw6VHXurwFlrIJNbs9qTyHWA0z17-ItWM2pe3zS7FA9wms2hHgBrfr77cvPGSOAFcoLxhnUMAG1h_4DPIc8JSCqnqeSS_7nU7wfzi7A6OTzRhvcilrsZx0dq8SYjuyBU6g/s640/PC210004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a day spent in the favelas, Max and I came back to our hotel room with our iPhones, iPad, macbook, closets full of clothes, and we ordered room service. Someone brought our food to our room, we ate, put the dishes outside of our room, and downloaded a movie from iTunes. We are so disgustingly privileged. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our monetary wealth is a blessing, but at the end of the day, our spiritual health is most important. For these families, monetary gain is an unlikely event, but the hope that comes through Jesus gives a renewed spirit. For us, monetary gain never seems to be enough, but we know that there is only true fulfillment through the grace of Christ.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVjM5cDR2-EH5Xfbg4ZolgdFuO2hmdqz1EnhBwaW5w76tf2Zue9nmHTKC3W0cwED_3vVqUThRXx_XCjNprh7vmgp7YgSWv9rHXFSlXy_Bs4_r05QaP2oqJexyXa1jdxWawIfCUEi5aJo/s1600/PC210003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVjM5cDR2-EH5Xfbg4ZolgdFuO2hmdqz1EnhBwaW5w76tf2Zue9nmHTKC3W0cwED_3vVqUThRXx_XCjNprh7vmgp7YgSWv9rHXFSlXy_Bs4_r05QaP2oqJexyXa1jdxWawIfCUEi5aJo/s640/PC210003.jpg" width="451" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My favorite little boy <3</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DwOMumwwsQ9p3snr-TjOjoc2oIT0JcZftWmerEMyWpIVnuVPB5GxdhS6LwGvHtrjbCq6BlE5TS-8SYmxQVIXJn3_DdnSrUpC1aubK9z7KtszVMF9Sl8AhZuVosWGnO9wkS0VKM4W6Pg/s1600/PC210010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DwOMumwwsQ9p3snr-TjOjoc2oIT0JcZftWmerEMyWpIVnuVPB5GxdhS6LwGvHtrjbCq6BlE5TS-8SYmxQVIXJn3_DdnSrUpC1aubK9z7KtszVMF9Sl8AhZuVosWGnO9wkS0VKM4W6Pg/s640/PC210010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Soda is less expensive than water</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QsVQlBwGq90o0RN4_hUB9xmgHM7bZ7BGAMzyy1-0xF8R7CVQAoACDY8_BdfDC7lX6sBobXaikb3A6AixACsaNQNzvLWrE8EbDnBe4DG15qmbWobZ1k0rVcJKzRf1G6AmwVnpkGdf3EA/s1600/PC210023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QsVQlBwGq90o0RN4_hUB9xmgHM7bZ7BGAMzyy1-0xF8R7CVQAoACDY8_BdfDC7lX6sBobXaikb3A6AixACsaNQNzvLWrE8EbDnBe4DG15qmbWobZ1k0rVcJKzRf1G6AmwVnpkGdf3EA/s640/PC210023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kids waiting in line for the trampoline</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyc3MnvAyA3ecXe8px95C_UZXHhx2WApB-g5-sAKzwmkD08CE-P8BYieHmgoOGtmDVfGM7203hrlJ_AdHpRh__TJk9VgqVmWmPAZdIDV9uvN7Phx725ABQs8NDfqFqKwe3Ed7sEVDH40/s1600/PC210029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDyc3MnvAyA3ecXe8px95C_UZXHhx2WApB-g5-sAKzwmkD08CE-P8BYieHmgoOGtmDVfGM7203hrlJ_AdHpRh__TJk9VgqVmWmPAZdIDV9uvN7Phx725ABQs8NDfqFqKwe3Ed7sEVDH40/s640/PC210029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The kids got skills!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQQJr0V9KEyPYvCvJ-FICWrVkM-i4cU6O5_U0DKol86Lo6Rdaifo2b6e2vQn_PHrQJHFjf7QbnGTAhVEVnV_a0EI0zBR5oTL0frDTMSHCQHucAhwocK9O_xYng_LCV9fcjR0gboApMj0/s1600/PC210035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQQJr0V9KEyPYvCvJ-FICWrVkM-i4cU6O5_U0DKol86Lo6Rdaifo2b6e2vQn_PHrQJHFjf7QbnGTAhVEVnV_a0EI0zBR5oTL0frDTMSHCQHucAhwocK9O_xYng_LCV9fcjR0gboApMj0/s640/PC210035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another perspective of the newly built brick roads</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RwGWSzgFmLthsNc6L7W79vl_M_iCYilCsBEs9vkBt8v5-RsW8MINc_oIEBaD9R_4N90WIDyzeo0oxStZPuMbBymRzb9l39E5EaEaN7cj3TuFSImrZ8Vs-cC38YeCVB3eXWHvzbAERPI/s1600/PC210040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RwGWSzgFmLthsNc6L7W79vl_M_iCYilCsBEs9vkBt8v5-RsW8MINc_oIEBaD9R_4N90WIDyzeo0oxStZPuMbBymRzb9l39E5EaEaN7cj3TuFSImrZ8Vs-cC38YeCVB3eXWHvzbAERPI/s640/PC210040.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one loved a thumbs up!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH2OgxbvArMLV4l-KOSqfPbaoLbw1U9G8zGJYjRZ7cAQ-mvAFxAgSqAtTzV28PUN6l29zJXmKkpyoAt4m8bJI3Nl9LDfq6CXXzGrqxjas5W048yuGcRmSv6fYttgiUtUqtVypaZ13zZk/s1600/PC210048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH2OgxbvArMLV4l-KOSqfPbaoLbw1U9G8zGJYjRZ7cAQ-mvAFxAgSqAtTzV28PUN6l29zJXmKkpyoAt4m8bJI3Nl9LDfq6CXXzGrqxjas5W048yuGcRmSv6fYttgiUtUqtVypaZ13zZk/s640/PC210048.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIG4lBp6zPywt2AOPBmuCxYKihd1fLnenRVCxxQgmPZQcoN1YzJgD5wtwsLuqiJ3nKWeGTk4_CuiEukpeqR-VGe0ExQsKmFYfos6fomiluzZS2VNFt5SfDhFXvO0STUQ8tl7UpdFWJu8/s1600/PC210053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIG4lBp6zPywt2AOPBmuCxYKihd1fLnenRVCxxQgmPZQcoN1YzJgD5wtwsLuqiJ3nKWeGTk4_CuiEukpeqR-VGe0ExQsKmFYfos6fomiluzZS2VNFt5SfDhFXvO0STUQ8tl7UpdFWJu8/s640/PC210053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beautiful sisters</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrL3lb6BtH2YBmpQKrf8SzeoFQLfV-kLKYWVgjda5VF1RB3U_lpINRScoIzEkJw0Db-eAG0qEnr7ZdHTmPpiAujiemeR4FS66YVEAZqhZwC2AYXaLFByAxknvPIuJlrUzBMxKq1sOLAk/s1600/PC210056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrL3lb6BtH2YBmpQKrf8SzeoFQLfV-kLKYWVgjda5VF1RB3U_lpINRScoIzEkJw0Db-eAG0qEnr7ZdHTmPpiAujiemeR4FS66YVEAZqhZwC2AYXaLFByAxknvPIuJlrUzBMxKq1sOLAk/s640/PC210056.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leftover spaghetti</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNRBjZyMqQtMTJzXUuLF3bvlmvq9742vYPa0dfOOpkzHWxZEy3EZKzzxdDZ7HNQwEOpAaWiz_Lp5VUwdn_NPD3o3qV2Lhsr1oAODktXJeBTEeYnaBOmb3rmzRvpd1m_gnt1ojZdq7X5A/s1600/PC210058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNRBjZyMqQtMTJzXUuLF3bvlmvq9742vYPa0dfOOpkzHWxZEy3EZKzzxdDZ7HNQwEOpAaWiz_Lp5VUwdn_NPD3o3qV2Lhsr1oAODktXJeBTEeYnaBOmb3rmzRvpd1m_gnt1ojZdq7X5A/s640/PC210058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Most beautiful lashes I've ever seen</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y6PY3NYjefvzfe0IfIX7n61py8n4G8ogMoIZ4X3U3zFjRp6Ycy9oEW8PiLOJSUgnjZwAtxWzuWwlzdXwFJK3HFs_xJF8OTnRGTGV1cRwLZCgvbjzKB35uKg_iggwi_WvmmrR_cycHBk/s1600/PC210059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5y6PY3NYjefvzfe0IfIX7n61py8n4G8ogMoIZ4X3U3zFjRp6Ycy9oEW8PiLOJSUgnjZwAtxWzuWwlzdXwFJK3HFs_xJF8OTnRGTGV1cRwLZCgvbjzKB35uKg_iggwi_WvmmrR_cycHBk/s640/PC210059.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi28LllGk6XTdgRqrY_aWVmxgvChmmiB8UAjjOw4OWG8vqHPRMe_agImVyJN9fkpgTHUxUnWhB-z-400YaNGic0u2qprHF_1s6BJKC040KV48UvK6cH5rMAqde8kYlMv7MCF0JBMZEL8/s1600/PC210064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRi28LllGk6XTdgRqrY_aWVmxgvChmmiB8UAjjOw4OWG8vqHPRMe_agImVyJN9fkpgTHUxUnWhB-z-400YaNGic0u2qprHF_1s6BJKC040KV48UvK6cH5rMAqde8kYlMv7MCF0JBMZEL8/s640/PC210064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our American friend, Jay Bauman, having some fun with the kids.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm8Ukk8dypVYjH7M5Ch4lYFhoZwgVUMlcj_AfrosgK-94h4vwMXEYCJtWtDEKEbR0qp4LKtAvVwF98IQl-sDokgSB_lXv09VO-HcPoi07XFe9iKJpViy1NXlGCJlV-A1flh6_Kr5O1kQ/s1600/PC210067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzm8Ukk8dypVYjH7M5Ch4lYFhoZwgVUMlcj_AfrosgK-94h4vwMXEYCJtWtDEKEbR0qp4LKtAvVwF98IQl-sDokgSB_lXv09VO-HcPoi07XFe9iKJpViy1NXlGCJlV-A1flh6_Kr5O1kQ/s640/PC210067.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Melt. My. Heart!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQtO3qxK70AQy8XXCeGdgt4CZDrD9KkmDqGJDH_UK0URYs11NdXxuWnMc2BvfuO5aLb61oygrPooec9Yj4_qSRrjluqdaNyop5Nc6NZASBowVy0DtJK5rYz9Mya752nvSx8glM_GuCDY/s1600/PC210068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQtO3qxK70AQy8XXCeGdgt4CZDrD9KkmDqGJDH_UK0URYs11NdXxuWnMc2BvfuO5aLb61oygrPooec9Yj4_qSRrjluqdaNyop5Nc6NZASBowVy0DtJK5rYz9Mya752nvSx8glM_GuCDY/s640/PC210068.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So in love</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJgTi4siaRjU-D66Aa6dN_8qQM12CqjpGoq21zWaxNrXhKk9zNzs-mUanodVZoFjF1zLCGCGX4Y5LPsQfEEPTWi37bg76STY6QuEx0N6ryFJpjrB54I9ksLxT-ZebLwPa9A24Bc8euzA/s1600/PC210069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJgTi4siaRjU-D66Aa6dN_8qQM12CqjpGoq21zWaxNrXhKk9zNzs-mUanodVZoFjF1zLCGCGX4Y5LPsQfEEPTWi37bg76STY6QuEx0N6ryFJpjrB54I9ksLxT-ZebLwPa9A24Bc8euzA/s640/PC210069.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can't help but think of my protective and caring older sister</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-26rOYemsqPaHmpO2fi4BHW5_OuDzml2ZeTC7cdkphKXXaBL2_-Qoh1JhlCD8aiEe9uQEZl80-QWSAv9Pzi6KHov1kGQcIGvEeVwYEvNom2T9Wq8_6d5-1JOT68nbXvMLPGRtqo1gHQ/s1600/PC210070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-26rOYemsqPaHmpO2fi4BHW5_OuDzml2ZeTC7cdkphKXXaBL2_-Qoh1JhlCD8aiEe9uQEZl80-QWSAv9Pzi6KHov1kGQcIGvEeVwYEvNom2T9Wq8_6d5-1JOT68nbXvMLPGRtqo1gHQ/s640/PC210070.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlBE6gSj3xmlyltQpI09r1l74TeiH3GBfTjyJH36eTDNe-ZXu-eD2okOBGlHNdn_smj1bcTBGJDpGv77E7bY0ZzuHdBmdCGfr_Q8-8u68HVBQ0DB8qaNo9Lrxq_5i6_Y0Mf2bPrE266c/s1600/PC210072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlBE6gSj3xmlyltQpI09r1l74TeiH3GBfTjyJH36eTDNe-ZXu-eD2okOBGlHNdn_smj1bcTBGJDpGv77E7bY0ZzuHdBmdCGfr_Q8-8u68HVBQ0DB8qaNo9Lrxq_5i6_Y0Mf2bPrE266c/s640/PC210072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and his boyz</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7jI0IypjQty3Is05wG5E2191EKmIPBmUkahIu_2C4zJwbcJs0HEyONtvuovEf6cIKuHfhbredeOQYxXdhAm2C49C1CjQHntiNel5nskbXxUvhinyF6fIQqQapwYCe-qyfyu-_vcuqdA/s1600/PC210076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7jI0IypjQty3Is05wG5E2191EKmIPBmUkahIu_2C4zJwbcJs0HEyONtvuovEf6cIKuHfhbredeOQYxXdhAm2C49C1CjQHntiNel5nskbXxUvhinyF6fIQqQapwYCe-qyfyu-_vcuqdA/s640/PC210076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All of the children watching a performance of the Christmas story!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasu0a2trpbXt8HQbEWkNPxsZQABgONkEuq6Cn8Jst6p_ACJnola1I9U6yy_3IokoIusLVF_Cz9GWY_uz0ZAw5B2fSQpU76tDvU56e1tSAHnUH9qbxGOT5Bv3DcoL2fghIEi4FpQErmu4/s1600/PC210082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasu0a2trpbXt8HQbEWkNPxsZQABgONkEuq6Cn8Jst6p_ACJnola1I9U6yy_3IokoIusLVF_Cz9GWY_uz0ZAw5B2fSQpU76tDvU56e1tSAHnUH9qbxGOT5Bv3DcoL2fghIEi4FpQErmu4/s640/PC210082.jpg" width="404" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brother and sister</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCML_jFzdEwIAx7Bzm9muS9VIScjh8_Ya5VVMo9SAOot0Y4HMFKizRcUAj8FfVsfqoYNzj4x2-oOzo2fHdRN1k8LAarINX-0MnitpUi2krRlxyEAfy3o8k6Ou2mOxIgic79A8MlHY7_DY/s1600/PC210061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCML_jFzdEwIAx7Bzm9muS9VIScjh8_Ya5VVMo9SAOot0Y4HMFKizRcUAj8FfVsfqoYNzj4x2-oOzo2fHdRN1k8LAarINX-0MnitpUi2krRlxyEAfy3o8k6Ou2mOxIgic79A8MlHY7_DY/s640/PC210061.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nothin' like a little cheeky.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't want this post to be a dreary post about the poverty in Brazil. I focused on these aspects of the favelas because they are real and they exist, and we too often forget. At the end of the day, our focus should remain on Jesus. Full time missionaries have devoted their lives to enhancing the lives of the people in the favelas and spreading the hope that is found through Christ. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Maybe poverty and violence aren't what you face this holiday season; Maybe your difficulties revolve around depression, the first Christmas without a loved one, or loneliness. This holiday season, may we all turn to the manger. May we celebrate and rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who's life and death on the cross enables us to live eternally in heaven, <i>free</i> from any turmoil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;">Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="ResultText" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 3px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:9-14</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;">For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-73260288255223884252013-12-20T17:24:00.000-08:002013-12-20T17:32:42.915-08:00Summertime Livin'I've been off work since Thursday, and I think today was the first day that I didn't wake up sore. It's nice to finally have my body back, and I'm excited to get back to training now that I feel recovered. Well, I'm still glad we have a few more days to relax before we head back to work!<br />
<br />
After a busy day of hiking and tourist attractions on Wednesday, we spent most of Thursday working on our Christmas tans by relaxing at the pool and strolling along the beach. Actually, Max didn't exactly "stroll". He was in the water taking on five feet plus waves while I watched. I know that large waves lead to water up my nose and sand in places it shouldn't be, and well, I wasn't in the mood. I enjoyed the sun by sunbathing, taking pictures with friends, and walking around the beach. The pool area has the best view of the mountains and the beach, so it's not so bad just laying around there either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AC6wojrHiiJumy-JYfFDIBBJ5VXrm0YmvrZpQNFKBN_HBxKjRcnHdyd_mi02B0hmT6mBoNAHAKeXvmdn91OpJ4qUTIEJQHL6ZRHy0oO9jhhEQaYGDJKm3Eby86tQZnwNfQENCOfC43M/s1600/PC190130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AC6wojrHiiJumy-JYfFDIBBJ5VXrm0YmvrZpQNFKBN_HBxKjRcnHdyd_mi02B0hmT6mBoNAHAKeXvmdn91OpJ4qUTIEJQHL6ZRHy0oO9jhhEQaYGDJKm3Eby86tQZnwNfQENCOfC43M/s640/PC190130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I would come to Rio just to sit by this pool.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirYWI79RCzxdsRruTSdimJRvn4ZYAXUhiw5obOerPEiX8pFwmhGQhinqMaI1-evAhOSplkX_A4d-PYYZk_HOuVrsyAC3hTktMWOP9rc1dQ9-K-VQ3_UyNPw-HeFy9zTjY53ohkAbdiZA/s1600/PC190137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirYWI79RCzxdsRruTSdimJRvn4ZYAXUhiw5obOerPEiX8pFwmhGQhinqMaI1-evAhOSplkX_A4d-PYYZk_HOuVrsyAC3hTktMWOP9rc1dQ9-K-VQ3_UyNPw-HeFy9zTjY53ohkAbdiZA/s640/PC190137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My man and I <3</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfECX5Kv8nTw-xLpPl0Ezin8L-kZXsiZs3X7L68HYHKvqNf4bJnU8avg_0QtKDt0-FBF1tBF1h32Iog2RCrbpeRR2T3zpVlVI-6qzBzVDCm-zGPeuA9s2qy1QKuOzXU7ky93P8RlHE2Nw/s1600/PC190139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfECX5Kv8nTw-xLpPl0Ezin8L-kZXsiZs3X7L68HYHKvqNf4bJnU8avg_0QtKDt0-FBF1tBF1h32Iog2RCrbpeRR2T3zpVlVI-6qzBzVDCm-zGPeuA9s2qy1QKuOzXU7ky93P8RlHE2Nw/s640/PC190139.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Across the street at the beach</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10rTK7iScHXVKWnhHh14fCJh-zVsO55sfaB2a7Q6e5o72uLSx4ldc_gUbaJ5GzP9OWd-dAZWcy2uWZ06CL5gmLZDBHH1RDmJZleFgA2AG3-SP1ZKdldCd6FLRs81JZjjqGdd_TmHi4yE/s1600/PC190152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10rTK7iScHXVKWnhHh14fCJh-zVsO55sfaB2a7Q6e5o72uLSx4ldc_gUbaJ5GzP9OWd-dAZWcy2uWZ06CL5gmLZDBHH1RDmJZleFgA2AG3-SP1ZKdldCd6FLRs81JZjjqGdd_TmHi4yE/s640/PC190152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gabby, Georgia, Fred, me, David, Alix, and Steven!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1l8E7iXbZ9NdzanxlD5nxSe3w0ylGUsxfZOHMcAGjvsXPCIFAi_5U6wt3zxaaEEVCj6f1_jRIr6Gl8PhzTWZbZVnURmN3JDV64gOdtyEnbKBgZPGOu6U6E37dAXW8GvuhrwPWWDVmww/s1600/PC190157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1l8E7iXbZ9NdzanxlD5nxSe3w0ylGUsxfZOHMcAGjvsXPCIFAi_5U6wt3zxaaEEVCj6f1_jRIr6Gl8PhzTWZbZVnURmN3JDV64gOdtyEnbKBgZPGOu6U6E37dAXW8GvuhrwPWWDVmww/s640/PC190157.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We took one by the pool,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
so we had to take one by the beach, too!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimZfJro_PJgr9i-RtKdzwschVylGHRYAM5Cmak2LiPewsA2338WT6e5Z_a7rVlfQ-DfvRv7ZUdfb-7ize0_8F0XDieXIRY7mMAbacq4MaNlfdRsCs_NXP-RNeNwrOPg1kv4FZoeQwIdw/s1600/PC190159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimZfJro_PJgr9i-RtKdzwschVylGHRYAM5Cmak2LiPewsA2338WT6e5Z_a7rVlfQ-DfvRv7ZUdfb-7ize0_8F0XDieXIRY7mMAbacq4MaNlfdRsCs_NXP-RNeNwrOPg1kv4FZoeQwIdw/s640/PC190159.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Getting acrobatic</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJPbHotKq_5zOkZ2GQeQbVDuOVKh5k26elBXRryAOOU6Mjn73InvzX4eV6q1-94D_z3lEUzF9tnSObm4q4NCQyfoVeOQWVQoltab2rKrKTTP9PhrD6p6iwR5T0mzHCnnrfwB_XJeX3-o/s1600/PC190161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJPbHotKq_5zOkZ2GQeQbVDuOVKh5k26elBXRryAOOU6Mjn73InvzX4eV6q1-94D_z3lEUzF9tnSObm4q4NCQyfoVeOQWVQoltab2rKrKTTP9PhrD6p6iwR5T0mzHCnnrfwB_XJeX3-o/s640/PC190161.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Novatos!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R0wnwrvrqAn_XVro2ZKPjChhnSycbrMCcgbi3v2U8BhW_l0LlNRz-qJF5WdKzYktFEPF__qH9tMaygQJX7RRy3LBc-MLns1xYbmk97oesQ_nxROIBQrAp23JkcxbI4N3W1V9FOeF_Ts/s1600/PC190164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8R0wnwrvrqAn_XVro2ZKPjChhnSycbrMCcgbi3v2U8BhW_l0LlNRz-qJF5WdKzYktFEPF__qH9tMaygQJX7RRy3LBc-MLns1xYbmk97oesQ_nxROIBQrAp23JkcxbI4N3W1V9FOeF_Ts/s640/PC190164.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The boys and their speedos!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All the men in Brazil wear speedos and all the women in Brazil wear thongs. Max and I are a bit too nervous to jump on the bandwagon. Besides, my buns are a little too white for the sun, and I don't think there's any amount of money that can get Max in a speedo! For now, we will leave the Brazilian swimwear to these gorgeous boys and their six packs!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmMjMGFL5t9unFhU6OQZGfFzbvsn3fZKxg-8EYUR2-_YrHUoc5UadnO_JDQwDleImJeA-TyFJrWpgedg7O15x-J9Wg5qD8-nHyLK8R-VfrdJ4zdPcFxnBxCMWJ6ihZDhPb-1RGa2OIQA/s1600/PC190167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmMjMGFL5t9unFhU6OQZGfFzbvsn3fZKxg-8EYUR2-_YrHUoc5UadnO_JDQwDleImJeA-TyFJrWpgedg7O15x-J9Wg5qD8-nHyLK8R-VfrdJ4zdPcFxnBxCMWJ6ihZDhPb-1RGa2OIQA/s640/PC190167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
David enjoying the waves! He's famous, y'all. FAMOUS.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUisF3H_P4rTMBCu_MIB64iyDAX8Fy1Ootqdaf-xnkWxFOCekvQmYX-DgtdmvWAkdizCQg1FvymmkqqxXdtqS9igrrgKaTZDxbwRmxpKnwc8LxeTf2YSCMr6DRkhCDLPSfuQXn41WZpYA/s1600/PC190170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUisF3H_P4rTMBCu_MIB64iyDAX8Fy1Ootqdaf-xnkWxFOCekvQmYX-DgtdmvWAkdizCQg1FvymmkqqxXdtqS9igrrgKaTZDxbwRmxpKnwc8LxeTf2YSCMr6DRkhCDLPSfuQXn41WZpYA/s640/PC190170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and Max's beard by the pool!</div>
<br />
After a day of sunshine, I was exhausted. We headed back to the room, and it took all of fifteen minutes for Max to get bored. I have NO idea where he gets his energy from, but I really hope he doesn't pass it on to our future children. I like my sleep too much.<br />
<br />
Once Max stopped pacing and figured out what to do with his energy, he asked me, "you want to go play some wall ball?"…because I play lacrosse and because I don't want to sleep right now. I didn't want to go, but I'm glad I did. It was hilarious and inspiring to see him playing wall ball because the locals were staring so hard. They have probably never seen a lacrosse stick before! Everyone who passed by was so interested, and even the life guards were paying more attention to him than the water. I hope he has the chance to teach some locals the game! We might have to bring some more sticks out after our next trip to the USA.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrAMs8lWUOr-usS5tWzE9TY464gaf4w6Yrd1govsZlBO3OM5L5GkKU1ua0r3I1x-lWArUxlwENqn2VHwPDhw8bWEoOjLLSPoXAKzU8dyge2ObIU-VyN_zXHPZq6j7UiEAfCtgK1KrWeI/s1600/PC190142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrAMs8lWUOr-usS5tWzE9TY464gaf4w6Yrd1govsZlBO3OM5L5GkKU1ua0r3I1x-lWArUxlwENqn2VHwPDhw8bWEoOjLLSPoXAKzU8dyge2ObIU-VyN_zXHPZq6j7UiEAfCtgK1KrWeI/s640/PC190142.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got our energy levels up after a day of relaxing and wall ball, and we spent all of that energy today being tourists again and lounging by the pool some more. This morning, we woke up and went with friends, Kate and Paul, to see the Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue. Paul is the drummer for Corteo and Kate is his girlfriend, and they are both from Australia. Why does every other English speaking country have a better accent than mine?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyways, we took a car to the base of the mountain to buy our tickets. While we were waiting in an hour to two hour line, these random Brazilians walked up to us and asked us if we wanted to use their service for R$5 more, which is about $2 US dollars. We decided to risk it, and boy am I glad we did! We took a van about halfway up the mountain and got out near a helipad. The views were incredible, and we could see Christ the Redeemer up ahead.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59M1tvTinpjiermNSDTSqHeywRYh6IP-V3hQrp8UIkAzYb3BDYjWM43JJa_wYE7CoJPsCB5PCTjr8CSZHRm6fF0GdAb6g3VoUGyodR4dK1_qk4MbZnV7N0If0XUqo0o0g3nDizJ81Xh4/s1600/PC190170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59M1tvTinpjiermNSDTSqHeywRYh6IP-V3hQrp8UIkAzYb3BDYjWM43JJa_wYE7CoJPsCB5PCTjr8CSZHRm6fF0GdAb6g3VoUGyodR4dK1_qk4MbZnV7N0If0XUqo0o0g3nDizJ81Xh4/s640/PC190170.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Handstands on the ledge are my favorite way to scare my family.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRMagTfSR1JbUn8GaHY9hpgWlqbC5QIqcAC2iGFtD4RVi0OJySj9MfANCDolXQ4w8yuFxXdsYLRoGXxR0LK5R_OQgwESQKKI9kjSPnzXJ7VvCAVdqeHk24yZrolsjk0_yOubeWEj41Kg/s1600/PC190154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRMagTfSR1JbUn8GaHY9hpgWlqbC5QIqcAC2iGFtD4RVi0OJySj9MfANCDolXQ4w8yuFxXdsYLRoGXxR0LK5R_OQgwESQKKI9kjSPnzXJ7VvCAVdqeHk24yZrolsjk0_yOubeWEj41Kg/s640/PC190154.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and I!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pao de Açúcar is in the background, which is where we were on Tuesday!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbKGOsi7hRyhIeun7XcrTtdkLcQ_orkrMP4U1rpUhgyEjTRwOT2HyBds00mqr__n_liNrozsIAbYhYiDqjniyX1ui8QRIguJ7d9LwGluN4Scqy4q1RsmSnA_tTE7QzhX9d4O4whfWrw8/s1600/PC190144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbKGOsi7hRyhIeun7XcrTtdkLcQ_orkrMP4U1rpUhgyEjTRwOT2HyBds00mqr__n_liNrozsIAbYhYiDqjniyX1ui8QRIguJ7d9LwGluN4Scqy4q1RsmSnA_tTE7QzhX9d4O4whfWrw8/s640/PC190144.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you look close, you can find Jesus. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
…or maybe you already found Him?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(see what I did there?)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_vua8DOA1YBv3Zf-te0o3s58Bpf_eZDkkJMQ3i04wDvszMRPFnUzYwXJGC7lMlTwPA2J8YW-ofl4pVf0ESFY9gqCYgknKou7TyyFiEMFTqtEUB9Ob78CQr8G7uaaG-I2aybt3oKRGUk/s1600/PC190148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_vua8DOA1YBv3Zf-te0o3s58Bpf_eZDkkJMQ3i04wDvszMRPFnUzYwXJGC7lMlTwPA2J8YW-ofl4pVf0ESFY9gqCYgknKou7TyyFiEMFTqtEUB9Ob78CQr8G7uaaG-I2aybt3oKRGUk/s640/PC190148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kate, Paul, and Jesus</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXOfd1nC3sBUdLyAyjgP7lUD9fEir9wT4sc6dk9Hx4WwAiuVJ541sVo8cpFvwyx84BXODwWT8j9SEKqsYxz9MhVPnNulZqTQwHVveUFFM8koEGyobMkp037UR9DSvlJ3p0O96RYuF_PQ/s1600/PC190150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXOfd1nC3sBUdLyAyjgP7lUD9fEir9wT4sc6dk9Hx4WwAiuVJ541sVo8cpFvwyx84BXODwWT8j9SEKqsYxz9MhVPnNulZqTQwHVveUFFM8koEGyobMkp037UR9DSvlJ3p0O96RYuF_PQ/s640/PC190150.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More handstands...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaXcmrFkubM1nd0jZLkK1o3la4YIPpTm-tFCAkQm6gi58bcGsi9JxiP2gtOYlNFvlln2sqHlbiBUfbouCix0d0yuMIZwZDRmrYgAgUMzOPNI2ECTjeBxUY9qQkbtUkMUdKyp5CqhNb8g/s1600/PC190152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkaXcmrFkubM1nd0jZLkK1o3la4YIPpTm-tFCAkQm6gi58bcGsi9JxiP2gtOYlNFvlln2sqHlbiBUfbouCix0d0yuMIZwZDRmrYgAgUMzOPNI2ECTjeBxUY9qQkbtUkMUdKyp5CqhNb8g/s640/PC190152.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Handstand with Jesus</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxdx6zzN9Wep7smAkBIeDbI8hTyu7DoOryfU9jGHo_mKyOsjLV3YgCwTiDKO_m4GhANixUXE8hkAxFHtMj-d5yIBFu2rIBizFAiyzGojRa0rH35dJVW6M35E7nHHCO8I8sKj39u-TO2o/s1600/PC190141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxdx6zzN9Wep7smAkBIeDbI8hTyu7DoOryfU9jGHo_mKyOsjLV3YgCwTiDKO_m4GhANixUXE8hkAxFHtMj-d5yIBFu2rIBizFAiyzGojRa0rH35dJVW6M35E7nHHCO8I8sKj39u-TO2o/s640/PC190141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rio de Janeiro!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After our quick stop, we jumped back in the van and drove the remainder of the way up the mountain to see the statue. It was windy and the drivers here are worse than NY taxi drivers on drugs, so I was fully car sick and ready to blow by the time we reached the top. Luckily, fresh air and my feet on planet earth put my stomach back in my body.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We climbed the steps to reach the top, and were happy to see the most incredible views of Rio! Also, you're on equal level with the clouds and some passed right through us. Unfortunately, I'm not brave enough for handstands on ledges as high as the clouds or else I would have tried. Maybe after some more time in the circus!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrQ988d-kqgHclIS4oFFCGrGGLaAwKmKNZl_5ee38ZSc5n-cs8yYz46w0kxnIjzhJ8fx1zAqf5V1qYLxWJrs2lsWkv6hJzKrFnX4acu0W28nIoWAX5Kf8Dl6uyMMOA8koGEeUg9Lj7HE/s1600/PC190175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrQ988d-kqgHclIS4oFFCGrGGLaAwKmKNZl_5ee38ZSc5n-cs8yYz46w0kxnIjzhJ8fx1zAqf5V1qYLxWJrs2lsWkv6hJzKrFnX4acu0W28nIoWAX5Kf8Dl6uyMMOA8koGEeUg9Lj7HE/s640/PC190175.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Climbing up to see Jesus!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirizLql4OuVNstyRPRamQc0cDFBwyW6yE7jyMydMOiEKfoF5wug0p1mkqKEmBaDp078u4GB7Bg2QGGXqI0GQ2XCO8FiiJ_x5ug6GSLtlQIVnENpfXkF-lRXvByXiyxVTXBdAhl1AkUaO4/s1600/PC190176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirizLql4OuVNstyRPRamQc0cDFBwyW6yE7jyMydMOiEKfoF5wug0p1mkqKEmBaDp078u4GB7Bg2QGGXqI0GQ2XCO8FiiJ_x5ug6GSLtlQIVnENpfXkF-lRXvByXiyxVTXBdAhl1AkUaO4/s640/PC190176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas from Cristo Redentor.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The lagoon is an artificial lake popular for the cafe's that line it</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and the runners, bikers, walkers, and other exercisers that use the track</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
around it!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnOmKU-a7yslbiQSNNZ8yuQzR2Rx0WG2kIrDLQpxkbhCSkYtqNs6JsYtqCi8pt0rXv9LfsMSASW_9f_Wf9PV6AtkVCslxmYxKNzY_hiAkhuFkjeGxIcThExe4pqLPccElrwhyphenhyphenJmmiz94/s1600/PC190177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnOmKU-a7yslbiQSNNZ8yuQzR2Rx0WG2kIrDLQpxkbhCSkYtqNs6JsYtqCi8pt0rXv9LfsMSASW_9f_Wf9PV6AtkVCslxmYxKNzY_hiAkhuFkjeGxIcThExe4pqLPccElrwhyphenhyphenJmmiz94/s640/PC190177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pao de Açúcar</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxpTd_VSMArhgUHrVFlcM0KERf8bqqY0j-ENCgiKiU0Vn0UlG0g96qQtUO8VOepBEw-pzDa0WtzoRcZXpv6vGBS0wNwL162hiOn37RN24NeMr6ZFsPbVUIDMfyk8MS2Q83B4KrgN3z0U/s1600/PC190186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAxpTd_VSMArhgUHrVFlcM0KERf8bqqY0j-ENCgiKiU0Vn0UlG0g96qQtUO8VOepBEw-pzDa0WtzoRcZXpv6vGBS0wNwL162hiOn37RN24NeMr6ZFsPbVUIDMfyk8MS2Q83B4KrgN3z0U/s640/PC190186.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kate, Paul, and Jesus</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(plus photo bomb girl on the left)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVslOzIJ_z99r-jDX-8Qifo07hRQJCMLqfwdpSIps4CVVx1MbdufMADyhShByidx9N2BjgtTSJiNB2wgP7WxipPX8KWa6DBuYQU6B3mBzbvh7qp5oDxH3tqg6hv0qmEMTxIPzJrkBa8a0/s1600/PC190189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVslOzIJ_z99r-jDX-8Qifo07hRQJCMLqfwdpSIps4CVVx1MbdufMADyhShByidx9N2BjgtTSJiNB2wgP7WxipPX8KWa6DBuYQU6B3mBzbvh7qp5oDxH3tqg6hv0qmEMTxIPzJrkBa8a0/s640/PC190189.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jesus and me</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVTJ9s9AsAzhpVZMkwG2BOrhbmyFet_6yrqtKwd_aLaAeBG-WbumNmD97Yqn5-IlTYR-ETY51sQ5ZglFMI9Cyuo9Y4D1BTR64WEFE_0t7wCaU25w0g6wTpU3pu77YJpAe4sVTUmsFlkA/s1600/PC190201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVTJ9s9AsAzhpVZMkwG2BOrhbmyFet_6yrqtKwd_aLaAeBG-WbumNmD97Yqn5-IlTYR-ETY51sQ5ZglFMI9Cyuo9Y4D1BTR64WEFE_0t7wCaU25w0g6wTpU3pu77YJpAe4sVTUmsFlkA/s640/PC190201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jesus, Max, and me</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd3F3vAgJTSDUW1GPc7SVrfos6MtUv8AsF8QBGYJD5pCseO87m5EFCLL7i-LOYwnltb1qM7RZRsYYSFXbfeqJSJZW2r7reC8Ow5U46BRQAZs8LaNEZCccgnLceDFJyhN1TtUCNM4ZZ1k/s1600/PC190203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPd3F3vAgJTSDUW1GPc7SVrfos6MtUv8AsF8QBGYJD5pCseO87m5EFCLL7i-LOYwnltb1qM7RZRsYYSFXbfeqJSJZW2r7reC8Ow5U46BRQAZs8LaNEZCccgnLceDFJyhN1TtUCNM4ZZ1k/s640/PC190203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and I mimicking Jesus</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdBnnFGjmibFt8RFWhUqeAG_SfJQN6jhB0QfXzQ_tdG0VkT8EpRudT-YxT-Ad7yUadFhr7oetYk5Y1kEP2mk8WLBUP4SB4D8p4bZLJCuqa0uddCAnfteTxZcruIsIrpCSdP_UcX64o2I/s1600/PC190207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdBnnFGjmibFt8RFWhUqeAG_SfJQN6jhB0QfXzQ_tdG0VkT8EpRudT-YxT-Ad7yUadFhr7oetYk5Y1kEP2mk8WLBUP4SB4D8p4bZLJCuqa0uddCAnfteTxZcruIsIrpCSdP_UcX64o2I/s640/PC190207.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Another view of Rio</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuJWiU8pSVBNB0QW-7_Wa0aOs6HQsA8edYv3ykNE65yyfMpDErMWi_d5iulv2JqtnLCnNlUsoORY4F4910OI8-z0SsBM55h8C2uAtIutjhdDbTufsqMbE7nIhWsio7N9k8pudP3D9vHA/s1600/PC190208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuJWiU8pSVBNB0QW-7_Wa0aOs6HQsA8edYv3ykNE65yyfMpDErMWi_d5iulv2JqtnLCnNlUsoORY4F4910OI8-z0SsBM55h8C2uAtIutjhdDbTufsqMbE7nIhWsio7N9k8pudP3D9vHA/s640/PC190208.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Christ the Redeemer</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDOh3xnfltvtvM5B4yRv-f7Xs4NY0LCPf7EC1PQyZVke8cwB_Tp8yKI034tdV8iYHBvGatBklEkcAJ0Lr5pzeg7JQ3fXUqv5PKXckax2X1p5QoGrzWgk11OUGvRmZ9lU35LOtrEADzR8/s1600/PC190209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDOh3xnfltvtvM5B4yRv-f7Xs4NY0LCPf7EC1PQyZVke8cwB_Tp8yKI034tdV8iYHBvGatBklEkcAJ0Lr5pzeg7JQ3fXUqv5PKXckax2X1p5QoGrzWgk11OUGvRmZ9lU35LOtrEADzR8/s640/PC190209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Jesus and Paul, who has hair like Jesus</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSxvVtvMphXtvVXJpbQBNJmfl4fQaUkwOVBkDlTD47IqxpNp6P6TkmftDClgWP4YmtpooiRtm7gI3m2uH09Xy1rc7Y7FfFQvkQGkb8yk5pxDuRo_hahMevZLWPT2KXTiatj2BOBWzIqM/s1600/PC190214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSxvVtvMphXtvVXJpbQBNJmfl4fQaUkwOVBkDlTD47IqxpNp6P6TkmftDClgWP4YmtpooiRtm7gI3m2uH09Xy1rc7Y7FfFQvkQGkb8yk5pxDuRo_hahMevZLWPT2KXTiatj2BOBWzIqM/s640/PC190214.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taking it all in!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRmpGJbiLndQDXPjG0jQDI3FtsGZ5DPAgLlFBpHyXi-HxaXMgYMeeGsmv_P1tkalkuxuXoNu62brACT8dbRRAmz8G1tHYmtfe3CqKqtKXUrf1ETG29etwzCUAvN-z_fQy8pmxYNqnqAM/s1600/PC190221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRmpGJbiLndQDXPjG0jQDI3FtsGZ5DPAgLlFBpHyXi-HxaXMgYMeeGsmv_P1tkalkuxuXoNu62brACT8dbRRAmz8G1tHYmtfe3CqKqtKXUrf1ETG29etwzCUAvN-z_fQy8pmxYNqnqAM/s640/PC190221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and I in the clouds! Sorry about my right eye… ;)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSOzlY-doO_2cKRXWaB-G1tqmx1JHHror-MD5jxJCFZpR9bifpl_274GA-8F4-CiKudQJd5i07-lEVt5Vkn23b0sgPq-fKhzdNMj6JHadjCmFZ9XhEgK8wlLc6vAT0J2TYq1p98qBEYc/s1600/PC190239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsSOzlY-doO_2cKRXWaB-G1tqmx1JHHror-MD5jxJCFZpR9bifpl_274GA-8F4-CiKudQJd5i07-lEVt5Vkn23b0sgPq-fKhzdNMj6JHadjCmFZ9XhEgK8wlLc6vAT0J2TYq1p98qBEYc/s640/PC190239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love this picture that Max took! #artsy</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUr_GH5jqQl71taBA5RyqcyTTQqcsJKGhAnw9bNlv44woNZy3CtgTPsFbsNH16bddhX6zV_ruO7PUid4wvE7puGvBwQ7zZ93am7_y4Qd1Y1OHl99CuQlYsCIZyhbR15W2v9zABeB81d8/s1600/PC200241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUr_GH5jqQl71taBA5RyqcyTTQqcsJKGhAnw9bNlv44woNZy3CtgTPsFbsNH16bddhX6zV_ruO7PUid4wvE7puGvBwQ7zZ93am7_y4Qd1Y1OHl99CuQlYsCIZyhbR15W2v9zABeB81d8/s640/PC200241.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sipping on our abacaxi (pineapple) and maracuja (passion fruit) juices!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm never going to be able to drink juice in the US again. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After our juice, some snacks, and a lot of car sickness by Kate and I, we made it back to the hotel. We didn't get back until later in the afternoon, so we didn't have time to go to Ipanema or Copacabana like I had planned. Oh well, I guess we can do that another one of the days between now and the next ten weeks that we are here! Instead, Max and I laid by the pool some more. It was pretty decent substitute. I fell asleep while I was sunbathing at one point, and I woke up to a guy saying, "Senhora?". I opened my eyes to find that my husband had ordered me an água do coco from the pool bar. Alcohol free and hydrating, and I didn't have to order! Husband of the year, y'all. There's just something special about drinking fresh coconut water out of a coconut, poolside, with the sounds of the ocean in the background, and the view of the mountains in Brazil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT-hO2AbLtO2bnN5lV1T25AYSlvi1JeRCbiORmqUXXRCItlAxN8rN8IGOANLX8DZCLJag6J0GZ6v5cbL62C5Ameb3JeuJrO0pMUuonJUEQYnaMhxd7qIeMviRD24BgrhFuQKUFvgrulA/s1600/PC200005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIT-hO2AbLtO2bnN5lV1T25AYSlvi1JeRCbiORmqUXXRCItlAxN8rN8IGOANLX8DZCLJag6J0GZ6v5cbL62C5Ameb3JeuJrO0pMUuonJUEQYnaMhxd7qIeMviRD24BgrhFuQKUFvgrulA/s640/PC200005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLOAuc1XYHHoCf9DYiGt3xuipsCy8fiQ3qrpN9xo6KqBWa_nRalem2CJEAgfXkFFPUC3Hpw01-w3Mb6XRDSk3Tfnvakd3Xcqc51nVJDPficKhEASOTFtjwanHD-P6Bl3kCuMNKf97850/s1600/PC200004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLOAuc1XYHHoCf9DYiGt3xuipsCy8fiQ3qrpN9xo6KqBWa_nRalem2CJEAgfXkFFPUC3Hpw01-w3Mb6XRDSk3Tfnvakd3Xcqc51nVJDPficKhEASOTFtjwanHD-P6Bl3kCuMNKf97850/s640/PC200004.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the afternoon sun had passed behind the mountain, we went back to the room to rest. Since Max isn't so good at resting, he asked me if I wanted to go down to the beach to watch the sunset. I had just gotten comfortable, but I sucked it up and headed down with him anyway. I'm so glad he doesn't like to miss anything because I would have been so upset if I would've missed this sunset! Pictures never do a good sunset justice, but hopefully this will give you a taste!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K1MYkLWLwZBldt8eZfVDSZUzG_5FG72HVSQYVCx1N1eC5ognQSIut1kxVWYesOKmq3sGT9_PQyZd5GjdOHELkt4flh7OOrC68g0Yyx8yVOh4T0voMcpfVK_l9yfege0nYslG5ReEcM0/s1600/PC200007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K1MYkLWLwZBldt8eZfVDSZUzG_5FG72HVSQYVCx1N1eC5ognQSIut1kxVWYesOKmq3sGT9_PQyZd5GjdOHELkt4flh7OOrC68g0Yyx8yVOh4T0voMcpfVK_l9yfege0nYslG5ReEcM0/s640/PC200007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbObjZjTl05eSygBH0O_4Dlf3bmtRHZWkgyv39FuaVDX0as9dSG93_KR4t1sVmf5LMwkw_8KDnUKtKIcD0nyDtdcNVcqhAQCPlOM11OD43MRVawXovlM738s9tueBU_4hBuSswIdLLdg/s1600/PC200009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbObjZjTl05eSygBH0O_4Dlf3bmtRHZWkgyv39FuaVDX0as9dSG93_KR4t1sVmf5LMwkw_8KDnUKtKIcD0nyDtdcNVcqhAQCPlOM11OD43MRVawXovlM738s9tueBU_4hBuSswIdLLdg/s640/PC200009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX-RW-WwvaKjOKVuk0FgBkdJg3bsd3p5kElXOAcoyvxI8AwAhQgnCcABzbqzjaW4aX6mYiH9j4fWzLd_DTgwM752KNHqdCYsn1o4qcw3oFjrTlobZfKcjzwVz13p4ypMPYJB31Q-9TbA/s1600/PC200017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqX-RW-WwvaKjOKVuk0FgBkdJg3bsd3p5kElXOAcoyvxI8AwAhQgnCcABzbqzjaW4aX6mYiH9j4fWzLd_DTgwM752KNHqdCYsn1o4qcw3oFjrTlobZfKcjzwVz13p4ypMPYJB31Q-9TbA/s640/PC200017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP-NsTA_7wVRKtelvuHaFvQPm2iGXTgSqzzY5udznP1revc-K9QkIaG5fyQBLhf1_MzcJdC9LVdTg-9Q67LtVJTAGyRwJz5yJTfZ7VK5B7o58LmFrI9fy6hUNiJUkJhEBlgyffWGdSWk/s1600/PC200022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP-NsTA_7wVRKtelvuHaFvQPm2iGXTgSqzzY5udznP1revc-K9QkIaG5fyQBLhf1_MzcJdC9LVdTg-9Q67LtVJTAGyRwJz5yJTfZ7VK5B7o58LmFrI9fy6hUNiJUkJhEBlgyffWGdSWk/s640/PC200022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QSzDfg8YJZB3gPXz-VKGFUg7ydeA_ooNKZ6gnacqb2lsupLW3Bi45diPWjuYC62-JNHVo8ihxd79e7g2RIJWOTPWVHKQs883yIbfO89FiS6dPBKNbJifC_8xPksSA4FMdumo0jqG3aA/s1600/PC200027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QSzDfg8YJZB3gPXz-VKGFUg7ydeA_ooNKZ6gnacqb2lsupLW3Bi45diPWjuYC62-JNHVo8ihxd79e7g2RIJWOTPWVHKQs883yIbfO89FiS6dPBKNbJifC_8xPksSA4FMdumo0jqG3aA/s640/PC200027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzQ36XuJP12_jeZtU2plBPv0M4VUnRuZlD35kZ2ANCs0FjNQw7CVAMoSXXyX84f7f1RkgQmio9_aYusyvNb_Am9z1NKpGqjMCAx6FKWbI6oSDDl1_YVKY-TBmZ6jaWVgeiEicJapP0do/s1600/PC200028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzQ36XuJP12_jeZtU2plBPv0M4VUnRuZlD35kZ2ANCs0FjNQw7CVAMoSXXyX84f7f1RkgQmio9_aYusyvNb_Am9z1NKpGqjMCAx6FKWbI6oSDDl1_YVKY-TBmZ6jaWVgeiEicJapP0do/s640/PC200028.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
PDA.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5U_iNJs6OTvhOKIsYP6IYYQMZA2CjrXDIqOvKnk0rN1kTldrCk8GFPIrwFhaGEmpe_M1Anj65kk51JPvo9M5r_yl3Qd0g6uzbk-bt-ufdFSDs0LEDVczXgHvLhaDG-qTUfblOSuTcBk/s1600/PC200029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5U_iNJs6OTvhOKIsYP6IYYQMZA2CjrXDIqOvKnk0rN1kTldrCk8GFPIrwFhaGEmpe_M1Anj65kk51JPvo9M5r_yl3Qd0g6uzbk-bt-ufdFSDs0LEDVczXgHvLhaDG-qTUfblOSuTcBk/s640/PC200029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnAHtFcBOFWwNmArU7LQ556bWThpMzcwyJxiknnjGzIUYhVofO5PHRJrwbWsv2r_Gw1C_UWSyLekHc_bdu_Wt9HNHA7zXJ2EdbBkt8WJv8Nrp5Pex-I3FINYmk2MRgN9g2UBNydRYuaM/s1600/PC200030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnAHtFcBOFWwNmArU7LQ556bWThpMzcwyJxiknnjGzIUYhVofO5PHRJrwbWsv2r_Gw1C_UWSyLekHc_bdu_Wt9HNHA7zXJ2EdbBkt8WJv8Nrp5Pex-I3FINYmk2MRgN9g2UBNydRYuaM/s640/PC200030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Havaianas, sand, and sunset.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1v3XowZ8msHkWkFUryYDEVGmvzVk-ymsp_g-uiQb4sPg_zrouRw0VJwN9i6AZYvWmofmx38B0TLz9qBX-IXsERk93j8Qk8DwhaaJbxtSsMPm76HaJcnVcd2Ew4QqLKmrFQ4X9N6Bk_U/s1600/PC200033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1v3XowZ8msHkWkFUryYDEVGmvzVk-ymsp_g-uiQb4sPg_zrouRw0VJwN9i6AZYvWmofmx38B0TLz9qBX-IXsERk93j8Qk8DwhaaJbxtSsMPm76HaJcnVcd2Ew4QqLKmrFQ4X9N6Bk_U/s640/PC200033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvYcP-dyJ69lXi_BhTmnEXU86DG2jUDkGUZtu6bXtFAtedjsiUP3OZ12Ywl9vyHcpEayLy64Td6ainOIHK4FNbN91nvzRdXIiMrBCyZRPmIHEeDXH6nZZ_WSvws_MjnsQZBg6dhaT6a8/s1600/PC200036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvYcP-dyJ69lXi_BhTmnEXU86DG2jUDkGUZtu6bXtFAtedjsiUP3OZ12Ywl9vyHcpEayLy64Td6ainOIHK4FNbN91nvzRdXIiMrBCyZRPmIHEeDXH6nZZ_WSvws_MjnsQZBg6dhaT6a8/s640/PC200036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZoGyvuDxuJIR6_luQb8R9uQh47JDm7bz_jzsbOdNGEjmSkMo2z037C4b-vcavV1QprlyQ7zJGOizng01Xu_oUEOC8PljCgUPcWV36wRn-5jCSXi3FiPCiPooMVOO6mYfRFn1yQI8aJk/s1600/PC200048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcZoGyvuDxuJIR6_luQb8R9uQh47JDm7bz_jzsbOdNGEjmSkMo2z037C4b-vcavV1QprlyQ7zJGOizng01Xu_oUEOC8PljCgUPcWV36wRn-5jCSXi3FiPCiPooMVOO6mYfRFn1yQI8aJk/s640/PC200048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVTGT_SOJ0i109OkVTy8QG225zQS4hNR1zYeBD9yaarvahacbZXgPmDRtC26xp-Fl2ce44BPyMEozbmKHKHmfgXBVJNAtYbLqhLnyRq8QhqnA1PfKKu5Z7dcDIqS4au58aL63l_e93eY/s1600/PC200051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVTGT_SOJ0i109OkVTy8QG225zQS4hNR1zYeBD9yaarvahacbZXgPmDRtC26xp-Fl2ce44BPyMEozbmKHKHmfgXBVJNAtYbLqhLnyRq8QhqnA1PfKKu5Z7dcDIqS4au58aL63l_e93eY/s640/PC200051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesXOjpbYcSZTGddI1CoZxC_fsIlK_7hJrjysb_Ekq8wglCfp5guy0h7MMU3lVhnwoi7usKcagSx_SJ45hrY1UROChdiR76e2I3II3OCHlZJStXdsVf2h-nugLYPV9NlA1MibwkhhGyYw/s1600/PC200055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesXOjpbYcSZTGddI1CoZxC_fsIlK_7hJrjysb_Ekq8wglCfp5guy0h7MMU3lVhnwoi7usKcagSx_SJ45hrY1UROChdiR76e2I3II3OCHlZJStXdsVf2h-nugLYPV9NlA1MibwkhhGyYw/s640/PC200055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Today, I saw Christ the Redeemer, laid by the pool, and watched the sun go down in the arms of my husband. Max and I are experiencing life in an incredibly unique way, and we know every blessing is a gift from God. I know that my subtitles above in the Christ the Redeemer pictures were punning on our time with the actual Jesus, but there is nothing funny about the way that we are being blessed by this time of adventure. We have been able to see and do so much just in the few months that I've been working with Cirque, and I know that God has a plan for us that will surpass all we can ever ask or imagine. He already has shown us more than we could ask or imagine!<br />
<br />
When we look back on these days, I know we will see the Hand of God in the painted sunsets, sky views of cities like Curitiba, Montreal, and Rio, and in the talent that He has given me. I am not sure why God picked acrobatics as my greatest talent, but I hope and pray that I use it for something bigger than myself. The gifts from above keep rolling in, and Max and I can only pray that we continue to be closer in spirit to the one and true Christ the Redeemer no matter the circumstances.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-52286527767746144072013-12-19T12:29:00.000-08:002013-12-19T17:30:28.908-08:00…And Rio Begins!Max and I flew to Rio with some of the Corteo crew on Tuesday. I don't go back to work until December 23rd, so we have a full week off to explore the City of God. I have been so excited about Rio since I was offered the contract with Cirque, and I have built all of these expectations up in my mind. I was a little nervous before we left Curitiba because I had spent so much time dwelling on Rio; I thought that I might be disappointed.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQqDhA6jfiCg-Tvei1Ho9wDqJm-3l4GuNt25Mj_UrddrIRuRM56W6XwcZx4rqm8VdBXHA9XI5mFrcx1DMkBzV-WcHDSjOpUfOyqsBZbo7lP4E9YBE14b5F70flhBz78RXfSLv8D2uGtc/s1600/blog12:19.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQqDhA6jfiCg-Tvei1Ho9wDqJm-3l4GuNt25Mj_UrddrIRuRM56W6XwcZx4rqm8VdBXHA9XI5mFrcx1DMkBzV-WcHDSjOpUfOyqsBZbo7lP4E9YBE14b5F70flhBz78RXfSLv8D2uGtc/s640/blog12:19.2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view of Rio about two minutes before we landed!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a cloudy day, but usually you can see Christ the Redeemer from the tallest mountain near the right side of the picture. It was beautiful nonetheless.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9lbGzBicjP_RodT_2urQKXQECc62GJDkMuQyEd-BOMFmlnndsHJV2mSg11X2KT0vBamrYqWASH6LapRI9Z2Vbt1duXoEWBHIcM5fNOpxXQNefxFN6nxRsO58zjvqdVB1VMVjKICg-yc/s1600/blog12:19.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9lbGzBicjP_RodT_2urQKXQECc62GJDkMuQyEd-BOMFmlnndsHJV2mSg11X2KT0vBamrYqWASH6LapRI9Z2Vbt1duXoEWBHIcM5fNOpxXQNefxFN6nxRsO58zjvqdVB1VMVjKICg-yc/s640/blog12:19.1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Landing in Rio</div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
Rest assured, I don't think Rio could disappoint me if it <span style="background-color: white;">tried its hardest. Yes, I just personified a city. The mountains collide with the ocean, and the rainforest collides with the city. The poor reside in favelas that are barely separated from million dollar second-home condos owned by the wealthiest in the population. White sand beaches stretch for miles, and you can find pick up volleyball and futbol games, bars, surfers, sunbathers, favela kids swimming, tourists strolling, and cariocas (locals) long boarding. The people watching beats Santa Monica tenfold, and whereas most major cities contain some kind of nature, Rio's majestic nature contains a city. They have caipirinhas (alcoholic beverage containing cachaça, sugar cane, and lime or other fruits like kiwi, strawberry, or passion fruit), fresh coco water, frozen acai, and caldo de cana (sugar cane juice). Rio has the samba, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, and Pao de Açucar. Someone asked me if I thought it would be difficult to spend 10 weeks in Rio- I'll let you know in 10 weeks, but I have a feeling I'll be A-okay.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;">After we landed, we quickly got our bags and hit the shuttles to head to the hotel. Unfortunately, we hit the middle of the city at 5 PM. Fortunately, we were driving along Copacabana and Ipanema b</span>eaches for about half an hour. I wasn't complaining. We got to our hotel a little later, and found that our hotel room faces a beautiful mountain and the pool area with glimpses of the palm trees that line the ocean. I think we can manage to adapt to our new accommodations without any problems (minus the fact that the toilet seat doesn't stay up for Max).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKKgXcl_fGnOENTR1hINg9lm4GgKZI8LU016CXTCRtJDnHFZEQSyu9-MLOaQFgarPwrP5z5B6xeDRvkGaUlpH4s_OFFaU3_O36WSO6X7tdx9hThZlrACryy8KDRrfXgcTzHTiLpO4zxc/s1600/PC170004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKKgXcl_fGnOENTR1hINg9lm4GgKZI8LU016CXTCRtJDnHFZEQSyu9-MLOaQFgarPwrP5z5B6xeDRvkGaUlpH4s_OFFaU3_O36WSO6X7tdx9hThZlrACryy8KDRrfXgcTzHTiLpO4zxc/s400/PC170004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view from the pool area looking out onto the beach</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlMgZH_ACBudTi0l8gOfcNsPmNUfmHYJkuUUcXut9IW9DCSjZvjJ64zdImlEspWpK9N0LulMejDlLtfsimKpvUXkZSG7M93d6abBi6YDsM_o4F0k_WqRHm0tBlj7oRaReDmWrOeJGp6c/s1600/PC170005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlMgZH_ACBudTi0l8gOfcNsPmNUfmHYJkuUUcXut9IW9DCSjZvjJ64zdImlEspWpK9N0LulMejDlLtfsimKpvUXkZSG7M93d6abBi6YDsM_o4F0k_WqRHm0tBlj7oRaReDmWrOeJGp6c/s640/PC170005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Visiting the pool right after we landed! I have a feeling</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
we will be frequenting the pool area.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-A2q1_Sh9_qjSZlAVGqy7kHkycQ2xBJD6zP23g3Xi9rcQ2bdvX8Yo31kJkF5fzfOAOlI6MJCs8ram0Mn8j3xf5EYWms9z79aOgbSVXfXth_VoWo6Tg-TnuQWqX7O0jV12X1BqYrFkuU/s1600/PC170015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-A2q1_Sh9_qjSZlAVGqy7kHkycQ2xBJD6zP23g3Xi9rcQ2bdvX8Yo31kJkF5fzfOAOlI6MJCs8ram0Mn8j3xf5EYWms9z79aOgbSVXfXth_VoWo6Tg-TnuQWqX7O0jV12X1BqYrFkuU/s640/PC170015.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hang gliders coming down from the mountain</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
behind our hotel! They land about a 5 minute walk down</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
the beach! Max and I are planning to take the leap</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
within the next few weeks! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Although I've only been on tour in two cities, I've come to realize that the hotel's amenities are extremely important for tour life. For instance, our last hotel had a kitchenette so Max could cook regularly, but this hotel only has a (extra) small fridge. While we might not have a kitchen and the internet is light years slower, there is an outdoor pool with a pool bar, a burger and hot dog restaurant, a slightly fancier and healthier restaurant, free apples and candy at the front desk, free shuttles to the city center and beach areas, a large gym with DRINKABLE water from the drinking fountain, and we have a balcony with a spectacular view. On a more practical level, we have high water pressure, a KING sized bed, and counter space in the bathroom. Our curtains also close ALL the way, which makes late night shows bearable after sleeping in peacefully. The sun is bright in Brazil in the summertime :). When your home is one enclosed room, sometimes the small things are often the most important!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Enough about the hotel. After we explored the hotel, we were pretty exhausted. We walked about a block to the mall next door, which has a Starbucks (!!!!!), walked back and had burgers from the hotel's restaurant, and spent some time talking to friends outside on a patio. After too much circus talk, we headed upstairs for bed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wednesday, Max and I woke up and had our first breakfast at the hotel. It blows the complimentary breakfasts from the last two hotels out of the water. I usually sleep through breakfast, but it's really nice for Max to be able to eat from a generous and fairly healthy buffet in the mornings. It saves us LOTS of money because it takes a lot to feed his body! After breakfast, we walked to the Super Market about 10 minutes away. We noticed people staring at us more and more as we got closer to the Super Market, and I was honestly a little uncomfortable. When we got fairly close, we realized that the Super Market is at the base of the largest favela in Rio. I was wearing brightly colored Lululemon, my blonde hair was down, and I had on a pair of Oakley's. I couldn't have looked more like a Gringo, and I felt like an idiot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD6BUtELu_rnozzaow6MTEK2btAUZPNo0QzWkWRrpxlLh2XfMgRcECYSfBhcg3XNlenh6MkV0MYkDSE77IG6XK3kfvSExaYH9wn81Hsyp43rMp2CFMfqC8O8-JgJTH8hNrMILqI9fpXE/s1600/PC170012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibD6BUtELu_rnozzaow6MTEK2btAUZPNo0QzWkWRrpxlLh2XfMgRcECYSfBhcg3XNlenh6MkV0MYkDSE77IG6XK3kfvSExaYH9wn81Hsyp43rMp2CFMfqC8O8-JgJTH8hNrMILqI9fpXE/s640/PC170012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On the way to the Super Market this morning. The largest </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
favela in Rio, Rocinha, resides on this hillside, and although this</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
isn't the best picture, the favelas are something incredible</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
to see in person.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After we grabbed some groceries, we headed back to the hotel. We relaxed for a bit, and then we took a shuttle with some other Corteo peeps to a mall at the city center. The mall was so big; I felt like I was at the Mall of America. We only ate lunch there, but Alix and I already have plans to head back and spend some girl time shopping! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From the mall, Gabby, Alix, Max, and I grabbed a taxi to the base of Pao de Açùcar. We started along the base of the mountain at a beach, and we decided to hike up the first of two mountains that lead to the lookout of Pao de Açúcar. The hike was a bit more of a workout than we anticipated, but it was worth it to experience a climb through the rainforest. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp3E7Uxsq7F-IVseDoGozW2orkvtWr2CFaK1PhaUAdDlZ6zobWvrjFnU7iEMFpM0ygsP5jWXzOoYoBWOveGVFwu8rVs-El9tSH3g4t6yS8-PS6mNomK8PPvi9sKVJKUJy5zve4h7erAo/s1600/PC180025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMp3E7Uxsq7F-IVseDoGozW2orkvtWr2CFaK1PhaUAdDlZ6zobWvrjFnU7iEMFpM0ygsP5jWXzOoYoBWOveGVFwu8rVs-El9tSH3g4t6yS8-PS6mNomK8PPvi9sKVJKUJy5zve4h7erAo/s400/PC180025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pao de Açúcar in the background!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuiXcEWcc7wiwLZFnHcY_dC7DhAbjrxKSETuqv4MipItHhle6QJ2UlET67cmUr8ez-KSzMgJCWIHCjamV3Z-vn91cxjJG-ll6a-Rhlm5qx44uyyJblZdPiDkaL8mYihs56STr5mwydlQ/s1600/PC180028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuiXcEWcc7wiwLZFnHcY_dC7DhAbjrxKSETuqv4MipItHhle6QJ2UlET67cmUr8ez-KSzMgJCWIHCjamV3Z-vn91cxjJG-ll6a-Rhlm5qx44uyyJblZdPiDkaL8mYihs56STr5mwydlQ/s400/PC180028.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here we come!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2yu1P1L8Mj9rJlxjXlve2M55N2iDg6-0SuaXcOM0jTpeW3YmVS9lIXDZth9VTW_08GcZ890Wl25WJRtDsmtW1hUEYpCal0XOGNr-lIucm_1D3AZzqG9onBbjPshKmtBkH1bA6TzE6P0/s1600/PC180031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2yu1P1L8Mj9rJlxjXlve2M55N2iDg6-0SuaXcOM0jTpeW3YmVS9lIXDZth9VTW_08GcZ890Wl25WJRtDsmtW1hUEYpCal0XOGNr-lIucm_1D3AZzqG9onBbjPshKmtBkH1bA6TzE6P0/s640/PC180031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXJlR9XipIL57td8-nlA0sIjcvwi08OHHSSIqsa2D0r3tI_HDqXX3zP1ls8pIpp3Jc9Qb7m7M5ich9sArhyphenhyphenSh2bWfFa7ps03mMgkkbm-d4dLeXi-NbMe_T3y_aKGWdrpXMyQibijYrqQ/s1600/PC180034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXJlR9XipIL57td8-nlA0sIjcvwi08OHHSSIqsa2D0r3tI_HDqXX3zP1ls8pIpp3Jc9Qb7m7M5ich9sArhyphenhyphenSh2bWfFa7ps03mMgkkbm-d4dLeXi-NbMe_T3y_aKGWdrpXMyQibijYrqQ/s640/PC180034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is what being awesome looks like.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIMLcoJqezNRuuFoZzMUFJ_NJ2fEsqH41RbTJEFy6ko513kn74wh10ZOPA3ULsaU2uJN-1OTnNXYRXRJFvUxY-LwxHwtxAsCMLD8yNPq3Ls7p66eqCQcAhzXUdduyUzI4H07zxPxkkcM/s1600/PC180037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIMLcoJqezNRuuFoZzMUFJ_NJ2fEsqH41RbTJEFy6ko513kn74wh10ZOPA3ULsaU2uJN-1OTnNXYRXRJFvUxY-LwxHwtxAsCMLD8yNPq3Ls7p66eqCQcAhzXUdduyUzI4H07zxPxkkcM/s640/PC180037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Climbing mountains in our spare time</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu-e-0sfS-oEyjBKKoOKhH9TD25XXddd53upUzOMVGKChqV5J7y5CyKLXC6MGBtEeMPPgYJZza_GoRf1ZkygZ2PKKpOfGToy4mi6ZEagtRwe8-eGCJdbKYwzh7PuVZHb6Kl7Or3mjAJg/s1600/PC180042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCu-e-0sfS-oEyjBKKoOKhH9TD25XXddd53upUzOMVGKChqV5J7y5CyKLXC6MGBtEeMPPgYJZza_GoRf1ZkygZ2PKKpOfGToy4mi6ZEagtRwe8-eGCJdbKYwzh7PuVZHb6Kl7Or3mjAJg/s640/PC180042.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Is he falling or standing? This picture confuses me.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g1iA24AMwCuoH6yrY7wiCXXxXvctTpmZnRoKxeECAPxIx1HCvoQEPhmDZE-yoilYn48EfAoKVl8D_WjJLeXSUZULSPYPir3wkYcFJNgaKtHCQbjZ8DsfiZiyqP3qj6Qya8zaR9Dp670/s1600/PC180043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g1iA24AMwCuoH6yrY7wiCXXxXvctTpmZnRoKxeECAPxIx1HCvoQEPhmDZE-yoilYn48EfAoKVl8D_WjJLeXSUZULSPYPir3wkYcFJNgaKtHCQbjZ8DsfiZiyqP3qj6Qya8zaR9Dp670/s640/PC180043.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The hike!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSwtqVN3KSpCpXImMFbwkzXrus9OpTirzncCPIPWZgbMgVTpo8hBXOqDkc1SXTe96v97IRmCEHln0S8-VHJKP0TCPL6J9Xx0F3SCEU3wJMtru7VwCUDCV5im_uCIQmDnuO138yYmYPho/s1600/PC180045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSwtqVN3KSpCpXImMFbwkzXrus9OpTirzncCPIPWZgbMgVTpo8hBXOqDkc1SXTe96v97IRmCEHln0S8-VHJKP0TCPL6J9Xx0F3SCEU3wJMtru7VwCUDCV5im_uCIQmDnuO138yYmYPho/s640/PC180045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Forest roots</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQZHSCS6A7P-8u5RYOzIT83QvtHBI5IUbl3MV4qMe_oLji41Ih7mK9haTo6kesP0pLz_LMWf0dDIZUWXzG9FT1cNqnJFjxPfhZ56E9XFBdgoaf-eUCDLM7vfIN5OUU7cUP6UC3c-r-Xs/s1600/PC180048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQZHSCS6A7P-8u5RYOzIT83QvtHBI5IUbl3MV4qMe_oLji41Ih7mK9haTo6kesP0pLz_LMWf0dDIZUWXzG9FT1cNqnJFjxPfhZ56E9XFBdgoaf-eUCDLM7vfIN5OUU7cUP6UC3c-r-Xs/s640/PC180048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View of Rio from the hike</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMokJ4cLgDwIjkzgXT2O9xcI1_-E1rP8KZhxMJIsuth0HXGY_F5KiLrC6-KfGGt1SRfnKnevWzzwca1tYPfJR9v11yZ_zwBpWOKDdzuUfqjV7g6FglRglG0FNfQpK8-I7hEWhu8D-7hjE/s1600/PC180050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMokJ4cLgDwIjkzgXT2O9xcI1_-E1rP8KZhxMJIsuth0HXGY_F5KiLrC6-KfGGt1SRfnKnevWzzwca1tYPfJR9v11yZ_zwBpWOKDdzuUfqjV7g6FglRglG0FNfQpK8-I7hEWhu8D-7hjE/s640/PC180050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBj1CqAeq2HhtXpTyv5RutcKm-uPM6p49TEvfG1gZjd1EaWROxgK36mUNjADJAe1fMyun0ec6nE0cnjU8xMYsdbe06g0vB0KIxvxSyCViGMCY749TGAYznkRfsHtNZVTQMudrcjW7PDI/s1600/PC180051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBj1CqAeq2HhtXpTyv5RutcKm-uPM6p49TEvfG1gZjd1EaWROxgK36mUNjADJAe1fMyun0ec6nE0cnjU8xMYsdbe06g0vB0KIxvxSyCViGMCY749TGAYznkRfsHtNZVTQMudrcjW7PDI/s640/PC180051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w7Nf8eXNIMi8EfL_aEI41UjNF9fVA8X1rQJufOoOwduWpeDF-JBU3tnan0W-cw_SwZPz_gjCjWG0EgKS5DtyQRgz3JnaM9f3MpaEetG7xzpCLgcDTnbzWsJ-AwoJ4QSdOvIMNvTZTs8/s1600/PC180052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9w7Nf8eXNIMi8EfL_aEI41UjNF9fVA8X1rQJufOoOwduWpeDF-JBU3tnan0W-cw_SwZPz_gjCjWG0EgKS5DtyQRgz3JnaM9f3MpaEetG7xzpCLgcDTnbzWsJ-AwoJ4QSdOvIMNvTZTs8/s400/PC180052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's always climbing something! These weren't the monkeys</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was talking about.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc20gMEQ1_VrkOUiLgIZzdIyQUeUk8Dk-1OqF6ExTa1_STaQuUgO57SnBcgOJfidI6drtbbbZBDIOJO-OhQ_BO4vsMp7jMjdlhO5QnhNR2JDJtaufsTMDSklVgcG4EwyAeUi8YPs4_RIQ/s1600/PC180055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc20gMEQ1_VrkOUiLgIZzdIyQUeUk8Dk-1OqF6ExTa1_STaQuUgO57SnBcgOJfidI6drtbbbZBDIOJO-OhQ_BO4vsMp7jMjdlhO5QnhNR2JDJtaufsTMDSklVgcG4EwyAeUi8YPs4_RIQ/s400/PC180055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pao de Açúcar from the top of the first mountain</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDsyD0lt33SxWOVLyz8tGC2fwkmOJShgvl1PCZX6tAl7wXNOTT_vUNqDBsa_5m02B7droB01boVuhttCkExuUNI8OV7q0roZ-zadkMO3qYCvWmSJ03nvFuntrPsHplL-X_Vibc0tALnM/s1600/PC180058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDsyD0lt33SxWOVLyz8tGC2fwkmOJShgvl1PCZX6tAl7wXNOTT_vUNqDBsa_5m02B7droB01boVuhttCkExuUNI8OV7q0roZ-zadkMO3qYCvWmSJ03nvFuntrPsHplL-X_Vibc0tALnM/s640/PC180058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Monkey!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCysakZ5ABDxlfqSRccM6pMltG716C2_J1JH8oW8Hj71a0IpkSneYnIrkGUZbVrY73JgMxRaGL-DiP4hVmchhG21St1W9IgNcuTKEdXN-R2kK4vnrIewYP6JiacK7nFqRTERpOmnqexS0/s1600/PC180063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCysakZ5ABDxlfqSRccM6pMltG716C2_J1JH8oW8Hj71a0IpkSneYnIrkGUZbVrY73JgMxRaGL-DiP4hVmchhG21St1W9IgNcuTKEdXN-R2kK4vnrIewYP6JiacK7nFqRTERpOmnqexS0/s640/PC180063.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our new little friend!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6DpVOK8QsHTjubvM8aS4_9KlwqCkm9Tqw7hfsN6sdFRKy5AO4mDoh51k4eTY9xGQJ4LbJxOcjkz-XRkH26CbE55bBv25MTMRs57HgzohMqm68SyYb4dZnytEvrybcuOBEydJWa-Up54/s1600/PC180064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6DpVOK8QsHTjubvM8aS4_9KlwqCkm9Tqw7hfsN6sdFRKy5AO4mDoh51k4eTY9xGQJ4LbJxOcjkz-XRkH26CbE55bBv25MTMRs57HgzohMqm68SyYb4dZnytEvrybcuOBEydJWa-Up54/s640/PC180064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ignore my ratty hair…</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
but is that monkey not the cutest?!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXUc_6gPyfzW5XlQFROAS9OXv1Bc1WCYIJc6CDuz_NIthKZ6lw329jKUlBwR1UOMrkDMRj7fNToPpuB9kCjubLulYM-5UR71HpqTb-LzLpaWLoSIHi37UBstIOrLOSKR2l7lvd-qYZys/s1600/PC180072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwXUc_6gPyfzW5XlQFROAS9OXv1Bc1WCYIJc6CDuz_NIthKZ6lw329jKUlBwR1UOMrkDMRj7fNToPpuB9kCjubLulYM-5UR71HpqTb-LzLpaWLoSIHi37UBstIOrLOSKR2l7lvd-qYZys/s640/PC180072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love this one!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3tCkpu-TmFgzJ8UtMUp6CLLvUoz7dqn3J4qy0xJ-0m8ZCORA9G7tjHGpKpQ-Wgi-3fY27c86vU2KXTCxkSnzd5ycWusFLiUV-E4CDoj5F6rUBXLr9ZaljCvimUcws6nop4169nbPkOk/s1600/PC180074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3tCkpu-TmFgzJ8UtMUp6CLLvUoz7dqn3J4qy0xJ-0m8ZCORA9G7tjHGpKpQ-Wgi-3fY27c86vU2KXTCxkSnzd5ycWusFLiUV-E4CDoj5F6rUBXLr9ZaljCvimUcws6nop4169nbPkOk/s640/PC180074.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Eatin' them bugs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After we hiked up the
first mountain, we realized that we needed to buy tickets for the cable at the
bottom of the mountain! We had to go back down and buy the tickets, and then we
took the cable cars up. I think cable cars might be the scariest thing ever. I
don’t know who thought it would be a good idea to be hanging from a cable in a
giant enclosed box, but I was scared for my life. My stomach was queasy from
the height, but the views were out of a fairytale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The weather was fairly
cloudy, so the top of the mountain was freezing. We want to go back again on a
sunny day to see the sunset. We heard that it’s beautiful to see the city
lights at night as well. I’m sure there’s never a bad day to see Rio from Pao
de Açúcar!</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVk8nVlIzlg1Owm9cWDH4GI-SGqIHkPw11IVM08ZTnjb5gjngo0wf48KFX3DbRXV1fXg8pbmBiqqs6iLv_FayqdNRcZjMKaU9dofHE2stjcWPudZJ9G6neDQ4Bl_43azrjv8cWCW1nZg/s1600/PC180091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVk8nVlIzlg1Owm9cWDH4GI-SGqIHkPw11IVM08ZTnjb5gjngo0wf48KFX3DbRXV1fXg8pbmBiqqs6iLv_FayqdNRcZjMKaU9dofHE2stjcWPudZJ9G6neDQ4Bl_43azrjv8cWCW1nZg/s640/PC180091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rio from the top of the first mountain</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyT-uuNCqXFDfn7vpY9MtWuevNWK51goosFruz79I_7w5GAILEsP6oJ7WbVgh51-791a8VUfWKWbxniEgtQcFsL-ZxpSDO4JjDiic5Q2l6HCwoX0KDpIJwBZj7B_OrzrBe2e1O_2VSI4/s1600/PC180092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlyT-uuNCqXFDfn7vpY9MtWuevNWK51goosFruz79I_7w5GAILEsP6oJ7WbVgh51-791a8VUfWKWbxniEgtQcFsL-ZxpSDO4JjDiic5Q2l6HCwoX0KDpIJwBZj7B_OrzrBe2e1O_2VSI4/s640/PC180092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKNiSBPlh_cDEePyh_iRhjhhoc5OqhztZCKQgtfHHdWh8SJ6m5_YA9CHK0CpVnyX7hH1uoxDYvpKRkE1pH7jzjqCtkgG_UByxVH0-uPJctEhJMCo69Pc-W9YyfUVHtYtu_vIC2MaQOw0/s1600/PC180093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKNiSBPlh_cDEePyh_iRhjhhoc5OqhztZCKQgtfHHdWh8SJ6m5_YA9CHK0CpVnyX7hH1uoxDYvpKRkE1pH7jzjqCtkgG_UByxVH0-uPJctEhJMCo69Pc-W9YyfUVHtYtu_vIC2MaQOw0/s640/PC180093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAikYsfQbCPACkHQvfzA_x2oVQ4cVd55QIC0HUVN9HIwdQXWM8pQr_vCjP7G2HHPxyAVif5aRuOlwVN2BEtUi_BgOTCSvbCJIPepb002UYYyENteMct3aiys9MWYkvtHfkeS9AtOQSmM/s1600/PC180097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAikYsfQbCPACkHQvfzA_x2oVQ4cVd55QIC0HUVN9HIwdQXWM8pQr_vCjP7G2HHPxyAVif5aRuOlwVN2BEtUi_BgOTCSvbCJIPepb002UYYyENteMct3aiys9MWYkvtHfkeS9AtOQSmM/s640/PC180097.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgTUi1RP-lV1VgFc_FPhRMN1WRjtq_NVFG1-6ShqMdcjTFzba9iJxkMozBkDX_H2NH5w1j5RaxqUpxxhq_b4kxRyfMajw6cQSLsCXeSO-PZisuGvwy0L6GQBni0CSzx3nsEKOFhA3-Kw/s1600/PC180098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgTUi1RP-lV1VgFc_FPhRMN1WRjtq_NVFG1-6ShqMdcjTFzba9iJxkMozBkDX_H2NH5w1j5RaxqUpxxhq_b4kxRyfMajw6cQSLsCXeSO-PZisuGvwy0L6GQBni0CSzx3nsEKOFhA3-Kw/s640/PC180098.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Amazing view of the marina and the favelas between the mountains!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBB696141oPEEw5wt4ZFOezCZ1sLqDL61jlnsReXY_87QIeDSTIaqPKb3Df7VbXzfF1aka3rM_6d1k8NE4Mn2VHfIUdPIu0YryAfdMybnUNkUZrPyqdKZx7fqNiEXAO2E1uZalE_RU0E/s1600/PC180100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBB696141oPEEw5wt4ZFOezCZ1sLqDL61jlnsReXY_87QIeDSTIaqPKb3Df7VbXzfF1aka3rM_6d1k8NE4Mn2VHfIUdPIu0YryAfdMybnUNkUZrPyqdKZx7fqNiEXAO2E1uZalE_RU0E/s640/PC180100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We saw a rainbow!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAd_o-frEZm6JfyRwWqN2nV12tGCjVarYFaYQ-IhaioAJo0s2r1zVB7qhRbs-l4fU8XcVWd2DMGXnUdEmUGFB79DJ70idvWQ_3sKnGBh-uZRuvPOhpOUyjUccXtNdfBtcejjZ5OYDuhI/s1600/PC180103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAd_o-frEZm6JfyRwWqN2nV12tGCjVarYFaYQ-IhaioAJo0s2r1zVB7qhRbs-l4fU8XcVWd2DMGXnUdEmUGFB79DJ70idvWQ_3sKnGBh-uZRuvPOhpOUyjUccXtNdfBtcejjZ5OYDuhI/s640/PC180103.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pao de Açúcar</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rkR6E9r-zQVeU5cN0KenE_SDthjdUTaCuiOqayAUL7zs6ezWNC3tLZq3_gfp1RpUCHLWUPlihrsGb2KGgBklBeljrEZiqGwAS3O2DixCEKkryJ5V7C6NfSg6-EVAPD0jSB7tFPMCiIo/s1600/PC180104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9rkR6E9r-zQVeU5cN0KenE_SDthjdUTaCuiOqayAUL7zs6ezWNC3tLZq3_gfp1RpUCHLWUPlihrsGb2KGgBklBeljrEZiqGwAS3O2DixCEKkryJ5V7C6NfSg6-EVAPD0jSB7tFPMCiIo/s640/PC180104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
From the cable car on the way to the top!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJjhEYukou0SRs8oCFsq9u04NknoOI_My8n3Jnyw7tkCu7AH634zsdoeg9LUERAjWc27XsBz4jWw8taalPzRqLar_g0yVVIbwocFp_m8qQdqwNarvdSLDkUKvRhjTUqfr1RI2j7kyMNY/s1600/PC180106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJjhEYukou0SRs8oCFsq9u04NknoOI_My8n3Jnyw7tkCu7AH634zsdoeg9LUERAjWc27XsBz4jWw8taalPzRqLar_g0yVVIbwocFp_m8qQdqwNarvdSLDkUKvRhjTUqfr1RI2j7kyMNY/s640/PC180106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
From the top looking down on the first mountain,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and of course, Rio!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_Lwy_tcl9mOhgR_ymS4GYfvItbsNA62pm5GWjJhSGq__gCi7wwOfOET99oslaMGKfySWRHn0S1H6iD-EKuX5TuN7T5hsFU7ejqgg89PHY5dA42DQA7xI4ipp7m75PnzBdO3WcWvIRsM/s1600/PC180109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_Lwy_tcl9mOhgR_ymS4GYfvItbsNA62pm5GWjJhSGq__gCi7wwOfOET99oslaMGKfySWRHn0S1H6iD-EKuX5TuN7T5hsFU7ejqgg89PHY5dA42DQA7xI4ipp7m75PnzBdO3WcWvIRsM/s640/PC180109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmU6PdF2anJI0MzSgZD6LZXkXqhuMk_rv_69_eP815j7Z7wR8tcO-3k3JegKMENw32V2zNOlTWp0logA0GkbvuGy0aRy3DFAkZQgxpnw6p3i5Q23GQ9R6VWHvWWTT2wyQ2WN7fM5cddw/s1600/PC180113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmU6PdF2anJI0MzSgZD6LZXkXqhuMk_rv_69_eP815j7Z7wR8tcO-3k3JegKMENw32V2zNOlTWp0logA0GkbvuGy0aRy3DFAkZQgxpnw6p3i5Q23GQ9R6VWHvWWTT2wyQ2WN7fM5cddw/s640/PC180113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max giving me some friction :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjCPP-Jf915l0e3HlYEJlhMnqxMeK4unSwxPPU3pxzFtNiwqekxeDxb1UbCFUS5O8ImWDZiWFRX6_vNt3pIrZ3Nhyq2t7yhPx116BUAvbbGKExCz5O1HWMWWY8TxJk5QezSqKZWNuOqk/s1600/PC180118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjCPP-Jf915l0e3HlYEJlhMnqxMeK4unSwxPPU3pxzFtNiwqekxeDxb1UbCFUS5O8ImWDZiWFRX6_vNt3pIrZ3Nhyq2t7yhPx116BUAvbbGKExCz5O1HWMWWY8TxJk5QezSqKZWNuOqk/s640/PC180118.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Husband and wife</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL2Aagf7_nkcqYqGX8uizzSw95RRE9MobQx2ay_KWk6ew50sHxu_O9rXyNFPZHfE3VbXlSHgzRnxKHN3kZ8k0f9ZYnXIuVHVcUnIEyVyeZ7yCV1_AUxoE2Za8fwWUnqDW-OD5nZB1u5s/s1600/PC180119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL2Aagf7_nkcqYqGX8uizzSw95RRE9MobQx2ay_KWk6ew50sHxu_O9rXyNFPZHfE3VbXlSHgzRnxKHN3kZ8k0f9ZYnXIuVHVcUnIEyVyeZ7yCV1_AUxoE2Za8fwWUnqDW-OD5nZB1u5s/s640/PC180119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brother and sister :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ym03Jb_voYbGq4EgEbRRDyFteLWPdceJXImVthWl-CkY1kPmoVn0FOcWT4KuI8Rn4TpU6fYm23u1wZZyDxWB0LPp4KCCq8rLVlbxjkSUFJgaouth_p4ENJ9KSLcQDOSjG32nUxEBBf8/s1600/PC180122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ym03Jb_voYbGq4EgEbRRDyFteLWPdceJXImVthWl-CkY1kPmoVn0FOcWT4KuI8Rn4TpU6fYm23u1wZZyDxWB0LPp4KCCq8rLVlbxjkSUFJgaouth_p4ENJ9KSLcQDOSjG32nUxEBBf8/s640/PC180122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Normally, the Christ the Redeemer statue is visible, so we have to go back on a clearer day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not complaining though!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkFf78QzZ8tBQHA7bO9xcgtW7T8lRA4Es-ICtt-xlhcc3mHU_b4ShX1_mt2SYF9ZdLHwA2jG2FLq91ZljuFBTQkGlgImEeZ09wHm31f0UHfBXwx6WHrn1qB8y0XdXupHkxtVDOvUCuSs/s1600/PC180128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikkFf78QzZ8tBQHA7bO9xcgtW7T8lRA4Es-ICtt-xlhcc3mHU_b4ShX1_mt2SYF9ZdLHwA2jG2FLq91ZljuFBTQkGlgImEeZ09wHm31f0UHfBXwx6WHrn1qB8y0XdXupHkxtVDOvUCuSs/s640/PC180128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just realized that I've seen Chicago from Hancock, Montreal from Mont Royal, and Rio from Pao de Açúcar all within the past year! I'm also a flyer, so it's about time I stop shaking from heights!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our first day of exploring Rio involved hiking, monkeys, aerial views of the city, and great friends. We are loving Rio already, and we are so happy to be living in this beautiful city for the next 10 weeks! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Check back soon now, y'all!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-65447212535970128482013-12-18T15:15:00.001-08:002013-12-18T15:15:26.975-08:00Curitiba Ends...The past couple of weeks have been incredible. I was a little sad to enter in to the holiday season, but even though this year involves less family, we have had a surprisingly wonderful time on tour. I have to remind myself that this era in our lives is temporary. One day, we will be back in the States spending the holidays with our family, but our current season has us with our new family at Corteo. It's not always easy, but I wouldn't change it for the world.<br />
<br />
I know I already posted about Thanksgiving, but I left out some great pictures that I just found on the computer!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDlAJ1C3pAuurRrFPI7vA0FPAVAWOntqlstG_H6VBsVevrbiDtaF0eKzf2Ke1Zwar1lLd-Cd0no1nTRg4cFKt94fpQUEQyhCutM1Z-2pp2QYAVrX3JovrXvx1wTABtl8uFDv2AdcCY0Q/s1600/PC020005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDlAJ1C3pAuurRrFPI7vA0FPAVAWOntqlstG_H6VBsVevrbiDtaF0eKzf2Ke1Zwar1lLd-Cd0no1nTRg4cFKt94fpQUEQyhCutM1Z-2pp2QYAVrX3JovrXvx1wTABtl8uFDv2AdcCY0Q/s400/PC020005.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alix and I dressed up for Thanksgiving</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_zFLCTom91Xat_0R7ynjUTd8DPQsV8ZgcFXxyQhBEnLfoWftHC87j0xKw04smIMpqzWzR2UkCEaj-k-fZJ5l5sJb-p6xqWi3rzbugRDOf-ZHnvQRMpileMvnHQr4L7JfyKUdwwN6Fhg/s1600/PC020007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_zFLCTom91Xat_0R7ynjUTd8DPQsV8ZgcFXxyQhBEnLfoWftHC87j0xKw04smIMpqzWzR2UkCEaj-k-fZJ5l5sJb-p6xqWi3rzbugRDOf-ZHnvQRMpileMvnHQr4L7JfyKUdwwN6Fhg/s400/PC020007.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thankful for this bearded man</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nWse0q-gl03O0DzYQBveOxi7V6MkWpDZTWFf4885ZZKsYxFZ3yC4aWLqrlyQn_DrFTXQvjhDTTNyNEMm1oqcwQPjtEMXyw3qR0RA32FxAVHrDbEzDfrke41ZWGP5ob9WJAp6PSE5BaI/s1600/PC020009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nWse0q-gl03O0DzYQBveOxi7V6MkWpDZTWFf4885ZZKsYxFZ3yC4aWLqrlyQn_DrFTXQvjhDTTNyNEMm1oqcwQPjtEMXyw3qR0RA32FxAVHrDbEzDfrke41ZWGP5ob9WJAp6PSE5BaI/s400/PC020009.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dinner and the turkey! Thanks Charlotte!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineVJHTH0evJP_DdqLw9v9GZWD5zZqYa7dvolCJkmBCV84AtAEgr3rj2NCbuUC6q8-fhPCxtSPJKEkXpckeb4vlxOawzZJLZBoG5GU4X-7wvkjZD2aMC6s6LmYjx58AMbArxktA8dcrzg/s1600/PC020011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineVJHTH0evJP_DdqLw9v9GZWD5zZqYa7dvolCJkmBCV84AtAEgr3rj2NCbuUC6q8-fhPCxtSPJKEkXpckeb4vlxOawzZJLZBoG5GU4X-7wvkjZD2aMC6s6LmYjx58AMbArxktA8dcrzg/s400/PC020011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It appears that people have adjusted quite easily to hotel living! Max</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and I's salad was cut with a Leatherman and everyone else made </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
these beautiful casseroles.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEE2O_x1Wa7UMxGkNLcPGTXu1gdVaq2ezX7zYBQUSY0rYGUNYl8UYhkSVvOsDsC4_krF1n6Rw1kZ8GTqs1lNEiol0lpfMN-Lt8jvEfH87pV-ozMrwBC5T4raZuJPe-az61Ye6LtGjr7lU/s1600/PC020012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEE2O_x1Wa7UMxGkNLcPGTXu1gdVaq2ezX7zYBQUSY0rYGUNYl8UYhkSVvOsDsC4_krF1n6Rw1kZ8GTqs1lNEiol0lpfMN-Lt8jvEfH87pV-ozMrwBC5T4raZuJPe-az61Ye6LtGjr7lU/s400/PC020012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dessert! Reeses are hard to come by in this country, so they were the first to go.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRCKhf49wmn992viIDYd60FtqBEDWowoCBIwXYXaFUK8BE-M4cT7ngBxyAU9aGvXJgYbiCIHfaGjJ0a2jhuMcZxflEEgbdH7qZFwt7WD3cffJDEG8t-0kcayXmalcjefDLbamyV1HkQg/s1600/PC020020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRCKhf49wmn992viIDYd60FtqBEDWowoCBIwXYXaFUK8BE-M4cT7ngBxyAU9aGvXJgYbiCIHfaGjJ0a2jhuMcZxflEEgbdH7qZFwt7WD3cffJDEG8t-0kcayXmalcjefDLbamyV1HkQg/s400/PC020020.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanksgiving dinner! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2QewO3FMIUQmwsvyH5Ev5H8nrGrqpaWhG0Ak6LNfCO8x_sO9qFpx9Io3jHQysyEnMTNvP8cHYpGEbmmSKAI6F-tTPXkuo0yJ2bI6zce_LxyTG-ZRkIjilE333-C7CxFXiZ1lprZzNsc/s1600/PC020024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2QewO3FMIUQmwsvyH5Ev5H8nrGrqpaWhG0Ak6LNfCO8x_sO9qFpx9Io3jHQysyEnMTNvP8cHYpGEbmmSKAI6F-tTPXkuo0yJ2bI6zce_LxyTG-ZRkIjilE333-C7CxFXiZ1lprZzNsc/s400/PC020024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is how everyone felt after Thanksgiving dinner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since everyone is already fixated on Christmas, it's time to move on from Thanksgiving. I don't have a lot of free time to explore, but Max and I spent some time with some friends Sunday morning before the last two shows in Curitiba. Our friends, Neu and Suellen, are Brazilian, and we were lucky enough to have them show us around for a bit! In the morning, we all went to the market. I had to head into work that afternoon, but Max stayed with them to see more of Curitiba's tourist sites.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8H7T9Rd9JUcOOy8eJ6DsDRkCuHGHcMBZGG9_qeixiaUC0XT0IXxc7j0nLXRSo3RHHn38ENajbv5hqYKE6HTcAOrQTfwAETmGnpWf7eCci6gjuhTGHjSClCGaY_XgtJqpg6fBAI3fXFM/s1600/PC140037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8H7T9Rd9JUcOOy8eJ6DsDRkCuHGHcMBZGG9_qeixiaUC0XT0IXxc7j0nLXRSo3RHHn38ENajbv5hqYKE6HTcAOrQTfwAETmGnpWf7eCci6gjuhTGHjSClCGaY_XgtJqpg6fBAI3fXFM/s400/PC140037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Vintage car show held weekly at the market</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9WHpdE_epDHIfbBYvfGKqyfctcYhz2JLyq6vO0BlnxXXEpm1GuEm3zV-BuHMWd3xymNo71NvHqgiQwT3kNBx-nq2GvIeFgM-sp8Iqi-vH5XQZik01WWySMN035ZwX_KwvWtLMHgSojo/s1600/PC140038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9WHpdE_epDHIfbBYvfGKqyfctcYhz2JLyq6vO0BlnxXXEpm1GuEm3zV-BuHMWd3xymNo71NvHqgiQwT3kNBx-nq2GvIeFgM-sp8Iqi-vH5XQZik01WWySMN035ZwX_KwvWtLMHgSojo/s400/PC140038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV45589T1wuB7B0_V-GM5LIHWBC2VMM4MHs84lKqi2pt5LDCnUeSC3sZdv5-8n4Dg2h7dBWXNIqcINvVi5wbVqxS3g66KjgjWAoukLLzqPrNwlEFx6xcNoPvM4Pr6TH5UPLxxlVxYAUoc/s1600/PC140050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV45589T1wuB7B0_V-GM5LIHWBC2VMM4MHs84lKqi2pt5LDCnUeSC3sZdv5-8n4Dg2h7dBWXNIqcINvVi5wbVqxS3g66KjgjWAoukLLzqPrNwlEFx6xcNoPvM4Pr6TH5UPLxxlVxYAUoc/s400/PC140050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Baby blue on baby blue- this ones for you, sis.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLUm9XHBbuqesMB710jTBY8R_HhSNJWEg1vCWjm6cqqf4SJt3dRnaFiXDP8wExgljYrC8mJsz7deIS0gNBoDblLuxwc7uBknP1YTUGcxiFHiziUrUn21ZjScMzIb912eUG9Yq5c76Lzs/s1600/PC140052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLUm9XHBbuqesMB710jTBY8R_HhSNJWEg1vCWjm6cqqf4SJt3dRnaFiXDP8wExgljYrC8mJsz7deIS0gNBoDblLuxwc7uBknP1YTUGcxiFHiziUrUn21ZjScMzIb912eUG9Yq5c76Lzs/s400/PC140052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The market is in an older part of town so the buildings are old and colorful! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_pGND-QHOFX7T6RhPgxF-wTGIKRPeLaqYR2dtw2gYta1tkHE32P2qRFKOQJJPMe0engfebWqkZQE5KdHUflMuMtNUrMfbHKv1Fu7BFGYI1PJU3rO82Q7sFclRqdlHTpnJn5xZFFavs0/s1600/PC140054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_pGND-QHOFX7T6RhPgxF-wTGIKRPeLaqYR2dtw2gYta1tkHE32P2qRFKOQJJPMe0engfebWqkZQE5KdHUflMuMtNUrMfbHKv1Fu7BFGYI1PJU3rO82Q7sFclRqdlHTpnJn5xZFFavs0/s400/PC140054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christmas carols in Portuguese!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Neu and Suellen heard that Max's family owns a German restaurant, so they took us to a popular German restaurant and pub. I'm so glad they took us! There is a large German population in Curitiba, so the restaurant is quite large and the decorations were on point. German flags hung from the ceilings, the tables and chairs were wooden, and German family crests lined the walls. They even had art to stick your head through like at Schmidt's! I'm sure there is a noun that I could replace "art to stick your head through", but I don't know it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlYjDNHaZMzzQ6myeV3lcdOMPa9ztBRHVM4Je5uJQPfyfPf7jPNfU1fl1k3PuKJ1JNb5BkqZcrD5UHk4RNmzak5-RNBdTIYf2H99Od8ZE-KH0c72qKhH-CjA53Lu2O0HPTZqFaCNnGr8/s1600/PC140056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlYjDNHaZMzzQ6myeV3lcdOMPa9ztBRHVM4Je5uJQPfyfPf7jPNfU1fl1k3PuKJ1JNb5BkqZcrD5UHk4RNmzak5-RNBdTIYf2H99Od8ZE-KH0c72qKhH-CjA53Lu2O0HPTZqFaCNnGr8/s400/PC140056.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc-8KjeXV7w9JMLdQHr9SY6nrB3Jx_N8h16Cmnhai-My1n7IHB3t7AR0VhELkmwGdtWhAjO74AXm_jA4AuWNWgJXS93LIcq635TamVy7eUE0yQVZnMouk4HfcOGTj4xNJufHw0yTm0HA/s1600/PC140057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc-8KjeXV7w9JMLdQHr9SY6nrB3Jx_N8h16Cmnhai-My1n7IHB3t7AR0VhELkmwGdtWhAjO74AXm_jA4AuWNWgJXS93LIcq635TamVy7eUE0yQVZnMouk4HfcOGTj4xNJufHw0yTm0HA/s400/PC140057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe2wXg3eqKvT-jTCnx_ZS_4WgTgo8ULNCD2PCx-NXMMZrGEVQFBWodpbMN4b4KekO1sfVXEZiJFeLaFTob138GEfoPCQQPi29ncEpXcUUqtm7Qigl5qaJXuPkMTyYtvEg4cyjhdhEtRE/s1600/PC140059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqe2wXg3eqKvT-jTCnx_ZS_4WgTgo8ULNCD2PCx-NXMMZrGEVQFBWodpbMN4b4KekO1sfVXEZiJFeLaFTob138GEfoPCQQPi29ncEpXcUUqtm7Qigl5qaJXuPkMTyYtvEg4cyjhdhEtRE/s400/PC140059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpnWesy5gTB27Yd7GYz1XpkZfk4wtrUUR0E5hlrWOEO_UXHS-p8pqVJxLe15R9VwQfpdgs0OSjp3_lHMuTYVVlgg95s1TNXQ4aQLJ2epoRuY0_3JG9fXWX9Ig7sFpoT1N0AhiwM0-PVw/s1600/PC140061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpnWesy5gTB27Yd7GYz1XpkZfk4wtrUUR0E5hlrWOEO_UXHS-p8pqVJxLe15R9VwQfpdgs0OSjp3_lHMuTYVVlgg95s1TNXQ4aQLJ2epoRuY0_3JG9fXWX9Ig7sFpoT1N0AhiwM0-PVw/s400/PC140061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wmQy_P5CuFayHMBRuUktBSAWWSjrvRYKlmBRzKrVIP5eBSvkGg9BfClmuE3sQ1UNnSR2jDcZThtv6dCy4X-SJBh-IYJ6n3hhtBEMyoZyRDUvZgxPsheIOQd0OsUSdxrqWOHI8QFrN6k/s1600/PC140063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wmQy_P5CuFayHMBRuUktBSAWWSjrvRYKlmBRzKrVIP5eBSvkGg9BfClmuE3sQ1UNnSR2jDcZThtv6dCy4X-SJBh-IYJ6n3hhtBEMyoZyRDUvZgxPsheIOQd0OsUSdxrqWOHI8QFrN6k/s400/PC140063.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMFEUZbPrKgoCe9nk3O0222KsM488VUtrwwUtUWCQkpZ09OEkmigrUQpvm8cfien4lymJAVgJo20ylEREMzTr_9QWdBtFIRAE_sLGfFxlY84uBOoWrWR6BUBxCa5_R6wq7HZZ_TuHlO4/s1600/PC140064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMFEUZbPrKgoCe9nk3O0222KsM488VUtrwwUtUWCQkpZ09OEkmigrUQpvm8cfien4lymJAVgJo20ylEREMzTr_9QWdBtFIRAE_sLGfFxlY84uBOoWrWR6BUBxCa5_R6wq7HZZ_TuHlO4/s400/PC140064.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Another beautiful church at the market</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7LbCtbPorxlmR9s560ty6nyd5PvcZ3X6Tne6K9CBskMc2A_kKgl2ZbfC4bzl6R44XNB23m7ecoSwBjvqDApUkadKbcp9rnH6U9cHUxQFIb1DLl60-F2oDawDWfoo4QjodRNUxczc0_g/s1600/PC140066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7LbCtbPorxlmR9s560ty6nyd5PvcZ3X6Tne6K9CBskMc2A_kKgl2ZbfC4bzl6R44XNB23m7ecoSwBjvqDApUkadKbcp9rnH6U9cHUxQFIb1DLl60-F2oDawDWfoo4QjodRNUxczc0_g/s400/PC140066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So many people!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnfZuvaYaVK8NbMgg1LZqwRemdaNwuWYSgvHkGhb4joVomVzt4r7gMtAVinel_3JEF4iOmNY1DA5pGTfZqTnnEQ0r2qr5CsMk9yFarxOZN4P3lBkOvBLlQL5FjCAey_7Ee_05_CC5VpM/s1600/PC140068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnfZuvaYaVK8NbMgg1LZqwRemdaNwuWYSgvHkGhb4joVomVzt4r7gMtAVinel_3JEF4iOmNY1DA5pGTfZqTnnEQ0r2qr5CsMk9yFarxOZN4P3lBkOvBLlQL5FjCAey_7Ee_05_CC5VpM/s400/PC140068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Drooling Horse</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo599LFIiIZZoEO6y0EhMMbdbjBU0-AvlkWUIPOcmrO-MZkxTczdYDaCNZNmub1p1Gt8Q4hirU_Da4RGMacAnOpEJadxGN8i6W0nLCGqTExas2KZxyD22JX9jVNNu_I9qD_34gAIAlLw/s1600/PC150069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo599LFIiIZZoEO6y0EhMMbdbjBU0-AvlkWUIPOcmrO-MZkxTczdYDaCNZNmub1p1Gt8Q4hirU_Da4RGMacAnOpEJadxGN8i6W0nLCGqTExas2KZxyD22JX9jVNNu_I9qD_34gAIAlLw/s400/PC150069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Max's photo from the Opera House</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oF3SzcuHUZA13DZEtIoD2Xp2lu4L73kHj1umxajsYqVaR8pbJSVgXegIiBm1iIBxmRMxMDU3FVboV8Mp3GxrlRGqWNlR1-K_QW1gVmpRZf2CNXy6XEoYoApF0tH68Haq3OFGDhxgmdk/s1600/PC150074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oF3SzcuHUZA13DZEtIoD2Xp2lu4L73kHj1umxajsYqVaR8pbJSVgXegIiBm1iIBxmRMxMDU3FVboV8Mp3GxrlRGqWNlR1-K_QW1gVmpRZf2CNXy6XEoYoApF0tH68Haq3OFGDhxgmdk/s400/PC150074.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tangui Park</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q8cFGMDciYSowcXjlHI8bM141bHZC0PkKVkysUWWd52AqmvyvlUiJmG9o5fVNZ8TkVRv6ALBJrycLyqSoGdVIYMkrNzO08dhhKNv_ps_sKDXsRC4NGNsjyKdFugdtnZ2YryyLOlINXA/s1600/PC150076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-q8cFGMDciYSowcXjlHI8bM141bHZC0PkKVkysUWWd52AqmvyvlUiJmG9o5fVNZ8TkVRv6ALBJrycLyqSoGdVIYMkrNzO08dhhKNv_ps_sKDXsRC4NGNsjyKdFugdtnZ2YryyLOlINXA/s400/PC150076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tangui Park + Max</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj_HR3bGcF_pBPrDQ2zkglU07FX9bg1RXfyJPdkbnfQzjF0AmhPKQBpt6gsjjlpLOM9scQoXSKvYfBGiaJXTcKSnNxluyRBAcqNCFm6qVK_HuTbMfHkQSLsmse9B06WJE2ndQl8iuX4c/s1600/PC150078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqj_HR3bGcF_pBPrDQ2zkglU07FX9bg1RXfyJPdkbnfQzjF0AmhPKQBpt6gsjjlpLOM9scQoXSKvYfBGiaJXTcKSnNxluyRBAcqNCFm6qVK_HuTbMfHkQSLsmse9B06WJE2ndQl8iuX4c/s400/PC150078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I saw this picture, I really wished</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't miss this while I was at work!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamA3i6H2MXPH7o9gSz5tWtG1TVN6jx3lpKP_xJlgFVtWDL19_dFWJqV4wh12CQOZuqSmH05Qjd22F6L18obC9EcVHKYOFmGCYb4ESGbtSIl6qCjtPBs82o6IR0IubnWRhL3fZ7Usgvw8/s1600/PC150079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamA3i6H2MXPH7o9gSz5tWtG1TVN6jx3lpKP_xJlgFVtWDL19_dFWJqV4wh12CQOZuqSmH05Qjd22F6L18obC9EcVHKYOFmGCYb4ESGbtSIl6qCjtPBs82o6IR0IubnWRhL3fZ7Usgvw8/s400/PC150079.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our friends, Neu and Suellen</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq_iPBp3nXgTIfesY4xQ5w7bxnS85kSE-EY6Q9eWS5eHJdCZhwHKj2dqt9m4iIhdJEHI2MathVzQs9Wqe30comIO_iOcMaee29No6-1Ia7qP5GvlBR6Z5Ezm8fs_oHkMWSHQYG_Bh8zk/s1600/PC150086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq_iPBp3nXgTIfesY4xQ5w7bxnS85kSE-EY6Q9eWS5eHJdCZhwHKj2dqt9m4iIhdJEHI2MathVzQs9Wqe30comIO_iOcMaee29No6-1Ia7qP5GvlBR6Z5Ezm8fs_oHkMWSHQYG_Bh8zk/s400/PC150086.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fresh agua do coco!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt64hOAUKA_EdxQF15x1lwA_qEUWumjGuj73RkTMbYch6QQO_ga5B94ypa7MbqFOTtIhdVeU82ySb1DVfRHQRQrwnZvtBTIP_ehosPTNFjueE23zLmwjcDbBB33inKA7hyphenhyphenhjoWfldXDg/s1600/PC150093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt64hOAUKA_EdxQF15x1lwA_qEUWumjGuj73RkTMbYch6QQO_ga5B94ypa7MbqFOTtIhdVeU82ySb1DVfRHQRQrwnZvtBTIP_ehosPTNFjueE23zLmwjcDbBB33inKA7hyphenhyphenhjoWfldXDg/s400/PC150093.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Max and Neu</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPMeqMrd4VwIHoWSSJkgZKSJ54vVwhPZds769XqiyfcA2oO5tFXI8GG5BiNnK5WCYC2epptSR1B6n5wHnqqEdrcQ0G1BxngWvsKyopToiT5VHgYI3wNW4Tm4vtR4fWM_wbwHHLdBZz-4/s1600/PC150096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRPMeqMrd4VwIHoWSSJkgZKSJ54vVwhPZds769XqiyfcA2oO5tFXI8GG5BiNnK5WCYC2epptSR1B6n5wHnqqEdrcQ0G1BxngWvsKyopToiT5VHgYI3wNW4Tm4vtR4fWM_wbwHHLdBZz-4/s400/PC150096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Curitiba from the Tower lookout!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Everything ended well in Curitiba. We really enjoyed the city. It was cleaner, less dangerous, and more lively than Belo Horizonte, and we had more time to figure out how to get around in Brazil. We had a day off in Curitiba on Monday to pack, and we arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday. I will have to put up another blog pretty quickly because I already have so much to share about Rio!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We miss and love you all!</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-27805779826315848292013-12-06T20:47:00.003-08:002013-12-06T20:47:42.261-08:00Five For FridayIt's technically 1 AM on Saturday, but "Five For Friday" was a good title, so I'm going with it. Here's are five standout points for my week!<br />
<br />
1. I finished <i>Allegiant</i> by Veronica Roth. It's the third to a trilogy, and the first book will appear in film form in 2014. Yes, it's young adult literature and I'm 24. Make fun of me all you want.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTTKWEULUO-xi8IrTNytXSX7_D40c-tEH_MTSNwLL9yMgZuX1k5Udih-sH9nVXUuJYFGN8lTthBC-E6ePS38W-W86D6uNwcqJPqSZz4SwsVu1M9jeoCgVnaZYlZmyL34KURSSTfNof7A/s1600/14493499_130511103000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTTKWEULUO-xi8IrTNytXSX7_D40c-tEH_MTSNwLL9yMgZuX1k5Udih-sH9nVXUuJYFGN8lTthBC-E6ePS38W-W86D6uNwcqJPqSZz4SwsVu1M9jeoCgVnaZYlZmyL34KURSSTfNof7A/s320/14493499_130511103000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2. On Monday, Max and I went to a Thanksgiving party with the Americans on Corteo. The food was delicious and the company was even better! The party was at a hotel, and we set up the square dining tables into one large dining room table fit for 32. It was potluck, and Max and I decided to make a salad. No one had claimed making a salad and I figured salads are kind of a no brainer, and heaven knows I can't cook. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Max and I went to the grocery store and got all of our ingredients, and then we went home to get to work. We realized pretty quickly that it wasn't going to go as planned. Since we are living out of a hotel, we didn't exactly have all of the kitchen necessities. We sliced the vegetables with Max's Leatherman knife, and after washing the lettuce, I shook it outside on the balcony. I need to ask Santa for kitchen knives and a salad spinner. While Max and I were cooking, I received a text message from my friend Alix that said, "how am I supposed to peel potatoes with a butter knife?" At least we were all in the same boat! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa9-vknv83sRlhxuO93xYLLnATHXaII8ZtRE8hdyXBUvb01OzbayVwGXirB-7afIw1cYFYDAvRvPFJEQ3xf0jMt6zP8sHhuh5bcGZmVxbiVmHfetQWUHmsTGujLsBAtNAB7jZ3D1y8hg/s1600/blog12:7.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwa9-vknv83sRlhxuO93xYLLnATHXaII8ZtRE8hdyXBUvb01OzbayVwGXirB-7afIw1cYFYDAvRvPFJEQ3xf0jMt6zP8sHhuh5bcGZmVxbiVmHfetQWUHmsTGujLsBAtNAB7jZ3D1y8hg/s320/blog12:7.1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmg1abYo7JKff8yHVnajI1UBOUbld4Z6J5UvbrkzyTKLe78figIeIPQdCEHxXkBYAS4PHNXgWSj_O93TfVehDbmK60NvOmHYj8qccDYZXvMHaScRjiFDv6NUdg2byw_cBfoO4hkiFX44/s1600/blog12:7.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmg1abYo7JKff8yHVnajI1UBOUbld4Z6J5UvbrkzyTKLe78figIeIPQdCEHxXkBYAS4PHNXgWSj_O93TfVehDbmK60NvOmHYj8qccDYZXvMHaScRjiFDv6NUdg2byw_cBfoO4hkiFX44/s320/blog12:7.2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMhMFdIvEsxte-p8IjFLWENVUzkF1eQGrgpu5AxZDkiB1M1KfDdyXkRNH-KHWdeHkLIuGq1W-3QMDNzjLKoTk6cgKD70Jz0qUwnjnuIEOvJsrjXvFhEY3qZACKPtHdF8e5PpL2rY7lHs/s1600/blog12:7.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMhMFdIvEsxte-p8IjFLWENVUzkF1eQGrgpu5AxZDkiB1M1KfDdyXkRNH-KHWdeHkLIuGq1W-3QMDNzjLKoTk6cgKD70Jz0qUwnjnuIEOvJsrjXvFhEY3qZACKPtHdF8e5PpL2rY7lHs/s320/blog12:7.4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
3. While we are on the subject of Alix, I'll move on to number three. Max and I bought dried beans for the salad, but we didn't have enough time to prepare them for the Thanksgiving party. Alix's hotel room is directly above ours, and we both have balconies. Max came up with the brilliant idea to throw dried beans at Alix's glass sliding door on her balcony in an effort to scare her. Max would take handfuls of dried beans, hang over our balcony, and then toss them against the glass. It sounded like a mixture between rain sticks and something a bit more dangerous.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Moments later, I receive a text from Alix that says, "Do you hear that? It sounds like someone is throwing things at our building"! </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's because someone was throwing things at your building, Alix! The next day, I had hives (we'll get to that later) and in an effort to cheer me up, Max said, "You want to go throw beans at Alix?". I obviously said yes. Once again, Max starts throwing beans at Alix's glass sliding door. After a few minutes of Max throwing, me laughing, and the sounds of the beans hitting the glass, Alix peeked over the edge to see Max staring straight up with a handful of beans! It turns out that Alix thought the white beans on the balcony were some kind of pills, so that made it even more hilarious. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
4. One night this week, I woke up in the middle of the night super itchy. When I'm itchy, it's usually because I have dry skin. Since I was sleeping, I reached across the bed to the nightstand and grabbed my new lotion, which I had put on for the first time after I showered earlier that night. I rubbed in some more lotion while I was borderline asleep, hoping to keep the itchiness astray. It didn't work, and after a long battle with the itchiness, I decided to get up and look at my skin. I turned on the bathroom light around 4 AM, and immediately freaked out at the sight of a blonde headed Hitch staring back at me in the mirror! I was covered in hives from my face down to my ankles.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I immediately started frantically telling Max, who was asleep, and he very calmly told me to come back to bed because looking at it wouldn't help. I immediately got mad at him because I knew I couldn't just easily head back to bed when my entire body felt like I laid in a giant ant bed, but to give him some credit, it was the middle of the night and I tend to be (very) overdramatic. In his mind, I probably had a couple of bumps on my arms. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I realized pretty quickly that I had just used new lotion that night after I showered and that I was coating it on in my sleep thinking I had dry skin, so I jumped in the shower and tried to get it all off. Then I took an antihistamine hoping that it would settle down the Hitch-y-ness, and I tried to get back to sleep. Sleep didn't exactly happen, and it took several hours for the hives to settle down. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was freaking out because I knew I couldn't show up to work looking like I got mauled by mosquitos, and I wasn't sure if I had some contagious rash like Scabies. Because the hives wouldn't go away, we decided to go to a clinic. Long story short, we were given verbal directions to the clinic, and we didn't go to the right place. The place we went to was a clinic, but I learned later that we were definitely at the wrong place! It's a little difficult to know whether or not you're in the right place when you don't understand any signs or what anyone is saying. I was crying, Max was trying to console me, and I felt helpless. We went back to the hotel, and I put on long sleeves and long pants and headed into work. The hives were gone by the time that I arrived at the Big Top, and I quickly realized how much I overreacted about a case of the hives!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After I finished the day at work, I went home thankful for a man who listened to me cry and stress all morning. I opened our hotel room, and on the living room table, he had found a way to turn my day upside down. He made me a miniature Christmas tree including a Brazilian soccer-playing Santa Claus and bought us a Poinsettia. He also bought me my favorite candy, a pair of Havaianas, put out a picture of our dog, and bought me some new lotion so I wouldn't get hives again! He also wrote me the sweetest note. Somehow I ended up with all the gifts after I caused all the drama that morning! I'm so thankful for my husband, and that God created men to calm us crazy women down!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_QHagd6yuFpjtSO6a9Y-W7TMYYy5DuuJCSAUKq1sZELVi9aQNgySdbc0Xpu7lEjCDbVvQ3KXkJkL4dc5eknoEyyhdLSxMHOTrvSCozBO8CTx_OkZ4QyG9rW_U_f6yaDNunAzrg8V5UM/s1600/blog12:7.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_QHagd6yuFpjtSO6a9Y-W7TMYYy5DuuJCSAUKq1sZELVi9aQNgySdbc0Xpu7lEjCDbVvQ3KXkJkL4dc5eknoEyyhdLSxMHOTrvSCozBO8CTx_OkZ4QyG9rW_U_f6yaDNunAzrg8V5UM/s320/blog12:7.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5. This week was my first time to do more than that artistic flying in the show. I have been doing the first combination in the show this week, which is the most basic combination in the show. On Tuesday, one of the guys that I work with filmed my first time being passed between the catchers without the longe! I was nervous to take the harness off, but everything has gone smoothly this week and I'm blessed to be in the hands of such talented catchers. I still have so much to learn, and I'm looking forward to it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrASFZxL7YcEP-eU6Xko9mh4DqFm3MilEk9YmiP8oTquxIntHsxKrCipWN7IR6lCDPp9wnAVR40SJeVNsbRA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope everyone has a great weekend! We have two shows on Saturday, two shows on Sunday, and then we are off on Monday and Tuesday. I'm excited to use those days to spend some time with friends and start packing for Rio de Janeiro!</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-33415090131975594072013-11-28T09:52:00.000-08:002013-11-28T09:52:07.055-08:00Ilha Do Mel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2aTwNNstjCXdikKDH4GAwzP8E7_jjLQQpt4avc61Y4uYFDsLw8TyauOKrEzUGzMse-wnE8IMR8MmZEVHlsM5OY2xeZaq4wHeoGDmnh8W9JyZVIbq8idnJfeD6E0-fmkyAuMpfRWn0Uo/s1600/PB250070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2aTwNNstjCXdikKDH4GAwzP8E7_jjLQQpt4avc61Y4uYFDsLw8TyauOKrEzUGzMse-wnE8IMR8MmZEVHlsM5OY2xeZaq4wHeoGDmnh8W9JyZVIbq8idnJfeD6E0-fmkyAuMpfRWn0Uo/s320/PB250070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhMvE0EWGeYbJiTCJstWWECHmRoJuEO72xgdJh4r92d3uBnPbu_7bSg_HBhQa-ZLcnzzwOsRra29KFXOpijS1ELI1deiKdh5W-ZmAhVGdpqnW5FikmiwjHSy0u4yeeYlJgMg9XduzX9Q/s1600/PB250076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhMvE0EWGeYbJiTCJstWWECHmRoJuEO72xgdJh4r92d3uBnPbu_7bSg_HBhQa-ZLcnzzwOsRra29KFXOpijS1ELI1deiKdh5W-ZmAhVGdpqnW5FikmiwjHSy0u4yeeYlJgMg9XduzX9Q/s320/PB250076.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvvr9RwVCp6ZEYukVXJHq-QRnSQWDtQ0MhNoNv7u6NaOF0T5woofP8PX0kUDrdYxtFzBgJAMUftQ9u6SD1nLPBJ-aMKpCdAmCayrgqmx7QWDCv6-B3gwewliJWHWrajZKgRU9zC-0vw/s1600/PB250080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvvr9RwVCp6ZEYukVXJHq-QRnSQWDtQ0MhNoNv7u6NaOF0T5woofP8PX0kUDrdYxtFzBgJAMUftQ9u6SD1nLPBJ-aMKpCdAmCayrgqmx7QWDCv6-B3gwewliJWHWrajZKgRU9zC-0vw/s320/PB250080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM8lOZ6_kaoeulemmS9_Lf_EtbjsY0Z5STFqZPzV7yAMnZ0wSENVWTRn_D-hHYUpylFSHdSY1dfYdRTaobrUygJjE9Gd7vaKGAgCVoFl7aWYlpXVgpgfCSSJOD2_-XJOxBLh6aape46Q/s1600/PB250083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM8lOZ6_kaoeulemmS9_Lf_EtbjsY0Z5STFqZPzV7yAMnZ0wSENVWTRn_D-hHYUpylFSHdSY1dfYdRTaobrUygJjE9Gd7vaKGAgCVoFl7aWYlpXVgpgfCSSJOD2_-XJOxBLh6aape46Q/s320/PB250083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdHpW7bCG3G8sbTPMb4HwHgVdcnYy-d8flx3D66FxyCNrmahi0_22qQC9NnvCW4HVOpTl25fHAEkpuPYRYKO1yc94pz5gt1gnS3tj4VCAwN2_ddxazxc3-QQNHOg8BrxR_0CC1ex-p34/s1600/PB250091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdHpW7bCG3G8sbTPMb4HwHgVdcnYy-d8flx3D66FxyCNrmahi0_22qQC9NnvCW4HVOpTl25fHAEkpuPYRYKO1yc94pz5gt1gnS3tj4VCAwN2_ddxazxc3-QQNHOg8BrxR_0CC1ex-p34/s320/PB250091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtEKqODGvmEW6hFaca_l4_BYW4xLThhi2dPKFf-ZfbWtVCqYy8sjtmnY-r8N8H0oIL7IPeBWQoNl0KMJsI_0l7XEcC-NRQJugB6jALuuk2MyYV9eCphsi5XtrH4Oja_Stf4dCi4_tiZc/s1600/PB250088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtEKqODGvmEW6hFaca_l4_BYW4xLThhi2dPKFf-ZfbWtVCqYy8sjtmnY-r8N8H0oIL7IPeBWQoNl0KMJsI_0l7XEcC-NRQJugB6jALuuk2MyYV9eCphsi5XtrH4Oja_Stf4dCi4_tiZc/s320/PB250088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This week, I had my first double dark. We decided to spend the two days off by going on a little vacation with some friends from work. Fabio, an artist on the show with me, and his girlfriend, Glaucia, are from a city near Curitiba, so they organized a trip for us to Ilha Do Mel. It wasn't an easy trip for them to plan, but we are so grateful that they did! Ilha Do Mel translates to Honey Island, and it is a small island located off the coast of Paraná, Brazil. From Curitiba, Ilha Do Mel is about an hour and a half drive plus a twenty minute ferry ride.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6d1Eacb7hrog0DHs3_6rOU90CQooLCBuyQBtHXXS3DGS0WXBJ82WyzOASax2qgmYYM4SZdLXj-XIe3oga7t6Ry0lBP9dIoyZJz_y-jk6bjohXag6JOm8QPA5BG0KK5zQLwxpoBpo2xk/s1600/PB240022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6d1Eacb7hrog0DHs3_6rOU90CQooLCBuyQBtHXXS3DGS0WXBJ82WyzOASax2qgmYYM4SZdLXj-XIe3oga7t6Ry0lBP9dIoyZJz_y-jk6bjohXag6JOm8QPA5BG0KK5zQLwxpoBpo2xk/s400/PB240022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Leaving the mainland!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpemONeYpdw2UaDH57bKNkUGkZRc_VntgyLF_IU0ul-ZkWccuh_o7NXjUhx21ulu4ANpecMfyWJ-etYP1TqIL7U6a0_ZADs6LK3cCmiY22erf6QZC3NJb2p3YPfAGpWhtKlC3UsNXalc/s1600/PB240019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpemONeYpdw2UaDH57bKNkUGkZRc_VntgyLF_IU0ul-ZkWccuh_o7NXjUhx21ulu4ANpecMfyWJ-etYP1TqIL7U6a0_ZADs6LK3cCmiY22erf6QZC3NJb2p3YPfAGpWhtKlC3UsNXalc/s400/PB240019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Duke and his son, Daxton, on the ferry</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQU9-uB3Ahff4PyUflNdXq9EY2gnf-GN6eppFdwaR3R3MRTayHxtASudbfAwyG170jVN7cHmJXgAzrt30V6tUWbtNzzY2tBHz4a-ffN2OduekfmUIH-20waStZrM1GBJ18GWgy1dvIrI/s1600/PB240028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQU9-uB3Ahff4PyUflNdXq9EY2gnf-GN6eppFdwaR3R3MRTayHxtASudbfAwyG170jVN7cHmJXgAzrt30V6tUWbtNzzY2tBHz4a-ffN2OduekfmUIH-20waStZrM1GBJ18GWgy1dvIrI/s400/PB240028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Arriving to Ilha Do Mel</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We walked to our pousada, inn in portuguese, which were little cabanas right off of the beach. The cabanas were air conditioned and had beds, which is pretty much all we needed for a two day stay!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FOFNzHZqOV8-a1jUjA4YBxpX4NieIkRae2z-zcX-tzo5MmrCDkT9T-vJO1-c8ixyK1jqhO1A04AJfxo8_2Quk6qd2YonsZdk2ORr3drj2r7yj2QIK7ctoD6ChWL7J8yIdhjxdwbzv2o/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FOFNzHZqOV8-a1jUjA4YBxpX4NieIkRae2z-zcX-tzo5MmrCDkT9T-vJO1-c8ixyK1jqhO1A04AJfxo8_2Quk6qd2YonsZdk2ORr3drj2r7yj2QIK7ctoD6ChWL7J8yIdhjxdwbzv2o/s400/IMG_0186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Pousadas!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rMDHCPKSr3bkG97BmqP_V6wRIX5xlx5nnl8MoJ3KroK4T-A8Gm9QDbWMOIIZC1d-bX7myNcVSLK7cLcpecKvHFkKPrVnuKME3_7E829NT3iHuE_BCavRNLjdThyphenhyphensKgnwRnAcFuLwb6k/s1600/PB240034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rMDHCPKSr3bkG97BmqP_V6wRIX5xlx5nnl8MoJ3KroK4T-A8Gm9QDbWMOIIZC1d-bX7myNcVSLK7cLcpecKvHFkKPrVnuKME3_7E829NT3iHuE_BCavRNLjdThyphenhyphensKgnwRnAcFuLwb6k/s400/PB240034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Second floor in the pousada</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvq-Pc6Vn-ENGdq3-gGMMiaZtv200n7EUqZGeOwPoomLNJKJwAWUu8E5Ysab4Cn_8wkZb_dRa9v74xP_IlxbXFLSECIoOr34a162n4JOQb_oIznRLan7ZELAPnsOBs7SrpfrPq1tusy0/s1600/PB240035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvq-Pc6Vn-ENGdq3-gGMMiaZtv200n7EUqZGeOwPoomLNJKJwAWUu8E5Ysab4Cn_8wkZb_dRa9v74xP_IlxbXFLSECIoOr34a162n4JOQb_oIznRLan7ZELAPnsOBs7SrpfrPq1tusy0/s400/PB240035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Be thankful for your foot-thick mattress tonight!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w8ce9GZ7S1x5P5nwYuxTGvnrTzaebXHcivBoSOuzMpJk-2FfE04kz5R1XLrIlNWV1Rk8yPVTWbzU27PDLWZmJ68yk8-cY5_-TJOKKESIBKgXcwuh4DoL2iIhuynxtI2uoyCS9lgMMqw/s1600/PB240036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7w8ce9GZ7S1x5P5nwYuxTGvnrTzaebXHcivBoSOuzMpJk-2FfE04kz5R1XLrIlNWV1Rk8yPVTWbzU27PDLWZmJ68yk8-cY5_-TJOKKESIBKgXcwuh4DoL2iIhuynxtI2uoyCS9lgMMqw/s320/PB240036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The pool at the pousada</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we arrived at our inn, there was a dog that started the two day journey with us and followed us all over the island. He became our pet, and Max would have taken him home if our hotels allowed pets! Everyone called him Melvin by the end of the trip, except Alix, who preferred Spot. Regardless of his name, he literally spent the entire weekend with us, so you'll see him in many of our pictures. On the note of pictures, I also want to say that half of these pictures are taken by Max and I and the other half are taken by Alix on her new Canon! Thanks for all of the pictures, Alix! <3</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb_KyNXaSY53wbbOd3RWs1SUBr5tBmlyKuN1cUJWZdl_tCuXcgdV5DH_Jbb_vRVWyMRsKpm41A2Nv2B64bz94a2SuadTYvOFO1PjVZPRGJVnKawj_5yGKzHBbuRbe7AY9DIKeZqO89L8/s1600/IMG_0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVb_KyNXaSY53wbbOd3RWs1SUBr5tBmlyKuN1cUJWZdl_tCuXcgdV5DH_Jbb_vRVWyMRsKpm41A2Nv2B64bz94a2SuadTYvOFO1PjVZPRGJVnKawj_5yGKzHBbuRbe7AY9DIKeZqO89L8/s400/IMG_0189.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max meets Melvin</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CUMhjm_ImcEboSEdZPXvM05SOu84YsuEE4yD3P8xMWVojrTOXQ5yXmmsgGCeXsxaD21gacDHqc_WdnT00ET36sTzH2Gv3a7WT-qqXvfgm1UJGHfqtdDJeo0_-ybrG8wH96pMfKXBUuI/s1600/PB240041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CUMhjm_ImcEboSEdZPXvM05SOu84YsuEE4yD3P8xMWVojrTOXQ5yXmmsgGCeXsxaD21gacDHqc_WdnT00ET36sTzH2Gv3a7WT-qqXvfgm1UJGHfqtdDJeo0_-ybrG8wH96pMfKXBUuI/s400/PB240041.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My girl, Alix, in action</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After dropping our luggage off, we walked to the other side of the island for a bite to eat. The spot where we ate lunch was on the top of a hill, so we had quite the view of the island and the ocean.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ91CelyX-BzIv9tK4q2fsUqkcx2YQVZNEHGNTFNms9woWhJPSuxb4FbBuNIClk5GkWPlH6A9ODjCyyHVk3cRkNncydjhqK1OvAAayVyTc79RhZgszjuwtfF31fUb3a2lldiupaBFrzk/s1600/PB250050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ91CelyX-BzIv9tK4q2fsUqkcx2YQVZNEHGNTFNms9woWhJPSuxb4FbBuNIClk5GkWPlH6A9ODjCyyHVk3cRkNncydjhqK1OvAAayVyTc79RhZgszjuwtfF31fUb3a2lldiupaBFrzk/s400/PB250050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lunch with the group!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRStIQmnfLsxZPS7EI1SPMfKTE38DKUtIDghY6Z1T07vaSMvU6e5rpw9ByzV7BXuLFMuywOQidbdKJkZIa9qPLjEJGVr3C9fwrh_Tg2taLpKid1fJsB0rlgjTgr4YOGRn0eBtbi1kTWs/s1600/PB250052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRStIQmnfLsxZPS7EI1SPMfKTE38DKUtIDghY6Z1T07vaSMvU6e5rpw9ByzV7BXuLFMuywOQidbdKJkZIa9qPLjEJGVr3C9fwrh_Tg2taLpKid1fJsB0rlgjTgr4YOGRn0eBtbi1kTWs/s400/PB250052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Views from the lunch spot with my bearded man</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Cue Wilson/Tom Hanks jokes)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2z0eSzAOf8ilYfqml5AcXj4AHGK8CvwZY21J5UisaUEvTt3U9gWG8F0vhmA77HLSuISiVMSTwlMq26TWaNaOpRTeiAiwZAxfVVrCZckDd_s04eP9lZw_n4o_LONF81y9X-nMmqFoYl4/s1600/PB250054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2z0eSzAOf8ilYfqml5AcXj4AHGK8CvwZY21J5UisaUEvTt3U9gWG8F0vhmA77HLSuISiVMSTwlMq26TWaNaOpRTeiAiwZAxfVVrCZckDd_s04eP9lZw_n4o_LONF81y9X-nMmqFoYl4/s400/PB250054.JPG" width="400" /></a>j</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tacia chasing Dax! Little boys tend to make their mommies do that.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRjALesHffzuulpvFVPNBhO4QZg1aXhL1V81QHn5DFnwUbnprOG3dWSu4TNReeSHY4D9SAPkC91D2cI908YywNkdweKJqHpetgm0qj0EZBbMglVbuia_ZsTyoxaOw_VJCd8yATl83xCE/s1600/PB250055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRjALesHffzuulpvFVPNBhO4QZg1aXhL1V81QHn5DFnwUbnprOG3dWSu4TNReeSHY4D9SAPkC91D2cI908YywNkdweKJqHpetgm0qj0EZBbMglVbuia_ZsTyoxaOw_VJCd8yATl83xCE/s400/PB250055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alix and I soaking it in. Also (unfortunately), my lats soaking in my cover up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjIDzmybJYuMI0R0nfd7cDIrPtvK4in8qu3o4xqEsxn33hctBgL4mSyfTPYVjePIB1upGwHZGyFchMRUAj2K6YYaFQWY6v1T3wp08ikb4YLl6juAFZgr2RGKkLvS9ML5i3hqotbXq5RE/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjIDzmybJYuMI0R0nfd7cDIrPtvK4in8qu3o4xqEsxn33hctBgL4mSyfTPYVjePIB1upGwHZGyFchMRUAj2K6YYaFQWY6v1T3wp08ikb4YLl6juAFZgr2RGKkLvS9ML5i3hqotbXq5RE/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lee and Melvin being adorable</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our lunch took about two hours because there was one lady cooking all of it in a small kitchen, so we were definitely ready for some beach and sun afterward! We decided to walk to a surfing beach so that some of the boys could surf. We had to hike to the beach, and like most of Ilha Do Mel, the scenery was breathtaking even before we arrived at the beach.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyBf8fNMJ_FdzTolf5WzS5liEQ7XtH-AiecXlj1yy7ABGn1av5yfodKLcDemnYylL-QkUrTMbzacLCtC4-oPYeZ2pq-oCoiaz9ghdL35Q8suKFVjZRAjN2Kv9VgEMKSkVbIJYioEtfPI/s1600/PB250057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyBf8fNMJ_FdzTolf5WzS5liEQ7XtH-AiecXlj1yy7ABGn1av5yfodKLcDemnYylL-QkUrTMbzacLCtC4-oPYeZ2pq-oCoiaz9ghdL35Q8suKFVjZRAjN2Kv9VgEMKSkVbIJYioEtfPI/s400/PB250057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nothing like some father-son action to melt your heart</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOiDstjXUKAqONwjfi3Sbk_KND2sE7A2lbWE7AAOhST9Z0EuUOPurFK3GRIR6hgK5EpZBmWe4aJGnc9EdMQLCWHFTTtV-17RfL_3q3-tBWAH8dlWRozQ5M6yd0_YJKkCfe8S2ygjoFPw/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOiDstjXUKAqONwjfi3Sbk_KND2sE7A2lbWE7AAOhST9Z0EuUOPurFK3GRIR6hgK5EpZBmWe4aJGnc9EdMQLCWHFTTtV-17RfL_3q3-tBWAH8dlWRozQ5M6yd0_YJKkCfe8S2ygjoFPw/s400/IMG_0234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love this big guy! Notice Melvin leading the way, too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZrGDKRC23icgdhvK10A-UiUUGqprNJoC6g1qyRZjEiKIgwIiO-VstVPPpcjImu7Pfg9IgBVcX5OTb1sS7L9cFtfp_ybSOJM9ou6R8V8Pb2KOpKR4ntP66xtgJnz4LFKck44hjpZ0faY/s1600/PB250060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZrGDKRC23icgdhvK10A-UiUUGqprNJoC6g1qyRZjEiKIgwIiO-VstVPPpcjImu7Pfg9IgBVcX5OTb1sS7L9cFtfp_ybSOJM9ou6R8V8Pb2KOpKR4ntP66xtgJnz4LFKck44hjpZ0faY/s400/PB250060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Quad workout that I wasn't expecting</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp1eP6SIwqe__rxMM5KFqk87prvWBoruKeEIilEAlSvXWAWtRr8FEFu_JYhaCSIndGa0puGzuNzmT9_ZkuhGfZpReaOI4Ue7L2raiddPHzOXe8Z6qzT0vBlOfQw2J0jB8ITZ9EhvtlNk/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMp1eP6SIwqe__rxMM5KFqk87prvWBoruKeEIilEAlSvXWAWtRr8FEFu_JYhaCSIndGa0puGzuNzmT9_ZkuhGfZpReaOI4Ue7L2raiddPHzOXe8Z6qzT0vBlOfQw2J0jB8ITZ9EhvtlNk/s400/IMG_0241.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Starting the climb!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcDNgDNeSF24c7yF5jjTc_RSCx6lTa71v4MTF3LI43fGsOQ7DxgUQ_ZW7FYZ_2NGEnoZMtV2KcX-_E4ktQEcKY1KxGWCCDjv-DePr_-JAbwGuYy-2D1mNjrVm0gjUNb0A0xgXPtHgIzs/s1600/PB250064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcDNgDNeSF24c7yF5jjTc_RSCx6lTa71v4MTF3LI43fGsOQ7DxgUQ_ZW7FYZ_2NGEnoZMtV2KcX-_E4ktQEcKY1KxGWCCDjv-DePr_-JAbwGuYy-2D1mNjrVm0gjUNb0A0xgXPtHgIzs/s400/PB250064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
From the top looking behind us</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWTmyTfjU_sjAo9xm11-MMqnk8nbIbOt7zlxjfL3W2dXVE-EJwt-vQCRCQhw4-HOiL0OR91R4YP0VaNahV2BAedw7JcDd0yMbBPVjwj1A38EspGa28EAKbnQXFyq0BRm8Ia7qHXGr9rA/s1600/IMG_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWTmyTfjU_sjAo9xm11-MMqnk8nbIbOt7zlxjfL3W2dXVE-EJwt-vQCRCQhw4-HOiL0OR91R4YP0VaNahV2BAedw7JcDd0yMbBPVjwj1A38EspGa28EAKbnQXFyq0BRm8Ia7qHXGr9rA/s400/IMG_0244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Form the top looking ahead of us</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7V1hzy3WAK7j319G8uQaS8j4LUAd7vjFdHNFSnulYpZoToxtLoHg2UqSdnnd_1gVfCbWGYm6DT1xhd-Qb9ka_eU1laKt90zKZyJBMd2AwJ0t9GaM_03c_0svYyHnZcIlb2qcms1qX78/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7V1hzy3WAK7j319G8uQaS8j4LUAd7vjFdHNFSnulYpZoToxtLoHg2UqSdnnd_1gVfCbWGYm6DT1xhd-Qb9ka_eU1laKt90zKZyJBMd2AwJ0t9GaM_03c_0svYyHnZcIlb2qcms1qX78/s400/IMG_0247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The engaged couple!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsblhxpw5zAMgi6BO5xQcgjGhUuYQQEa-MT3VGA693zSAw6wHcIBSon7bveYFMasBwaLXbPnsDzgNIvyFCOZdvnzYbKBaoejILUFkdcv-zMMUxjT6K5dioJQU0gDBnbDGHW8YIuyL5Ta0/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsblhxpw5zAMgi6BO5xQcgjGhUuYQQEa-MT3VGA693zSAw6wHcIBSon7bveYFMasBwaLXbPnsDzgNIvyFCOZdvnzYbKBaoejILUFkdcv-zMMUxjT6K5dioJQU0gDBnbDGHW8YIuyL5Ta0/s400/IMG_0253.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The girlfraaaand couple!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiubVVxtSLsa9Mfp9rC3ks7cUZTWMj0rRUL5U05Ko0Q5rk618Ni3Nxk6XQxgVAz05MqbA7nRwRY43vdNjDIH4342ABOdhMN8A-OTL0TZq64xCvorpEd-61tp2tqYmZhwbEYg-1IJy8zw/s1600/IMG_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiubVVxtSLsa9Mfp9rC3ks7cUZTWMj0rRUL5U05Ko0Q5rk618Ni3Nxk6XQxgVAz05MqbA7nRwRY43vdNjDIH4342ABOdhMN8A-OTL0TZq64xCvorpEd-61tp2tqYmZhwbEYg-1IJy8zw/s400/IMG_0249.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The abs couple!</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8i7o-sw509grpg-DRGnBUYKqEZdQlCm8JZW2gDuhqDFSYL7RUNEMMxFhzcmLh3JFSMCsy58kwBCVfEYTqu9dxeY8-ZaCZN6rJMI98NUQNoPmB2MRN0vbIMCN6CV1yl2rvs4Hnoe69CI/s1600/PB250068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8i7o-sw509grpg-DRGnBUYKqEZdQlCm8JZW2gDuhqDFSYL7RUNEMMxFhzcmLh3JFSMCsy58kwBCVfEYTqu9dxeY8-ZaCZN6rJMI98NUQNoPmB2MRN0vbIMCN6CV1yl2rvs4Hnoe69CI/s400/PB250068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The married couple! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmbSVX_YbT6HR1Aq6NTtnH-jdWvHSl7XKVafASj1o9C8uK2oCIhhKKYyeJSqhgxi3A9Da-YklIz6Y2kDMafPdfovfXGTs-XS4g_Q6gdmMKVwkn7Tv-gggbreCkvV7ZV8y79_Aah8y_yY/s1600/PB250066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmbSVX_YbT6HR1Aq6NTtnH-jdWvHSl7XKVafASj1o9C8uK2oCIhhKKYyeJSqhgxi3A9Da-YklIz6Y2kDMafPdfovfXGTs-XS4g_Q6gdmMKVwkn7Tv-gggbreCkvV7ZV8y79_Aah8y_yY/s400/PB250066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The "novatos", aka newbies to Corteo</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the trek, we arrived on to the beach and enjoyed the afternoon! We were all pretty exhausted from the shows the week before, and laying around on the beach for the day was the perfect way to rest up. The entire weekend was overcast, but it was a great blessing because the weather was cool and the sun wasn't overpowering. Plus, we all were able to avoid getting burnt by the sun and ended up with nice tans! I can't lie… tans are on my top three list of favorite things about going to the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2aTwNNstjCXdikKDH4GAwzP8E7_jjLQQpt4avc61Y4uYFDsLw8TyauOKrEzUGzMse-wnE8IMR8MmZEVHlsM5OY2xeZaq4wHeoGDmnh8W9JyZVIbq8idnJfeD6E0-fmkyAuMpfRWn0Uo/s1600/PB250070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2aTwNNstjCXdikKDH4GAwzP8E7_jjLQQpt4avc61Y4uYFDsLw8TyauOKrEzUGzMse-wnE8IMR8MmZEVHlsM5OY2xeZaq4wHeoGDmnh8W9JyZVIbq8idnJfeD6E0-fmkyAuMpfRWn0Uo/s400/PB250070.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhMvE0EWGeYbJiTCJstWWECHmRoJuEO72xgdJh4r92d3uBnPbu_7bSg_HBhQa-ZLcnzzwOsRra29KFXOpijS1ELI1deiKdh5W-ZmAhVGdpqnW5FikmiwjHSy0u4yeeYlJgMg9XduzX9Q/s1600/PB250076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhMvE0EWGeYbJiTCJstWWECHmRoJuEO72xgdJh4r92d3uBnPbu_7bSg_HBhQa-ZLcnzzwOsRra29KFXOpijS1ELI1deiKdh5W-ZmAhVGdpqnW5FikmiwjHSy0u4yeeYlJgMg9XduzX9Q/s400/PB250076.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Surfers on the waves!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvvr9RwVCp6ZEYukVXJHq-QRnSQWDtQ0MhNoNv7u6NaOF0T5woofP8PX0kUDrdYxtFzBgJAMUftQ9u6SD1nLPBJ-aMKpCdAmCayrgqmx7QWDCv6-B3gwewliJWHWrajZKgRU9zC-0vw/s1600/PB250080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvvr9RwVCp6ZEYukVXJHq-QRnSQWDtQ0MhNoNv7u6NaOF0T5woofP8PX0kUDrdYxtFzBgJAMUftQ9u6SD1nLPBJ-aMKpCdAmCayrgqmx7QWDCv6-B3gwewliJWHWrajZKgRU9zC-0vw/s400/PB250080.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can't avoid the circus life even on a beach</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM8lOZ6_kaoeulemmS9_Lf_EtbjsY0Z5STFqZPzV7yAMnZ0wSENVWTRn_D-hHYUpylFSHdSY1dfYdRTaobrUygJjE9Gd7vaKGAgCVoFl7aWYlpXVgpgfCSSJOD2_-XJOxBLh6aape46Q/s1600/PB250083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNM8lOZ6_kaoeulemmS9_Lf_EtbjsY0Z5STFqZPzV7yAMnZ0wSENVWTRn_D-hHYUpylFSHdSY1dfYdRTaobrUygJjE9Gd7vaKGAgCVoFl7aWYlpXVgpgfCSSJOD2_-XJOxBLh6aape46Q/s400/PB250083.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max joining in on the circus fun!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtEKqODGvmEW6hFaca_l4_BYW4xLThhi2dPKFf-ZfbWtVCqYy8sjtmnY-r8N8H0oIL7IPeBWQoNl0KMJsI_0l7XEcC-NRQJugB6jALuuk2MyYV9eCphsi5XtrH4Oja_Stf4dCi4_tiZc/s1600/PB250088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtEKqODGvmEW6hFaca_l4_BYW4xLThhi2dPKFf-ZfbWtVCqYy8sjtmnY-r8N8H0oIL7IPeBWQoNl0KMJsI_0l7XEcC-NRQJugB6jALuuk2MyYV9eCphsi5XtrH4Oja_Stf4dCi4_tiZc/s400/PB250088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygiQQV80_mpqHuf5kJvdr0WOktK0swNnI4KRo8bBEVRFo03TvKkOtYYVjLnu1GGk00IjyzQOcZuZnFS4DleIHJmWDVI0I1lm8F5CCowcr0HYdJKs9aBQyq7vQLEaeWZjwipOnNrR2GR8/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygiQQV80_mpqHuf5kJvdr0WOktK0swNnI4KRo8bBEVRFo03TvKkOtYYVjLnu1GGk00IjyzQOcZuZnFS4DleIHJmWDVI0I1lm8F5CCowcr0HYdJKs9aBQyq7vQLEaeWZjwipOnNrR2GR8/s320/IMG_0263.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzAH8I5UnXDe51ymrKy5H9GTmCd0KF-fgEUeKHF7UVtUJAat94rL_w-v_IwMbWlbvbTxiQ1k6yLBUJakHyoy1aKtSFfT2h4J_gSKBSFSjusQxUk9UYUHiSbtHnrggyqM5oLmnkHXZJgw/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzAH8I5UnXDe51ymrKy5H9GTmCd0KF-fgEUeKHF7UVtUJAat94rL_w-v_IwMbWlbvbTxiQ1k6yLBUJakHyoy1aKtSFfT2h4J_gSKBSFSjusQxUk9UYUHiSbtHnrggyqM5oLmnkHXZJgw/s400/IMG_0264.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL03AvJm0jTw6kFL9WbPDsEvvRCo3pZBH2PCJYNMPvaYebfJ7HUxyqAV4UTJKAIunWm9Rb-0oy-w5OpEyodQqyQROYKyfnsdQaMcypjbgQCZ-ot1hqxCuv24-EgdiZHaRl8NSdnozbipY/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL03AvJm0jTw6kFL9WbPDsEvvRCo3pZBH2PCJYNMPvaYebfJ7HUxyqAV4UTJKAIunWm9Rb-0oy-w5OpEyodQqyQROYKyfnsdQaMcypjbgQCZ-ot1hqxCuv24-EgdiZHaRl8NSdnozbipY/s400/IMG_0255.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Melvin.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuzD-bld4xOlz-jSTMpfOhf4bjl9a3FVhOdwsyuM-QwcGVNHBw5dP_MNm9oDA2SdyYSmsuB6XRnKu83p8zsXUwJinBunCgpEfvKtA698yonIyxTGajS-VucdBgcDySrHIVky19AXGyQI/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuzD-bld4xOlz-jSTMpfOhf4bjl9a3FVhOdwsyuM-QwcGVNHBw5dP_MNm9oDA2SdyYSmsuB6XRnKu83p8zsXUwJinBunCgpEfvKtA698yonIyxTGajS-VucdBgcDySrHIVky19AXGyQI/s400/IMG_0256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Melvin doing what Melvin does best.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdHpW7bCG3G8sbTPMb4HwHgVdcnYy-d8flx3D66FxyCNrmahi0_22qQC9NnvCW4HVOpTl25fHAEkpuPYRYKO1yc94pz5gt1gnS3tj4VCAwN2_ddxazxc3-QQNHOg8BrxR_0CC1ex-p34/s1600/PB250091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdHpW7bCG3G8sbTPMb4HwHgVdcnYy-d8flx3D66FxyCNrmahi0_22qQC9NnvCW4HVOpTl25fHAEkpuPYRYKO1yc94pz5gt1gnS3tj4VCAwN2_ddxazxc3-QQNHOg8BrxR_0CC1ex-p34/s400/PB250091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Abbey doing what Abbey does best.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After a day in the sun, we headed back to the pousanas. My nap on the rock wasn't up to par I guess because I took another nap and did a little reading before we showered and headed to dinner. For dinner, we had tons of salad, beans and rice, and fish, shrimp, and beef. It was family style, so we all sipped our caipirinhas and passed around the plates. The food was very authentic to Brazilian cuisine, and I'm always happy to be eating fresh fish right on the beach!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZWax2E6UCQssIZClW65ASmC08FVwWqjZzelIxNHGQomLy7yTRQfbh5Z3nx4wFaezkdnkhaYcDtqqEpJ64p2UzlvKAjNgWuxhaSNBRpYfLY2MTvJvKYeoMxkOeNIs4WQCiY7kTxP6-_c/s1600/PB250094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZWax2E6UCQssIZClW65ASmC08FVwWqjZzelIxNHGQomLy7yTRQfbh5Z3nx4wFaezkdnkhaYcDtqqEpJ64p2UzlvKAjNgWuxhaSNBRpYfLY2MTvJvKYeoMxkOeNIs4WQCiY7kTxP6-_c/s400/PB250094.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylNJcCdYEuZIO1y4uO8nRu85uCcWQ80gzKDcxmRI0AhVBnJdwH-ycOFlq8GGHgi2nInwCFBkrAMeB4UInQRn3Axl_-cOt7hImGk3Uwb2ou1tLCxEd825Xlxg9cKwbYTTvFOe1e3ATdaI/s1600/PB250095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylNJcCdYEuZIO1y4uO8nRu85uCcWQ80gzKDcxmRI0AhVBnJdwH-ycOFlq8GGHgi2nInwCFBkrAMeB4UInQRn3Axl_-cOt7hImGk3Uwb2ou1tLCxEd825Xlxg9cKwbYTTvFOe1e3ATdaI/s400/PB250095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOcn1fam1JzhWIkoLDDYOEQLGzh8K5ltHYCrDDCB_IGiEjs9-9RphM6R8JkTavcdHrd8Odyf4IlBMijKrcyPlvoy-CKMX4sKo5nTIGYZdYucO90fapUz3N99o6yBs37OvlgMWo1qWRMA/s1600/PB250098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOcn1fam1JzhWIkoLDDYOEQLGzh8K5ltHYCrDDCB_IGiEjs9-9RphM6R8JkTavcdHrd8Odyf4IlBMijKrcyPlvoy-CKMX4sKo5nTIGYZdYucO90fapUz3N99o6yBs37OvlgMWo1qWRMA/s400/PB250098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Quite the dinner view, huh?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our second day there, Tuesday, began with nice long morning of sleep, and then a trip to a part of the island with another great beach and a cave! It was only a five to ten minute walk from our pousada. The view was, again, breathtaking. We also had some time for more handstands, obviously.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eGAPZh-TLjDSWR1KZpMqF3LVUjWUNYEA1EQqp67FSUjK04Mcqcs6aKvkpVI4lkoGfxoeVzN_d0FSkrOUMj_1CUrpSJRd0IShayLvBppR3aIzoRzdWCtrp9ncC__CWb9F7XeccMnlHVI/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eGAPZh-TLjDSWR1KZpMqF3LVUjWUNYEA1EQqp67FSUjK04Mcqcs6aKvkpVI4lkoGfxoeVzN_d0FSkrOUMj_1CUrpSJRd0IShayLvBppR3aIzoRzdWCtrp9ncC__CWb9F7XeccMnlHVI/s400/IMG_0274.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DG5huPbvgw7vH0fu8NuwlwU7Z3Xy9kwRevcKmA_nnI3tbbF6gvdWyA20GDK_vw_4s6oXiH7Xge5SqOhEnDHOsh0iXJ0cBBgtvMfSZ4OPcN9dAayMA4qH4qdx7Po8ZHHkcA6MxgxmRuc/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DG5huPbvgw7vH0fu8NuwlwU7Z3Xy9kwRevcKmA_nnI3tbbF6gvdWyA20GDK_vw_4s6oXiH7Xge5SqOhEnDHOsh0iXJ0cBBgtvMfSZ4OPcN9dAayMA4qH4qdx7Po8ZHHkcA6MxgxmRuc/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The beach next to the cave!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepEy48Fo92uCOeuCYkE_vKWTVA-o5ATN2C_Pz5uykOmm_kz3zZfAqSpGdr2Qo9xJ2L9jGHFzr_GaMWj5tEZC4yxfh3CSLnk8m7646K6cQK5cASyS9DnTOFxIyQBHykGGx6d4YufPzYZw/s1600/PB250104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiepEy48Fo92uCOeuCYkE_vKWTVA-o5ATN2C_Pz5uykOmm_kz3zZfAqSpGdr2Qo9xJ2L9jGHFzr_GaMWj5tEZC4yxfh3CSLnk8m7646K6cQK5cASyS9DnTOFxIyQBHykGGx6d4YufPzYZw/s400/PB250104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alix and I are on our way to the cave</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTc4-AnQodr3vJuiqlG9yBoOR81If17bR-T8eTbBPWijJRnPvmwpsVI6S4amLsTEEmSrCMv4bYUdrC5L-5C8QgU_mQ45UHtEVJTLtxNY7tyWoSok2FMC5wZP5iAaqYD0Hdw0X0FjIxBc/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYTc4-AnQodr3vJuiqlG9yBoOR81If17bR-T8eTbBPWijJRnPvmwpsVI6S4amLsTEEmSrCMv4bYUdrC5L-5C8QgU_mQ45UHtEVJTLtxNY7tyWoSok2FMC5wZP5iAaqYD0Hdw0X0FjIxBc/s400/IMG_0278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alix!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8XMU2hHV3HzMA3hwwaLaEyHrCf716gOpfqEfozm5D3iLr-L1U-9EV8YLCC0hUVrua5Y8PotNjD3F7WxCH4Z6ro4rz_NUH8WO9S1dOsQ3_llO3iK5a2_L2-28N59O8iyCrSBWDplAYXA/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn8XMU2hHV3HzMA3hwwaLaEyHrCf716gOpfqEfozm5D3iLr-L1U-9EV8YLCC0hUVrua5Y8PotNjD3F7WxCH4Z6ro4rz_NUH8WO9S1dOsQ3_llO3iK5a2_L2-28N59O8iyCrSBWDplAYXA/s400/IMG_0282.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tacia!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceal8dtcu7cNrgGi7wqPMCQdnIb7ddrjywXGO6KTnf6EO5b8u7ESOLXW2ez78hAzFL5ZcDaotbT2DEMrDxsdwuVKB4c1dEIscd6rE1TNXx1IIzNHacn6LSyP4sNVWl2qUexQUER6sYsw/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceal8dtcu7cNrgGi7wqPMCQdnIb7ddrjywXGO6KTnf6EO5b8u7ESOLXW2ez78hAzFL5ZcDaotbT2DEMrDxsdwuVKB4c1dEIscd6rE1TNXx1IIzNHacn6LSyP4sNVWl2qUexQUER6sYsw/s400/IMG_0286.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xBnWkBGoJz65dMxvu_3grdSkJSCbfVK1DXvf7Ud2Jg65v5VyqL-ia1xfpNlyYZtKp2hTs-acbXoTTdCSrH1wFBz28zk4lp7DrfpPQFWL6WG5n-ZTOoWurO6fdBjWNWr4i7rqRNSb1Po/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xBnWkBGoJz65dMxvu_3grdSkJSCbfVK1DXvf7Ud2Jg65v5VyqL-ia1xfpNlyYZtKp2hTs-acbXoTTdCSrH1wFBz28zk4lp7DrfpPQFWL6WG5n-ZTOoWurO6fdBjWNWr4i7rqRNSb1Po/s400/IMG_0288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All the girlies</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHRjWCVeh8cPuWEqZhpiBjMXJ4_ON8CwFJnQAQvIMRwdwXeCfZhbP3T9gI0O1I5qwmNYEmtrSi8mwt3rVysGp_LNfTK9v9mKng2Wu9XQsq6v-sSujm_MdNyrb0r64RZ6MwKLBO2lKbKY/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBHRjWCVeh8cPuWEqZhpiBjMXJ4_ON8CwFJnQAQvIMRwdwXeCfZhbP3T9gI0O1I5qwmNYEmtrSi8mwt3rVysGp_LNfTK9v9mKng2Wu9XQsq6v-sSujm_MdNyrb0r64RZ6MwKLBO2lKbKY/s400/IMG_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Entrance to the cave</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdj_4aIEf0coQGlKjkPl99Vu5mP_7m7V-LT-PSQPM6ROwFRcTjsWyTJhXTfupxhG7gYg_EMIdatFyIb74d6adv6_5yEWk6Ezhd5ybAWg8v-8jL3wy-fAK2oHu_xWu1R7dFhn2Qv7HHbo/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdj_4aIEf0coQGlKjkPl99Vu5mP_7m7V-LT-PSQPM6ROwFRcTjsWyTJhXTfupxhG7gYg_EMIdatFyIb74d6adv6_5yEWk6Ezhd5ybAWg8v-8jL3wy-fAK2oHu_xWu1R7dFhn2Qv7HHbo/s400/IMG_0306.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The view from the inside of the cave looking out</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-kNqVDFoUhSe2UXbBBGygIgtieQvg5jtj3dUL2v_bvrmuSM8qvaDWFvYEj6-2lVPjkm3Gzc0czIiN7k_FqKvX1gnhhByniN-jWjXrnWBaj8zw-wttiTWC5XtoVhKkQdD60kDfA5ZJUE/s1600/PB250106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-kNqVDFoUhSe2UXbBBGygIgtieQvg5jtj3dUL2v_bvrmuSM8qvaDWFvYEj6-2lVPjkm3Gzc0czIiN7k_FqKvX1gnhhByniN-jWjXrnWBaj8zw-wttiTWC5XtoVhKkQdD60kDfA5ZJUE/s400/PB250106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The cave is at the base of this gorgeous mountain!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Some of us decided that the remainder of the day on Tuesday should be spent relaxing on the beach. Some people went on a hike and others took a hike to a fort, but I wasn't up for anything but pure relaxation. We had a great time talking, eating frozen acai, and enjoying God's creation. Although our afternoon didn't contain a lot of action or exercise, it was well spent recovering our minds and bodies before a new week of shows in Curitiba.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg5fopa_c7SKFabxr5YGUB0zeCJhNErXglvdIj0ImlDNhHbFpRAimywqUQS7oAyLS1FCgOiAZqn-DDIniKvAYJLe-IIVog6bN-S2hviAz250znbT1oBsUrD6BsE3PoO6rNUGR_okwlfs/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg5fopa_c7SKFabxr5YGUB0zeCJhNErXglvdIj0ImlDNhHbFpRAimywqUQS7oAyLS1FCgOiAZqn-DDIniKvAYJLe-IIVog6bN-S2hviAz250znbT1oBsUrD6BsE3PoO6rNUGR_okwlfs/s400/IMG_0324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd6HG5NXQNurB3EYzhMzESU1DQFMvANf1gHYHBroGpY9SaGbnhaImFEMTOFGJVkP6PzLiX_CY7EJ_mi4ogsv9oUrZCvLMWR0d77sb5qjiH9DD-xR3FjG3e228E1AxWdt3YeGZgnTfS3E/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd6HG5NXQNurB3EYzhMzESU1DQFMvANf1gHYHBroGpY9SaGbnhaImFEMTOFGJVkP6PzLiX_CY7EJ_mi4ogsv9oUrZCvLMWR0d77sb5qjiH9DD-xR3FjG3e228E1AxWdt3YeGZgnTfS3E/s400/IMG_0330.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBx1wA1_r1-HMjb_Maz_PV042stmeOkkBbfCdbv7oHn3sv4iBL0dOohxcBVjXMLRv2sP1EliTr7CfSonCfFW5d6vopeY11BC6aFRA5PtnCW3S3N74D-d-TKhk6bv-muXgLHFocZA6RvY/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBx1wA1_r1-HMjb_Maz_PV042stmeOkkBbfCdbv7oHn3sv4iBL0dOohxcBVjXMLRv2sP1EliTr7CfSonCfFW5d6vopeY11BC6aFRA5PtnCW3S3N74D-d-TKhk6bv-muXgLHFocZA6RvY/s400/IMG_0340.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATf72s9RZSGNmZaIS6OKlz45d2SdgHl4JnbonitvIEiXvxJolUTrkEO8N1ry5kyFXAGuh08QPXKCfVfYAZFz6dd2PXx8rgEQy_-P2cHBcKgB0wRoNUqUYwjmF2sMM2q4FIM3eAuK8gqM/s1600/IMG_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATf72s9RZSGNmZaIS6OKlz45d2SdgHl4JnbonitvIEiXvxJolUTrkEO8N1ry5kyFXAGuh08QPXKCfVfYAZFz6dd2PXx8rgEQy_-P2cHBcKgB0wRoNUqUYwjmF2sMM2q4FIM3eAuK8gqM/s400/IMG_0347.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRSUsG6wykXuMjBAQhxNuaRciDOw47bIAFW6xgBdt86rDI65NdPh9ZNHJsn2sBBmshyKhgpHRq-5YRXS4YpcSoZLwcN2rFIQHDLLEwezHcBByDZGcS2kojTUf6E2NDAKwyj8a9hCoBnA/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRSUsG6wykXuMjBAQhxNuaRciDOw47bIAFW6xgBdt86rDI65NdPh9ZNHJsn2sBBmshyKhgpHRq-5YRXS4YpcSoZLwcN2rFIQHDLLEwezHcBByDZGcS2kojTUf6E2NDAKwyj8a9hCoBnA/s400/IMG_0360.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfHDa98fd-9NkqD2zF_NinsM8EKGUggfIvNXt6X7P7LbXuODNXcX_GfyYuV-2WrnXFETS63PQW2bleAoWRnMDHbuwYDtmrc61K8BCgrh8WICM3SubWTRaUJJDtXwXLyKKXmX8MHC0IXE/s1600/IMG_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfHDa98fd-9NkqD2zF_NinsM8EKGUggfIvNXt6X7P7LbXuODNXcX_GfyYuV-2WrnXFETS63PQW2bleAoWRnMDHbuwYDtmrc61K8BCgrh8WICM3SubWTRaUJJDtXwXLyKKXmX8MHC0IXE/s400/IMG_0369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64DrEQIZMePzvOs0_GaRNH0XOJOKfBRT85Vwj-Axbq8Yix3Xz-4XmtUuhypSP_02qpkQ34sFNXNOawbdVlPm-2Ysnj55PyfbkbVlvV-dQZy6hzIZcdZ8G0y78txP_iZrON5Fn2jJujpM/s1600/IMG_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64DrEQIZMePzvOs0_GaRNH0XOJOKfBRT85Vwj-Axbq8Yix3Xz-4XmtUuhypSP_02qpkQ34sFNXNOawbdVlPm-2Ysnj55PyfbkbVlvV-dQZy6hzIZcdZ8G0y78txP_iZrON5Fn2jJujpM/s400/IMG_0371.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdGMdKIRvgghvtf-1Y1tlSaLcDGnWGxw329ZT5Y9MtnYK-VAtXlPGLAQwexhWIBlm-ZoczKMdxkNuVMyK4lLZ_BjRRcehVQjDEAolDUMSObvUyOeN4u-8AzNYLKmQQ5eYF9YjqfwUJWM/s1600/IMG_0378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqdGMdKIRvgghvtf-1Y1tlSaLcDGnWGxw329ZT5Y9MtnYK-VAtXlPGLAQwexhWIBlm-ZoczKMdxkNuVMyK4lLZ_BjRRcehVQjDEAolDUMSObvUyOeN4u-8AzNYLKmQQ5eYF9YjqfwUJWM/s400/IMG_0378.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiToiy0fXfzR8Ah-qfrG4Mk14zWvRMUxKw9Q0cOaFDMfIId2qOljxJFWjPLiV6OaHkRh1HdomCFdLX4GyrDyz_MhsuNrRqFRr_1XRbhyphenhyphenvbZ3wY-rcaBZhCY6ThKY_QOifiisuYR65NUc/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiToiy0fXfzR8Ah-qfrG4Mk14zWvRMUxKw9Q0cOaFDMfIId2qOljxJFWjPLiV6OaHkRh1HdomCFdLX4GyrDyz_MhsuNrRqFRr_1XRbhyphenhyphenvbZ3wY-rcaBZhCY6ThKY_QOifiisuYR65NUc/s400/IMG_0387.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The novatos!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5Zio8XV0ig3Gs2Jl9I5-mwoNuMTWZ08tROL9qDZCAHXLsyx2IIV9a_srEgswPlc1uF3Jrz3G6xbr7tB12JVa-icuqXo7sEOVrbE-JtI9X5DRjOiQi4uhZ3H6GnHEVBgBhTQUtBue5Bo/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5Zio8XV0ig3Gs2Jl9I5-mwoNuMTWZ08tROL9qDZCAHXLsyx2IIV9a_srEgswPlc1uF3Jrz3G6xbr7tB12JVa-icuqXo7sEOVrbE-JtI9X5DRjOiQi4uhZ3H6GnHEVBgBhTQUtBue5Bo/s400/IMG_0390.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf385kdd29eigd0fhV9wDw8t8sQp2gWSyTH1-9gq-KnN29NrHDppKs7w5oe0nq8vU9-kiifQ2E9tpDH7NaenhJZnkPT833BOZyU6VvaJpjVd95vBpFJapu_pM5r0og7iRsiZGyVLK3XI/s1600/IMG_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWf385kdd29eigd0fhV9wDw8t8sQp2gWSyTH1-9gq-KnN29NrHDppKs7w5oe0nq8vU9-kiifQ2E9tpDH7NaenhJZnkPT833BOZyU6VvaJpjVd95vBpFJapu_pM5r0og7iRsiZGyVLK3XI/s400/IMG_0391.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Daxton's first surf!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54TezmLVrrHc2ewmi-ph2MZHX1gQWCRpsxU_5bhLF1A2l8vuUHarsHYUyH473jIfufLsUmToYuQIqSUw60XvudUkGZbnIR0rP_DWBXZ2SiXLAD-E-VQhyphenhyphenbvmLuR03V2Kig6JSfu-yV_E/s1600/PB260132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54TezmLVrrHc2ewmi-ph2MZHX1gQWCRpsxU_5bhLF1A2l8vuUHarsHYUyH473jIfufLsUmToYuQIqSUw60XvudUkGZbnIR0rP_DWBXZ2SiXLAD-E-VQhyphenhyphenbvmLuR03V2Kig6JSfu-yV_E/s400/PB260132.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dax!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda1dODGbUE7dIqubv6KnfSAhDxauamMpMDz8iR4qyW7IdZ8ltvd3jftmXJcW-JqelyDQS7kbUyKzUPAv7oVlWEgJWGZoo3mnHdyjIN7og-smGjucj5MueCbbVupodWj8DpuC4PqNVYZU/s1600/PB260133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjda1dODGbUE7dIqubv6KnfSAhDxauamMpMDz8iR4qyW7IdZ8ltvd3jftmXJcW-JqelyDQS7kbUyKzUPAv7oVlWEgJWGZoo3mnHdyjIN7og-smGjucj5MueCbbVupodWj8DpuC4PqNVYZU/s400/PB260133.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think it's time to train a new catcher!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HaguJ-QyirR3bKP7KUidRrRE4cJSTyw2qBMqf3TE5y918Ei_oZMjoln4vg7FDkbEQAHi-8UuX5IF424dytO220h0Fj2g6CP7hpf6NedGFmUVAAfIsM6GSi_bLEBfYEBizYeMYn5eKdk/s1600/PB260134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HaguJ-QyirR3bKP7KUidRrRE4cJSTyw2qBMqf3TE5y918Ei_oZMjoln4vg7FDkbEQAHi-8UuX5IF424dytO220h0Fj2g6CP7hpf6NedGFmUVAAfIsM6GSi_bLEBfYEBizYeMYn5eKdk/s400/PB260134.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They're duo is just a tad shorter than ours...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our vacation ended with another group dinner. The trip was a great opportunity for Max and I to get to know the crew better, and we had such a great time with these members of our Corteo family. I'm afraid this double dark will leave high expectations for the dark days to come! I can't say enough how blessed we are to have this opportunity to fulfill dreams, travel, and meet new people. To God be the glory!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9msX9M-LckvG4lDxbvxfyg5wDECFxASse05T3KAW1z3t_oZSXcKTwu5CPKWobRyKnIZrWjKbuTqTrfwbKnmAsLP3aKpgvpzoBcLjZb63PLiasjFgy3UTolC_tfWfiQCehScZyggW0G0o/s1600/PB260138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9msX9M-LckvG4lDxbvxfyg5wDECFxASse05T3KAW1z3t_oZSXcKTwu5CPKWobRyKnIZrWjKbuTqTrfwbKnmAsLP3aKpgvpzoBcLjZb63PLiasjFgy3UTolC_tfWfiQCehScZyggW0G0o/s400/PB260138.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-71564268390037118832013-11-13T08:42:00.002-08:002013-11-13T08:42:43.904-08:00Dark Day<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday was my first dark day, or day off, in Curitiba. I was
exhausted from the previous week, but I mustered up the enough energy to spend
some time exploring the city with Max. We were planning on taking a tourism bus
that drives around to about 20 different tourist sites throughout the city, but
we quickly learned that the bus and sites aren’t open on Mondays. We will be
here for another month though, so I’m sure we will have plenty of time for
tourism.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Jardim Botânico was open though, so we took a quick taxi
over. After being here for almost a week, it was my first time anywhere in
Curitiba besides our hotel, the shuttle, and the Big Top! It felt great to get
out and walk around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Botanical Gardens aren’t unlike any other Botanical
Garden. It is different to be in a garden surrounded by the city and the
vegetation is far more tropical than Ohio <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>.
We got to see some birds we’ve never seen before, turtles, big yellow fish over
a foot long, and a couple snakes. The architecture of the greenhouse was quite
beautiful and the flowers were a nice reminder that it’s springtime here in
Brazil.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OZq4qfzPpbrdhg2W6oTgq9omYfJ-7xhs_m6ju5Kf6SBFxXonkRIrVTac9RBEyuP2uZeq9lYl90sV5aiSx9xZhoFgI-Ub66LkTek_XmpTubNKsCc3uEkYact9asUXJgldPH8v3cBbL-0/s1600/PB110004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OZq4qfzPpbrdhg2W6oTgq9omYfJ-7xhs_m6ju5Kf6SBFxXonkRIrVTac9RBEyuP2uZeq9lYl90sV5aiSx9xZhoFgI-Ub66LkTek_XmpTubNKsCc3uEkYact9asUXJgldPH8v3cBbL-0/s400/PB110004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFCrTZPOY16loqd8T1d0dBMu-0-UHUb0-IUcyXyftkDRKkI6lpj6KuMLKUMWDZWzzS2yUv8Mt3G996ixIY4kAKsTn2FJQv5xgxcx8u1xj88F8NzDgrUw-b64pqaQvz2P-Nbp0JHuGbL8/s1600/PB110007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFCrTZPOY16loqd8T1d0dBMu-0-UHUb0-IUcyXyftkDRKkI6lpj6KuMLKUMWDZWzzS2yUv8Mt3G996ixIY4kAKsTn2FJQv5xgxcx8u1xj88F8NzDgrUw-b64pqaQvz2P-Nbp0JHuGbL8/s400/PB110007.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lT6GQtjqDCEsr9RXik9aDnhOyUv_BFT5QgjbYGzQjdVdz61TdTf0LkIsrfe0UI17Gu2iGmkwUIg2UFgaemr-SSj9CvMp_E8eydridhKc4po9OD3NHSLwn3PMsY2QcAuZMh7Ab_p5Law/s1600/PB110009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lT6GQtjqDCEsr9RXik9aDnhOyUv_BFT5QgjbYGzQjdVdz61TdTf0LkIsrfe0UI17Gu2iGmkwUIg2UFgaemr-SSj9CvMp_E8eydridhKc4po9OD3NHSLwn3PMsY2QcAuZMh7Ab_p5Law/s400/PB110009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZcntooI0DpTlrr-bzt_0yFuxuGX_Ar6Lj2axn014Hi-UrNiJa5QYaZiSpZez5S9l1M6HodP9_HGLo4g3q6b26PIEObHvWUe5KJnI1YVFXAi4SX3L3q3X3fuEWnQhrfyTR4B_b69a1y8/s1600/PB110010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZcntooI0DpTlrr-bzt_0yFuxuGX_Ar6Lj2axn014Hi-UrNiJa5QYaZiSpZez5S9l1M6HodP9_HGLo4g3q6b26PIEObHvWUe5KJnI1YVFXAi4SX3L3q3X3fuEWnQhrfyTR4B_b69a1y8/s400/PB110010.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin8-lot5HUJBS0REi-JnU8tRtWQMMTahv5yXf9h72KNqXT643zaXOSH6qwohtVKlDd37tljkAr-lu2Hkh6IzGLM5dKbSgYbQM32_SnUjjr8UyeUo7uJ6M01f7M8s67HJugW-8wgsAwMo/s1600/PB110012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiin8-lot5HUJBS0REi-JnU8tRtWQMMTahv5yXf9h72KNqXT643zaXOSH6qwohtVKlDd37tljkAr-lu2Hkh6IzGLM5dKbSgYbQM32_SnUjjr8UyeUo7uJ6M01f7M8s67HJugW-8wgsAwMo/s400/PB110012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCglRp7XcKYxTJMveG3aM5dBg-dc5CD1cvosGMyJrgJZJ6bhN1DHyAAZ02vWBBba7wV6kyOUYF-PtP4UbPwJd36N-T6vvd7T_xlAezn0cVTJ1RkvegdM7Kq9BCBFUFiHrD1OnDhK9nuAw/s1600/PB110014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCglRp7XcKYxTJMveG3aM5dBg-dc5CD1cvosGMyJrgJZJ6bhN1DHyAAZ02vWBBba7wV6kyOUYF-PtP4UbPwJd36N-T6vvd7T_xlAezn0cVTJ1RkvegdM7Kq9BCBFUFiHrD1OnDhK9nuAw/s400/PB110014.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPkdK-kEvv0LD_75lwvuOgUREcfweFoybhfpSgCbpNwTpR0p7JnrZ6ymBDzWYObq4szgbA8PXHQ8m2nE6wiPvA9byiL_biza2inamstL1fc5OXraXVff6sgfoPssJd1yOibSunP1QjR8/s1600/PB110017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPkdK-kEvv0LD_75lwvuOgUREcfweFoybhfpSgCbpNwTpR0p7JnrZ6ymBDzWYObq4szgbA8PXHQ8m2nE6wiPvA9byiL_biza2inamstL1fc5OXraXVff6sgfoPssJd1yOibSunP1QjR8/s400/PB110017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlqtxfr1xQPxVbReLq6Jp8KzJQE_Ko2WI-WI2ESwDfN9b_vFQFbjN1PWNAJw65GNbfHTdggb4NnYPXppuyFbzeE5MqsSANbScVuqz56bFC8poj1UO34Cg3h2YsEYlkuCo3tfkjcbUK5k/s1600/PB110020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlqtxfr1xQPxVbReLq6Jp8KzJQE_Ko2WI-WI2ESwDfN9b_vFQFbjN1PWNAJw65GNbfHTdggb4NnYPXppuyFbzeE5MqsSANbScVuqz56bFC8poj1UO34Cg3h2YsEYlkuCo3tfkjcbUK5k/s400/PB110020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbE0bKVNYzKtOSciho4ak5iBKyg3k911waMt6YjGi69eoV3neznGs30rBYHdMGWjOkJ2epi1zuouN_QoTlVm9zAHHWWBojH5eIT3Br7QiDJnWIrDPFlv6HG2iSVy9twUhGZJztdZufRA/s1600/PB110021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbE0bKVNYzKtOSciho4ak5iBKyg3k911waMt6YjGi69eoV3neznGs30rBYHdMGWjOkJ2epi1zuouN_QoTlVm9zAHHWWBojH5eIT3Br7QiDJnWIrDPFlv6HG2iSVy9twUhGZJztdZufRA/s400/PB110021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe57Kj5RPdywoPO76bLPwCSwMICgQpYaiEc9PCpUb0T1ezFh1L9YVVMKHxNwDcRlftCUAU5eMja-oVbCIC8Vh-fQUGgqTEXMGH0988RInk1uaaWOSANL0CZgsFOctSYUcHgwifXTCwEk/s1600/PB110022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHe57Kj5RPdywoPO76bLPwCSwMICgQpYaiEc9PCpUb0T1ezFh1L9YVVMKHxNwDcRlftCUAU5eMja-oVbCIC8Vh-fQUGgqTEXMGH0988RInk1uaaWOSANL0CZgsFOctSYUcHgwifXTCwEk/s400/PB110022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEcCtBnxD-FnhcedA2fFN_IGAdVEB6QtNPGnt_VWbxa92NAHPhEOSWt_CT4xPDE9e8ti-Vx4BmplYoaXxUnOH22WEXMO1DCiPsgS4GD_qAGxfQovGAo0iYFS_PjDpEfa3M5DyC3kvCM4/s1600/PB110023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEcCtBnxD-FnhcedA2fFN_IGAdVEB6QtNPGnt_VWbxa92NAHPhEOSWt_CT4xPDE9e8ti-Vx4BmplYoaXxUnOH22WEXMO1DCiPsgS4GD_qAGxfQovGAo0iYFS_PjDpEfa3M5DyC3kvCM4/s400/PB110023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWe5SWjrTUprAE4Sekz28wW7_1u9f7i72YkAPM8-9hpLD3_SwUAJ4oc8h5FSL6rrYxZZXXRGwQowT2o2Nf1iEv_cP3IYAMBlwBt-mlNHs8RKPEL5oPbVE1HcaKBolRIANybf6m34f1JQ/s1600/PB110024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWe5SWjrTUprAE4Sekz28wW7_1u9f7i72YkAPM8-9hpLD3_SwUAJ4oc8h5FSL6rrYxZZXXRGwQowT2o2Nf1iEv_cP3IYAMBlwBt-mlNHs8RKPEL5oPbVE1HcaKBolRIANybf6m34f1JQ/s400/PB110024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gnAWfRZp0kXDpi3vrIRIqERJzDfDf-kXUs7Gt4TyB3lSFlVkgqzJJoXjW8lsXiZpgxqs5feDSiD3o5CVZpnp05xmL4lC9QyXwuDJeQ27s7tdd95upJ-pIeZrHjTfigZqyHjQM5bXEmo/s1600/PB110025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gnAWfRZp0kXDpi3vrIRIqERJzDfDf-kXUs7Gt4TyB3lSFlVkgqzJJoXjW8lsXiZpgxqs5feDSiD3o5CVZpnp05xmL4lC9QyXwuDJeQ27s7tdd95upJ-pIeZrHjTfigZqyHjQM5bXEmo/s400/PB110025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There is only so much to see at the Botanical Gardens, so we left after a bit and headed back to the hotel. On the way back, we jumped out of the cab because we saw this Japanese park in the middle of the city. It's around the corner from our hotel, and the building is a cultural center that holds Japanese activities, a library, and a tea room. The area that our hotel is located in Curitiba is a highly populated Japanese community, so there is plenty of sushi and this lovely park. I love my Japanese heritage, and I hope to head to Japan in the future.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FcQu2VmEFCqVjvZv57HnTzwGoi0WvYUSd0vQJmGnxHgh8nGX6nBRYu5yLauMMzWIZgO2OOtv91wTDm2uzx9PXrGWGsLRBoLq48vZZmH2vYKOOwfCc62Uhlr7dxQwOAeUy5W2MI0X5vI/s1600/PB110030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FcQu2VmEFCqVjvZv57HnTzwGoi0WvYUSd0vQJmGnxHgh8nGX6nBRYu5yLauMMzWIZgO2OOtv91wTDm2uzx9PXrGWGsLRBoLq48vZZmH2vYKOOwfCc62Uhlr7dxQwOAeUy5W2MI0X5vI/s400/PB110030.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a great day off with my husband, and I'm looking forward to a little more exploration soon. We have a to-do list of places to visit in or around Curitiba, and our travels will only get better as we explore more and more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A few nights ago, Max caught the sunset from the terrace on the 16th floor of our hotel. Curitiba has been a step up for us from Belo Horizonte and views like this only help!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakL-6Z7y40nepgHa0974bhkNeT3B2Jw0cY3arKNmIa_Xh2PhZLz8pmpPYL2gy6swjEXx6kEDPwmFDp0nFeWP27HGPG7Xuh0QuHRV36Smo3rAwIu8hs1_3tujsC_begcljtIhEwXR6SHI/s1600/PB080001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakL-6Z7y40nepgHa0974bhkNeT3B2Jw0cY3arKNmIa_Xh2PhZLz8pmpPYL2gy6swjEXx6kEDPwmFDp0nFeWP27HGPG7Xuh0QuHRV36Smo3rAwIu8hs1_3tujsC_begcljtIhEwXR6SHI/s400/PB080001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJiBh-oHC9yjwfHTX0MRksdFSQkSNnl-7BIjN4jzfXLI7N5_4wh2ekEVQ9m1CEf2gU70_6tL3AJNSkww_XUxOlnUfe6tTlXGxgD6n40E5EFnQRf9W8GItijdgIOvkPyjM7Eb_CFKf3cY/s1600/PB080002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJiBh-oHC9yjwfHTX0MRksdFSQkSNnl-7BIjN4jzfXLI7N5_4wh2ekEVQ9m1CEf2gU70_6tL3AJNSkww_XUxOlnUfe6tTlXGxgD6n40E5EFnQRf9W8GItijdgIOvkPyjM7Eb_CFKf3cY/s400/PB080002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Definitely expect more pictures of the city in the future. We are hoping to visit some more parks and museums within the next week or two!</div>
<span id="goog_669449082"></span><span id="goog_669449083"></span><br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-68691491524852353462013-11-06T05:03:00.000-08:002013-11-09T05:56:49.556-08:00Christmas in St. Martin<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bonjour! We have laid aside the Portuguese for a bit and are
back to French culture in Saint Martin. We are officially celebrating Christmas
with the Schmidt family! Max’s parents booked a family vacation for us in the
Caribbean as an early Christmas present. Max, Pops, Mama Kate, and I are here
now, and Brandon, Erin, and our sweet nieces, Tatum and Willa, will be here on
Sunday! I’m mostly excited to see how big our nephew is getting! Erin is
expecting their third, and I haven’t seen Erin’s belly since I left for Canada
two months ago. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are staying in a community called Terres Basses at a
house with the most beautiful beach in the backyard. Our three-bedroom rental is footsteps from the perfect beach view. Last night, Max and I fell asleep to the sound
of the waves crashing onto the shore, and this morning we woke up to raindrops
splashing against the ground outside. Our house has no real walls and is more
like a giant screened in porch-house, so it allows for perfect and natural white
noise all night long. Besides the bird that sounded like a monkey, it called
for a night of salty ocean smells, a cool breeze, and soothing slumber.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were so happy to see the beautiful beach yesterday when
we arrived! I haven’t been to a beach since our wedding at the Azul Hotel in
Mexico. Well, technically I’ve
seen Lake Michigan, but I’m going to go ahead and disappoint the entire Midwest
by saying that I don’t consider non-saltwater the ‘beach’. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I get harassed, I’m going to move on! Here are some
pictures of our arrival to the house. I would like to state that our first day
was pretty cloudy and I don’t plan on remaining so pasty, so please ignore my
Halloween-esque ghostlike appearance Also, please ignore Max’s hat. I can’t be
blamed for his hat just like I can’t be blamed for his beard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAV7X2YDZrgnCBuvOZO1yKsDYqnKInNqNsrtT3yzq_DlpCLoSsmRcj-qQPwJI-wj3qa_O1aHxlAUItrtY_8j_IhyphenhyphenLpfttOYjAyJvTvB55Yvj10O7h5O6lq2JaVFHr-kibz8rYzpyEcmQ/s1600/PA310348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAV7X2YDZrgnCBuvOZO1yKsDYqnKInNqNsrtT3yzq_DlpCLoSsmRcj-qQPwJI-wj3qa_O1aHxlAUItrtY_8j_IhyphenhyphenLpfttOYjAyJvTvB55Yvj10O7h5O6lq2JaVFHr-kibz8rYzpyEcmQ/s320/PA310348.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGbtG2EXquOdh73phlD1s5UbIgNaQdB19cPLUNcWqXLqU7MT3QXvvG-yZwEHeV2xlF2sFLYt5DcMaXCxoUCruRyE3dhaAmaIlGG93LcAV9uWZbxk4_8zZzV-U2c027pvLa6_awZkIADE/s1600/PA310353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGbtG2EXquOdh73phlD1s5UbIgNaQdB19cPLUNcWqXLqU7MT3QXvvG-yZwEHeV2xlF2sFLYt5DcMaXCxoUCruRyE3dhaAmaIlGG93LcAV9uWZbxk4_8zZzV-U2c027pvLa6_awZkIADE/s320/PA310353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmH9y6ZQYAaTgv0e25bpTlIQk1_y_OJp-OKfZkNP6oNGjVNFhyphenhyphenwMcLHhDu30nCMsHXvS-SdbRWQRqEkBJdtP1kU3-Frm0w2sGufrH3SKt61GX9HXBX8prPU3hZCbyOQlgYqKiPtUCxyQ/s1600/PA310359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmH9y6ZQYAaTgv0e25bpTlIQk1_y_OJp-OKfZkNP6oNGjVNFhyphenhyphenwMcLHhDu30nCMsHXvS-SdbRWQRqEkBJdtP1kU3-Frm0w2sGufrH3SKt61GX9HXBX8prPU3hZCbyOQlgYqKiPtUCxyQ/s320/PA310359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ok6HWDg2UykJlXK4tCnYJ-awGJpOCZ_ZN7f_G3Qx-pIy1kM0KdF3DU_bFtEhxGvTes_EmGisXmxgQEKqGCiRW5gb380qPt-PVdzu7kLplXIIRsXR2pFw8gC9z9TtAA-oLXiJgep5p7I/s1600/PA310361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ok6HWDg2UykJlXK4tCnYJ-awGJpOCZ_ZN7f_G3Qx-pIy1kM0KdF3DU_bFtEhxGvTes_EmGisXmxgQEKqGCiRW5gb380qPt-PVdzu7kLplXIIRsXR2pFw8gC9z9TtAA-oLXiJgep5p7I/s320/PA310361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After exploring the beach for a bit, we headed into the city
for some dinner. We ate at a bar right on the water, and it also just happens
to be 30 yards from the landing strip at the airport. We ate dinner and watched
plane after plane take off and land. I can’t wait until our nieces get here to
watch! *Brooke, show Mason these pictures!*<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwdagQAwBibLaLIMkDbSwlskHZdP8NNCvBdJWJ9laHk4pXhb4-aqfzCwegTr91mnL9JjLWThQWk1zi-V6bdO2sohm7RfChSOftek-Zhyphenhyphen1jOTBrRlidaNLYUdVFWeLJbzDlHuUmcUIk3k/s1600/PA310371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwdagQAwBibLaLIMkDbSwlskHZdP8NNCvBdJWJ9laHk4pXhb4-aqfzCwegTr91mnL9JjLWThQWk1zi-V6bdO2sohm7RfChSOftek-Zhyphenhyphen1jOTBrRlidaNLYUdVFWeLJbzDlHuUmcUIk3k/s400/PA310371.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTHqD2g-7SgyUvNxJQKOntbU0UZ-ssV9RtdbOMw0zrxuEKywGCee2GaVjQeId7KfO5VDe1lPJvqheEYV31TZN_mON3AkkTn6wiIsHKPBJfHuVhdWvrcyhJehZjA2JJ9zSgiK78F5I-Us/s1600/PA310376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMTHqD2g-7SgyUvNxJQKOntbU0UZ-ssV9RtdbOMw0zrxuEKywGCee2GaVjQeId7KfO5VDe1lPJvqheEYV31TZN_mON3AkkTn6wiIsHKPBJfHuVhdWvrcyhJehZjA2JJ9zSgiK78F5I-Us/s400/PA310376.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a great night of sleep, we woke up this morning and
had our morning coffee on the second floor’s screened in porch. It doesn’t
really get better than a cool breeze off the water and a view of the ocean
right when you wake up! After our coffee, I went out to the water for some alone
time and started reading <i>Kingdom Woman</i>
by Tony Evans and Chrystal Evans Hurst. My sister’s are reading it with their
Bible study. They recommended it to my mom, who then bought it and mailed it to
Mama Kate, who brought it to me! (Thanks, Mom!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLMGNo1PiTa49MCZ7YVcXICDeR4_JydoR2Z-ZC-E-PvIxSYnHZpvY5FNT__s1mt80DbjtjjAdRPigYKOxCrg8lmM55YXFhFF0pOy5fzLpTHXaGsKFb-piIEB9cBJceHSh7GBdZrNhr-Q/s1600/PA310386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLMGNo1PiTa49MCZ7YVcXICDeR4_JydoR2Z-ZC-E-PvIxSYnHZpvY5FNT__s1mt80DbjtjjAdRPigYKOxCrg8lmM55YXFhFF0pOy5fzLpTHXaGsKFb-piIEB9cBJceHSh7GBdZrNhr-Q/s320/PA310386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a couple chapters of my new book, Max brought me a fresh coconut to drink
from. He managed to open two coconuts, providing about two sips of coconut
juice, while I read 30 pages. Boys <i>will</i>
be boys, but I don’t mind because I got to try fresh coconut!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our afternoon revolved around a little cliff exploration! A
couple hundred yards down the beach, the sand turns into rugged and steep rock,
perfect for climbing. My adventurous husband helped me make my way through the
nooks and crannies, and we were able to get a great view of the beautiful beach
(and Donald Trump’s house). Max
also found some bones on the cliff, and that’s about the time I decided to head
back <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>.
The cliff was pretty steep, and the waves crashing into the coves slammed
against the rocks, so I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic about falling. Besides, I’m
much better hanging from my hands than I am balancing on my feet!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MQ892Y4jkZoAy7cVaB4D_QhbkcDuE5kl38v8QWHDG3lJIT6Lg7AjufWocn2AMN7incQYr4zYPpGYOMcghYnt17SKlK308xkoZ8qh-Pz1NWKPhQEqlI_dVnQGjzNFWoE4UrJgjcZiC64/s1600/PB010400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MQ892Y4jkZoAy7cVaB4D_QhbkcDuE5kl38v8QWHDG3lJIT6Lg7AjufWocn2AMN7incQYr4zYPpGYOMcghYnt17SKlK308xkoZ8qh-Pz1NWKPhQEqlI_dVnQGjzNFWoE4UrJgjcZiC64/s320/PB010400.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXhPfwlgzuRxZ0YQyFbpMZFDDhT8Om4xH7SlTI3TAWMFytqDPWCG_pAsnkHJPakgxcfDByP-CV03SyPMVGPZ_NWjmXi-WpkMY6T5o7CWUZo0zOeg_f_DNgABnsG9nf8P0zoBVpkU7HZE/s1600/PB010401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXhPfwlgzuRxZ0YQyFbpMZFDDhT8Om4xH7SlTI3TAWMFytqDPWCG_pAsnkHJPakgxcfDByP-CV03SyPMVGPZ_NWjmXi-WpkMY6T5o7CWUZo0zOeg_f_DNgABnsG9nf8P0zoBVpkU7HZE/s320/PB010401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxzakWlnN_PChpg9jDXHr6foUiISkI2PaHw5_T4SYabGMfJm1bgdovjp4skv7PGrCy9bv6fU53Ovakt1WqEzqi86mBg-SkEewmVv68Mlin0e22cZz7_93-3IxIUt7yqkVwZQJskceytQ/s1600/PB010407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxzakWlnN_PChpg9jDXHr6foUiISkI2PaHw5_T4SYabGMfJm1bgdovjp4skv7PGrCy9bv6fU53Ovakt1WqEzqi86mBg-SkEewmVv68Mlin0e22cZz7_93-3IxIUt7yqkVwZQJskceytQ/s320/PB010407.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJt8tyo4nYVnhh0iSZ1x4X4fPWswsI0A3OpgU9q75n6hWcdhZFc0MeaCX6LM6qJjgmOhyphenhyphenf5oGWLTYmZjNvHvhRvej5ky6rkFuYFQPzUHe6AgKPhD-G0WcwllHBH1XmtdpWUNKfJF9jg0/s1600/PB010411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPJt8tyo4nYVnhh0iSZ1x4X4fPWswsI0A3OpgU9q75n6hWcdhZFc0MeaCX6LM6qJjgmOhyphenhyphenf5oGWLTYmZjNvHvhRvej5ky6rkFuYFQPzUHe6AgKPhD-G0WcwllHBH1XmtdpWUNKfJF9jg0/s320/PB010411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPh2L7F6UMkW26ACGW-nVtesfFSm4hkUp9Bo3IMZ7rklbTU2DhG5jpv34L2LyiC0P4z0qoMo0MvgrDvm0XMYEYIHpkTPwluVi8TIkpdGI2a2EuCCU31V7crLSwtp0mA2gcLcnSb7bplM/s1600/PB010415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPh2L7F6UMkW26ACGW-nVtesfFSm4hkUp9Bo3IMZ7rklbTU2DhG5jpv34L2LyiC0P4z0qoMo0MvgrDvm0XMYEYIHpkTPwluVi8TIkpdGI2a2EuCCU31V7crLSwtp0mA2gcLcnSb7bplM/s320/PB010415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of walking the formation back, we dove into the
water. Max could touch the bottom, so he helped pull me to shore while we
cracked Navy Seal jokes that related to a book we both read called <i>Fearless</i>. It’s another great read!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTS1iN43Zwb8YUs0cI48c95H0yJKBgEN8LRfvyrjuBqv-oms3Xu7RRemDS97xs6H1MRCi4hW2oPc_vmiFr6XwO3TSx433avajZAg9W2lATuoNTP5c7LXz_Pd7IErhg2QQzLAeXQKWhiRs/s1600/PB010434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTS1iN43Zwb8YUs0cI48c95H0yJKBgEN8LRfvyrjuBqv-oms3Xu7RRemDS97xs6H1MRCi4hW2oPc_vmiFr6XwO3TSx433avajZAg9W2lATuoNTP5c7LXz_Pd7IErhg2QQzLAeXQKWhiRs/s320/PB010434.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
I needed a break after we made
it back, and it was pretty easy to find rest. Mama Kate and I spent the
remainder of the afternoon reading right on the beach! I have no complaints
about our stay here so far, and I have a feeling that won’t change. This has
already been a vacation of special memories, and Brandon and Erin aren’t even
here yet! I’m sure there will be
<i>PLENTY</i> of memorable moments once they’ve
arrived, and I’ll do my best to share my favorite stories next time. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsDouikA540QudanN-MW3HNOGrwoMuPQ0K4eNqYOBlBxV97ycE2ADwHZfDDO2NJX5BKuviUu0HaZP9y8V7Uxw-yV3bathqk7ouC2RXUU5Ej3liu3nN0U7r-OKtX5ZruHOZVQU9XBfotk/s1600/PB010462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsDouikA540QudanN-MW3HNOGrwoMuPQ0K4eNqYOBlBxV97ycE2ADwHZfDDO2NJX5BKuviUu0HaZP9y8V7Uxw-yV3bathqk7ouC2RXUU5Ej3liu3nN0U7r-OKtX5ZruHOZVQU9XBfotk/s320/PB010462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(Three Days Later)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erin, Brandon, Tatum, and Willa arrived yesterday! We headed to our St. Martin home quickly after we picked them up from the airport and grabbed a bite to eat just in time for a quick dip in the ocean before dark.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tatey, who is still a little nervous around water at only 22 months, is doing great in the ocean as long as she never touches the sand! When we try to sit her down, she squeezes with all her might and proves her lower ab strength as she keeps her feet high in the air. It’s adorable, and I know Max and I are happy to hold her <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>. I’m sure she won’t let us hold her for much longer!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Willa has been keeping up with the rest of us by chasing after the waves and tumbling as they drag her under, only to pop up again with a big smile. Unlike Tatey, Willa’s swimsuit has more sand in it than water after some fun at the beach. She is swimming so much more than the last time we saw her, and there isn’t an inkling of fear when waves as tall as her knock her off of her feet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Max and I have warm hearts being with all of our Schmidt family! I know it’s going to be a week to remember. Because our nieces/nephews are aged 4 (Hadley), 3 (Willa), 2 (Harper), 1 (Tatum), 5 months (Foster), and 0 (unborn Baby Schmidt), I feel like I get to see all of them grow up and follow each other in specific stages. Because Hadley is a year older than Willa, I can already foresee how Willa will continue to turn more and more into a little girl, and the memories of her as a chubby little toddler seem more and more distant. The same is for Tatey; When we left, she had just starting using her voice to communicate, and now, as I type this, she is saying “Where’d my Mommy go?” From one-syllable words to full sentences, Tatey is headed into the same big girl world of Willa. At least we will have the new baby Schmidt to spoil, hold, and love!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Max and I are now in Curitiba, Brazil. It was an almost 24 hour trip back, but we are glad to be in a new city and I'm glad to be back to work. The remainder of our vacation went as wonderfully as the beginning. There were early mornings with two happy babies swimming in the pool, afternoons of sunshine spent in the ocean, and nighttime family time spent crowded around a homemade dinner or game of euchre. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We have so many special memories that are surrounded more by the little things than the big. One night, I watched Uncle Mackie and Willa slow dance to a song that came on the radio, and I almost cried. It was so sweet. Another day, Max built a bonfire on the beach and we star gazed underneath the black sky. After dinner one night, Tatey let me hold her while she was sleepy and cuddly, and when I asked for a kiss, she gave me at least five. During nap time, we snuck away to Phillipsburg with Erin and Brandon, and we swam in a beautiful turquoise bay surrounded by tree covered mountains.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Max and I are living a pretty surreal life. I'm in the circus, and he's on permanent vacation. In Brazil, we experience a different culture and are exploring constantly. We are truly living a pretty grandeur life for 25 year olds. St. Martin reminded me that no matter how extravagant life can get, family has the ability to make the little things more special than most big things already are. We are so blessed… a little bit because we are fulfilling a dream, a lot a bit because we experience so much love through our families.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Praise the Lord.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Pictures from dinner with Mama Kate and Pops at Le Tastevin, a French restaurant right on the water.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SKXIcP0e8TWZHVtUbLnWJGiFzHeWB0XVkvHT3h9NXS02DV2vIxmuowBs_yPSc-htJgKWaLzQP0uvMVBDIMY6P0xia3waXlRgpE_pF57v07rbc22-4zbWtXSshEorZrMkJ0TeIUVjhTA/s1600/PB020356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SKXIcP0e8TWZHVtUbLnWJGiFzHeWB0XVkvHT3h9NXS02DV2vIxmuowBs_yPSc-htJgKWaLzQP0uvMVBDIMY6P0xia3waXlRgpE_pF57v07rbc22-4zbWtXSshEorZrMkJ0TeIUVjhTA/s320/PB020356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFC8fZ0lObNuREkCuW8I-yRk3iTFH3vLa1b4xZ1LBs0L_NadPI1w5RTvVjKnAJSn5dUG8dTWmIyicGVYs7Mwjocao_ca5v4RO5belJMnzLNeg8TtgVkpUkftZ7GQTJUmxeJVHD82eNHs/s1600/PB020359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFC8fZ0lObNuREkCuW8I-yRk3iTFH3vLa1b4xZ1LBs0L_NadPI1w5RTvVjKnAJSn5dUG8dTWmIyicGVYs7Mwjocao_ca5v4RO5belJMnzLNeg8TtgVkpUkftZ7GQTJUmxeJVHD82eNHs/s320/PB020359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1t4JqcNcpDNhW7AZezQr_CpzFODhw31hAj53h3E1WnwCOLqHuJ_n6sQ_85UnJFKPWCazukhlYp_Pb8L_RWm1T2zvmGJrIJkA6kNIOjOptB9eQ8Fpm1I2i8SJzAY05J13eIiWpKdvAo4/s1600/PB020369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1t4JqcNcpDNhW7AZezQr_CpzFODhw31hAj53h3E1WnwCOLqHuJ_n6sQ_85UnJFKPWCazukhlYp_Pb8L_RWm1T2zvmGJrIJkA6kNIOjOptB9eQ8Fpm1I2i8SJzAY05J13eIiWpKdvAo4/s320/PB020369.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLALNAtLlrggoGZPwC1jnL63Sd4D79AamVAdEs7mkWBGWmYjpmFXsmbDuo49PvGC6Wm0qO-3wjfKmRY0X6De5d486mhn2gXi6zY7WchHUkE_Umf6Ms6sSsai61JYtc26EbgVGG5PaGsN4/s1600/PB020370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLALNAtLlrggoGZPwC1jnL63Sd4D79AamVAdEs7mkWBGWmYjpmFXsmbDuo49PvGC6Wm0qO-3wjfKmRY0X6De5d486mhn2gXi6zY7WchHUkE_Umf6Ms6sSsai61JYtc26EbgVGG5PaGsN4/s320/PB020370.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One afternoon, we wandered the beach until we found the perfect swimming hole. The waves were big and fun and knocked us off our feet and sent us tumbling into the sand, but behind the breaking waves laid crystal clear water perfect for a swim.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKvuE-HEK3xgEMh3N_kpoBWvlQaWiIgSgi1CyqzbllUDmeOv3QjlHrqD44FO5dhhupnE4yxkqy_cMtd_at2yGeW9N8eUd76JcKnoh2fOk6eX9HLcl5dbyYvbttQw7zd0_EdgyXvmM7iY/s1600/PB020018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKvuE-HEK3xgEMh3N_kpoBWvlQaWiIgSgi1CyqzbllUDmeOv3QjlHrqD44FO5dhhupnE4yxkqy_cMtd_at2yGeW9N8eUd76JcKnoh2fOk6eX9HLcl5dbyYvbttQw7zd0_EdgyXvmM7iY/s320/PB020018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8WU2b3mcMzXCEpNUX4x1U18uPx0pqy_xKXFWCKz4ntONN1r-lkOJpImqN1jcLS3Yt9TkbVqQ39ujFbbK7axOMrKGlrjkLEGbAE4Jlp7u8-MiKcrHWckOSqleB6sP3l55qvSRym3Ng4I/s1600/PB020022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8WU2b3mcMzXCEpNUX4x1U18uPx0pqy_xKXFWCKz4ntONN1r-lkOJpImqN1jcLS3Yt9TkbVqQ39ujFbbK7axOMrKGlrjkLEGbAE4Jlp7u8-MiKcrHWckOSqleB6sP3l55qvSRym3Ng4I/s320/PB020022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQd0gxYd4QxoblXzR3zlxh_lU4xbLW5iOPAsLCU4mPgWh7Y21fXxV3HF_9MPPNTEgci1IqYoBmIuUUj2HydCfmKX59FnfUn0WoQLUB-EwdD3nB4Mb780VRHK6alTsrvg4sZ-xsHOoln4/s1600/PB020025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQd0gxYd4QxoblXzR3zlxh_lU4xbLW5iOPAsLCU4mPgWh7Y21fXxV3HF_9MPPNTEgci1IqYoBmIuUUj2HydCfmKX59FnfUn0WoQLUB-EwdD3nB4Mb780VRHK6alTsrvg4sZ-xsHOoln4/s400/PB020025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCnTtU3zn05vUJadJ2S7G3MqsKerLi2BD962y514m5R5BhRl9Ur8Vr7Jn2LIhPwFgx8dlwtdo5tbBVi459Sic_of9xXy3GKtbqpo4qSE6REPp1bgPemgiS5gIBkcaprAvhtGduZiiEs/s1600/PB020047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFCnTtU3zn05vUJadJ2S7G3MqsKerLi2BD962y514m5R5BhRl9Ur8Vr7Jn2LIhPwFgx8dlwtdo5tbBVi459Sic_of9xXy3GKtbqpo4qSE6REPp1bgPemgiS5gIBkcaprAvhtGduZiiEs/s400/PB020047.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_DgrUnoP0Njvdl03chcZU7muqwBTr6iktaUdxHdiUHnR0s_1NR0tIyJsZuQvX3IlKy5DVfokdp88F2GZHRbJSVIA4RCG9f92ihngjgJEYkr72g_8y8lN5m5EwuWLl6jZAGJ1gCfvtEw/s1600/PB020054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_DgrUnoP0Njvdl03chcZU7muqwBTr6iktaUdxHdiUHnR0s_1NR0tIyJsZuQvX3IlKy5DVfokdp88F2GZHRbJSVIA4RCG9f92ihngjgJEYkr72g_8y8lN5m5EwuWLl6jZAGJ1gCfvtEw/s400/PB020054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I still can't believe this big girl is swimming by herself and holding her breath long enough for underwater pictures! Check out her daddy's mustache.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiag83WZaYd_Qzhz0mOS0_C9WASVXq14s-16PqCt7SJZbZmZeUeo-b_27ClMNDqzvmbzQrgLPM79AzHczTNgWnpqY6yCs1MIMB2jO5MXC3TnwnfUuV8K4LUhKAl3lDnknCBvp4kxAp7LA/s1600/PB030010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiag83WZaYd_Qzhz0mOS0_C9WASVXq14s-16PqCt7SJZbZmZeUeo-b_27ClMNDqzvmbzQrgLPM79AzHczTNgWnpqY6yCs1MIMB2jO5MXC3TnwnfUuV8K4LUhKAl3lDnknCBvp4kxAp7LA/s320/PB030010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3Qi4pSsKRoMr_iq1xwWRtk24d4yohpXYNW59a_HLT7xc3sM9tcUlgcaAh-kOOD_LuW6qSTqcY2Bt3EXFS6g92cPerAgPGEn_XC5O9z9gc3t4CgJcuL_DMS4mzdnumSzj2qhzIXu30Jc/s1600/PB030012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3Qi4pSsKRoMr_iq1xwWRtk24d4yohpXYNW59a_HLT7xc3sM9tcUlgcaAh-kOOD_LuW6qSTqcY2Bt3EXFS6g92cPerAgPGEn_XC5O9z9gc3t4CgJcuL_DMS4mzdnumSzj2qhzIXu30Jc/s320/PB030012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA1DSx_u8nzOnZaPo_qoMQw3bH9XtKOj9WYUou1qiyKeBsAZfe9XnFqs2qPiF4Lr8NwqUdUpC2ydARNKFwiGSn4UwuEdCgeBQsZ9AGa52dYh4dAAlkbyPyFTTk4NPYpK_9X_QlnuSdGQ/s1600/PB030020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtA1DSx_u8nzOnZaPo_qoMQw3bH9XtKOj9WYUou1qiyKeBsAZfe9XnFqs2qPiF4Lr8NwqUdUpC2ydARNKFwiGSn4UwuEdCgeBQsZ9AGa52dYh4dAAlkbyPyFTTk4NPYpK_9X_QlnuSdGQ/s320/PB030020.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi80vmratrDloUt7o-jRreTtSzTkEAwbSdgASl2KMEbTwB4YW8dZjKa5qa-yuN-XBncysHNRbbBGB0DPdActL-WrTHTVZnnTHFcBj-pMjY6e5OSeCYECd9hyphenhyphenZlaCrugNHd6HnPVucrDs/s1600/PB030025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZi80vmratrDloUt7o-jRreTtSzTkEAwbSdgASl2KMEbTwB4YW8dZjKa5qa-yuN-XBncysHNRbbBGB0DPdActL-WrTHTVZnnTHFcBj-pMjY6e5OSeCYECd9hyphenhyphenZlaCrugNHd6HnPVucrDs/s400/PB030025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0g42Kk2hvUfcPKcPt72egiArAvzQlacq3FiGPAH2koWbbhyAl_Kdfvn5FKV-GEuxaTQ3VSPkkkllEVYL1ayTSIvHQuVRskpSRZQYMEMCeyqdqyoIg3uhiaoOUwC2cZ5hfdW_c_wFO7k/s1600/PB030031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0g42Kk2hvUfcPKcPt72egiArAvzQlacq3FiGPAH2koWbbhyAl_Kdfvn5FKV-GEuxaTQ3VSPkkkllEVYL1ayTSIvHQuVRskpSRZQYMEMCeyqdqyoIg3uhiaoOUwC2cZ5hfdW_c_wFO7k/s320/PB030031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakjGogCKSlpNX7qvdmtvic0z8HE6QxFAwB8iBO7X7iuAp08WRIof1CWq-IrGUsbd2Mw6ZmK1ldC25ixbnT7IFs4tJx2zxwL6t8QET_Ogb1xPGmSif7xSPq-s2NL8PTbO7Z9M7furM4eQ/s1600/PB030033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakjGogCKSlpNX7qvdmtvic0z8HE6QxFAwB8iBO7X7iuAp08WRIof1CWq-IrGUsbd2Mw6ZmK1ldC25ixbnT7IFs4tJx2zxwL6t8QET_Ogb1xPGmSif7xSPq-s2NL8PTbO7Z9M7furM4eQ/s400/PB030033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasILyt-RCHriC-RP1NcITdE27s_zDnx9xqqSttkgatGB0-FTJ5x1U5vEwxHKd7sY6rptpvCbgTNhV7MEpW1V4xxvOqhaYIokxv7FGh4uA6pXdWjG-_0X_c0QmYEyDt0-IxDQieKCp0Wk/s1600/PB050002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasILyt-RCHriC-RP1NcITdE27s_zDnx9xqqSttkgatGB0-FTJ5x1U5vEwxHKd7sY6rptpvCbgTNhV7MEpW1V4xxvOqhaYIokxv7FGh4uA6pXdWjG-_0X_c0QmYEyDt0-IxDQieKCp0Wk/s400/PB050002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIqdFlpZpBo6ajnBHgfRNoHRQ77T5c6M2ha6pczHrz68-68eDSpxHmqxcoyPHmmlxxsRYXCDKQcVeo08T9T6_zkw5g8mtv_BD3ErE_DnSIloroqKpHX_tVyfTQTzq7SVUcIP1K43ks1o/s1600/PB030035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIqdFlpZpBo6ajnBHgfRNoHRQ77T5c6M2ha6pczHrz68-68eDSpxHmqxcoyPHmmlxxsRYXCDKQcVeo08T9T6_zkw5g8mtv_BD3ErE_DnSIloroqKpHX_tVyfTQTzq7SVUcIP1K43ks1o/s320/PB030035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Schmidt girls!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l3ZR-GzcItAtO2ublo5-vKzNYx10_kfSfDd__L8qKe1KAJg93rJNxZcHrNXgeCa2tZWd1GLCwH_3iZqIB_9y26diE-RbOEjzkmaJFn2QAT9_IvIt_y7dbBCYvJOX5XGZgF_hhYwBHG0/s1600/PB030039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7l3ZR-GzcItAtO2ublo5-vKzNYx10_kfSfDd__L8qKe1KAJg93rJNxZcHrNXgeCa2tZWd1GLCwH_3iZqIB_9y26diE-RbOEjzkmaJFn2QAT9_IvIt_y7dbBCYvJOX5XGZgF_hhYwBHG0/s400/PB030039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOYYYWJrdV92zhABu7M6WOznIC1lHTDoH0-ZBHKyzaVyTGIosRREuhoDWWDA5vibK3B9Zar9D9tYHDGU24Dy6FGPJzw6wmGWZwkiUK-CkrJDlrbJxMBrtAcszgi40y7U6NowjI2Pzng4/s1600/PB030042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOYYYWJrdV92zhABu7M6WOznIC1lHTDoH0-ZBHKyzaVyTGIosRREuhoDWWDA5vibK3B9Zar9D9tYHDGU24Dy6FGPJzw6wmGWZwkiUK-CkrJDlrbJxMBrtAcszgi40y7U6NowjI2Pzng4/s320/PB030042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJvHTuBIUDA98ewisGDy8o90Fk2j-x8az9HDuCMrDuYV2CgpeaKxPtaPtUb38_dYDrRsxzeEzuYoMsx_Ep4TOUMm-hNvzQMtgkuJMct4kXuTvR-jHW10yl1CQUIO3n4rEVdnZy0IMF7A/s1600/PB030047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJvHTuBIUDA98ewisGDy8o90Fk2j-x8az9HDuCMrDuYV2CgpeaKxPtaPtUb38_dYDrRsxzeEzuYoMsx_Ep4TOUMm-hNvzQMtgkuJMct4kXuTvR-jHW10yl1CQUIO3n4rEVdnZy0IMF7A/s320/PB030047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83P9idHaUzCKmkg9gV-RfooFJBVDcRnWDVZ8DTg0pry60DKo1_vRvpAt4RRpKJuV9h-ucjbmcZ8iDCLBXAHSZK6kXmDs_S3df_5UJqg39wl-xE_BqrLgEUH09u1rxhXs7udVz5mdskmc/s1600/PB030072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83P9idHaUzCKmkg9gV-RfooFJBVDcRnWDVZ8DTg0pry60DKo1_vRvpAt4RRpKJuV9h-ucjbmcZ8iDCLBXAHSZK6kXmDs_S3df_5UJqg39wl-xE_BqrLgEUH09u1rxhXs7udVz5mdskmc/s320/PB030072.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVGxfKDlaCpQzq9gZsXrjT23-au0dY3IgRtprz3ys218kmpehYZSogrjwAvhqgStIxsHMkPcVYdAjeEN-OB4UaPmENeeuOCLJBxw4LPzYAG_JXzQgPZY0WhjcBKWQFZTXc4H24rbirjM/s1600/PB030088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVGxfKDlaCpQzq9gZsXrjT23-au0dY3IgRtprz3ys218kmpehYZSogrjwAvhqgStIxsHMkPcVYdAjeEN-OB4UaPmENeeuOCLJBxw4LPzYAG_JXzQgPZY0WhjcBKWQFZTXc4H24rbirjM/s400/PB030088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dance party after watching <i>Rio</i>… Willa insisted that we all wear hats! It was a great idea.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZqBlfIsRsh4j7H8Ktw1aotdn6rLcpx8OKQkePjoctLDglsYwSabFs1Egp8FotLMF4Wj5WmKahyphenhyphenI1jos5oUMq_l8YVsheINz60nIfwcZbA-ghhpEC69Wo6q1ABYemDABtF5OuPzwS8Mc/s1600/PB040003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZqBlfIsRsh4j7H8Ktw1aotdn6rLcpx8OKQkePjoctLDglsYwSabFs1Egp8FotLMF4Wj5WmKahyphenhyphenI1jos5oUMq_l8YVsheINz60nIfwcZbA-ghhpEC69Wo6q1ABYemDABtF5OuPzwS8Mc/s400/PB040003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is Uncle Mackie slow dancing with Willa and a curtsey to finish it off!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQFWcjutCkIct34pW9_Win6TAZycIn4h4gz5cgzNjXGVPPjuUIM_EKM1e8XfI9emf2RYL1IIVUoNsprahYdjeaFL_2g-Q7Bzr5x8VIgennOsWOWSjE75sMkoKleGJV6RA6zh_V76k7fs/s1600/PB040011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQFWcjutCkIct34pW9_Win6TAZycIn4h4gz5cgzNjXGVPPjuUIM_EKM1e8XfI9emf2RYL1IIVUoNsprahYdjeaFL_2g-Q7Bzr5x8VIgennOsWOWSjE75sMkoKleGJV6RA6zh_V76k7fs/s320/PB040011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC2jkWBteidLwcjDtjoH7NrWJjU55Jzg4lwQ1cPnwFrKTxBrQEYIud7xG5r447Xcnti3DCK1OrTEvFgiuh7Ds02zNzDQpvAHVE2zlyqAu43Fp_PNN8WKOsqUhR2U5blWk2fdP9I4AUKI/s1600/PB040016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpC2jkWBteidLwcjDtjoH7NrWJjU55Jzg4lwQ1cPnwFrKTxBrQEYIud7xG5r447Xcnti3DCK1OrTEvFgiuh7Ds02zNzDQpvAHVE2zlyqAu43Fp_PNN8WKOsqUhR2U5blWk2fdP9I4AUKI/s320/PB040016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The boys went snorkeling and found a big chunk of coral and some pretty fish!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksxHxiG9ypJWtR31tb41Dr_NCNSwiBRLWUxJEMB4G6mQ1a3-s7Eu35onm5mcOaBemV9y3BIVKSiXkC_H5ugzkiZwBGEcD5G7p9nYN_9018VvehUrV36afEeEvXwS9g2cvpms-loA5hj8/s1600/PB040016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksxHxiG9ypJWtR31tb41Dr_NCNSwiBRLWUxJEMB4G6mQ1a3-s7Eu35onm5mcOaBemV9y3BIVKSiXkC_H5ugzkiZwBGEcD5G7p9nYN_9018VvehUrV36afEeEvXwS9g2cvpms-loA5hj8/s400/PB040016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJMm3-FFuUdUo1MOsKpEmCx43c2y3VZ1DkqX0EdC7JZ6vJiTrivBUTZYux6fVKVU_SW2cjqPqVX6S61fcPLPtivWC4QGiNu8xtxbvOAc8Bab8M0Xl69UDKGXwkx59xUcoiJbxJikhC04/s1600/PB040027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJMm3-FFuUdUo1MOsKpEmCx43c2y3VZ1DkqX0EdC7JZ6vJiTrivBUTZYux6fVKVU_SW2cjqPqVX6S61fcPLPtivWC4QGiNu8xtxbvOAc8Bab8M0Xl69UDKGXwkx59xUcoiJbxJikhC04/s320/PB040027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FrVWONEMypZ1Yb6zSRDnyv7inWgfFJQ9YoL5BEHBAnFlzqLUJxKNZMPlZHa65g8MZBChVXPmg0TvdKJZmRrAyS2b3IMNtUrnDC13C0_lOxFWctEUvn_AIA8By6qAx6Up8C0HvOMzDnM/s1600/PB040047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FrVWONEMypZ1Yb6zSRDnyv7inWgfFJQ9YoL5BEHBAnFlzqLUJxKNZMPlZHa65g8MZBChVXPmg0TvdKJZmRrAyS2b3IMNtUrnDC13C0_lOxFWctEUvn_AIA8By6qAx6Up8C0HvOMzDnM/s320/PB040047.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHR35x5Z9p2cbCiVRhqMUc6uen-_Qs8P1oOikI-rqexWdqbpCAqEzIzhMWf9ZEvcZFr4Vd9x2Z_EBOu9r1ogcKYcwE6ByhOHg_shwJZ6TJuCQ3vAdV8WEBysJ9ND5RTy6s-aqzcPy5Bg/s1600/PB040031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHR35x5Z9p2cbCiVRhqMUc6uen-_Qs8P1oOikI-rqexWdqbpCAqEzIzhMWf9ZEvcZFr4Vd9x2Z_EBOu9r1ogcKYcwE6ByhOHg_shwJZ6TJuCQ3vAdV8WEBysJ9ND5RTy6s-aqzcPy5Bg/s320/PB040031.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
More beach/pool pics!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ3M676UPeJ9bk-9Rgnw9KhQkq6VpvOgVqUweQWrw10LGUtNf9uW7evUkQpZHWTTDtHQID9KWtaj-cMbmViosIYJkyeAzLOklCrVZoTlhjmieuj6yCU12RYHr5pIkbh3qij12aeczz_s/s1600/PB040018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ3M676UPeJ9bk-9Rgnw9KhQkq6VpvOgVqUweQWrw10LGUtNf9uW7evUkQpZHWTTDtHQID9KWtaj-cMbmViosIYJkyeAzLOklCrVZoTlhjmieuj6yCU12RYHr5pIkbh3qij12aeczz_s/s320/PB040018.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz48wFySf-Po2cE4lywjFdtCC-FzfuLLlyNNnA0r1muZLwK5qUDF_IDGGSqdDHXtFsnp46Buz4QQtemksrNiKfiIJ0g9fZ6BtuxbsMUj64d65tAcloi7AIwC6XZD-ZTm7gXie9vxjirU/s1600/PB040024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz48wFySf-Po2cE4lywjFdtCC-FzfuLLlyNNnA0r1muZLwK5qUDF_IDGGSqdDHXtFsnp46Buz4QQtemksrNiKfiIJ0g9fZ6BtuxbsMUj64d65tAcloi7AIwC6XZD-ZTm7gXie9vxjirU/s320/PB040024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNusLxpVECir6v6TP5uUSuDTwMIAnzUZcN8z8Sx4cVzbK5jFfDw1_UakCNZIzixyl-zu8J7-Y9bmHucpxcaP-k1rrpbOZgqp_HeyaDee4s9yY4zXEZVoo9QQpYh6qhZ6Sw8lG2s_pVu7U/s1600/PB040025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNusLxpVECir6v6TP5uUSuDTwMIAnzUZcN8z8Sx4cVzbK5jFfDw1_UakCNZIzixyl-zu8J7-Y9bmHucpxcaP-k1rrpbOZgqp_HeyaDee4s9yY4zXEZVoo9QQpYh6qhZ6Sw8lG2s_pVu7U/s320/PB040025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wn_754IoaDwLDQJ-sseFhKl9oQtk5lXjig9CNLjGn0w9KbEmU8sx1GeTPJI2dPPR-0nWpZ9rTwdQMbkq3UO-S5U2wmNgNrJN46vwLlDfaltOJX8rEi1hQqYJyZAy4ADzLolB_b__wzs/s1600/PB040031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wn_754IoaDwLDQJ-sseFhKl9oQtk5lXjig9CNLjGn0w9KbEmU8sx1GeTPJI2dPPR-0nWpZ9rTwdQMbkq3UO-S5U2wmNgNrJN46vwLlDfaltOJX8rEi1hQqYJyZAy4ADzLolB_b__wzs/s320/PB040031.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMYPtmUHF4y9Q4JvX8BI-TfsfT-EiXe38Qj0UBVTvKnfkL1Ptjgtgv5rBhXmRm8jqzAfRO4xdR8gh8DV0jfKneo5Dld_UMw5x9hZ9Ry0VWtokfp3Sy1yTGnLlAo1MwDS31go1qjA9kWk/s1600/PB040033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMYPtmUHF4y9Q4JvX8BI-TfsfT-EiXe38Qj0UBVTvKnfkL1Ptjgtgv5rBhXmRm8jqzAfRO4xdR8gh8DV0jfKneo5Dld_UMw5x9hZ9Ry0VWtokfp3Sy1yTGnLlAo1MwDS31go1qjA9kWk/s320/PB040033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvyRZo9sefC1wT59h-oyd1u3nHc79WnjhIyi-7-L3fb8a22PONFl6xW3ZTygFlXnz4xODRLnKVCeXnQV6VAJbvfqC3ewu4Rpp5sSPUEd0vjSbAaxA63TeMW6iw9sMaOw9ZYAqcJ24kQA/s1600/PB040034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvyRZo9sefC1wT59h-oyd1u3nHc79WnjhIyi-7-L3fb8a22PONFl6xW3ZTygFlXnz4xODRLnKVCeXnQV6VAJbvfqC3ewu4Rpp5sSPUEd0vjSbAaxA63TeMW6iw9sMaOw9ZYAqcJ24kQA/s320/PB040034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMbyMFJir6Yojeq-Gg8LnUpENk0Rp2-JehDUPWToCKm2dfpIuYgNBgBYZFFiROwF0hHrbPztQ7sNralu8jz_kWQwG-yXXh0Fg3d-1pD8e6_KOlt3k3j2liG3PBD95L1y2Jn3jyno6pjY/s1600/PB040036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMbyMFJir6Yojeq-Gg8LnUpENk0Rp2-JehDUPWToCKm2dfpIuYgNBgBYZFFiROwF0hHrbPztQ7sNralu8jz_kWQwG-yXXh0Fg3d-1pD8e6_KOlt3k3j2liG3PBD95L1y2Jn3jyno6pjY/s320/PB040036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG47LmtN8r3TsK-9ZmgzjqWmSoi24CIGyjY2F3BykNHaW8A3g0LL5sMPa1_jrIj4OpZBIeJXDM1Hm5-1o3xRtnv4pOy9Jkeu8MV_wrZgPgZAs7zGkd4ilttcEifz5Ir6JueJoaf9pyBwI/s1600/PB050011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG47LmtN8r3TsK-9ZmgzjqWmSoi24CIGyjY2F3BykNHaW8A3g0LL5sMPa1_jrIj4OpZBIeJXDM1Hm5-1o3xRtnv4pOy9Jkeu8MV_wrZgPgZAs7zGkd4ilttcEifz5Ir6JueJoaf9pyBwI/s320/PB050011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The view from Cupecoy Bay!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NOG5JqVTyYIxBDVqvNNz1KG-mI3N6a707Mxgz2MSQv28PjU7ARjWQIsBngklsxnOZecGIpR9RbDQUrLZNz__o2hqnNUUVQ5oDnt0_7y3txGpiAHLtB_MmpkB-Ya11fHue4Q2Zxp-lFA/s1600/PB040052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NOG5JqVTyYIxBDVqvNNz1KG-mI3N6a707Mxgz2MSQv28PjU7ARjWQIsBngklsxnOZecGIpR9RbDQUrLZNz__o2hqnNUUVQ5oDnt0_7y3txGpiAHLtB_MmpkB-Ya11fHue4Q2Zxp-lFA/s320/PB040052.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo2L4p33zXy9BYjOPX-XQch829PI7jkIMatQ6ODKAOaytvMjw3WsNp80R9QK_iiurGxSVuLPmwFQtq87njYoRQvT6Ng2g4sp8kHd_ZSgi_IykV2i0h7rUDT3Y4ZDYVMbLdgjXMSYhHPY/s1600/PB040053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo2L4p33zXy9BYjOPX-XQch829PI7jkIMatQ6ODKAOaytvMjw3WsNp80R9QK_iiurGxSVuLPmwFQtq87njYoRQvT6Ng2g4sp8kHd_ZSgi_IykV2i0h7rUDT3Y4ZDYVMbLdgjXMSYhHPY/s320/PB040053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0O6F950_fqLzM4VyUpcKRPO1Mk2mptYXSjDALOfa_gy_OJyJTYlYsLcMLJSOrB2EZqWGJ1X4tC3GHaULWlyMCpZi3hyphenhyphenUw3n4ZpalmOv9qJqdTIxmpkqgEWNQbKSofJ2BHi_tvRQ2f4k/s1600/PB050005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS0O6F950_fqLzM4VyUpcKRPO1Mk2mptYXSjDALOfa_gy_OJyJTYlYsLcMLJSOrB2EZqWGJ1X4tC3GHaULWlyMCpZi3hyphenhyphenUw3n4ZpalmOv9qJqdTIxmpkqgEWNQbKSofJ2BHi_tvRQ2f4k/s320/PB050005.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These sunset pictures are probably my favorite! Look how big my nephew is getting!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RddTmdmQztliFCsHiUI1Kb6fOYnSFJxo4CGkDH0096KtklMU9hcstmgTCEz1kpqMO21R6OAC8usc6ZIAODyCb0YwWCBq6ClXOpyrSCmrEzey9YUxggWJRMbXaSZjI3n-03Q7BIe5q14/s1600/PB050003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RddTmdmQztliFCsHiUI1Kb6fOYnSFJxo4CGkDH0096KtklMU9hcstmgTCEz1kpqMO21R6OAC8usc6ZIAODyCb0YwWCBq6ClXOpyrSCmrEzey9YUxggWJRMbXaSZjI3n-03Q7BIe5q14/s320/PB050003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCxu4NGeYbUgsLm2nknOEIKFQlIBvLiwwFUKXp7NJsOVXNE4wQ7nhd2pruxWVkFn0F2QCNXyVeVka4yPl2Iqe0RCz6WAlAXCcJ7OiWz_lpoT5elwLjUGiL128i_PCbIO2hgohNP0_4o0/s1600/PB050007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCxu4NGeYbUgsLm2nknOEIKFQlIBvLiwwFUKXp7NJsOVXNE4wQ7nhd2pruxWVkFn0F2QCNXyVeVka4yPl2Iqe0RCz6WAlAXCcJ7OiWz_lpoT5elwLjUGiL128i_PCbIO2hgohNP0_4o0/s320/PB050007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Sunsets and popsicles!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1xMbSeEGAXCgj79UOAYv4rwEv0Bx-sWqoUSntjWghHcwWEdzeMLl5d2rCXGVvOCGzfpn8hgVzJ7cEjvNyVwIOfMHXvM5xMhcUzVznwnLhWEe1aS3ey4nt3hdwqMpLfYbB6t6YzoLEOY/s1600/PB050019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1xMbSeEGAXCgj79UOAYv4rwEv0Bx-sWqoUSntjWghHcwWEdzeMLl5d2rCXGVvOCGzfpn8hgVzJ7cEjvNyVwIOfMHXvM5xMhcUzVznwnLhWEe1aS3ey4nt3hdwqMpLfYbB6t6YzoLEOY/s320/PB050019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHZ3rx8phbZWkCOrUzNfY0t_X5XRdTTgSVEn6qF5yLUjRtA6DejoZQnbUkAjxejwDYgaJNbYijaCM9ZQcUKTVMS6vK7UYlR0Gbu2DjuVAfJLoEbMYdG8sUhZGQavli3k8li30r9hOVVg/s1600/PB050029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEHZ3rx8phbZWkCOrUzNfY0t_X5XRdTTgSVEn6qF5yLUjRtA6DejoZQnbUkAjxejwDYgaJNbYijaCM9ZQcUKTVMS6vK7UYlR0Gbu2DjuVAfJLoEbMYdG8sUhZGQavli3k8li30r9hOVVg/s320/PB050029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAiqi2Vscp1dPOTIyFU6TbmENe_zgyRRvo2Q213NYiuVGkdxUm2B1b21bAJWVSs6hkeeJcMkDWQ2iU-yxhsaQZBswQct5PMncbxgy3hAYBv4cFCOU4XpxOalqa2zk3PVnuzjuzqkyWrA/s1600/PB050041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAiqi2Vscp1dPOTIyFU6TbmENe_zgyRRvo2Q213NYiuVGkdxUm2B1b21bAJWVSs6hkeeJcMkDWQ2iU-yxhsaQZBswQct5PMncbxgy3hAYBv4cFCOU4XpxOalqa2zk3PVnuzjuzqkyWrA/s320/PB050041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZFS81wakG4NWnzzP8iu47jgv7avmg52dWEBcYIjqEu99RHTSUEvgXW9iFbP-DHQk-pddW_iP3Boc9y6faPQ7ex_q_GFwHoM9b28BwbdPtIrL8raQlnd6f_PIQOgrt1psZRl-SLluQ04/s1600/PB050034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZFS81wakG4NWnzzP8iu47jgv7avmg52dWEBcYIjqEu99RHTSUEvgXW9iFbP-DHQk-pddW_iP3Boc9y6faPQ7ex_q_GFwHoM9b28BwbdPtIrL8raQlnd6f_PIQOgrt1psZRl-SLluQ04/s400/PB050034.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCmcDzgKS-WLrzigxyZoc2sWAQTOPsiVdniv65OXuAUmNKvRd5k4zf4TWaQ0zlwhWIpckQLaCUChNKhASJuI1dxmjiXQcLv0XrsB2mGcHQyqAoxrSKgCz7OJPihV4v4PW5rrGMtsYvBw/s1600/PB050045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCmcDzgKS-WLrzigxyZoc2sWAQTOPsiVdniv65OXuAUmNKvRd5k4zf4TWaQ0zlwhWIpckQLaCUChNKhASJuI1dxmjiXQcLv0XrsB2mGcHQyqAoxrSKgCz7OJPihV4v4PW5rrGMtsYvBw/s320/PB050045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAu5o4LkhmE9oQAT2LXnKDP8yQa2a14fQzIH7jg1j-s8wgBO3BiDpAvZSK-UVQPGroVSncwjzT-EOxrRe2CjEElHMJxRrr49X4TrP3ofcSuk6-CSiW-Kd6FX51v28ttK7JuYfTlu5wH4/s1600/PB050051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAu5o4LkhmE9oQAT2LXnKDP8yQa2a14fQzIH7jg1j-s8wgBO3BiDpAvZSK-UVQPGroVSncwjzT-EOxrRe2CjEElHMJxRrr49X4TrP3ofcSuk6-CSiW-Kd6FX51v28ttK7JuYfTlu5wH4/s320/PB050051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGbnlUNNyAOU8W99hGzkHpvCxDUK8E69OPKPoKiktrpCFz9phwvUEsujP-gRxBAcgRZ_2qUEDNG89iIJrYBWRLk11PkU1KLsQQsYdyVX8b30N0JZLwa6u8q6GGZMgjQKmD650oVrWF3s/s1600/PB050058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGbnlUNNyAOU8W99hGzkHpvCxDUK8E69OPKPoKiktrpCFz9phwvUEsujP-gRxBAcgRZ_2qUEDNG89iIJrYBWRLk11PkU1KLsQQsYdyVX8b30N0JZLwa6u8q6GGZMgjQKmD650oVrWF3s/s320/PB050058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxibgNo4P8f6tRsyJFxHvlbAKJWY6tKX2FAvcmH5TJz7nrPnz9vjTeFElEoiOhyW0agBzjk49slC25_CtNTQl0g2fVpsofEYfvaTPE1yDA5jQRddjINNg5oviR-OtKraeP9GowY9Usr5k/s1600/PB050064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxibgNo4P8f6tRsyJFxHvlbAKJWY6tKX2FAvcmH5TJz7nrPnz9vjTeFElEoiOhyW0agBzjk49slC25_CtNTQl0g2fVpsofEYfvaTPE1yDA5jQRddjINNg5oviR-OtKraeP9GowY9Usr5k/s400/PB050064.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPubhSH3HCas52hSs3372VLcUlG11iswvIoRG18MxFB9zMC6r8g4onsNJ97NXhdcHpsbW1PodD3qyFtKXMFzDBJhfKYVd_gqBgTvnaDViOrgsX3wnFSytX1TD9lVYYyJs3hTNsZBl52g/s1600/PB050055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCPubhSH3HCas52hSs3372VLcUlG11iswvIoRG18MxFB9zMC6r8g4onsNJ97NXhdcHpsbW1PodD3qyFtKXMFzDBJhfKYVd_gqBgTvnaDViOrgsX3wnFSytX1TD9lVYYyJs3hTNsZBl52g/s320/PB050055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Back to Sunset Bar and Grill to show the airplanes to the little girlies! It was crowded and hot and during nap time, but somehow we made it through!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHVlmmoDj2514nluz9tJ8nIp6RYkP5Wp8yz6Dxnkh_fGzq4W13G6lTdHNqQJ8WCxiM0VCnh0YVqc29Zb4j8c_y5TO5VqNNhMch1y5HMM9YTcREAiKa0Ebf-pwEfZvhY_GAKYYkXXLkec/s1600/PB050042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHVlmmoDj2514nluz9tJ8nIp6RYkP5Wp8yz6Dxnkh_fGzq4W13G6lTdHNqQJ8WCxiM0VCnh0YVqc29Zb4j8c_y5TO5VqNNhMch1y5HMM9YTcREAiKa0Ebf-pwEfZvhY_GAKYYkXXLkec/s400/PB050042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWjASmM0-mjbC3evc6el_QZ7QooQUcH1ZGPGTy_Zr7KQ0QifAFyJS8QwejWE8FIwyUus7JoXFHHEp-RuEPOWDy7BqBS7On90PcqcymKLes5Y2Z_DTMrCx8PvKIkCSPs8TrxmsF_QksL8/s1600/PB050045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWjASmM0-mjbC3evc6el_QZ7QooQUcH1ZGPGTy_Zr7KQ0QifAFyJS8QwejWE8FIwyUus7JoXFHHEp-RuEPOWDy7BqBS7On90PcqcymKLes5Y2Z_DTMrCx8PvKIkCSPs8TrxmsF_QksL8/s400/PB050045.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oKwFzPiNjPzpfoUF4y1OAVznVQDbnSmJr-f4IhlVg78S4rxAwPyFWb6VQ4XbbM0fyFbFIvq8NhXCDyeMDHTd3RGlqmy6hRokY2xhnkkLQr-Uq-MKeJQQx2rw7T_r513F6A0pMQc0zDQ/s1600/PB050059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oKwFzPiNjPzpfoUF4y1OAVznVQDbnSmJr-f4IhlVg78S4rxAwPyFWb6VQ4XbbM0fyFbFIvq8NhXCDyeMDHTd3RGlqmy6hRokY2xhnkkLQr-Uq-MKeJQQx2rw7T_r513F6A0pMQc0zDQ/s400/PB050059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back to the swimming hole with Erin and Brandon!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y9-R3ttYwxeSElHaqcsAVii2VddkPYhMdovUg_jMxCMeBPGTXe2GqO0EObpc6T7BfnmYFpMUUQT-gcqGcocOcgAMj212CeNSj9GF6l4ypsoiwffMiekRH7DEaI-pzQzquFfeGk_jK-U/s1600/PB050062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Y9-R3ttYwxeSElHaqcsAVii2VddkPYhMdovUg_jMxCMeBPGTXe2GqO0EObpc6T7BfnmYFpMUUQT-gcqGcocOcgAMj212CeNSj9GF6l4ypsoiwffMiekRH7DEaI-pzQzquFfeGk_jK-U/s400/PB050062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dgd4HO1Iqc0j87GH4futn3nZdbc3ci__nlNE4uOTqJkaOpmEC9sW1zCsHdwrIGNTUjmWfwsjuJiLsrwo6OQ0aUiY8M0_pPsyQpgcVg658feHkyvwdCCexFTNpCVbiegsBwgZ6PE6Uf4/s1600/PB050062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dgd4HO1Iqc0j87GH4futn3nZdbc3ci__nlNE4uOTqJkaOpmEC9sW1zCsHdwrIGNTUjmWfwsjuJiLsrwo6OQ0aUiY8M0_pPsyQpgcVg658feHkyvwdCCexFTNpCVbiegsBwgZ6PE6Uf4/s400/PB050062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP84_zk0oVepK-8nn135BR9c0DrtFqLcHPmwBhYfpif0roNcqy7Z3NlZ9tr781pV2FQurQUcTwV7KcwO-DqnEh-fMYadHQ5BSpUT9FnWLIUzFIEckySsIE3sK3RuyGp2Hm6w0SluoSZFQ/s1600/PB050088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP84_zk0oVepK-8nn135BR9c0DrtFqLcHPmwBhYfpif0roNcqy7Z3NlZ9tr781pV2FQurQUcTwV7KcwO-DqnEh-fMYadHQ5BSpUT9FnWLIUzFIEckySsIE3sK3RuyGp2Hm6w0SluoSZFQ/s400/PB050088.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2Z5wbXN7m0VQrvBMRkT9FOU5HSWqn9Hv4gYLUlvS9bNF7A-qwCMtD8cI-hnBSR5mPYy2dI4rEY8DZ8Ay-QnayA85k6o67p06m9Q5x7-0BeHuyZlnpZfuiQbVtUfa5oS503EEz6zV-ik/s1600/PB050121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2Z5wbXN7m0VQrvBMRkT9FOU5HSWqn9Hv4gYLUlvS9bNF7A-qwCMtD8cI-hnBSR5mPYy2dI4rEY8DZ8Ay-QnayA85k6o67p06m9Q5x7-0BeHuyZlnpZfuiQbVtUfa5oS503EEz6zV-ik/s400/PB050121.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We returned from the swimming hole to find these two sweet snugglers!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-IpKjWYEaI8AY575uRaEh2T4pHHsjQar5uXFwWKMItm3Se1I4BRL5PdeHexJa3VO14tUUR90_Wggq9znA_rzf69LMrn03_eGxfs2nTIeB56kVdF8Av65zM6cz6Cb7nwzrXSvU-CF2go/s1600/PB060023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9-IpKjWYEaI8AY575uRaEh2T4pHHsjQar5uXFwWKMItm3Se1I4BRL5PdeHexJa3VO14tUUR90_Wggq9znA_rzf69LMrn03_eGxfs2nTIeB56kVdF8Av65zM6cz6Cb7nwzrXSvU-CF2go/s320/PB060023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Afternoon in Philipsburg with E & B...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggZpIWdkW2PHGh5UgL9FfBf20FyOFUCHEDrIEGPfUIcfnpTSH15iiIipiQ2g_MdoO_1JW6u1sO114DPzyXSylkJRfEk7iT88WTgp4_praLVHkghg1faHpQp-SWLMinCWmy5agDcMer1w/s1600/PB060033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggZpIWdkW2PHGh5UgL9FfBf20FyOFUCHEDrIEGPfUIcfnpTSH15iiIipiQ2g_MdoO_1JW6u1sO114DPzyXSylkJRfEk7iT88WTgp4_praLVHkghg1faHpQp-SWLMinCWmy5agDcMer1w/s400/PB060033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaDSssWHukMw-257hIQ_TdRMlStLdKhIxebRoUlID2x5vzeJWq1475OpXtQX5_rSCg8h1JvTEwzZvRy4IQLGySAs2ASE-QQjcrvnm-h8z3zayIACMaE9mLluv49XnHHIEHYNLg75JmXw/s1600/PB060035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaDSssWHukMw-257hIQ_TdRMlStLdKhIxebRoUlID2x5vzeJWq1475OpXtQX5_rSCg8h1JvTEwzZvRy4IQLGySAs2ASE-QQjcrvnm-h8z3zayIACMaE9mLluv49XnHHIEHYNLg75JmXw/s400/PB060035.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These are from our last sunset on the beach and our bonfire!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyhw5Ac7E2OK8EWTMgPBNh1MLhAfEzymUSUAmcIDV4o6MoQhxVomeZWrTlZ7f_2ewOlmuyFPwLCtdlz2YBZlZ-mrgNq4XJa0DKxcC8uX1X2PPySrZkoGsWVUFwg2HO5vDWwozTdoDS3c/s1600/PB060060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyhw5Ac7E2OK8EWTMgPBNh1MLhAfEzymUSUAmcIDV4o6MoQhxVomeZWrTlZ7f_2ewOlmuyFPwLCtdlz2YBZlZ-mrgNq4XJa0DKxcC8uX1X2PPySrZkoGsWVUFwg2HO5vDWwozTdoDS3c/s400/PB060060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-hXbXwq7Wo1mGrWihWbzqbB-N2hlZtLli_IKrtjnbZrqf2w99dktufcihriojA0c9yjPs0iQEJfOMMPPRRQCFm0RqKY_4mjIas5Fv6JCMGV2SqxMzuIFbPX-uidkHRWt81jTStohImk/s1600/PB060068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-hXbXwq7Wo1mGrWihWbzqbB-N2hlZtLli_IKrtjnbZrqf2w99dktufcihriojA0c9yjPs0iQEJfOMMPPRRQCFm0RqKY_4mjIas5Fv6JCMGV2SqxMzuIFbPX-uidkHRWt81jTStohImk/s320/PB060068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eyqAuGno4GJP9jZzdEublpatYZaWvN-q8pXm0ZNx2TsmE6de41ju2XJDzBNZ_h73GJzIblh2VSrQmyL1XJxoLUK9IZe8JvwcEqruaaY3Rmr7Gi4Fd-mRRRZZjjsivir6mFkUxu-BF3Y/s1600/PB060078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eyqAuGno4GJP9jZzdEublpatYZaWvN-q8pXm0ZNx2TsmE6de41ju2XJDzBNZ_h73GJzIblh2VSrQmyL1XJxoLUK9IZe8JvwcEqruaaY3Rmr7Gi4Fd-mRRRZZjjsivir6mFkUxu-BF3Y/s400/PB060078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CmCGt9mWYPBAiz1bAxk03yagb3oltXoe8fOlM35LxeKyIZ2DbZHLSDmMxtb70SAieJkNdOorTVO5etuXr-wuWKEkoY-rQ7ElPQ33Hi-q00mTjd6w_L9sV7RPiYrjls94Y7j2Ehj0zAM/s1600/PB060094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CmCGt9mWYPBAiz1bAxk03yagb3oltXoe8fOlM35LxeKyIZ2DbZHLSDmMxtb70SAieJkNdOorTVO5etuXr-wuWKEkoY-rQ7ElPQ33Hi-q00mTjd6w_L9sV7RPiYrjls94Y7j2Ehj0zAM/s400/PB060094.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The moon, a planet, and two cruise ships on the water!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_k0QvdzXwuXm5a6yMeOJaHbQpMkfUjL8Epqb6u9606rEGXlzRHli_isEXikCAtCWdR_VMtP8Yslv9_L0O0NmyCHP1yGs5kP6tqc-yWENMcpZgzTsvDbXtzug-ur82-Dqbh0XSZ_3BhY/s1600/PB060105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_k0QvdzXwuXm5a6yMeOJaHbQpMkfUjL8Epqb6u9606rEGXlzRHli_isEXikCAtCWdR_VMtP8Yslv9_L0O0NmyCHP1yGs5kP6tqc-yWENMcpZgzTsvDbXtzug-ur82-Dqbh0XSZ_3BhY/s320/PB060105.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Those are all of my favorite pictures, but there are 500 in total! The Brazilian internet would 100% crash if I tried to fit them all! Well, our goodbye in St. Martin was bittersweet. We probably won't all be together again until at least April next year, but we will get to meet our second nephew then! It's never easy saying goodbye to family; I learned this the first time I left Texas, and I relearn it every time I hug my sister goodbye. Saying goodbye to our Ohio family is new to us, and we will miss them the same as we miss our family in Texas- too great and too achey for words. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thanks to my in-laws for a vacation filled with memories. We can't wait to get back to see you all again!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-17902893814139936312013-10-31T10:45:00.001-07:002013-10-31T10:45:56.466-07:00BHI'm currently sitting in an airport in Saint Maarten! Max and I are waiting for Pops and Mama Kate's flight to arrive. I don't have a lot of time because I have a beach to get to :), so I need to be quick!<br />
<br />
We were in Belo Horizonte for one week exactly. I wish I could tell you all about the city, but I really spent one day out with Max because my days at work are very long while I'm integrating into the show. We mostly spent our time walking around and exploring while we were out. We went to a shopping mall and perused, ate outside at a butequim/bar, went to the Mercado Central, and worked out at a gym that Cirque provided for us during our time here!<br />
<br />
Honestly, that's all I've done outside of work, but it was a blast. It's been hilarious, frustrating, and really embarrassing all at the same time because we don't speak very much portuguese, but we are practicing and hoping to pick it up quickly.<br />
<br />
Like I said, I'm short for time, so I'm going to quickly make a top 5 moments in BH in no particular order:<br />
<br />
1) Mercado Central:<br />
The central market is listed on every Belo Horizonte website's to-do list, so I figured we had to do it. It was...interesting. I'll start off by saying that there is a pet section where you can buy dogs or cats. Also in this pet section, you can buy chickens... to eat. Pet and food section weirdness aside, we did buy some hot sauce that I'm excited to try. There were also some...interesting... craft and knick knack stores, protein/supplement stores, and smells. Yes, the smells were very... umm interesting. Needless to say, we've been there and we did it!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWlPbqJn49-RFHOA8ErfRYh09FpWe-t4TmabI_28ivaZl6bOq5dl5eYbRDKnRXtA_3ATNQcvY23tje4ZZLUKcfEAi8czqW3wwYvS9IAxH3SoCPkzGZWu3NuKQ-xcpBHx6pmIDjS2ZEZU/s1600/10:30.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWlPbqJn49-RFHOA8ErfRYh09FpWe-t4TmabI_28ivaZl6bOq5dl5eYbRDKnRXtA_3ATNQcvY23tje4ZZLUKcfEAi8czqW3wwYvS9IAxH3SoCPkzGZWu3NuKQ-xcpBHx6pmIDjS2ZEZU/s400/10:30.1.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
2) Performing in my first two shows! On Sunday, the last day that Corteo was in Belo Horizonte, were my first two days in the show. Everyone was so helpful because I was completely lost running around backstage, but I did it. I had a great time, and I can't wait to get back out there in Curitiba!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh-CkVNwPJXuflK3luT8qQCM9Rvaym_XzFuIXe1JMIawte8It5P9vFxemUWvPcDdRdoMp30NQdmsqGj_AXJwQiPC7Dk7cbVnDFYyCuUw1jp23PAv4vaLz1EF3hTHJ1Q2mZzUVJzsm3jE/s1600/10:30.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh-CkVNwPJXuflK3luT8qQCM9Rvaym_XzFuIXe1JMIawte8It5P9vFxemUWvPcDdRdoMp30NQdmsqGj_AXJwQiPC7Dk7cbVnDFYyCuUw1jp23PAv4vaLz1EF3hTHJ1Q2mZzUVJzsm3jE/s320/10:30.4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZwJALaY0AEMpj2uxBLm4FlKwUnqggLy7i_niFVn31BIcdvDlanvbuD8cOEF4kL5h98YbAo5GkgvvPWIOvxZFYf4bHRtqNAU8Jd91_lufu9AIMJd-WLTRwj9d3DjhZwl0H5HI67ikYvc/s1600/10:30.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZwJALaY0AEMpj2uxBLm4FlKwUnqggLy7i_niFVn31BIcdvDlanvbuD8cOEF4kL5h98YbAo5GkgvvPWIOvxZFYf4bHRtqNAU8Jd91_lufu9AIMJd-WLTRwj9d3DjhZwl0H5HI67ikYvc/s320/10:30.5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
3)Watching the show! During the shows on my first two days of work, I was able to watch the show as an audience member. It's been so long since I've seen the show that I barely remembered any of it. Max also got to watch with me, and he really liked my main act, paradis. He wasn't able to watch me in my first two shows, so I'm looking forward to him being in the audience while I'm on stage sometime in Curitiba!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw3SNRoe7_PIHRNO1IP1XKkYdtx8_1n8lAxywblTgwnM28Ct3ydb85T2xwgIwHXtuxfQFMq7FIED5Rw7JsR4l0H-QNy65ZqbsaZUnRCPCXOI62bNz4-AyqkaJSVaFuBCT9nXtRU-ZnRQ/s1600/10:30.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw3SNRoe7_PIHRNO1IP1XKkYdtx8_1n8lAxywblTgwnM28Ct3ydb85T2xwgIwHXtuxfQFMq7FIED5Rw7JsR4l0H-QNy65ZqbsaZUnRCPCXOI62bNz4-AyqkaJSVaFuBCT9nXtRU-ZnRQ/s320/10:30.6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The above is my first ticket to a Cirque Du Soleil show as a little girl next to my first ticket as a performer. It's such a blessing to see how God has ornately been planning this for His perfect timing.<br />
<br />
4) Capturing this picture of Max and his beard:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik34qKAgvPRNM6NKeufEeDT69TdZQomdUYRMcwHEdLFIDXdITmUCqRxLAc0y8_m7gtfoaJ1qvLHYpA9tLe91C0WohKhLgkLCu2JneFWcB2HCMnIamM-xJc4wKXiqfaiAHiZCvRu50xoWg/s1600/10:30.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik34qKAgvPRNM6NKeufEeDT69TdZQomdUYRMcwHEdLFIDXdITmUCqRxLAc0y8_m7gtfoaJ1qvLHYpA9tLe91C0WohKhLgkLCu2JneFWcB2HCMnIamM-xJc4wKXiqfaiAHiZCvRu50xoWg/s320/10:30.3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and this one:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VHhNQvViVQC0H33GkAHZYXd-mq3FzJ0G-rhwhpxJtQv4dG-b-TYIn26GYOhV7RrHa4wFzfJ7YALeUld7gnrJUGmmGD03rNSHAU3XJj9cHFfwGiQu-cEJSTEvBzu-pSJvV-UsA-rcQ9A/s1600/10%253A31.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VHhNQvViVQC0H33GkAHZYXd-mq3FzJ0G-rhwhpxJtQv4dG-b-TYIn26GYOhV7RrHa4wFzfJ7YALeUld7gnrJUGmmGD03rNSHAU3XJj9cHFfwGiQu-cEJSTEvBzu-pSJvV-UsA-rcQ9A/s320/10%253A31.2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's obviously not tamed in these photos, but he is still fully committed to growing it out for six months. There are four months left, and I am hoping he changes his mind sometime... last week. I catch him combing it in the bathroom. It's his new baby. I don't really know what else to say about it.... someone please help me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
5) Dinner with Max on our last night! We ate at a restaurant called Tizé. It was outside in the middle of the city on a busy corner and we sat there for a couple hours talking. The food in Brazil couldn't get better when it comes to beef, so our tummies were happy. It was a great way to end our time in Belo Horizonte!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASn-mrhIGkPClPkjNWT0PEGRLNNkpfg3FkdcPzwDDTTqcuUiPU29Ia1n84YGlTxVjdLaZokV0Jqs5Udmrzo1-K9kV2WAcllJjQUauehxkmP6m3j2-sK-1Yk-4i2D6eka88wsWKNBEfbg/s1600/10%253A31.6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASn-mrhIGkPClPkjNWT0PEGRLNNkpfg3FkdcPzwDDTTqcuUiPU29Ia1n84YGlTxVjdLaZokV0Jqs5Udmrzo1-K9kV2WAcllJjQUauehxkmP6m3j2-sK-1Yk-4i2D6eka88wsWKNBEfbg/s320/10%253A31.6.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, it's time for vacation! I'll be updating as soon as possible with pictures of the beach and precious time with family. I'm warning you ahead of time in case your the jealous type :). There will be two cute babies, one sexy pregnant lady, plenty of perfect beach pictures, and lots of love in my next blog, so beware!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-52697679490848203752013-10-24T07:13:00.002-07:002013-10-24T07:20:00.910-07:00Oi!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hello from Brazil! Max and I left Montreal Monday afternoon. We traveled around 20 hours from Montreal to Atlanta, Georgia to Brasilia, Brazil to Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We got lucky with free upgrades on our flights, so we had extra leg room and the entire row to ourselves 2/3 of the flights. Neither of us slept well, but we were fine watching movies and pretending we were comfortable :). There were actually two guys from Columbus on our flight, one of whom has a son who plays lacrosse at Dublin Jerome! It's a small world.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_Uw3AHjFKVO7IKq0aAp8mpdC8OG5La733PD-q8noEOmCk6WP7JtOcCrWridoOCjHqkFYsbkvy3aYcGQkh4L7L_iALEP7nmevTv4cXJMAhPUh3TsTfcdeRFvjnHAu548zf1ussII6Y2Y/s1600/1025.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_Uw3AHjFKVO7IKq0aAp8mpdC8OG5La733PD-q8noEOmCk6WP7JtOcCrWridoOCjHqkFYsbkvy3aYcGQkh4L7L_iALEP7nmevTv4cXJMAhPUh3TsTfcdeRFvjnHAu548zf1ussII6Y2Y/s320/1025.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wr-kSqiSlsfl4bVTEoUK2Xec_KJF0t_aMBCysPjDzYzu5HLV3YbVbFNAbxLhWzTB0g8PkBStIxDapw8YMdQBZgUJuUeTCr1t00UAkO1x1lL34z9He7MTpmYq4acF5v7_jawlhJJUK7U/s1600/1024.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wr-kSqiSlsfl4bVTEoUK2Xec_KJF0t_aMBCysPjDzYzu5HLV3YbVbFNAbxLhWzTB0g8PkBStIxDapw8YMdQBZgUJuUeTCr1t00UAkO1x1lL34z9He7MTpmYq4acF5v7_jawlhJJUK7U/s200/1024.1.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ21bMU5o4cWzpNZ6DHNxjIYrEklPyl4FuPn7Snnr6W1at6hMNLtYfvON6KEx0XkSpw9b7gAiQgiKc7ddVliXnSoCJ7f-yN25Yc5LNptoMNGNODfta-W5ZZqtKH8zjNMnoZBKqREjbTvE/s1600/1025.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ21bMU5o4cWzpNZ6DHNxjIYrEklPyl4FuPn7Snnr6W1at6hMNLtYfvON6KEx0XkSpw9b7gAiQgiKc7ddVliXnSoCJ7f-yN25Yc5LNptoMNGNODfta-W5ZZqtKH8zjNMnoZBKqREjbTvE/s200/1025.2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We got bored between flights.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While we were waiting for our bags in BH, Max saw an ad for Corteo! It definitely increased my excitement level and woke me up after the long day of traveling. I'm so grateful to finally be here.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBEZYDS1fsyzuwbXlSfsPgCCWK54JuKMZO7ehIRgBrHL5mDDeLcu-j8MOGLBrIU9yeWiAZ0K1GfvJZBmr7YYyq9uWwvZhlGsMMm30oI3ZQE57B5YwPNwTYyexbVBPq_hGctBwg39zYmw/s1600/1025.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBEZYDS1fsyzuwbXlSfsPgCCWK54JuKMZO7ehIRgBrHL5mDDeLcu-j8MOGLBrIU9yeWiAZ0K1GfvJZBmr7YYyq9uWwvZhlGsMMm30oI3ZQE57B5YwPNwTYyexbVBPq_hGctBwg39zYmw/s400/1025.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had about a half an hour ride from the airport into the city. It was immediately apparent that we were in a different country. Not only is it extremely lush and tropical, but the temperature was in the upper 80s and the humidity felt like Texas. I hear it froze in Ohio yesterday, so I'm happy to be wearing shorts and flip flops. We drove past many poverty stricken favelas on the way in, and it broke my heart for the Brazilian people. I felt really blessed in the cab headed to our hotel realizing that these people are barely surviving. It was also a reality check for me when I thought about how much my materialistic belongings have no worth after we leave this world. They're just things, and most people on our planet manage without them.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we arrived at our hotel, we were pleased to have a shower where it's possible to stand without touching all four walls unlike in Montreal. Max took some great pictures of our view of the city! It's great to see trees in the midst of concrete. My mom would love that.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaLrpNTDm0gSVZJOqVu0cfjNeDGUqrTkzK4Pj6H4kTG038MKF7Bw3j-HE3U77hxAzSEEYZa2Udvs6hg67bay64Nps7nXAovTcnQJKVlzFvxhhu08whSqSJu8n71gA1b-TFXj2uT6G_7Q/s1600/1024.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaLrpNTDm0gSVZJOqVu0cfjNeDGUqrTkzK4Pj6H4kTG038MKF7Bw3j-HE3U77hxAzSEEYZa2Udvs6hg67bay64Nps7nXAovTcnQJKVlzFvxhhu08whSqSJu8n71gA1b-TFXj2uT6G_7Q/s320/1024.4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rMBsGgCWHieVTCkxDUhaysAi70u__Lnx9QVO4VKp3BZy886Oq8wKeAJI0m1zlAdc45hr2B8ctH11Buktk6FkQamNxyK0WacfCyO7Js_l1OcpjolzkXHfKPAtymdR8px-wTsJxXRzwMo/s1600/PA220352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rMBsGgCWHieVTCkxDUhaysAi70u__Lnx9QVO4VKp3BZy886Oq8wKeAJI0m1zlAdc45hr2B8ctH11Buktk6FkQamNxyK0WacfCyO7Js_l1OcpjolzkXHfKPAtymdR8px-wTsJxXRzwMo/s320/PA220352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVtT8YHNfH16y8djn383lab26DoKvkE-5tIr93AUiJvG_LkwYUlDg4C7ULsNaEonNtzq1_sKdTRuf55I31dDt1V0P-XMYTcvpb2LKYtVe4dwHdxRByG7D9i0W8SbUwB1FBAUEiX1EwvE/s1600/PA220353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVtT8YHNfH16y8djn383lab26DoKvkE-5tIr93AUiJvG_LkwYUlDg4C7ULsNaEonNtzq1_sKdTRuf55I31dDt1V0P-XMYTcvpb2LKYtVe4dwHdxRByG7D9i0W8SbUwB1FBAUEiX1EwvE/s320/PA220353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79icR4celg_dklHyCkaKHs4wZivqrynaqc7uGQRfqGXrRTPVxTEZp4slzeYNj1ATDIVnLEp9Tct9HaGwuZBX_dB6idwoqk24pI4r2HeaIQY9NHbP6F3ARSzP-g038T03eb_-vEpri1dE/s1600/PA220354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79icR4celg_dklHyCkaKHs4wZivqrynaqc7uGQRfqGXrRTPVxTEZp4slzeYNj1ATDIVnLEp9Tct9HaGwuZBX_dB6idwoqk24pI4r2HeaIQY9NHbP6F3ARSzP-g038T03eb_-vEpri1dE/s320/PA220354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSe1K0eyyFO2URdoIUzij4Fho4PXCKADi42cBLchospz65-qbyyMxoQvA0zptnODAB7Ggf6g9cqiDd2K6V7yDegg48z-vBCc-Obz7bQFACrFrCQri0rhhGFskYH8Z1jSCHYqbJzVXdJg/s1600/PA220355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSe1K0eyyFO2URdoIUzij4Fho4PXCKADi42cBLchospz65-qbyyMxoQvA0zptnODAB7Ggf6g9cqiDd2K6V7yDegg48z-vBCc-Obz7bQFACrFrCQri0rhhGFskYH8Z1jSCHYqbJzVXdJg/s320/PA220355.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;">We were exhausted, so we snuggled up and took a long nap before heading to dinner with some of the people that I work with. It was so thoughtful of them to invite us, and it made my first day of work a lot less awkward as I wandered around. At least I wandered around and occasionally bumped into people I knew! We ate at a Brazilian steakhouse, and we had endless amounts of the best grilled beef I've ever had called picanha. The food here is so fresh and delicious; I can't stop eating the fruit!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We ate dinner with three families who have small children. I am missing my nieces and nephews so much, so it warmed my heart to be in a family atmosphere once again. I'm blessed to be a part of such a wonderful cast, and I know this already after only two days.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yesterday (Wednesday, I headed to site for my first day of work. My day mostly consisted of meetings and meeting new people, but I also got to fly with my new paradis family and watch the show from the audience! It took me about 5 minutes to adjust to the height while we were training, but I thought it would take much longer! It's going to take more time have better air awareness, but that's something only time can fix. Visuals are much different flying on stage where there are spotlights shining bright and everything else is pure darkness. When I was getting passed from guy to guy, it was hard to tell where up was! Only time can fix this, but it was a great feeling to work with the team.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It may be cheesy and totally uncool, but I don't care; Yesterday was everything I've dreamt of since I was a little girl. I'm aware that repeating show after show after show will continue to change my perspective as a performer and acrobat, but I hope the passion I felt yesterday continues to dwindle within my soul throughout the remainder of my career with cirque. There is nothing quite like the innocence of the first day, and I hope I never feel "too awesome" to admit that my first day on the job felt like Christmas mixed with endless amounts of candy and puppies!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On another cheesy and totally uncool note, watching the show last night brought me to tears. I know I'm a 'chick', so my point isn't that I cried but that a part of myself was touched. I had a moment when I realized how blessed I am to be in the position that I'm in. Most people don't have the chance to fulfill their loftiest goals. While I was sitting in the audience, I realized that God has handed me all of these blessings on a golden platter. In return, I hope I never take this for granted and that I never make this about myself. The show is also very spiritual for me because the story is a funeral and the juxtaposition between life on earth and life hereafter. The mixture of feeling so blessed and watching a show where there are characters as angels present was an ironic twist. Anyways, thanks to my cast for touching my spirit. I'm blessed to be here with each of you.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tonight, Max will be able to watch the show from the audience with me! I couldn't be more excited for him to watch the show. He's currently with another guy who is here because of his wife, and they are doing Crossfit together. It took him less than 48 hours to find someone to be a meathead with... go figure.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Dream big everyone. Until next time...</div>
</div>
</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-41840558153967493982013-10-20T09:02:00.001-07:002013-10-20T09:30:10.609-07:00Last Week In MTLLast Thursday, I went to to talk to the people at cirque who had information on our visas. They gently told me that the Brazilian consulate was telling them the visas wouldn't be ready until October 24th or 25th, which is over two weeks from the original date we were given. I fought back disappointment tears and went home to tell Max. Between picking me up from my mopey state and hugging me as I fought back tears, he decided we should have faith in prayer.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We embraced in our tiny little room and Max prayed for a miracle. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Work resumed on Friday, and about halfway through the day, someone came to tell me that Max's visa had come through and that someone was going to the consulate to pick it up. We were told that Max's visa was probably processed faster because he has a tourist visa and my working visa might be more difficult to process. It was ironic because we have been nervous that Max's visa wouldn't go through; and there it was, first to arrive.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Friday afternoon, Max and I went upstairs to discuss flight options for the following week and pick up Max's visa. When we got upstairs, we were quickly informed that BOTH of our visas were picked up at the consulate and that we needed to book our flights immediately! Less than 24 hours after we were told it would be another week at the earliest before our visas were processed, we were holding both visas in our hands. God is teaching us His faithfulness through the power of prayer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God is good, y'all.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our flight is tomorrow, Monday, around 3PM and we arrive in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Tuesday around 1PM. We will be in BH for less than a week, and then the tour changes cities and moves to Curitiba, Brazil. Between cities, Max and I are flying to St. Maarten in the caribbean where we will be vacationing with our Schmidt family for the week!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A5nyZOhL-UZ3BiYDY-32GAvfEKa8MlFhV6YIEzPy04xPhbTucjVX27hkF72DQXsD0q4izYmtt3RW_EwYNdnisOtSe9lcMNO-6WBCwskHjm5ChXMpM3R3BijQ6dnIiE8Eic76bmCgFBM/s1600/blog22.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1A5nyZOhL-UZ3BiYDY-32GAvfEKa8MlFhV6YIEzPy04xPhbTucjVX27hkF72DQXsD0q4izYmtt3RW_EwYNdnisOtSe9lcMNO-6WBCwskHjm5ChXMpM3R3BijQ6dnIiE8Eic76bmCgFBM/s320/blog22.1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's summertime in Brazil, and I have absolutely no ill-feelings about skipping over winter!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">We have had an incredible time being back in Montreal, but the time has come for us to move on, and we are feeling so excited and blessed about what's to come.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">On another note, Max and I went to a morning church service a week ago where we saw this guy...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGpsQNKX__IFZrIQUvVNVmTbAgSSJveA28-WvpMmgpxSErwm20keHRjGusiyCJz-k9YybMliZOx6LG9e3CupC82ynPmiKNXaSaIOm5W0aPe-oAl_VLLC5j42sqRLgZ8vxpcaGyiem6Ao/s1600/blog22.4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGGpsQNKX__IFZrIQUvVNVmTbAgSSJveA28-WvpMmgpxSErwm20keHRjGusiyCJz-k9YybMliZOx6LG9e3CupC82ynPmiKNXaSaIOm5W0aPe-oAl_VLLC5j42sqRLgZ8vxpcaGyiem6Ao/s320/blog22.4.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdI3hyphenhyphentq_qHNCCIwy1poIa1LxGuTEzZgQFUlVMGwxZCGfeqMdgB4Mj6Exm7g1W_zTQsE26J_FGW6qbniWvdblaJ8RrYjlHIDdrpFOqiZNq4LpGn52aKnSSLJUsZORmDxvU_p6_pmrAMs/s1600/blog22.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdI3hyphenhyphentq_qHNCCIwy1poIa1LxGuTEzZgQFUlVMGwxZCGfeqMdgB4Mj6Exm7g1W_zTQsE26J_FGW6qbniWvdblaJ8RrYjlHIDdrpFOqiZNq4LpGn52aKnSSLJUsZORmDxvU_p6_pmrAMs/s320/blog22.5.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You might be seriously questioning why we were taking pictures of a stranger during worship at church. If you're this person, then you probably don't know my dad very well. If you do know my dad, then you're probably freaking out as much as we were! The man in front of us a church looked like my dad's twin! His posture, skin tone and hair color, glasses, ears... I could go on and on. Needless to say, I don't remember anything from church because I couldn't pay attention with my dad's clone next to me. It kind of felt like my dad was on a date with me; I'm comfortable around my dad, but he just wasn't supposed to be there. It made me feel warm inside to think of him though! I'm missing my favorite Japanese man! Love you, daddy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday, Max and I went to our first MLS game together. We know some Terps on the Philadelphia Union team, and one of them was kind enough to remember we were in Montreal and get us tickets for their game against the Montreal Impact. The stadium was right next to the Olympic stadium, so I finally got to show Max! We also had a blast at the game. We didn't know what to expect because we haven't been to any soccer oriented events in Montreal, but the stadium was packed and the crowd was typically rowdy and chanting in French for the duration of the game. I guess we better start getting into futbol since we will be in SA for the World Cup next year!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmgZGgXQcW6txv9lsuD-iFi8tED7T8RRp6xTo57gyEZbM9FEDe0KW4nNjIeNLvcXeRckkqKn_FIZ63KSLcSeSR-CCe5gyOTYmP4SA3-O9HoMdqMHxOdcSd6YZ7QaKnasV9toYuySQ0Kg/s1600/blog22.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmgZGgXQcW6txv9lsuD-iFi8tED7T8RRp6xTo57gyEZbM9FEDe0KW4nNjIeNLvcXeRckkqKn_FIZ63KSLcSeSR-CCe5gyOTYmP4SA3-O9HoMdqMHxOdcSd6YZ7QaKnasV9toYuySQ0Kg/s320/blog22.2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Montreal Olympic Stadium</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg463lMMSJMoT5o4_mLZ14rXdjpDRfXMYN-nprcst6fQcJQNFV2-KNjWy5ceEghdiSgbrV7HFdgflUiEnlSd1vHfNnn9NYX1xe-8hlOtEIgK0EygxWyMSO6K5NtOoUXL3Ym7quYlSLlhqg/s1600/blog22.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg463lMMSJMoT5o4_mLZ14rXdjpDRfXMYN-nprcst6fQcJQNFV2-KNjWy5ceEghdiSgbrV7HFdgflUiEnlSd1vHfNnn9NYX1xe-8hlOtEIgK0EygxWyMSO6K5NtOoUXL3Ym7quYlSLlhqg/s320/blog22.3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A Soccer Selfie From the Game<br />
(yep, the beard is still there.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
After the game, we headed back because we had plans with friends for dinner. We went to a delicious italian restaurant in Little Italy with Alix Croop, a former EAGL gymnast and artist on Corteo, and her boyfriend who is visiting from Massachusetts. We sat and talked for hours. It's been lovely having Alix here with me in Montreal, and I'm even more excited to be a part of Corteo with her. Max and Derek are already planning their life on tour with the wives club... I think mani pedis, the book club, and late wine nights are in their future. ;)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CTcZbNa9nzhjOTBK7mq4EJpoXfc8gXB1JlBmfqT7r0sXR5OWMkryE13Dzc7HvdS_fM0azZCm0M7QeaiEHXiDHGUunbYTZPdTWhtu6JwS3rjmvv_g-9zMbICfAdt-PQms1pDksCeHSlw/s1600/blog22.6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CTcZbNa9nzhjOTBK7mq4EJpoXfc8gXB1JlBmfqT7r0sXR5OWMkryE13Dzc7HvdS_fM0azZCm0M7QeaiEHXiDHGUunbYTZPdTWhtu6JwS3rjmvv_g-9zMbICfAdt-PQms1pDksCeHSlw/s320/blog22.6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next time I write, it will be from Brazil! I can't believe it's finally here. Max and I are shutting off our phone service this weekend, so if you need to get a hold of us, then you'll have to rely on other avenues apart from our phone numbers! You can e-mail, FaceBook message, iMessage (through e-mail), or Skype us, but we won't be able to text or call through our phone numbers.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-91464946733069924642013-10-10T10:29:00.001-07:002013-10-10T10:30:08.052-07:00Max's 25th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Max and I are supposed to be leaving for Brazil this Saturday, but our visas haven't come through so it looks like we will be delayed a week or so. I've had a hard time accepting it because I am ready to be on tour, but I know that there is purpose in our presence in Montreal. Besides, I've waited a pretty long time for this, so what's a week more?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last Saturday morning, Max and I rode bikes that we rented from Cirque to Jean Talon market. The market is in Little Italy somehow secretly tucked between buildings even though it's large size doesn't implicate being... tuckable. We got our much needed morning coffee and egg & cheese panini's from a small café, and then we browsed through the market buying this weeks produce. Unfortunately, the fruit was so delicious that it didn't last through Wednesday. I'm going to have to go back for some more plums! They were heavenly.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2SLS3m2Jw4kLorut6UuZ6ktmrXf6ZW1guqZyOZSXxWUyed45niyqFnUMDVNlaVjbpNtEBkEb2bEaRS9D4ZLibdCyJ9ctx5oGCP-2Y2KysPJFVAwlfswmJwgPdwu6e4UiD-wKx3Tsa-8/s1600/PA040297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2SLS3m2Jw4kLorut6UuZ6ktmrXf6ZW1guqZyOZSXxWUyed45niyqFnUMDVNlaVjbpNtEBkEb2bEaRS9D4ZLibdCyJ9ctx5oGCP-2Y2KysPJFVAwlfswmJwgPdwu6e4UiD-wKx3Tsa-8/s400/PA040297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJmOVhvhe44RDqKyJkq9pXUMJdNBBFbxVwB5VhWTHOtha025UgIp_BpoxfrOJSkCAS8JtE2QKLrHdpW7YoYZJqkdz5Fyrr1Kacybm7QnyvTtHak8oSL7FebcL42EwMzQA0alIg9CWqbQ/s1600/PA040299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJmOVhvhe44RDqKyJkq9pXUMJdNBBFbxVwB5VhWTHOtha025UgIp_BpoxfrOJSkCAS8JtE2QKLrHdpW7YoYZJqkdz5Fyrr1Kacybm7QnyvTtHak8oSL7FebcL42EwMzQA0alIg9CWqbQ/s400/PA040299.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOhqTHanKFfgUCN2ctbyk3Od5KFaLwH02KiCMLe66ovkm6TE7z84FIKt8AWKEtHrJhiW1p4UGNBRDlbVQMoXWNkaQ02lYBZ5oU5F7QGZJLM5BFKBysshrlGb4hH9DNZt6MMgKJ8fRfJg/s1600/PA040300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOhqTHanKFfgUCN2ctbyk3Od5KFaLwH02KiCMLe66ovkm6TE7z84FIKt8AWKEtHrJhiW1p4UGNBRDlbVQMoXWNkaQ02lYBZ5oU5F7QGZJLM5BFKBysshrlGb4hH9DNZt6MMgKJ8fRfJg/s400/PA040300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpUvbg0Mc1UTx96HLdW-tf7dyKq0wvIzo0g8Fze4_St1DwhaRaZmUs8txWhMI2lDTdowbb1XVhLODvLj9fm_Xs7B_HGniqxStJd72sTW10xrUsMhtn7R43ZnOHajS6xlnSVvsuCC2MuA/s1600/PA040301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpUvbg0Mc1UTx96HLdW-tf7dyKq0wvIzo0g8Fze4_St1DwhaRaZmUs8txWhMI2lDTdowbb1XVhLODvLj9fm_Xs7B_HGniqxStJd72sTW10xrUsMhtn7R43ZnOHajS6xlnSVvsuCC2MuA/s400/PA040301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
We headed home from the market around noon so Max could get home to watch some college football. I was glad football was the excuse because I used that time to book a hotel in the Old Port for the night so that we could get away and celebrate his 25th birthday. I booked a night at The Westin and asked him to pack an overnight bag. We took the Metro into the Old Port and walked the short distance to our lovely home for the evening! At the Residence, we have full beds, one community television, and internet as slow as dial-up, so room service, a king size down comforter, and personal TV including the Buckeye game felt like pure luxury.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLejAj0NEf_QV4P5wDUudB2Ob3mqUEpDgJskfy3JuR8F1GGbiilh4I2VOnmmdG83-4sjQe6bVfpM9ow0mu8BC9pVgUpJ6eLS8DWheI1KLQgRo2scW46OAxf54H3ZdVh1g1WjJmqa7tvU/s1600/PA050303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLejAj0NEf_QV4P5wDUudB2Ob3mqUEpDgJskfy3JuR8F1GGbiilh4I2VOnmmdG83-4sjQe6bVfpM9ow0mu8BC9pVgUpJ6eLS8DWheI1KLQgRo2scW46OAxf54H3ZdVh1g1WjJmqa7tvU/s320/PA050303.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at The Westin when we arrived</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After we checked in, we walked around the corner to Notre Dame Basilica and then to the Old Port. It was supposed to rain the entire weekend, but God provided a day full of sunshine on Saturday. It was the perfect little getaway!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1x4DSNLTKB5p8TsgGXJr1ggsWkvGinxCMFk_PzhH9o3Glwn2-ooLFrGFBwpKMa5s_HAjH-JTXzho8hQQY2S4fQYeRC_EEXpeEIUNkMQFPMUSB1CcLRS7of2MH9hUBbrgtUQr5YBqSRHg/s1600/PA050305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1x4DSNLTKB5p8TsgGXJr1ggsWkvGinxCMFk_PzhH9o3Glwn2-ooLFrGFBwpKMa5s_HAjH-JTXzho8hQQY2S4fQYeRC_EEXpeEIUNkMQFPMUSB1CcLRS7of2MH9hUBbrgtUQr5YBqSRHg/s400/PA050305.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2ZTutJeTTHRfSPVLr9oobTxnDj80c5DTXazWXJD063TVd-dxYs6fpGleX4OMXsvb6y1qUhKFnMmvXBpr3vK7vi47nvhPf93iE0x4SDzR20opxFtx0q8_9ldr1egJA6V7WEDcQFbwPQ0/s1600/PA050309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2ZTutJeTTHRfSPVLr9oobTxnDj80c5DTXazWXJD063TVd-dxYs6fpGleX4OMXsvb6y1qUhKFnMmvXBpr3vK7vi47nvhPf93iE0x4SDzR20opxFtx0q8_9ldr1egJA6V7WEDcQFbwPQ0/s400/PA050309.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Notre Dame Basilica</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtMy_su8yQi6oLr_QOknIEB-aF1KV6_DQrwRINB7Lt09G4DJrBanASixHoD-AGelKxieeGKuXbQHoYNNAuHrOstPp_z-TtehnL4PA8dOmQeDEUOm2p9l4stMbH1M9a5_AFurR6PZ_Cl8/s1600/PA050315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtMy_su8yQi6oLr_QOknIEB-aF1KV6_DQrwRINB7Lt09G4DJrBanASixHoD-AGelKxieeGKuXbQHoYNNAuHrOstPp_z-TtehnL4PA8dOmQeDEUOm2p9l4stMbH1M9a5_AFurR6PZ_Cl8/s400/PA050315.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Euro style architecture at the Old Port</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqKrzSmHHwUUMKpB853vhLW1L-aXWvHnvIGcJPDK0Sh6dWPQhL8H00kN6JOf2cfXXrBTOe8j_zQqlCzEw5KHRFpWz7IJOn9A29BIaTRDpskOVep1eSWhUYHaFk0mrYfBB_8HEFn72B1Q/s1600/PA050320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqKrzSmHHwUUMKpB853vhLW1L-aXWvHnvIGcJPDK0Sh6dWPQhL8H00kN6JOf2cfXXrBTOe8j_zQqlCzEw5KHRFpWz7IJOn9A29BIaTRDpskOVep1eSWhUYHaFk0mrYfBB_8HEFn72B1Q/s400/PA050320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fall colors have arrived! I would like to state that this picture was taken on my non-fancy Olympus digital camera and there was no editing involved. It was absolutely beautiful.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqh6sB_pdLIPTye_XMWGf0tPTh7SDLUm6w51Qx3wG0Qx1qQzrmAtXgNNasmBHtFhIsFIt4HXP7t7v_YyNNX45d3hEEAynTU6npFAZx5CwJwCGnQ7NXYzayc-t8jvhNLAUzYObriEmwc4/s1600/PA050324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqh6sB_pdLIPTye_XMWGf0tPTh7SDLUm6w51Qx3wG0Qx1qQzrmAtXgNNasmBHtFhIsFIt4HXP7t7v_YyNNX45d3hEEAynTU6npFAZx5CwJwCGnQ7NXYzayc-t8jvhNLAUzYObriEmwc4/s400/PA050324.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFySDAnnFhOi4IQA7TYQYRYmc6NOHcwifZGkOuu-5hGqoerKgY4JIZXLZHnPGuG1JV69UWitnWCwvEsCzI9xdUbgJUmQqtcDy8y4sEh6Myt3NmEq9DLxZmSGih9hGB-NViHncGsLLymw/s1600/PA050325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFySDAnnFhOi4IQA7TYQYRYmc6NOHcwifZGkOuu-5hGqoerKgY4JIZXLZHnPGuG1JV69UWitnWCwvEsCzI9xdUbgJUmQqtcDy8y4sEh6Myt3NmEq9DLxZmSGih9hGB-NViHncGsLLymw/s400/PA050325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rWxB1ijc8zb8Er0O1iYk6smh5RgHC9-2ookTBCz80cicfhj8E-kcaOtPrBJKVhKtCnEToFzUi5qlSwGzruUElrns678JM3oJEY_D6IWESgzc2Z8DQRtB7RFmYdR41jMBGv33mfmzcU4/s1600/PA050327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rWxB1ijc8zb8Er0O1iYk6smh5RgHC9-2ookTBCz80cicfhj8E-kcaOtPrBJKVhKtCnEToFzUi5qlSwGzruUElrns678JM3oJEY_D6IWESgzc2Z8DQRtB7RFmYdR41jMBGv33mfmzcU4/s400/PA050327.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Views from the St. Lawrence River looking back into the city</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After a couple hours of walking around, we took the short walk back to our hotel and got ready for dinner. Normally it's about a half hour to an hour Metro ride in and out of the city, so it was really nice to be living in the action even if it was just for a night. We walked from our hotel to Crescent Street, famous for its bars and restaurants, and went to a place that Max picked out called Burger Bar. I'm still full just thinking about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Max ordered a burger called The Hangover, and it included a burger patty, a fried egg, carmelized onions, and poutine (fries, cheese curds, and gravy). I ordered a burger that had crispy macaroni and cheese balls in it. I'm full just thinking about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHaco9NmVUjDFzHZZIGv9hhyba-8cUaCmukflNOSRHEAPdZGW-cvDg89F04S501GtsjbC7gnSVLyrzoCm0_5s7lYagT8Z_wT_cdXUBR2nwa7V28EyjlVein8kwso1iVRUg-uGNzHtGIY/s1600/PA050331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHaco9NmVUjDFzHZZIGv9hhyba-8cUaCmukflNOSRHEAPdZGW-cvDg89F04S501GtsjbC7gnSVLyrzoCm0_5s7lYagT8Z_wT_cdXUBR2nwa7V28EyjlVein8kwso1iVRUg-uGNzHtGIY/s400/PA050331.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We ate early so that we could make it back to the hotel room to watch the Buckeyes play Northwestern. It might sound lame that we rented a hotel room in the middle of downtown and ended up staying in and watching football, but we have spent a lot of time exploring and adventuring; We needed a football-filled American Saturday to get back to normalcy. It's a strange feeling adapting to this traveling lifestyle where home is wherever city you are next, but at least for that day we had college football (especially because the Buckeyes won!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The late night of football called for late night room service ice cream and a great nights sleep. We slept in until 10 AM the next morning, which I'm pretty sure is something Max hasn't done since college. When we finally pulled ourselves out of bed, we grabbed some Tim Hortons, explored a bit, and relaxed until it was time for church.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've been attending a church called The Living Room, which you can read about <a href="http://www.thelivingroommontreal.org/The_Living_room/Welcome.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Our church meets in the Student Union at Concordia University in a place called Reggie's Bar. The church made a deal with the bar to clean the bar before church every Sunday in return for use of the space. The congregation, probably around 40 people, take turns cleaning out everything from the bathrooms to the sticky tables after the bar's busy weekends. I think it's an amazing way they get to love on the owners of the bar.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have really liked having a church home in Montreal, a place where we know we will go routinely every Sunday to be around people outside of Cirque. It has been comforting and spiritually filling for us since we've been here in Montreal. Less than 1% of people in Montreal claim to have a relationship with Jesus, and it brings tears of joy to my eyes to think about the commitment The Living Room has made to this city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Max's actual 25th birthday was on Tuesday, October 8th (still enough time for a belated happy birthday!), so I had to work. I wish I could have spoiled him all day, but I did my best to love on him. He wanted sushi for his birthday dinner, which my Japanese self was very excited about, so we went to a place a girlfriend of mine recommended called Coba. We ate our body weight in sushi. We watched a movie later and I gave him some Reese's cups because they're his favorite and apparently they're expensive and impossible to find in Brazil. If you come visit us in Brazil, please bring him some peanut butter cups :). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtEyXd2RcPW2obZmbfKeKg3hcDglYPmkMhZDyoSZlQAYcnK-wzYZxBSWCoWRHIyu2oiMhEVyfx3EcYvegKo-53b_Mk8uPyxA3lmgHQN-BhwICLJi19qYY1EwQ_J7xbks9TunbFVL39zY/s1600/Maxsuhi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtEyXd2RcPW2obZmbfKeKg3hcDglYPmkMhZDyoSZlQAYcnK-wzYZxBSWCoWRHIyu2oiMhEVyfx3EcYvegKo-53b_Mk8uPyxA3lmgHQN-BhwICLJi19qYY1EwQ_J7xbks9TunbFVL39zY/s400/Maxsuhi.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Birthday Boy <3</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We are going to be here for a little longer than expected, but we have faith that God has us here for a reason, so we will be <i>all </i>here. Please pray for us over the next week or two. Pray that both of our visas go through. Pray that I remain safe and healthy. Pray that we have safe travels. Pray that we are fulfilling our purpose.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN9zCni1RACy4qJ9Sig3lOtL2HdnqNU7sQS7FT8uaxRwRDBjmPiDGZnhnPIZCM7zPsr6PUv29R55QnHecQ8ZaHWveE_egyiyU5-4KILXcFTsLn_TF9uGaGHhnIjcL972n1XvMz0mNuj8/s1600/PA070332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN9zCni1RACy4qJ9Sig3lOtL2HdnqNU7sQS7FT8uaxRwRDBjmPiDGZnhnPIZCM7zPsr6PUv29R55QnHecQ8ZaHWveE_egyiyU5-4KILXcFTsLn_TF9uGaGHhnIjcL972n1XvMz0mNuj8/s400/PA070332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunset from the balcony at the Residence from Monday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max said it looked like the sky was on fire. I think his words are perfect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To our immediate family,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Brandon, Erin, Willa, Tatum, Baby Schmidt, Mama, Pops, Leah, Chad, Bubba, Syssa, Foster, Hadley, Harper, Mom, Daddy,</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We miss you guys so much. Everything reminds us of you, and we can't wait to see you guys in November/December. We miss the laughter, cookouts, and family time, and we can't wait to give hugs and kisses to all those babies. We love you!</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-80614588993188885282013-10-03T19:41:00.002-07:002013-10-03T19:55:34.924-07:00Parc du Mont RoyalAfter training today, Max and I headed downtown to a clinic so I could get my vaccinations. I feel better knowing my chances of getting Yellow Fever and Typhoid Fever are slim. I don't feel too positive about the fact that I haven't had a tetanus since I was a child. Oops. My arms are already feeling the soreness from the vaccinations, but I did break both of my legs once so I probably shouldn't complain too much.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After the clinic, Max and I walked a couple miles through the city to Mont Royal. This is one of our favorite places in Montreal, and we took pictures there last year that you can view <a href="http://abigailschmidt.blogspot.ca/2012/09/i-know-there-are-many-praying-for-my.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I was hangry, so we made a quick stop for a $5 footlong. Side rant: It ended up being $5.75 because taxes in Canada are debilitating. Max wouldn't let me have the sandwich until we got to the top of Mont Royal because he wanted me to walk fast enough to make it by sunset. Who does that?! Well, it worked.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The path we took was fairly steep and contains what feels like a million stairs (I have quads the size of my 4 year-old niece's). I was gasping for air, sweaty, and REALLY hungry by the time we got to the top. Unfortunately, it was a waste of exercise because the view faces south and trees completely block the view of the sunset. Needless to say, I sat down and ate my sandwich while Max took some pictures of the nearly dark sky and night time city lights. It was a delicious sandwich.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4sPk9DLKf1tgQ_sZG67eWb57IB7dLFqErK6tZHrtoOb2Q6fWscfBR0cu5gxP3S_wUTPN9uYD0KV21G0n4Xs6vt65G-Uep33c_KmVKu1aMbL60b-QnJwBChe2Z4_AWdrTrXKVAmtHvjE/s1600/PA030265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4sPk9DLKf1tgQ_sZG67eWb57IB7dLFqErK6tZHrtoOb2Q6fWscfBR0cu5gxP3S_wUTPN9uYD0KV21G0n4Xs6vt65G-Uep33c_KmVKu1aMbL60b-QnJwBChe2Z4_AWdrTrXKVAmtHvjE/s400/PA030265.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>View of the city at the end of sunset</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCPZuVfFvH_XpuKb6AMMrP6ZXNeUW0joU-jC_ktGdJxcFJP33CuS2crXxAnxv9ul81lLoh4gDjyI-ubAR32RtuZI9lOyZjwo58m52dqK2R3GdMtRup6wAd8QL-r6mBnY9pc4f1XqL6hk/s1600/PA030267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCPZuVfFvH_XpuKb6AMMrP6ZXNeUW0joU-jC_ktGdJxcFJP33CuS2crXxAnxv9ul81lLoh4gDjyI-ubAR32RtuZI9lOyZjwo58m52dqK2R3GdMtRup6wAd8QL-r6mBnY9pc4f1XqL6hk/s400/PA030267.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>We love selfies</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBnfykuvUeJKaVTKIY5mUcNi6gjNWDuCumVK3k7GONng9Rr0zu9Q-X0p9OgDZOd4hpXKTjvB6XuV2sP_UsvC416AAj2VttPP0ZOR2wRD-MbrlJU0VLnftlt5NX4gR9nsq7cwX-rUVpeE/s1600/PA030273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBnfykuvUeJKaVTKIY5mUcNi6gjNWDuCumVK3k7GONng9Rr0zu9Q-X0p9OgDZOd4hpXKTjvB6XuV2sP_UsvC416AAj2VttPP0ZOR2wRD-MbrlJU0VLnftlt5NX4gR9nsq7cwX-rUVpeE/s400/PA030273.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMQi6GlGrMtKIjogA0knkoOVIaeUeRMd2zIKpuQC5_bfKfev4v9aEQa8dNK60FzhdaBdhv2jUQRBM2P7LJrLfAhKV8S0-MsAq2xY_C8uaahLKYaaboDc9csk5-nQ-z2dzktHne7zBzOE/s1600/PA030276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMQi6GlGrMtKIjogA0knkoOVIaeUeRMd2zIKpuQC5_bfKfev4v9aEQa8dNK60FzhdaBdhv2jUQRBM2P7LJrLfAhKV8S0-MsAq2xY_C8uaahLKYaaboDc9csk5-nQ-z2dzktHne7zBzOE/s400/PA030276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Isn't he adorable? He's claiming he isn't shaving until we get back so get used to the beard.</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc58DnZwmDdYmf35ZDn6EIpKfrJ6J82W5ORXoLICP9YxobnaNUNN1MzUBwEKc37QdZJImf2VUy87GgRXXVUePj-HN_qSOiUqTqd-fK6ceen0c28WeE88AHfVpmcRR-fcG99XbuHYHQxks/s1600/PA030279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc58DnZwmDdYmf35ZDn6EIpKfrJ6J82W5ORXoLICP9YxobnaNUNN1MzUBwEKc37QdZJImf2VUy87GgRXXVUePj-HN_qSOiUqTqd-fK6ceen0c28WeE88AHfVpmcRR-fcG99XbuHYHQxks/s400/PA030279.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>In love with this city</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRDgWLiCfBmZPcg6BEtpxFye5g5MxN2TeGO-n19mFbufL7rChQCaLL_xC0KoNH3DWfzQtkh-qyXFypM0Ql94uzAhhnufx6ND3woTf1Zgls57pkMnK-sGktxNaSzJKt3XRnMHv5F4FBmg/s1600/PA030285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRDgWLiCfBmZPcg6BEtpxFye5g5MxN2TeGO-n19mFbufL7rChQCaLL_xC0KoNH3DWfzQtkh-qyXFypM0Ql94uzAhhnufx6ND3woTf1Zgls57pkMnK-sGktxNaSzJKt3XRnMHv5F4FBmg/s320/PA030285.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuduW6iyp2uO5KG9fy64F4LL23o56_WdKe5cj_cTwZZ1YJI8hDsDi93_0IE-XQRuOTowxBVz-pGhRPjctl-0OKDxjYn1jUv-lq91dkhzNWoP3vpEFsGFC7cni_jMbxYtVF4UerxQ6vki8/s1600/PA030286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuduW6iyp2uO5KG9fy64F4LL23o56_WdKe5cj_cTwZZ1YJI8hDsDi93_0IE-XQRuOTowxBVz-pGhRPjctl-0OKDxjYn1jUv-lq91dkhzNWoP3vpEFsGFC7cni_jMbxYtVF4UerxQ6vki8/s400/PA030286.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sometimes taking a little risk is worth it. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Don't show this to my Daddy.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J7LXaDZm8nFhX2t9ClUaayfaUTOxLzl25RQlKKHXvbnkjagCdl1yXcuLyOBW1-gdmrE-KSA_4S-VroQoOH7qcv7xr-llTvL44BG6aNyTS5ncJg_CTfNu0I_D5EOhFUnNoJvh8UUbSR0/s1600/PA030289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5J7LXaDZm8nFhX2t9ClUaayfaUTOxLzl25RQlKKHXvbnkjagCdl1yXcuLyOBW1-gdmrE-KSA_4S-VroQoOH7qcv7xr-llTvL44BG6aNyTS5ncJg_CTfNu0I_D5EOhFUnNoJvh8UUbSR0/s400/PA030289.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The lookout</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-R2bVki2nqxkZ6Bcusc4g5WodlKWyXkQHEXV7Ls7i8nx52PjPuk7AIQXTF3fmOU5Ik9CLjiKSDZuDww35mDcRaJhFVRVuMdngpiQlAmIhhpVV8IE-QL-fdd98qk7AOS-VtqBjyU3hF8/s1600/PA030291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-R2bVki2nqxkZ6Bcusc4g5WodlKWyXkQHEXV7Ls7i8nx52PjPuk7AIQXTF3fmOU5Ik9CLjiKSDZuDww35mDcRaJhFVRVuMdngpiQlAmIhhpVV8IE-QL-fdd98qk7AOS-VtqBjyU3hF8/s640/PA030291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My favorite of the night! </i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv42uOxW73H1iQQxUGBPB7dshm1uokvLLUN9XPp8ni0n1QRurbsEwKJXbGXLYQdVOCrjoq6mtkNJLAqxmFo5aUX0cKbsv7S2z-KYSVmrS22wZ7dY_Th5NrNfMqP3dXsr7uYboq0QaCCM4/s1600/PA030294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv42uOxW73H1iQQxUGBPB7dshm1uokvLLUN9XPp8ni0n1QRurbsEwKJXbGXLYQdVOCrjoq6mtkNJLAqxmFo5aUX0cKbsv7S2z-KYSVmrS22wZ7dY_Th5NrNfMqP3dXsr7uYboq0QaCCM4/s400/PA030294.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>View from the base of the park looking up to the cross at the top</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text Matt-5-14" id="en-NIV-23249" style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="woj">You are the light of the world.<span style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23249R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup></span> A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.<span style="font-size: 12px;"><b> </b></span></span></span><span class="text Matt-5-15" id="en-NIV-23250" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="woj">Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.</span></span><span class="text Matt-5-16" id="en-NIV-23251" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </sup>In the same way, let your light shine before others,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23251T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></sup> that they may see your good deeds <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23251U" title="See cross-reference U">U</a>)"></sup>and glorify<sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23251V" title="See cross-reference V">V</a>)"></sup> your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
After a night of scenic views and an unplanned workout, we came home and my husband made us his favorite meal.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX9BTpBntskyNLT66ltGA7ail-o2m0v2o2j9_1o6sRLeQiTf6MmgJG5Wcmu3D2fdL9U1ANZAbOjvsHX6dRawdJg6oEHhEFl_WQrS5fXUsqQUBJVcQLzwquScF_4Up62Mk4aSbzt7cSoc/s1600/macncheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX9BTpBntskyNLT66ltGA7ail-o2m0v2o2j9_1o6sRLeQiTf6MmgJG5Wcmu3D2fdL9U1ANZAbOjvsHX6dRawdJg6oEHhEFl_WQrS5fXUsqQUBJVcQLzwquScF_4Up62Mk4aSbzt7cSoc/s320/macncheese.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think I've got it made.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-1260952316689255492013-10-03T09:57:00.005-07:002013-10-03T09:57:56.151-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I have about 20 minutes before I have to head back to work, but I wanted to write a quick update. I've been in Montreal for almost 4 weeks! I've been pretty busy getting ready for the tour, but it's been an extremely positive experience.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg29kSblQZAn7lfEl9Bp3LYyHa0LyvuiRo65goMvYvPNaKZx8EIwUrnJz3G2aJN_EKdA1UHcMzqEnaLS4fWiYKAJ3VQQMQuVgLVpfWkSJtR9b2LlVuhTD7GnZlcgp-wi4o7S8WwclXzcE/s1600/blog10:2.2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg29kSblQZAn7lfEl9Bp3LYyHa0LyvuiRo65goMvYvPNaKZx8EIwUrnJz3G2aJN_EKdA1UHcMzqEnaLS4fWiYKAJ3VQQMQuVgLVpfWkSJtR9b2LlVuhTD7GnZlcgp-wi4o7S8WwclXzcE/s320/blog10:2.2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Hand-to-hand training with my coach, Sergei</i></div>
<br />
Similar to my stint on general formation, my days are spent at the headquarters mostly training. Instead of taking random classes like dance, bouffon, and music, my entire schedule is geared toward my position on Corteo so I can be as prepared as possible for the show. I have been learning everything from the lyrics to the music to my performance makeup. All of the artists do their own makeup, so we spend a lot of time perfecting the routine. Luckily, my makeup won't be too crazy! I'll have several roles in the show, so I have several costumes as well. My costumes aren't totally finished yet, but every time I have a fitting I get really excited. One of the costumes is an angel costume made of over 30 meters of silk. I think my nieces would agree that it's a pretty great princess dress!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2znTVuLfFXns6QXPUGEyGtEcL-pPbSwB6UAiUfny19LnMTkWH6AI_9MRsv3OHR7cfMTD9KFOHoY7ThwZD_DKbXt1GK_kiFoy0RchLhpJ2apRo2h8OB_COLR7XAAiAzrZUkZLgq40kkTk/s1600/blog10:2.4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2znTVuLfFXns6QXPUGEyGtEcL-pPbSwB6UAiUfny19LnMTkWH6AI_9MRsv3OHR7cfMTD9KFOHoY7ThwZD_DKbXt1GK_kiFoy0RchLhpJ2apRo2h8OB_COLR7XAAiAzrZUkZLgq40kkTk/s320/blog10:2.4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Learning the makeup routine</i></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Max joined me a week ago! It's been great to finally be together. It's not easy on him because he likes to be a busy-bee, but it's hard to stay busy here. Montreal is beautiful in the fall, so hopefully our last week and a half here will be filled with fall colors and lots of adventure! There are a lot of adjustments, and it's strange for us to think that being on the road is now our "home". We pay no rent or mortgage. "Home" is currently Cirque Du Soleil's residence and will soon evolve into hotel rooms. We are blessed that we have each other, but we are also adjusting to <i>only</i> having each other!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiyI60ZbiwFFqYELmzx8e1k35_TzRQJqaRRtuteBjtx5udOnyiKJMqJqfdw002wJzaG4Naw9rg-wTZ6e5CfqVx65fspmNCNhFC0Nst4HY4NlDwIPJ27DzTiZhQqixYF7O9aWasIyk8YM/s1600/blog10:2.1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiyI60ZbiwFFqYELmzx8e1k35_TzRQJqaRRtuteBjtx5udOnyiKJMqJqfdw002wJzaG4Naw9rg-wTZ6e5CfqVx65fspmNCNhFC0Nst4HY4NlDwIPJ27DzTiZhQqixYF7O9aWasIyk8YM/s320/blog10:2.1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>He's going to kill me for this. Max officially becoming a member of cirque after being accepted by security :)</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We miss our sweet girl a lot, but by the amounts of pictures we are getting from my siblings, I know she might actually be getting more attention in Texas than she did with us. There are lots of kids to play with, and I think her cousin, Foster, seems to like his new doggy cousin. I can't imagine what I'm going to be like when we have real human children. I already treat my dog like royalty!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GkGKeHsYZ_V2gDQaoikyOhjOkdk-tiT0mFqifcKJqFjF__1I8pwuhIkm940t1-ox5J_w-o1LJKj6lJ7LXnGvATqR4KwJBbwwLB29F8PXRa5oBXj0SKaHWXCgBccn84ArIn53RAJgUKY/s1600/blog10:2.3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GkGKeHsYZ_V2gDQaoikyOhjOkdk-tiT0mFqifcKJqFjF__1I8pwuhIkm940t1-ox5J_w-o1LJKj6lJ7LXnGvATqR4KwJBbwwLB29F8PXRa5oBXj0SKaHWXCgBccn84ArIn53RAJgUKY/s320/blog10:2.3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope everyone back in the States is doing great. We miss our families a lot, but we know we are supposed to be here. Thanks for the love, support, and prayers, and we can't wait to see you guys soon!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-91401988778196339952013-09-03T14:26:00.002-07:002013-09-03T15:24:37.437-07:00The DreamWhen you spend three months living out your dream while being wowed daily and inspired hourly, it's hard to come back to normal. It's hard to appreciate the little things when you start getting used to the big things. It's like getting one spoonful of Bluebell Ice Cream only to realize the rest of the bowl is filled with Breyers.<br />
<br />
I've been battling this for the past 10 months. Training with Cirque in Montreal was the experience of a lifetime, but when I didn't get handed the golden ticket immediately, it wore on me. It wore on my husband. I think we would all agree that it's hard to be patient when what we want is at our fingertips, and it's even harder when it's completely out of our control.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21</span></i></div>
<br />
Somedays I would wake up a Positive Polly, training hard and hopeful that I was going to get the magic phone call. Other days, I felt defeated and worthless. I felt like a 24 year old living off of her husband without a career... because I was. I have always been driven. My younger self would have expected me to be climbing up the ladder of success, but I was stagnant and completely clueless as to what my life would look like without Cirque.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On the down days, God was there. I kept telling my husband that every time I was mentally prepared to let go of the dream, I would randomly see a connection to cirque: <i>Knocked Up</i> would come on and Paul Rudd and Seth Rogan would do shrooms at a Cirque show, an ad would come on TV, or I would pass a Cirque billboard while driving on the highway. It wasn't irony; God was leaving me remnants of hope. One morning when I was particularly close to tossing in the towel, the woman in front of me at the grocery store was on the phone with someone talking about seeing "O" the previous weekend. God was leaving me remnants, and He was leaving them everywhere.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the beginning of August, my husband was offered a promotion. Max has been working with Worthington Industries for two years, and he was offered the territory manager position over the states of Maryland and Virginia. Outside sales has been something that we had put off to pursue the Cirque dream, and we felt like we couldn't turn down another offer. With joy, Max and I decided to accept the position and move to Baltimore! Plans proceeded, and we began to seek out a future in Maryland. We realized that we couldn't spend forever waiting on Cirque, and we knew that this opportunity with Worthington would be irreplaceable from a professional standpoint. His contract was to begin September 9th, 2013. God had other plans.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have been working at Lululemon Athletica, and I was hoping to transfer to a store in Baltimore when we moved. I was working a Saturday shift on the 24th of August, and I decided to check my e-mail to see if I had heard back from any of the stores I had contacted. To my surprise, I had an e-mail from my recruiter at Cirque. It was a message asking me to call as soon as possible.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJosMzTK2DZ5z_vsf_mFkgvvmn6mDJs6cBxGrA9I5MgURmSJVGigc6DPlQSrMugM2dKUlxle-UfR8O7t7ADeWU8RtzeB0u3dG5dQOXiUE8pUpXuRrnV-EZxUn6gGGkI_Cdfevjs7KbiY/s1600/cirquecall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJosMzTK2DZ5z_vsf_mFkgvvmn6mDJs6cBxGrA9I5MgURmSJVGigc6DPlQSrMugM2dKUlxle-UfR8O7t7ADeWU8RtzeB0u3dG5dQOXiUE8pUpXuRrnV-EZxUn6gGGkI_Cdfevjs7KbiY/s320/cirquecall.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After a bit of phone tag and an an hour of trembling, I received the phone call that I had dreamed of since I was twelve and saw my first show. I was offered a contract with Corteo, a show that I saw live in Houston in 2007. As excited as I was, I was equally mortified at the fact that my husband had just signed an agreement with his company. God has his own way of working things, so it might not be that surprising to anyone that it just so happened to be a contract that would begin on September 9th, 2013- the EXACT same day as Max's. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138;">For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, and He sees all his steps. Job 34:21</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I went straight home after work, eager to talk to my husband. How would he respond? Should I even tell him or just let this go? Why THIS timing? I had a million questions and no answers, but if there's one thing I'm sure of, it's that I married a man who has supported my dreams and pushed me past my insecurities for two years. I married a man who loves God and wants to do what is best in God's eyes for his family. I knew that no matter what the future held, I was in good hands with my husband.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I might have married a good man, but I still married a man, y'all. When I told Max, his reaction was pure anger. Although he didn't yell at me or punch a wall or break something, I saw the anger in his eyes and heard it in his footsteps. As much as I wanted him to be excited for me, I knew he was thinking some of the same questions that I was: Why now?! What do we choose? Do we have to do long distance marriage... again? Why take risk when there is the opportunity for stability?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e69138;">There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
God was at work within us, and He was teaching us some valuable lessons. Over the next two days, Max and I prayed, cried, and I went without sleep. Max can sleep through fire alarms, so I didn't expect him to keep me company during those trying hours! We also drove from house to house and called person after person, asking for guidance and prayer from a close handful of loved ones and mentors. During those two days, we bounced back and forth from long distance to both of us going to Baltimore. We couldn't find peace in any decision, and we felt the pressure of time against us as Max's new job drew closer and my contract was sent over e-mail. What was the right choice?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We finally decided that long distance wasn't an option. We wanted our journey, whatever it may be, to be a journey that we take together, side by side. Although we had narrowed it down, we continued to battle between options.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Baltimore: Longterm financial stability. Purchasing our first home. Living near our favorite Terps and attending games on the weekends. Ability to have an automatic community with people we already loved. Within driving distance to our Columbus family. Seafood!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cirque Du Soleil: Fulfill the dream. Give up everything we own for a checked bag and a carry on per person. Pay the price for Max to join me. No family. No definite longterm stability. Max gives up a promotion that he has already agreed to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The more that Max and I looked into our hearts and our future, the more we realized that choosing stability isn't usually what God calls us to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>It is good to work and have. It is better to work and have in order to give. The world is not impressed when Christians get rich and say thanks to God. They are impressed when God is so satisfying that we give our riches away for Christ's sake and count it gain.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>If our single, all-embracing passion is to make much of Christ in life and death, and if the life that magnifies him most is the life of costly love, then life is risk, and risk is right. To run from it is to waste your life. I define risk very simply as an action that exposes you to the possibility of loss or injury. If you take a risk you can lose money, you can lose face, you can lose your health or even your life. And what's worse, if you take a risk, you may endanger other people and not just yourself. Their lives may be at stake. Will a wise and loving person, then, ever take a risk? Is it wise to expose yourself to loss? Is it loving to endanger others? Is losing life the same as wasting it?... Risk is right. And the reason is not because God promises success to all our ventures in his cause. There is no promise that every effort for the cause of God will succeed, at least not in the short run. The power to risk is in the promise of God.</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>-Excerpts from Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #45818e;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><i>Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138;"><i>Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I think you know where I'm going with this. We chose the risk. Max and I will be moving to Montreal for one month while I train for Corteo, and after that month, we will be touring South America!<br />
<br />
April 2, 2003: I attended my first Cirque Du Soleil show, Allegria, in Houston<br />
January, 2012: With Max's encouragement, I filled out Cirque's online application<br />
April 30, 2012: Invited to General Formation to train for "O"<br />
August 6- November 4, 2012: General Formation in Montreal at IHQ<br />
August 24, 2013: Offered a contract with Corteo!<br />
<br />
That's a total of 3,797 days or 10 years, 4 months, and 22 days!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aGdlEY00-IDofUm0S14X9ZFnmBq3Gt4I5UJ3V3qnofzDJds_26c6cnhREXv61XmCEB_2bPc1FxjQZGp44O4_aTXkCf3TLMYt4VKVPjY45EEcLmnJsj9SWYIDZFa5kvFrS2BBLdloFnY/s1600/allegriaticket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aGdlEY00-IDofUm0S14X9ZFnmBq3Gt4I5UJ3V3qnofzDJds_26c6cnhREXv61XmCEB_2bPc1FxjQZGp44O4_aTXkCf3TLMYt4VKVPjY45EEcLmnJsj9SWYIDZFa5kvFrS2BBLdloFnY/s320/allegriaticket.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The ticket from my first show in 2003.</div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">For we walk by faith, not by sight.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">2 Corinthians 5:7</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #e69138;">You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will being you into judgement. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless. Ecclesiastes 11: 9-10</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We don't have a clue what this journey entails. Honestly, I leave in 5 days and our house isn't even packed yet! But we know that God is good, and we know that God is faithful. I'm looking forward to writing about our journey and experiencing this next phase of life with my eyes set on the skies. If you're doubting God's plan for your life or His ability to direct your paths, then I hope what He has done in our life will be a testament of His faithfulness and constant presence. God is good... ALL the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
_________________________________________________________________________________</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;">I know this post is long, but it's almost over! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;">I have to give credit where credit is due, and I have to say the BIGGEST thank you to my husband! Max, you have supported me emotionally, physically, spiritually, and financially for the past two years as I have pursued this dream. You've dealt with the tears and the waiting, and you have always been the first person to risk it all for my goals. In a world where married men with children let Miley Cyrus grope them on national television, and business trips are a place to vent about the old ball and chain, you are a man who has continued to make sacrifices out of love for me. You are a fine example of a Godly husband, and I know that one day He himself will tell you, "Well done."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666;">I promise to fill your life with infinite back rubs and back scratches. </span><span style="color: #666666; text-align: center;">I love you all the blue in the sky, and I can't wait to explore South America with you. Thanks be to God.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-80455000451461625542012-11-01T22:06:00.003-07:002013-09-03T11:00:20.008-07:00Final Week in a GlanceWe had final presentations this week, so I thought I'd share some pictures from the week!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bY6H1U57vYT5YEg2DGHqnXHMij5avqZjbe4h-YPebsgeBvuf-APQNrAUQ0TzPjJBCexr9cBUqDJ0SUF4mfnHi980RZWFknJAQn5caLyjR3AQ2nKB_H4Qmsin93lQqBZzlrbqiZYhBSI/s1600/PA300162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bY6H1U57vYT5YEg2DGHqnXHMij5avqZjbe4h-YPebsgeBvuf-APQNrAUQ0TzPjJBCexr9cBUqDJ0SUF4mfnHi980RZWFknJAQn5caLyjR3AQ2nKB_H4Qmsin93lQqBZzlrbqiZYhBSI/s320/PA300162.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dima and his pet monkey.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRJCxEOSo9zhN8OUp5Bu9IcpN4UCl_Xg0SCBlKlht5hM1blN_9VMeITctDaxADiYDrhdcQ6nQotXA1XUoJ105zqvThoLLzyi9ogflr3z93ikH42TYBR4RXzPjC9DCCBOnasNUn7LoPQc/s1600/PA300164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRJCxEOSo9zhN8OUp5Bu9IcpN4UCl_Xg0SCBlKlht5hM1blN_9VMeITctDaxADiYDrhdcQ6nQotXA1XUoJ105zqvThoLLzyi9ogflr3z93ikH42TYBR4RXzPjC9DCCBOnasNUn7LoPQc/s320/PA300164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nikita, Ken, Barbie, and Dima </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw-T2ParIrU9zLbfSbZJd6okUeEaEOd6Cm02qEgvOK1XycQysFjOU8l3OAMxcShysRiloqGXUQJpel45WvaVEtAjGVVG94ms4gvsTGlO22y-MBaRYKYBFg-gWGfmQaXNcFe5UlKlptL4/s1600/PA300167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixw-T2ParIrU9zLbfSbZJd6okUeEaEOd6Cm02qEgvOK1XycQysFjOU8l3OAMxcShysRiloqGXUQJpel45WvaVEtAjGVVG94ms4gvsTGlO22y-MBaRYKYBFg-gWGfmQaXNcFe5UlKlptL4/s320/PA300167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pre-show: Mafia, squirrel, Ken, Barbie, nerd, and monkey. No, this was not for Halloween; and yes, I was getting paid.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uyRY7cb7RzNEeBGoi-LU5McVw7k8C_8nGjjvDwZwCFR2EsiFNLZRlY1HNuyqMR44DEmJ9kHzX5-oQ9Cbh-YM5qspVUqaIn4DYe35sMMJT6qofQJhyUT9g0t4wwZIxi5mKEtp7fdGjRs/s1600/PA300168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uyRY7cb7RzNEeBGoi-LU5McVw7k8C_8nGjjvDwZwCFR2EsiFNLZRlY1HNuyqMR44DEmJ9kHzX5-oQ9Cbh-YM5qspVUqaIn4DYe35sMMJT6qofQJhyUT9g0t4wwZIxi5mKEtp7fdGjRs/s320/PA300168.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sexy Ken. Ken may or may not be a lesbian version.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIBA8rcUFwogoAMpxMuoFI0fb8zlen7sfo4MFVYu-9sbtHhPL1wWL5pwsA5ODk_1iENrYBgabIFmOpidhVNPKFmZZYLuHJYkxfPjC2i1gu0UGh8MIddjVUBpNg5lnLBjdPOUweJaBm_M/s1600/PA300170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIBA8rcUFwogoAMpxMuoFI0fb8zlen7sfo4MFVYu-9sbtHhPL1wWL5pwsA5ODk_1iENrYBgabIFmOpidhVNPKFmZZYLuHJYkxfPjC2i1gu0UGh8MIddjVUBpNg5lnLBjdPOUweJaBm_M/s320/PA300170.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sexy girl (or boy?), Russian grandmother, and Russian grandpa</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM_Vzlja5noKmUMokhHy5dyWbVHosdO5H_mD866RPbB3zNN_9tzBxYJTl0CV8KmFEJMyBoVB22eEZk8Tzv0fwby5hcilUdq6BrPZwuxJxD1kD96Hs-Z8oqZ5GZM_iksjTs0Bop-ucAm8/s1600/PA300171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPM_Vzlja5noKmUMokhHy5dyWbVHosdO5H_mD866RPbB3zNN_9tzBxYJTl0CV8KmFEJMyBoVB22eEZk8Tzv0fwby5hcilUdq6BrPZwuxJxD1kD96Hs-Z8oqZ5GZM_iksjTs0Bop-ucAm8/s320/PA300171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sexy couple</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRKmt3B_OE8gWt14gZqU2KJ_QtvYhfnizvFUIkBRU4h2X91cAFoTOftfTU1PC7Qtp6UjktlAmoRQD9PrMr1ZaiYzPxNRSXCfHBNBYV4Ysc4P2grroYsdn5_WTfKOiKq5uXpkqQ2VBuTY/s1600/PA300172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRKmt3B_OE8gWt14gZqU2KJ_QtvYhfnizvFUIkBRU4h2X91cAFoTOftfTU1PC7Qtp6UjktlAmoRQD9PrMr1ZaiYzPxNRSXCfHBNBYV4Ysc4P2grroYsdn5_WTfKOiKq5uXpkqQ2VBuTY/s320/PA300172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Post performance with these hotties</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvfR9_aGfGgRzfj2Fb_yCq3q6s1vrJKf0tjk0rCS5RIh_bxk_FM9vlMwcUdZgNFcu6C5mAkKdMcD46rCsTgzpub4hh-j_HhC3OEWhnvWWfP-38mnsM_uL85mtHI7hE8lIvTPYFyE4YFs/s1600/PA300162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvfR9_aGfGgRzfj2Fb_yCq3q6s1vrJKf0tjk0rCS5RIh_bxk_FM9vlMwcUdZgNFcu6C5mAkKdMcD46rCsTgzpub4hh-j_HhC3OEWhnvWWfP-38mnsM_uL85mtHI7hE8lIvTPYFyE4YFs/s320/PA300162.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Michoue and Massimo! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2ZNHqKd_V11QWyV_W2QX-P2FQQ-GhwZdHT8F__r5M7j0qCUPz5Q38dsXoasPqi5cvsEGulL323exGD2PYE0Y2j8m2IUzcvSyxc2W2T94fxGkSQn9Y7EY8teexbMSbMoyOuznhykDTpI/s1600/PA310164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2ZNHqKd_V11QWyV_W2QX-P2FQQ-GhwZdHT8F__r5M7j0qCUPz5Q38dsXoasPqi5cvsEGulL323exGD2PYE0Y2j8m2IUzcvSyxc2W2T94fxGkSQn9Y7EY8teexbMSbMoyOuznhykDTpI/s320/PA310164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mom and dad post-show!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-h-rJWuiQJmok8e-VaKHRnUUVus9vB7zVpnKt9SFJEkRbEnLcLCkzxxRkVt-uqsaTCfvy-RAhi7Y7Xul8uwFeN6_kfodcFgmWvg1ImcRYfOKBl0oDfb1rfLsKJxfxjIQNnPNkf0WOCvU/s1600/PB010165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-h-rJWuiQJmok8e-VaKHRnUUVus9vB7zVpnKt9SFJEkRbEnLcLCkzxxRkVt-uqsaTCfvy-RAhi7Y7Xul8uwFeN6_kfodcFgmWvg1ImcRYfOKBl0oDfb1rfLsKJxfxjIQNnPNkf0WOCvU/s320/PB010165.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Cute little squirrels- Dasha and Elena</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAchSexX9DRm8BXIdEoT6_acRLJWdHg6UZXphn5U5fzp2aVKApoQdHIzyAVnp25K5sIMAZ1Xut8fHU5jExU8RGGy0DoyevBtdp-yFy6YmUkbk-OE-qSoj8G20betCF5T8L8XVE2z0xuwQ/s1600/PB010166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAchSexX9DRm8BXIdEoT6_acRLJWdHg6UZXphn5U5fzp2aVKApoQdHIzyAVnp25K5sIMAZ1Xut8fHU5jExU8RGGy0DoyevBtdp-yFy6YmUkbk-OE-qSoj8G20betCF5T8L8XVE2z0xuwQ/s320/PB010166.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 2: Barbie and Ken</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMmm8SqSz7kDW6xbumxJsnyl-gGZgx_rWQNg5gzN4t4CTGmouy_QXmLYEaCMClKIXuPXhuQDSuZOiWVTty2HPlLniKnUEt1Q8dON3f1xMyxP8Vrx8oHh3OI_SKVRFmKjy0wt26bGaBlM/s1600/PB010169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMmm8SqSz7kDW6xbumxJsnyl-gGZgx_rWQNg5gzN4t4CTGmouy_QXmLYEaCMClKIXuPXhuQDSuZOiWVTty2HPlLniKnUEt1Q8dON3f1xMyxP8Vrx8oHh3OI_SKVRFmKjy0wt26bGaBlM/s320/PB010169.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Day 2: Ken, nerd, monkey, and Barbie</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvNBcNAcRYP1gjDzi58TYGbflf289LMc2nf9ML6dT90rZSA8CPJrTf-Lz8QLIVAYC95SfUx-4iQhqp0l05E1rw5nP3LnFatnxq1-M-HQIz3RPubb_LReSuRqrjV6ceFzvmYiWeeivqMM/s1600/PB010170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvNBcNAcRYP1gjDzi58TYGbflf289LMc2nf9ML6dT90rZSA8CPJrTf-Lz8QLIVAYC95SfUx-4iQhqp0l05E1rw5nP3LnFatnxq1-M-HQIz3RPubb_LReSuRqrjV6ceFzvmYiWeeivqMM/s320/PB010170.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We're really serious while being instructed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXIJU9bQpxe_b-QtOL4TnDu9mVD5VTFAjHe8J4LM2wmGEC-NVkxEzA2M_cXeIOqAE604VQmUv-6Ot1IAGz4PZMZQZlD_y2sJNWAEuLGP5KOp_zvWl3ROG7KXTuJV2c0yZM4YeEMHcxWk/s1600/PB010171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXIJU9bQpxe_b-QtOL4TnDu9mVD5VTFAjHe8J4LM2wmGEC-NVkxEzA2M_cXeIOqAE604VQmUv-6Ot1IAGz4PZMZQZlD_y2sJNWAEuLGP5KOp_zvWl3ROG7KXTuJV2c0yZM4YeEMHcxWk/s320/PB010171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Gonna miss these (giant) guys!!!!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UCClhCkDGbCYTo4H9HL8Tig8krVuZ9BTwPmQnH53BBDuMSz4VP7Q1P6YQcy0-0_Rppel7XrSnIsPeKVc9eincGMJd3sDtOAZR37wNqkS0Zy2TDqOE9uCnDJ4G8V1O9MI6Ny7VPffdQ0/s1600/PB010172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UCClhCkDGbCYTo4H9HL8Tig8krVuZ9BTwPmQnH53BBDuMSz4VP7Q1P6YQcy0-0_Rppel7XrSnIsPeKVc9eincGMJd3sDtOAZR37wNqkS0Zy2TDqOE9uCnDJ4G8V1O9MI6Ny7VPffdQ0/s400/PB010172.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ma and Pa on day 2!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo6gsdy8GgbtOjhBk6p-ns-Me6eNUWi1QORK6Kgk0bAQE4S43V0Zmxs_SrhZtCMG3keBZBOZqZJwSkJZOFPz74ZN6x7mFjCoi9j7ZtN-SA960oRzGDLOyuG_YDp_IcrgZELHuhZ0e5oY/s1600/PB010173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPo6gsdy8GgbtOjhBk6p-ns-Me6eNUWi1QORK6Kgk0bAQE4S43V0Zmxs_SrhZtCMG3keBZBOZqZJwSkJZOFPz74ZN6x7mFjCoi9j7ZtN-SA960oRzGDLOyuG_YDp_IcrgZELHuhZ0e5oY/s400/PB010173.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Massimo and Michoue again</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ1C7hun53QBPqCx2Err7eZtl2rGbifvPmmVue3rj4DScc5RNg6VM0JDsLL_aSKsE7GqQYj1ShAkT0w_b8zLwE2UaQ5f00Fw3oMT_VV_BP3QWFE50mnbGiksMT2D3pZaSbAcUW9X7yxQ/s1600/PB010175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfZ1C7hun53QBPqCx2Err7eZtl2rGbifvPmmVue3rj4DScc5RNg6VM0JDsLL_aSKsE7GqQYj1ShAkT0w_b8zLwE2UaQ5f00Fw3oMT_VV_BP3QWFE50mnbGiksMT2D3pZaSbAcUW9X7yxQ/s400/PB010175.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Medusa + water. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hopefully there will be video footage and a better explanation to come!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7048085000123410867.post-47265299893992601562012-10-22T19:51:00.001-07:002012-10-22T19:51:41.428-07:00I love you Texas, but...I spent the first 18 years of my life <i>enjoying</i> the masterpiece that is the <strike>country</strike> state of TEXAS. I spent the following four years in Maryland <i>defending</i> my native <strike>country</strike> state. Finally, I've spent the past year in Ohio trying to <i>hold on</i> to my <strike>country's</strike> state's southern roots.<br />
<br />
Let's face it. Texas has clear blue skies, bluebonnets, and George W. Bush. We are surrounded by Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico, so it's not like we have any competition (yep, I said it). We have guns, horses, and 6th Street. We have the oil industry, and our grandfathers still wear their cowboy boots (well, at least mine does). We still say yes ma'am, no sir, and bless your heart. To Texans belong the Cowboys, Texans, Longhorns, Aggies, Red Raiders, Baylor Bears, Rangers, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, Dynamo, and of course, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Bear</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">kats</span>. We can bask in the sun most months of the year, and there is no such thing as state income tax. I know my fellow Texans would love for me to continue, but unfortunately, I might be frustrating (due to jealousy) others.<br />
<br />
Oh! One more thing: I forgot about Whataburger. Texas has Whataburger! Moving on...<br />
<br />
In my personal opinion, there is only one problem with Texas. I only discovered it when I moved to Maryland, but Ohio and Montreal have continued to remind me. You see, my Texas family often reminds me of what I'm missing out on living in Ohio. Well, here's one for you, familia de Tejas!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b><u>Fall.</u></b></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Enjoy your brown <strike>leaves</strike> pine needles, 80-90 degree weather in October, and sweating underneath your Halloween costume while I'm making use of my fall wardrobe!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkbHtNYURFRWU0Th9Szzqu0-6D8ELsf4KcsBFz0gQC6TcQzOUudOEKHXi9Eva4baaU7ocpP3BhykXYYkU6I4TqZMKHhw3cTxWfRUjLw6VnFpm2ArUIdc5e8ApUlCTfFPVP3mM5_xRmmY/s1600/PA210162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkbHtNYURFRWU0Th9Szzqu0-6D8ELsf4KcsBFz0gQC6TcQzOUudOEKHXi9Eva4baaU7ocpP3BhykXYYkU6I4TqZMKHhw3cTxWfRUjLw6VnFpm2ArUIdc5e8ApUlCTfFPVP3mM5_xRmmY/s400/PA210162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dF1aWZEGX17ZLk1vc6po-Ntp5BDXdlSmkxDktI4gHwzhc_rmsmSUDGT1QcTAIsRap6LCyYc3jHIx3dYDhZRC7t6NDo19WPWtYSdE1YfCKF66VloU3brU4fglmy_TXa7v5ZwIAsE9O_0/s1600/PA210164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dF1aWZEGX17ZLk1vc6po-Ntp5BDXdlSmkxDktI4gHwzhc_rmsmSUDGT1QcTAIsRap6LCyYc3jHIx3dYDhZRC7t6NDo19WPWtYSdE1YfCKF66VloU3brU4fglmy_TXa7v5ZwIAsE9O_0/s400/PA210164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mTXXx3KsCPmOMyIsVd_m7w4BuCJLify1JQrSFhyouLbOesqtf0W_vXC4FtONARlC-gPJ99xLqcDPMX758Uq9HFjm0_8SYKbSEsLPTj9JE4_ieO2TucuZCA-r6tnl-Xtgz9XkeFcZ8Co/s1600/PA210165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mTXXx3KsCPmOMyIsVd_m7w4BuCJLify1JQrSFhyouLbOesqtf0W_vXC4FtONARlC-gPJ99xLqcDPMX758Uq9HFjm0_8SYKbSEsLPTj9JE4_ieO2TucuZCA-r6tnl-Xtgz9XkeFcZ8Co/s400/PA210165.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVqYCi9bkM7KJ4Hv83Pa8wwdbScDib7bkZKPR1N2oTLAsZbv7SaZ2JieG8cpp7ytgHzc6dAYfdrw2gr7Cb3KbYRkwHE7Hsv_RQnNIsZsN-luZEzdYm3Iz3BO-x2aDVgls2vaFP3eiiIE/s1600/PA210167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVqYCi9bkM7KJ4Hv83Pa8wwdbScDib7bkZKPR1N2oTLAsZbv7SaZ2JieG8cpp7ytgHzc6dAYfdrw2gr7Cb3KbYRkwHE7Hsv_RQnNIsZsN-luZEzdYm3Iz3BO-x2aDVgls2vaFP3eiiIE/s400/PA210167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBzQKDf_TRIoUPj5Nht_etRuvZYcVgnJpYJk1D4kYyzrfW69JZjdFz6_wiTHuQyDLxnvE6kKRpCc78hRcJiEWX9yIz4AF0giGQdndT_5G-46JYSqNoYlo42qFGd07NPRFmFIrBgtDbg8/s1600/PA210168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBzQKDf_TRIoUPj5Nht_etRuvZYcVgnJpYJk1D4kYyzrfW69JZjdFz6_wiTHuQyDLxnvE6kKRpCc78hRcJiEWX9yIz4AF0giGQdndT_5G-46JYSqNoYlo42qFGd07NPRFmFIrBgtDbg8/s400/PA210168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd2QhPf5KWtR7i2FqJ-EXba9Rr00Ljc1AdWNTXxB2uNn8cWyLibEkmf0u8T_PS6jZHtRzuqIdFnpwLNtD1Ngy7a0u_jSS-Baboo0UiZOhYLHz-1zGkYdEiQeHx2j-xikXzdoJIScoRBY/s1600/PA200162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfd2QhPf5KWtR7i2FqJ-EXba9Rr00Ljc1AdWNTXxB2uNn8cWyLibEkmf0u8T_PS6jZHtRzuqIdFnpwLNtD1Ngy7a0u_jSS-Baboo0UiZOhYLHz-1zGkYdEiQeHx2j-xikXzdoJIScoRBY/s400/PA200162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjBBLRrR1bBYwqjr6wBpUjlzMILxJ2jMUvXtzQnaTi9Vv3YKWxYEHintc-Or7a-efLQ4Pmqfz_kNsWTGjx3E0s0QggZ9GAJKh8_FOF5CdpGq7-0j6mFq4QF5wkh_xiuUMCEadhaNy1Eg/s1600/PA200164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjBBLRrR1bBYwqjr6wBpUjlzMILxJ2jMUvXtzQnaTi9Vv3YKWxYEHintc-Or7a-efLQ4Pmqfz_kNsWTGjx3E0s0QggZ9GAJKh8_FOF5CdpGq7-0j6mFq4QF5wkh_xiuUMCEadhaNy1Eg/s400/PA200164.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxM7UgAsCDaiDeHGZEzp1pjcOUfdbvvGDJfatV00ThA4nL8wT9cMAzIgTruWMzjNRNN9G9Mq-_CMXUc0ifZW3ItcQGcHkOLOS32OVOSLQCfOPbRJOncXOvHWASBK8upaNiQeINag44Mc/s1600/PA200167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxM7UgAsCDaiDeHGZEzp1pjcOUfdbvvGDJfatV00ThA4nL8wT9cMAzIgTruWMzjNRNN9G9Mq-_CMXUc0ifZW3ItcQGcHkOLOS32OVOSLQCfOPbRJOncXOvHWASBK8upaNiQeINag44Mc/s400/PA200167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oops, I forgot Tex-Mex. I can't forget to mention that Texas also has Tex-Mex.</div>
Abigailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18314642264395834172noreply@blogger.com0