Farewell to Steve and Vicki

After spending just over a week with us in Brazil, it was time for Steve and Vicki to go home. We took them to the airport to say goodbye and send them back to the States. It was great to have them with us, showing them Brazil and getting everything ready for Julia's birthday together. We had a great time with them. Thanks Steve and Vicki!!

Another Birthday at the Church this time

We had some cake left over from Julia's party so we brought it to church sunday night.

We got turned around and got there late, so Valberth was in the middle of preaching when we got there.

We sang happy birthday, cut the cake, and passed Julia around for everyone to party with.

Rebecca is Gilberto and Eliza's daughter.

Raquel got to spend some quality time with her new niece, Valentina.

Neil's Birthday

The day after we had the party for Julia was Neil's birthday. We had a small barbeque party to celebrate.

Gilberto, Pedro's good friend.

Alisa, Gilberto's wife. Of course Julia got most of the attention.
Neil got the cake this time though.

More Party Pics

Here are some pics of the family and friends at Julia's party.

Raquel's cousin Sandra was in Brazil for the summer so she came to celebrate.

The two ladies in this picture with Raquel are friends of hers from school.

Pedro and the whole family.
Here is a shot of all of the Pereira's that were at the party.Pedro and his 3 granddaughters.

Julia's Birthday Decorations

If you were around us at all for about 3 months before we went to Brazil, you would know that the major event of our trip there was Julia's birthday. Raquel spent countless hours printing, scoring, cutting, and folding materials for gift bags, gift boxes, and various other paper items for the party. You'll see some of these through the pictures below and on the next post.

In addition to the paper items, Renata found us a lady who se business is putting on parties, and she decorated the hall up right for the party. (Balloon decorations are huge in Brazil.) Again, much of this was with help of Raquel who searched the internet to find the best deals on the fancy balloons.The theme was rubber duckies (yes, remember that post from almost a year ago now - same theme, we even used the same cake pan.) You'll see the rubber ducky theme with some little chicks spread in there for good measure.

This was the main table where the cake will go.

Now with us and the cake (see the duck on top of the blue cake between the 2 chick balloons?)Here Julia is enjoying the berries in the bushes around the base of the tree.The whole room had balloons everywhere!This is the candy table. If you zoom in on the lollipops in the cup, you will see they are covered with a paper decoration with Julia's picture printed on them.Here is a closeup of the candies on the candy table.The guest tables.

Time at the Beach

In between laying around, relaxing with family, and taking naps, we got to the beach a few times while we were in Fortaleza.

Here are Steve and Vicki enjoying drinks with Pedro.

On a separate occasion Julia got to come with to the beach. She really enjoyed the sand. Daddy enjoyed playing with his little girl in the sand also . . . (it kept her from wandering off).

More Hanging in Brazil

Late in the week our first week we were in Brazil, we moved from the complex we were staying in, and moved to Marcos' house. It was a little further from the beach, but a great place to stay.

Here are Raquel and Julia hanging out in the window of our room. Nice view.

Neil left his magazine on the table on the back porch. Of course Julia got right to reading it.