They've left and taken my baby with them.

All good things must come to an end I guess. Yesterday afternoon we put our journey girls back on a plane for Madrid. We did not like seeing them go. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed showing them Lisbon, laughing with them, and just hanging out. (You girls are great and we love you!  Snuggly misses you already.) Not only did they leave, but they took Micah with them. He is headed to Germany for a retreat and is meeting up with a group in Madrid. Can you believe it?! I put my baby on a plane for Germany? He is even flying the last leg home alone. My we've come along way in a year. I stressed out last year just sending him to the next state for summer camp and this is another country. He walked through the gate and never looked back. I am thankful the girls were here to travel with him. It put my mind much more at ease.

A Day in Belem

Christmas 2009

Today has been wonderful.

Morning
*Great country breakfast with all the trimmings - breakfast casserole, counrty ham & biscuits, red-eye gravy, and even monkey bread.
*Opened presents with family and friends

Afternoon
*Watched a marathon of movies - Home Alone 3, Night at the Museum, and Deck the Halls
*Much needed naps
*Skype calls with friends and family

Evening
*Christmas dinner with turkey, potato casserole, cranberry sauce and coconut cake
*Games of Yatzee and Clue
*Charlie Brown Christmas Movie

BUSY, BUSY WEEK

My parents and aunt arrived last Friday (with all their bags missing).  We finally have recieved 5 bags (yes, one is still in Paris). Then 2 friends from Spain arrived on Tuesday (minus their bags as well - notice a pattern?). Needless to stay we have not strayed from home too far in anticipation of luggage being delivered.

 However, we have squeezed in a few outings. A local mall set up an ice skating ring and the boys have been begging to go, so off we went.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This afternoon we decided to head to the Baixa (downtown) to see the sights and check out Christmas lights.  It rained a bit, but it was beautiful.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

A few days ago we went to the beach and to one of our favorite spots - Boca de Inferno (Mouth of Hell). It is a place were waves crash and the sunset is breath-taking.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Finally Here!

My parents and aunt finally arrived (3 hours late and 6 bags short), but they are here and we are all so excited.  Hopefully the bags will arrive tomorrow from Paris or we will have to go shopping, though that might not be all bad, right?

Field Trip

Yesterday Andy & I went on a field trip with our teachers and 2 other friends to Mafra. This is a small town outside of Lisbon that has a HUGE monestary. Not sure how old it was, but a royal family lived there along with a a group of monks. Andy said it was like the Portuguese equivilent to the Biltmore. Here are a few pis.

                                     

This is the monestaryThe part in the middle is a church.

The life-size Nativity in front of the church.

The library.

The church.

There is a game preserve very near this city and the king had is set up for his private hunting grounds, thus a room of dead animal heads.  It was kind of creepy.

This was the infirmary for the monks.  The cubicles on the sides were set up as "hospital rooms"and the cots could be pulled out in the middle area for mass everyday.   Below is an example of one of the cubicles.

Can you belive all these huge rooms ( and so much more) fit inside this building.  Like I said, it was HUGE!

Shake, Rattle, & Roll

Last night I finally got to bed before midnight. I was so proud of myself, but when I woke this morning I find that I had missed an interesting late night adventure. Andy stayed up to watch a ball game, fell asleep in the living room and woke about 1:30am to our building MOVING! Yes I said MOVING! Portugal experienced a 6.3 earthquake early this morning- the largest in 40 years. It occured off the southern coast, so thankfully all we recieved was a good shake. The kids and I were a bit disappointed that we slept thtough it.

Dec 17, 2009
Quake shakes Portugal, Spain

MADRID - AN EARTHQUAKE measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook southern Spain and Portugal early on Thursday, Spain's seismological institute said.

There were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

The epicentre of the quake, which occurred at 2.37am (0137 GMT, 9.37am Singapore time) was in the Atlantic Ocean about 100km south-west of Cape St Vincent in Portugal and at a depth of 58km, the National Geographic Institute said.

The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 5.7 magnitude on its different moment magnitude scale. It said the quake struck at a shallow depth of 10km. -- AFP

Someone passed this along to us. It really makes you stop and think about who and what Christmas is about and what is has become.

Party in Portugal

Last night we had a Chrsitmas party with our fellow collegues. We were all Americans, but we partied in true Portuguese form because we did not get home until after 1am and we were not the last to leave.  There was more food than we could possibly eat and the kids had a great time exchanging gifts and decorating cookies.  After most everyone left, a few stragglers  stayed to play Guitar Hero/Band.  It was hilarious but a good time was had by all.  Thanks Mark for a rousing jam session.  Thanks MG & Cristi for opening your home.  It was a great night.

We are so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group.

These are a few of my favorite things....

I love decorating for Christmas, so here are a few of my favorites - old and new.


Our lovely overgrown Charlie Brown Tree.
It has a charm all it's own and is really beginning to grow on us.


My great-grandmother's ceramic tree.
This is my all-time favorite Chirstmas decoration.


My wonderful Willow Tree nativity.


Our new Portuguese wreath.



No fireplace this year, so we are settling for the french doors.


Cute Christmas Tree cutout chalkboard for the kitchen.

Frosty stands by the door ready to greet visitors.

A Day Behind

Ok, I know I siad I was going to blog everyday in December and I already missed yesterday. However, I did take pictures yesterday with the intention of posting. Does that count?

Experiencing Christmas here is very interesting. It seem that every store plays English Christmas and many of the Christmas decorations even say "Merry Christmas" in English. I had to really hunt to find a wreath that said "Feliz Natal".

Yesterday I was struck by 2 interesting events. As I was leaving the Metro/Bus station there were 2 men set up selling really cheap (price & quality) Christmas decorations. People were clamoring to buy them - NOT! Then later, as I was driving down the street, I saw a man at the intersection trying to sell something to the stopped cars. This is not unusual becuse people are always selling newspapers, magazines or such. However, ths man was selling Santa Claus hats. Is there really that big of a demand for cheap Santa hats?

Another Holiday

Today was another holiday in December - Immaculate Conception Day.

Yep, a holiday to celebrate the Virgin Mary's miraculous conception.

But my thought is this....Mary either had a really short or VERY long pregnancy, if she delivered on the 25th. Actually it is a day remembering the conception of Mary herself. However, there was very little evidence of a true celebration of the event.

We spent the day at the soccer field. Ethan had a mini-tournament this morning and Micah had a game late this afternoon. (I intended to take pictures, but left the camera at home. Oops, sorry no pictures this post.)

It seemed that most Portuguese (who managed to get the day off) seemed to be out and about. We ran to the mall for lunch and I think half of Portugal was there. It was like the day after Thanksgiving. Too many people for me.

December in Portugal

A friend of mine was challenged to post everyday in December, so I decided to pick up the challenge as well. I know, I know - it is already the 7th, but better late than never.

Andy just returned from a training seminar in Switzerland (Yes, life is hard some days.) He did not get to see snow, but the Christmas decorations were beautiful.


A beautiful store window display.

Fully lit tree - Beautiful!

He also brought home a very special Christmas treat - a Traditional Germany Christmas Pyramid. I remember having on in my home as a child. There is something so mezmorizing about the candles making the whole thing turn

12 Days of Christmas

I found this funny version of a mixed up 12 Days of Christmas. I hope you enjoy.

Micah