February 09 in Review

James started a new preschool the first week of February (the start of the Brazilian school year). It's called Escola Cristao Kids and it is a Christian Montessori type school. I was offered a teaching position to teach English to the children each week. In exchange for my time, they will give James (and eventually Lilah) a scholarship. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to stay close to James and to get to better know the school and teachers. So far, we are both loving it! My American friends and I have started a little play date each week for our little blondes to have some fun together in English. It looks like Marina, Lilah and Gianna will grow up together.......their parents are lifers in Brazil like Rick and I. Because our apartment building is receiving a face lift via paint, it is not unusual to see a man hanging outside our window. Can I remind you that we live on the 4th floor? Try and wash dishes with this as your view.....it's very distracting! Our college-age neighbor Natalia celebrates her birthday with all her short neighbors!

Rick's dad often comes upstairs for a visit. Here Daddy helps the kids put together a "head breaker"(the Brazilian word for puzzle directly translates to this).

James and Lilah helping Mommy do some produce shopping.

We like to go to our local park that has a zip-line. We are still trying to get Lilah to try it.

"Getting boots in a care package from Nana makes me want to dance!"

Could anything be better than white chocolate ice cream? James' fav too!

Lilah and friend Vinni hanging out in their drawers. This seems to be an ideal photo to embarrass them in say.......twenty years!

Celebrating friend Sara's 4th birthday.....check out that cake!We recently went to a new park that has a concrete skateboard ramp. James had the best time sliding down on his bottom. No fear baby!And of course, he made some new friends while there.


James loves loves loves getting his haircut.........just like his mommy I guess.

January 09 in Review

We started our first few moments of the New Year in the Sao Paulo Airport. Having just arrived from our long flight we heard the countdown to the new year in Portuguese while we waited for our luggage. That was a first for us. We were a little disappointed after waiting 30 minutes to discover NONE of our luggage made the flight to Brazil. What bummer news! Especially as we had to wait a couple days for it to be delivered because of the holiday. The neighbors were happy to have James and Lilah back home again. Some of our friends rented a beach house for the week and they invited us to come spend a day with them. The kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It was Lilah's first time to the beach! I often allow James to use my camera. Here is a photo he took of his mommy on the drive down to the beach. The children are lined up eating the good food from the churrasco. (Brazilian BBQ) This was my first year to spend a birthday in Brazil. My sweet friends planned a party and made a beautiful cake topped with fresh fruit. This was the first time I had ever seen fresh blackberries and blueberries in Brazil. It was a real treat. A photo of all my lovely birthday flowers. ( only one is still living....definite black thumb!) Our main reason to getting back to Brazil so quickly was to prepare an apartment to receive Rick's parents. The family decided it would be best for Mom and Dad to come live in our building where we could better care for them. Not only us, but there are many friends that live in the building who love them and could help if needed. Unfortunately, I don't have a good photo of the two of them together. Here is Mom giving Lilah a lift on her walker.

Back to Blogging

Well, it appears that I have been on a blogging "furlough" for 5 months. I am happy to be back and have much to share with you.

After our Pastors/Leaders Conference in October, we flew back to the states in time for the kids to enjoy dressing up for Halloween. James was Batman of course, and Lilah had two costumes this year...a ladybug and a black cat. My mother and grandma came over and passed out Ringpops to the kids that came to our door while Ricky and I took the children through the neighborhood. I had to give Lilah a couple lollipops along the route to keep her seated in the wagon I took her in! James used his scooter to move from house to house quickly. We ALL had so much fun that night. You can see it in his face....he believes he is Batman.

Lilah playing in the driveway after going through the neighborhood. That little tail wagged with each step...so cute!
Lilah at the pumpkin patch.

Daddy and his boy.

Lilah is almost the same size as this pumpkin!

"Mommy, look at this baby pumpkin I found."

We spent Thanksgiving in Greenville, South Carolina with Rick's family. It was so nice to see everyone, especially Rick's mom and dad. My mother-in-law had just suffered a mini stroke in September and by God's grace was released from the rehabilitation center in time to be back at home with the family. We had much to be thankful for.

Getting ready to dig in.

Lilah and Grandma playing us a song.


The children loved playing in the fall leaves.


Auntie Faith giving Lilah a trim.

We went back to Greenville again for the week leading up to Christmas. We always celebrate on Christmas Eve with a big feast. I am happy to announce that after 8 years of being a part of the Denham family, I finally have my own "dish" for Christmas dinner. Rick's sister Dawn has the Broccoli cheese casserole, Faith has her famous green bean casserole, Saralee makes mac'n cheese and always brings the pies and now I have..................the Corn souffle!!!! It passed with flying colors and I am happy to say it's a keeper! Our Family Christmas photo Christmas Eve 2008

This was the photo for our Christmas card this year.

Lilah had enough of the photo shoot! Wow...was that difficult for all of us!
Mom and Dad Denham and their 5 children.
All of the Denham Grandkids.

We left early Christmas morning and drove all the way back to Melbourne, FL where the Reese family was waiting at our house for our arrival. Yes, Christmas was at our house. Imagine coming home to your house after a long drive and everyone is there cooking, playing in the backyard, and waiting for your arrival. It was great! Lilah got a tutu for Christmas.James got a tool bench. He loves fixing things!Crazy Aunt Carol and Li take a spin all throughout the house on James' plasma car. These cars are the coolest. Cousin Alli and Lilah at the kid's table. All the girls are in the kitchen getting the meal ready.

This was the first year we didn't have a traditional turkey dinner on Christmas. This was fine with Ricky and I as we just stuffed ourselves with turkey the night before. So Mom made her famous meatloaf, Grandma made her famous fried chicken and Carol and Jimmy grilled up some baby back ribs. It was fabulous!



Random Photos of our time in the States:
We took James and some Miller kids to the circus one night. We especially enjoyed the camels and elephants.

Ricky took this photo of Lilah while she played in the front yard. So sweet! James had the opportunity to play soccer with a local Christian league when we first got back. He was a little young but they made an exception because he is an MK. (missionary kid) Some of these kids towered over James.

Look at him go!At his last game, the children were given cupcakes, popsicles, and bubbles....he loved it. Here are 4 generations on the soccer field cheering for James. This photo still cracks me up. Lilah put on James' Spiderman mask and kept it on for a long while. Normally when you put, say a hat on her, she rips it right off. I think she was loving it!

Lilah's very first pigtails!My wonderful little man! Lilah liked playing with the doll that I had played with as a little girl.