Josper Kemeph Ure

I think Josper has Joseph's mouth and my eyes. What do you think? But where did that red hair come from? We don't even have mail man or a milk man! But we are proud parents of our vitual little bundle of joy!

Sorry Mama Stuart and Mama Ure - this is not an announcement.

Praia Vermelha

Finally, we went to the beach and did the beach thing: sit and catch the UV rays while wearing a swimming suit for several hours. Well, it turned out to be one and half because we were becoming little red tomatoes. And we even went for a dip in the ocean. WOW! This was tons of fun. I have gone to the ocean before in the US, but for some reason the Brazilian one is more fun. As you sit on the beach and let the waves literally crash over you, you have to be ready for the ocean to SUCK you back into it. There were several times that I was flipped over by the waves going in and out. Talk about sand in the swim suit! And it's not fine stuff either; it is like rock salt. But holy cow, it was wonderful. And now, two days later, I am still as white as when I left Utah.

Festa Julinha

Our ward, along with the nieghbor ward had the annual July Festival and holy smokes, this is something that the United States could have. If we can celebrate Cinco de Mayo, why not Festive Julinha? July Festival is a party that is very popular in Brazil celebrating the country folk. Traditional costumes are worn by the children, but as you can see, we had a little share of it too. The decorations are the awesome flags and lots of music! Oh the music! I loved it. Joseph and I learned the very basics of Forho. We definately were Americans. We can't swing our hips for the life of us.
The traditional food for a July Festival is right here: hotdogs in a tomatoe sauce (most important part), corn on the cob, and cake. This pot of hotdogs looks small in the picture, but I am not kidding when I say it is at least two feet across! I have never seen anything like it!

I volunteered to bring two cakes - one orange and one chocolate. But instead of bringing chocolate, I brought Revel Fudge Bars instead. This was completely different than anything they would have eaten. And the Brazilians loved them! As for the orange cake, nobody told me that Brazilians eat cake without frosting. So my cake was the only one with frosting. Oh, the differences in culture! I don't think they knew quite what to do with it either. Well, at least Joseph ate it. He was probably the only one who ate it - "the others were too dry for him". Oh, bless his heart!

The Jovens

For the month of July, the public and private schools in Rio are on vacation. So I have taken the opportunity to hang out with the Jovens (youth) of the ward. Why? Because they are the ones who speak enough Engish that I can understand AND don't get impatient when I am trying to speak Portuguese. So it works out nice. And the best part, they are teaching me how to make the most delicious Brazilian treats! Cuz cuz, bridedeiro, cookies, etc. And I have even showed them the art of cinnomon rolls. Joseph didn't want to share that part of home very well. :)