Mid-December we flew to Utah to visit Curtis' family. While there we were able to do many things and see lots of family. We had a chance to show the kids Temple Square at Christmas time. It was chilly but a neat experience.
It was nice to be able to spend Christmas with family. Our Christmas was a trip to Disneyland, but we had a great time with our stockings and most importantly spending the day with so many cousins!
We also took lots of time to visit Papa, Curtis' dad who has been in the hospital since November recovering from some strange illness. He is slowly getting stronger each day. These hospital trips reminded us of how precious our time together is. We love you Papa; you are our hero!
Finally for two reasons: one, I am finally posting; and two, finally we are here! This a cow in the field right behind our house. 
This is the view for the kids as they walk home from school. They don't realize how good they've got it.
We went on a base sponsored tour of the island a few weeks ago. This is a hilltop near the base with Mary watching over. The next picture is the statue of Mary. This island is very Catholic.
This is at the Angra Botanical Gardens.
This is one of the cathedrals on the island. Right in front of it is a waterfall by the stairs.
Another little city we passed through.
A forest towards the middle of the island.
There is farmland everywhere.
Cows use the roads about as much as the cars do. 
This is a swimming area on the north side of the island. The rocks are lava from the last eruptions a couple hundred years ago.
Much of the coastline looks like this. There are some beaches in the cities but most everywhere else it is rocky. So far we are loving it here. The temperature is great for winter. It is beautiful everywhere you go. The food is good, and people are friendly. It is hard to believe that we have been here a month. It makes me sad to have it go by so quickly.
We got a chance to see Tow-Mator. Who would have thought that he would have been hanging around Orem during Christmas time?
We went to the BYU museum and saw exhibits on animals, we only had one picture of the day, and it happens to be butterflies all placed together to create a large butterfly.
Curtis went with his brother to a gun course in Nevada. They had lots of fun and learned some new skills. The school was in the middle of nowhere. Hence, the next picture.
