Off to the States We Go!!

 

 

We were planning on going to the states towards the end of June for two family reunions. Hops were looking bleak so we decided to get on the next hop to the states that came up.

A flight to Alaska popped up so we quickly packed our bags and jumped on it.  All the kids were treated by the pilots by sitting up in the cockpit for take off and landing.

We stopped for gas in Gander, Canada, and then headed off to Anchorage, Alaska.

This was in Anchorage at about midnight.  It was neat to be back in Alaska even for a couple of hours.  It made us realize how much we loved that place!  We caught a hop at about 3 am to Texas.

Opening Day!

 We have been waiting for this day all year!  We love the pool!  These pictures came off the base website where they were showing pictures of the opening day of the pool.  Jake was helping the lifeguard demonstrate how he can help save someone.

 

End of School For the Year

 

At the end of the year Nick and Caleb received awards for various accomplishments throughout the year.  We are all glad that school is out and we can have a break from all the work and busy-ness that comes from school!

 

Bull fights

One of my favorite traditions on this island is the street bullfight.  It is always entertaining!!

 

 

Baseball

We whizzed through another baseball season.  They all learned new skills and got better as the season went along.  Jake's team didn't have enough players so his league was cancelled.

Snorkeling

 

Megan was practicing her snorkeling before it was warm enough to go to the beach!

Just Dance

 We have had a lot of rain this winter and had to spend a bit more time indoors.

 But we have been dancing the house down with the wii's Just Dance.  We got so into it some days that we actually moved all the furniture out of the way.

We have had fun with it and watch out, The Browns may become the next dancing sensations!

 



Pinewood Derby

 This year's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby was definitely a memorable one.  Our Scouts invited the Girl Scouts and Portuguese Boy and Girl Scouts. It was neat to see each group do their Scout theme.

 Caleb wanted to make his car into a wii remote.  It turned out well.  In fact it was a FAST car.  He finished 5th out of at least 60 cars.

Nick's car was a sleek, all-black car.  They had to move the weights to the side because the track was too high.  It was fast too.  He finished 8th.

Easter

Nobody does Holidays like Americans!  (At least, that is what we think.)  On Easter we invited all of the missionaries on the island over to celebrate an American Easter.   Some of them had been here in Portugal long enough that they hadn't had some of the comforts and pleasures of America in a long time.  They ate up American ham and potatoes and chips and salsa and seven-layer dip.  The Easter Bunny brought them American candy.  They were very grateful to be spoiled on a wonderful Holiday.  But it was more fun for us to do the spoiling and see how the little things in life can make a day magical!

Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee 2013!  2nd and 4th place winners!  Great job!