BONFIRE PARTY

 We were invited to attend a party at the home of a family that makes wooden bowls from Araucaria wood.  They had built an enormous tower, some 25 feet high and planned to make a bonfire.  It really was something to see.  They also barbequed a side of beef over the coals and cooked a pig in a woodfired oven.  They had prepared the party for a group of Spanish people and invited us to come as well.  That flaming tower was putting out some BTUs!

Side of  beef being cooked by the coals.

Edna and Bonnie with the fire tower just getting underway.

Fire going full force!  It was a towering inferno!

Cutting the meat off the stakes.

Mom and Dallin getting ready for the fire!

Thanksgiving 2012

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year with missionaries.  We would have loved to have all of them with us however that is just not possible.  We invited several companionships selected randomly over for dinner.  We held Thanksgiving one week late due to the Annual Stake Presidents' Dinner last Friday night.  The Elders and Sisters moved their p-day to Thursday in order to participate.  Several went to Barigui to play frisbee with Dallin and the president took the Sisters and a dupla of Elders to feed the monkeys in the park.  We certainly ate well.  There was plenty of turkey, stuffing, homemade rolls, and desserts to satisfy everyone's appetite.  The hit of the day was President's apple crisp and German red cabbage!

Satisfied diners!

Sisters Arce, Patton and Cook recover from Thanksgiving Dinner.

Not much left!

Jogging in Parque Barigui

The geese were about the only ones at the park today.  Temperatures dropped into the 60s with intermittent rain after consecutive days in the 90s.

Christmas has arrived in Brazil!

Yep, no mistaking it, Christmas season has arrived here in South America.  Bonnie was caught shopping for Chocottone!  That means that the kids will be here soon!!

Sunday Dinner with the Gerhardt Pereira Family

Presidente Calnay Gerhardt Pereira of Paranagua made an outstanding fresh juice for Sunday dinner with fresh oranges, papaya, mangos, and strawberries.  What a great afternoon following a wonderful Paranagua Stake Conference.

Augusto - Souza Wedding!

The Newlyweds! She is the daughter of Presidente Souza, mission president in Fortaleza and he is my first counselor's son.  It was great to spend the evening celebrating their wedding.

One of our favorite young couples, Bruno and Barbara Augusto, were there to support his brother.

OK, enough is enough.  How am I supposed to stick to my diet here anyways!!