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I can't believe we've been on vacation for 2 whole months. Who do we think we are?! We just came back from Minas Gerais, which is one state north of Sao Paulo. My aunt and uncle, Gabriel's grandparents live there and we had to stop by and visit. We went to a waterfall, ate way more than humanely posible and saw a lot os strawberries. My aunt's family is in the strawberry business, all small farmer's. Very cool plantations. I'll have to show you pictures some other time. Minas is great. We saw toucans just hanging out on the treets and a bunch of other birds we don't even know the name for.

On Thursday we move to Bahia. It's hard to believe that our vacationing is coming to an end

I'm so thankful for these past two months. Christian and I were reflecting on the places and people we've seen and we feel so lucky. We love how our families come from such different backgrounds.

This is my aunt's backyard. She is a very religious person and as such she used her backyard to make a square to honor the Patron Saint of Brazil, Nossa Senhora Aparecida. The picture above is of her backyard. And here is the chapel she built in her backyard.

Inside she has her saints but she still goes to church every single day. I like going to church with my extended family and seeing how religious they are.

Aunt Lena, uncle Jesus, and Maria.

Marcos is Gabriel's dad. I think he looks like Gabriel's brother don't you? To the left is his girlfriend Lais. Enzo and Maria have really been missing Gabriel. Maria asks about him multiple times a day. It was good for her to hang out with Marcos because he's so much like Gabriel, so playful and affectionate.

Enzo at the waterfall.

Hiking in Brazil is very different than Hawaii. I didn't capture it in this picture but there is a lot of cattle  just roaming around everywhere.

Sorry my posts are so long. I have so many pictures to go through it's not very organized. Whenever I'm in the US and I see beautiful things I always think about my mom and Iris and how much I wish I could share it with them. Now that I'm here I think so much of you guys and how much I wish I could share Brazil with you. I know it's not very realistic to come for a visit but if you can I would love love love to show you around.

Jesse's Latest Project

Jesse built this awesome bunkbed for the girls.  It's a little shorter and not as wide as a standard bunk.  I love this detail he made, so princessy!  He also made the storage unit for under the window.  He used an interior door from the Habitat ReStore. 

Summer in Utah

Here are some random pictures from my phone. They aren't great pictures, but you get the idea of some of the things that we've been up to lately.

August has been pretty lazy so far—especially compared to trying to finish grad school in June and family reunions in July. I was thinking that I was really sad to no be going back to school this Fall, but then I had a dream that I had two classes that I still needed to take to graduate and I was frantically trying to arrange babysitting and get my schedule all worked out. When I woke up, I was relieved to not be having to do all that. In fact, today Bo and I both woke up with colds and it was nice to be able to just relax and not have anything that we absolutely had to get done. That said, we've been a little bored, so we'll have to start thinking of more things for us to do during the day to keep busy.

flowers from the yard in a Jake Jackson vase. we get complements on this vase all the time. we love it.

this was on Sunday, Bo and were matching, so I wanted to get a picture of both of us, but he wanted his clothes off as soon as we got home. I couldn't decide if this skirt hid my baby bump or accentuated it. I'll be 14 weeks pregnant tomorrow. We're getting pretty excited, although it still feels very far away. It doesn't help that I don't have good posture so I probably look more pregnant.

Here is ezra riding the flowrider stationary wave at one of the local pools here. This was on their last day here in Utah. We miss them.

Tenney was sharing his snacks with Minnie and Bo.

Our mountain view in the evening light.

Hanging out at the park in the evening when it finally starts cooling off.

Tony and his cousin working in the yard.

A big box of apricots we picked from our neighbor's tree. Amy and I made apricot freezer jam and I took the leftovers and made fruit leather.

Bo playing in his sandbox that one of our neighbors gave to us.

We've definitely been missing our family. Although, we did have a nice treat yesterday; Mariah, Andy, and Charlene stopped by. It was so great to see them and get to say goodbye to Sister Hunt. We are so excited for her. We'll also be happy to get Austin and Kristian back on Friday.

I want to see pictures of all the cute kids in their back to school outfits. School started here on Monday, so we've get to watch all the kids walking back and forth from school.

Random Sampling

our mimi!

with lovely liz

nan and dave putting on yet another huge family gathering!

jasmine (and christian) came!

joseph with rebekah

cousins j & j

all 9 lipmans...all the way from martinez
click on images to see their cute faces

lipman girls

little joseph to mimi on how to remember his sisters, "Rebekah has squiggly hair. Jessika has flat hair. And Rachel (also has flat hair)." Helpful.

Not a Farewell!

Mariah left today. She spoke in church yesterday. Her message was heartfelt and enlightening. At the beginning little Sienna Rose came running up to the pulpit from the very back of the seating in the cultural hall. It was a tender moment. Sienna cried when her Daddy caught up with her and plucked her away. (I think many of us feel the same way about saying goodbye to our missionary.) Mariah sang alto on an a capella hymn (#15 in the hymnbook) with her folks and two aunties. Then Nan and Dave had the family (all of us!) for fancy potluck dinner. It was a sweet send-off.

Coming and Going

Maria made it to Brazil

peaches are all picked

Lili graced us again

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24

It is Minami's Birthday

I know these pictures are from the way past. (Pammy gets to see a picture of you every time she uses her phone.) I remember Sienna telling her mom about being in the "double digits". I loved knowing you when you were only a few weeks old! You are a beautiful wave and a breath of fresh air. I hope your day is fabulous!! I miss you.

Rest Stop

Three Mimi's
Almost Birthday Girls