Almost over...

Happy Easter!
We only have 2 days left and then we are on our way home. First stop Costa Rica then home! I probably won't blog anymore till I get home and update with the final pics. We have had a great Easter. We went to the beach and really enjoyed a non windy day and the weather was perfect about 82 degrees! I made a scavenger hunt for the kids and got them some chocolate easter eggs to find. See you all very soon!

Pictures of La Barra taken by Kai.

The river that leads to the Atlantic Ocean.

El Dorado is the grocery store that we shop at most of the time! About 1k walk.

Street scene of La Barra.

Our beach that we went to most of the time. It is the best for the kids to swim and play in the waves.

Street scene by our house in La Barra.

These are pictures that Kai took of La Barra - around our town!

Sunset Punta Del Este - Friday April 10, 2009

Our last Friday night in Punta Del Este. We decided to go downtown and watch the sunset. It doesn't matter where you are in the World a beautiful sunset is always awesome to watch. After the sunset we went to get ice cream at our favorite helado place. We had a great time and really enjoyed hanging out as a family our last friday night!

Wavey Bridge!

These are picture of the "Wavey Bridge". It is the bridge that connects La Barra to Punta Del Este. The kids had so much fun everytime we went over this bridge. Ava says, "It makes her tummy tickley." Kay said, "Go faster, go faster, lets catch some air." Which we did a few times in our little red Hyndai. The bridge is famous for it architecture and design. Below is a link to a youtube video someone videoed a few years ago!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kenp7GmlSE

Carnival in Punta Del Este

These pictures were on Karen's camera and I just got them off her camera before she left. This is the night our house got broken into. We did have a fantastic time at Carnival in Punta Del Este down Gorrero street. The flags, costumes, drumming, and dancing was amazing. The drummers were fantastic and they drummed so hard and so long some of their hands were bleeding.

Almost back!

Well it is official...this time next week we will be on an airplane back to the US. First stop Houston and Starbucks. I have to admit I am addicted to caffeine (coffee). The coffee is awesome in Costa Rica, but it has some of the lowest caffeine. That is why it is hard to find 100% Costa Rican coffee beans in the US. We like it strong and it usually is blended with some other coffee to make it stronger. The coffee in Uruguay well...they don't really drink it. They drink Herba Mate which is like a tea, but very ceremonial for them. They take it everywhere they go. I have not tried it, but I am bringing some home to try with my dad. In the grocery stores here they have a very small section for coffee and then an entire aisle for Herba Mate. I didn't really know there was such a difference between each brand, but...I am sure there is.
The kids have 1 day left of homeschooling and they are finally getting into the rhythm of it. Of course! I am so proud of them sticking with their studies. They have learned alot. Karen is leaving on Sunday for her journey back to Lima, Peru. She is going to Buenas Aires, AR then to Paraguay, then to La Paz, Bolivia, then final destination Lima, Peru. From there she is heading back to Chicago for the Summer then off to China for year to teach English and learn Mandarin Chinese. We wish her very safe travels and she better stay in touch!
Anyway...we are enjoying waking up to the sunshine everyday. We will certainly miss that, but can't wait to see beautiful Oregon.
See you all soon!

Cory's 39th Birthday in Uruguay!

Patriotic fans!

Kai and Dad having a great time!

Riot police between the Uruguay fans and Paraguys fans. There was an empty section between them.

Family photo!

For Cory's 39th Birthday we celebrated by going into Montevideo for a Futbol game. Uruguay vs. Paraguay in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier. Uruguay won 2-0! It was amazing to see a Futbol game in South America. The fans were crazy. At one point all the Uruguaian fans were jumping in unison saying something in Spanish. There were alot of police there in full riot gear and the Paraguay fans could not leave the game until all the Uruguay fans were gone. There were a few Paraguay fans in our section and they received a police escort after the game. Everyone had flags either draped over them or waving them in the air. This is definetly a highlight of the trip!

11 Days and we will be hom!

Hola Familia y Amigo's,
Eleven days and we will be home. For all of you who are following our blog, sorry I have not updated in the last few weeks. We really have not been up to very much. I am also having problems uploading my pics to the computer. So, as soon as I get it figured out I will post new pics. We did celebrate Cory's 39th Birthday with a nice day with the family then we bought tickets to a Futbol game. The game was a 2010 World Cup qualifier; Uruguay vs. Paraguay. It is a highlight of our trip and an amazing experience to be a spectator at a South American Futbol game! The energy and pride in for their Countries was amazing! I have some really great pics that I will post when I get it figured out.
We are really excited to be home in our own house. Not sure about not seeing the sun everyday, but I am sure we will adjust. We might be the only Oregonian's wearing their down parkas in April. The weather is cooling down here since it is Fall in South America. But, the 10 day forcast is 75-78 degrees and sunny with some clouds. Not bad! The kids have only 4 days left of homeschooling with Karen. They both are doing really well. Ava is adding and almost reading! Kai is learning his times table and division! Kai will be going back to Mary Woodward for the last 2 months of school and Ava will continue with her curriculm at home. She will be really ready for Kindergarten next year!
Can't wait to see you all when we get home!