Too Much FUN!

OK. there is honestly too much to say. We have traveled to Rio and Salvador within the last 5 days...CRAZY.  We are currently still in Salvador...at an amazing resort - Praia do Forte!!! On a very positive note we made both flights these trips - WHEW! yay!

RIO de JANEIRO!!!!!! I do have to say our vacation in RIO was incredibly fun.  We stayed at Mar de Ipanema - yes the famous Ipanema beach was a block from our hotel. AMAZING. While here we ran on the beach (Ipanema and Copacabana), visited one of the 7 world wonders - Corcovado - "Christ Redeemer" and took a half day morning tour through the Tijuca Forest (aka Mata Atlantica).  In this forest we saw monkeys, birds, and sloths... quite cool to see them all in their natural habitats!
After this extravaganza we ventured into the city some more to shop and party it up! We traveled downtown to a local Samba club called Carioca de Gema in 'Lapa' and were there during a private party for the man who wrote all the music being played! and moving on...

After another fantastic beach day and being approached by many nice brazilians wanting to sell us all their congas, crafts and tattoos... we hopped on a plane to Old town Salvador. I won't even go into how different the feel of this city is. So much history here!!!!!!  We stayed at a beautiful Pousada called Casa do Amarelindo, took a tour through the city, visited a lighthouse, saw this amazing Bahian show and I even joined in with the Caipoeira dance/fighters in the street (this video will be posted on facebook). I think I shocked them with all the stuff I could do  - when joining in with them for the first time. GO ME. ;)

Today we left the pousada and are in this amazing hotel/golf resort on the beach called Iberostar Praia do Forte - freaking best place ever. Might not leave. All the food and drinks here are ALL INCLUSIVE all week and the views, pools, gym, activities, and beach is breathtaking. It's DEFINITELY vacation time!!!
VARTY PARTY holllaaaa!!!
OK... pictures will come later... as we are so busy here that I don't have time to post!!!!
YAY!!!!!!!

 And another side note: CONGRATS to amazing Tiffany Alati for finishing her BAR EXAM!!!!

Back from Foz do Iguaçu!

BOM DIA!!!
OK...we have returned from a CRAZY visit to Foz do Iguaçu - 'Iguaçu Falls' as I am sure you have all heard of! After missing our flight (check-in time) to Foz we had to drive 8 hours there instead. (NoBigDeal.) OMG. never again. WE WILL NOT MISS OUR CHECK-IN TIMES EVER AGAIN. Overall a successful journey to one of what i think should be considered "one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World"!  Just pure amazing-ness it was to see these Falls.

We also visited Parque das Aves... Bird Park... full of new Brazilian and South American birds/animals/reptiles! I have to say the creatures are beautiful - my favorite being the TOUCAN. They are ever so friendly and we were able to pet them and listen to this funny little noise they make as you pet them... (eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh) really fast!!! haha. somthing like that - if you can imagine! (Kait I'm sure you would LOVE THIS).

In our nightly adventures we took a family adventure to the Cine Cataratas (Waterfalls Theater) and saw Transformers! All movies are in English with Portuguese subtitles. AMAZING. However I cannot imagine not understanding English and watching the movie!?!?! They don't understand the funny puns or 'play-on-words' AT ALL - they don't even translate them in the subtitles. So, pretty much when people in the movie are saying 'oh man -  hey W.T.F.!?' nobody laughs b/c they don't translate it or understand the American slang! haha!!! SO pretty much that leaves my whole family cracking up at all these parts and everyone else just silent.

Anyway... we are back in Curitiba now - after our 8 hour drive through the state of Paraná!

We depart for beautiful well-known RIO de JANEIRO tomorrow!! Much to see! Enjoy the PICS!

here you can see Curitiba and then where we drove to Foz do Iguaçu.

 SISTASSSS!!!!!!!!!!

Mimi in the Foz Mist/ crazy water everywhere from the strength of the falls.

We were soaking wet. Basically we showered in the falls.

Mimi's mascara running off her face...ha!

At the amazing buffet bar after the falls...

We all have face symbols  - we made them up - according to our EYE shapes. Tiff=Chinese Nat=Owl eyes and Demi=Bassett hound eyes

YUmmmyyy Foooodd!!!

The Brazil Racoon - i call it a Brazacoon.

just cause she's so silly. And freakin Adorable.

posin with the animal!

bahahaha. SILLY SISTER.

Rafain SHOW!

Grapefruit drinks! Saude! Chin-Chin!

PARTY PARTY WITH THE VARTY'S!!

More pics to come of the Parque das Aves!!

Beijosss!!

FLORIPA - BEACHES!

Florianóplis - A city known for their beaches...

US ;)

such tourists.

there are about 10 other photos like this one. bahaha.

Our amazing Colômbian friends :)

The Pousada - Bizkaia where we stayed!

Eastern Beaches of Floripa...

Sand Boarding TIME!

a lot harder than it looks.

Sand Sledding too!

Dad's trying...

Vamos la!

Oh so Beautiful :)

A very sunny weekend at the beach it was! Our momma and Demi leave tomorrow for Brazil too... can't wait for them to get here... Huge traveling plans these next 10 days - super ready.

BRING IT ON BRAZIL.