Bryan's mission reunion!!

Missao Brasil Ribeirao Preto had a reunion mid June and I just had to go and show off my wife and see my friends from so long ago. They had it at the This is the Place Memorial Park in Salt Lake City inside of one of the little houses there. It was definitely weird at first, but still awesome to be able to see good friends in a different setting. Some are married, some have kids, and the single ones are still searching. I'm not sure when we'll have another one, so I got in a little of trouble for going because it was such an important event for me, but it was worth it for sure!!!

Here is a group picture of most everyone that was there, some left before we took this. I guess they didn't get the memo, or completely forgot the eternal rule to take pictures before departure. Anyway, it's all good stuff!

Next to us are Josh and Cristianne Wall, who chose the same type of marriage opportunity. Both Josh and I decided to go foreign so we could get the good ones!!

My buddy Ricky and I as we remember the good old days when we did splits while walking the streets of Sao Jose do Rio Preto. This was awesome because Ricky couldn't do a serious picture since he was laughing and smiling too much. He is such a nice guy, and the only reason he isn't taken yet is because he's caught up too much in his studies. But he's getting to the end and now we are waiting for his wedding so we can get together again!!

In this picture we have my Mission President Simplicio and his wife, Doug (featured in the next picture), Jacob and Suzanne Leatham (almost married) and the cute couple on the left is US!!

Us, Doug, his wife Shauna, and their cute new addition Juliann. We were on the same plane to Brazil in August of 2001, and we even got to be companions for a little while. But he did give me some bad news this day....they are moving far away, out of Utah.

Babysitting the Wilkes!!

At the end of May we had the opportunity to watch the Wilkes' kids for the weekend while their parents were off on a cruise. As you will be able to notice, they weren't always perfect little angels, but that doesn't mean we didn't have fun!!

All the boys after throwing around pillows and wrestling on the floor. Doesn't Brandon look so cute there in the front with his happy face! They tried so hard to take advantage of us, but it only worked some of the time. We definitely learned more about those little boys, that's for sure!

Colin and Brandon wanted to be as close as possible to me since I helped them achieve some things for Mario Kart on the WII!

On Memorial Day since I had off of work, we too the little ones to go and watch "Night at the Museum" and it was nice to have some peace and quiet, hahaha. On our way out Collin saw this cutout of "Land of the Lost" and started running in place away from the dinosaur. So we told Peter, Derek, and Brandon to join in, but I don't think Brandon knew what was going on.

Carnival!!

We had a little Carnaval type party on the 21st and met up with lots of other Brazilians. It wasn't everything that I had hoped and more, but none the less it was fun. My favorite part was the "costume" I wore. Gabi made sure to have all the candy she could, as you can tell by the sucker in her mouth.
The party would have officially been much better if we had the famous Guarana soda from Brazil. That stuff is so good and I am definately addicted to it, but at least it's technically a fruit!!

Gabi, Gabi, and Simone

Bryan showing his love for food (I did want to pose for this picture. Come on, I do a good job at it!).

Gabi, Marcia, and Gabi

Yeah I know that couple looks amazing, and just look at that hot guy next to the model!!

A group picture of the almost all LDS Brazilian party members. Good times! ;)

The Best Snow Day!!

Here is a great picture of the little snow storm we woke up to here on February 10th. It was Gabi's first snow storm, besides what fell on the mountain, and she took full advantage of it. She took plenty of pictures of the beautiful surrounding cactus and plants full of splarkling snow as it melts and reflects the light through the little beads of water.


And then with some of the snow that nicely collected on the roof and railing, she made her first cute little snow man!! It almost looks good enough to eat!!

Living Legends

Living Legends came to Tucson on Wednesday, and it hasn't been here in many moons. They perform dances from Polynesian Countries along with Northern and Southern American countries as well. They are examples to people all over the world as they represent a mix of cultures, yet all as one, children of our Heavenly Father. Trips they make include states around the USA, Southern American countries, and next year CHINA!!
China actually wanted to copy their idea to represent traditions and cultural values, and impliment it there with the cultures from around China. So you can imagine how much of an impact that will have when they go there to share their talents.

The Figueroa brothers, Derrick and Richard, are two of the stars of the show. I wasn't going to miss seeing my busy friend who is away at BYU, and it was a bonus to see the performance. It wasn't exactly the longest reunion ever, but it definately is one to remember, especially since I got a picture to prove I have famous friends.
Richard is wearing a Northern American costume where he uses hula-hoop type rings and manipulates them to build shapes and extend his own body. In the finale he is one of three who builds a cylinder around his head and lifts it off and places it on the floor, while also making another ball around his feet.
The costumes are native to their country and some are very detailed, and it's amazing how quickly they can change costumes between the presentations of the various countries. It's Derrick's first year with the group, but Richard is already a veteran and so there are only a few dances he isn't involved in.
To stay at the top of their game, they practice the routines a lot and go on trips for at least a week at a time. So homework is tough, and get to do it on the road. But what an experience they gain as they travel the world learning about the cultures they represent, and all the people they meet.

Snow day!!

Someone got to go up the the mountains to enjoy some sledding in the snow for the first time!!

Temple trip

We carpooled to the temple with my parents this month and had some time to kill for a photo shoot between the temple and visitors center. Gabi says the guy next to her is a model she found and he let her take a couple of pictures.