Grandma and Grandma Monson Come to Joao Pessoa!

We are a LONG flight away from anyone in our family, so we were so happy that Grandma and Grandpa decided to come visit our home here. They took the 24 hours of flights to get here, which is amazing. Even still the kids got them right into playing stuffies, reading stories and more. The next day we took then in to the historic center of town to visit the cultural center. It was rainy, but had a bit of a reprieve right when we got there so we walk outside. Took in the old buildings and found some that we had never noticed before. Like this masonic lodge and I loved this colorful blue house with a flowering bush in front.

When we got to the cultural center we took time to eat a snack. Grandma and Jane did a little dance as well. We loved our tour guide this time and got lots of fun facts. Like they allow the bats to stay to eat termites and protect the old wood in the chapels. Also the church was used as a school for many years.

After we went to a restaurant and somehow I ordered the chicken dish that had all the parts I didn't want to eat: the neck, the gizzards, the feet, etc. So we found all the drumsticks that had a little meat still left and ate as much as we could. Luckily it was served with many delicious sides so we were still able to fill up. Also during lunch we pulled out Grandpa's picture as a kid and realized how much he and Pace look alike.

Last stop for the day we headed to the Hotel Globo and checked out the views and the little expo they had on Carnival. For dinner we went to a yummy crepe place my dad scoped out. The crepe my mom and I ordered was SOOOO yummy and the desert crepes were on point as well.

On Sunday we had a very special day as Louis chose to be baptized. He wanted to wait until Grandma and Grandpa were there to celebrate with us. It was a beautiful event we heald after church. Many ward members came and supported him. He looked so happy and I am so happy for him. He asked for choclate chip cookies as a treat after (just like his brother Grant). The rest of the day we relaxed at home and played with Grandma and Grandpa.

On Monday I took my parents to the MAP market and my dad got the best winking nordestino look ever.

In the afternoon we went to the beach and were met with very strong waves for our beach so we got some good boogie boarding in.

On Tuesday we went to eastern most point of the Americas. Somehow I skipped pictures of the point, but the kids had me take a million picture of the animal statue park (a few highlights shown here).

On Wednesday I went for the first time to the big produce fair in the center of town. The market was great, we loved seeing all the offereings and the fresh coconut tapioca was divine. My parents and I bought lots of exotic fruits so that we could try a lot of new things. It gave us a lot of adventures in the next few days as we tried them. We tried caja-umbu, acerola, pitomba, pinya, graviola (soursopp), dragon fruit, avacado, maracuja, guava, and limes (although not my first time for the last 5). Here's a picture of our findings.

Thursday we stayed home relaxed and played with Grandma and Grandpa. They made us yummy sweet and sour meatballs. I was totally impressed that my dad hand ground the pork with a knife...that's impressive. It was so great to relax and have them take care of dinner. Friday my mom and I went to the Peoples and cultures museum and the Joao Pessoa Museum. We loved the art especially the had tatted pieces (maybe crochet I don't know the name). But it was beautiful.

In the afternoon it was lowtide so we went to the beach and the waters were so much calmer and optimal conditions. We had so much fun playing in the water and sand we stayed until almost sunset. And then we visited the crepe place for the second time. Yum!

Saturday we went to the zoo, saw the animals, and made sure to share the leaf cutter ants with Grandma and Grandpa along the way. We even got to see the new giant anteater! Jane and Louis decided to go on a pony ride near the lake while Pace, Grant, and Grandma went for a paddle boat ride. Grandma was brave to let Pace and Grant do all the steering and driving.

For dinner we went to get fejoada and didn't have very fast service, so some of us were done eating while some had not recieved food. SO during the wait Jane zonked out in the most uncomfortable of positions. But it was so cute we had to document.

Sunday we relaxed and watched Mathilda together. We have to get all our playtime in with Grandma and Grandpa while we can. The kids burried Grandpa in stuffed animals while we were sleeping. Monday we relaxed and then headed to the park to ride the toy cars and bikes.

Tuesday we finally made it to Areia Vermelha, a sandbar off the coast that is only there during low tide. We spent the morning swiming in the shallows, exploring the coral and fish nearby, and taking pictures. Somehow we missed getting pictures all together, but at least we go some. At the end Louis, Pace, and I went for a banana boat ride and enjoyed bouncing over the waves and getting sprayed in the face. We did not fall off, but the girl in front of us. By the time we were done with that the sand bar had almost entirely disappeared. So we ran around what remained of the island a few more times and then boarded the boat to go home.

It was our last evening all together so we decided to make it memorable and go in the "flag tower" (aka Mirante Skybeach). And we finished off at Sal e Brasa, a true Brazillian Churrasca. We had fun chatting with my parents while the kids played in the kids area.

Sadly we had to say goodbye on Wednesday, a few tears were shed. But we are definately looking forward to our next visit with Grandma and Grandpa! Thanks for visiting!