BRAZIL!

Nate and I have talked about going to Brazil for as long as we've been married. When he had the chance to go last year for work, I really wanted to go, but it wasn't the right time. So when he got the chance to go again for work, I knew I had to go. We got everything ready (starting with my passport, visa and babysitters) and as it got closer, I got more and more nervous. But, I also got more and more excited. I couldn't believe we (and especially me) were actually going! I had never left the country and I also had never left the kids for that long. I am so, so glad that in spite of the nervousness, I decided and had the opportunity to go. It was truly the trip of a lifetime! And thanks to my mom and Janet, my niece Alyson, and our neighbor Malia who all watched our kids, we were able to go.

Our first stop was Rio de Janeiro. I had always heard what an incredible place Rio is and it is! It is beautiful! Our first night we had dinner at an investor's house. He was hosting the conference Nate was down there to attend. His house was up in the mountains outside Rio and was so beautiful! We spent the next day sightseeing in Rio. We saw the Christ the Redeemer statue, hiked and rode the tram up to Sugar Loaf, ate lots of good food (and juices--my favorite part), went to a Samba bar, and relaxed on Copacabana Beach. It was awesome!