I'm Baaaacccckkkk.....

After a week in Brazil and Argentina, I am back. I have been back for almost a week actually, but I have been trying to catch up with life and work, etc.. so just getting to catching you up.

I have some pictures, but mostly memories, following are some things I learned on my trip:

I learned that as much as the travel clinic tries to scare you, there are not mosquitoes that have the capability of sucking all of your blood in one bite and then spitting it back into you infused with Dengue Fever and/or Malaria.

I learned that over 60% of the population of Sao Paulo is poor. I learned that a lot of these poor people are honest hard workers.

I learned that the phrase “Thank You” is highly underused in The United States.

I learned that Sao Paulo is a city and a state.

I learned that driving lanes are simply "guidelines" in Sao Paulo.

I learned that for some reason there is one motorcycle death a day in this city.

I learned that unless you live in Sao Paulo, you should not have the right to complain about traffic. The following is not an exaggeration. It is a fact that on a bad day, it can take 1 hour to drive 3 kilometers in Sao Paulo. It is also a fact that 3 kilometers is 1.8 miles.

I learned the number one reason people work in Brazil for Mosaic is the people that they work with.

I learned that in Brazil, to work until 7PM is not uncommon. I also learned that nobody complains about this.

I learned that in Argentina, taxes are high... and the current President is the wife of the last President.

I learned that in Argentina, the posted speed limit is merely a suggestion.

I learned it is not uncommon to eat dinner at 9 PM or later in Argentina.

I learned that I don't like eating dinner at 9PM or later.

I learned there is good food in Latin America

I learned that it is hard to find talented people in both countries.

I learned that cleanliness is next to godliness in our plants in Latin America.

I learned that what we refer to as “Coffee” is the states is really just dark water.

I learned that you can miss your family quite a bit in just 7 days.

I learned that Portuguese is not Spanish, and that I know very little of both.

I learned that when you receive an email while you are in a country 5200 miles away that says "last night Katelyn prayed for daddy to have a safe trip and make a lot of friends"...you so badly wish you could hug that 4 year old.

Because they missed me as much as I missed them.....I love my girls.

They are worth a thousand words...

As I am running out of time before I head to Brazil tomorrow, instead of writing...I thought I would go with:

A Picturesque Blogue Entry

I mowed my lawn. Mowing in one continuous circle saves 9 minutes.

Ashley got her first checking account a month ago. She already has more money than I.

One of the few highlights at the fair. The VERY FEW highlights at the fair.

Two people having fun on the boat

One Not.

Can you tell where the tent was for a week? Sadly.....didn't sleep in it once.

Because when they get hold of the camera, they take pictures like this:

I love my girls....

Weekend to Remember

My hope is to remember all of them...but I will use this blog as a way to remember this one.

The weekend started with leaving work a little early on Friday...always nice to get out a touch early. This night was special as I was going to the Viking's game. I know, 4th preseason game...but these were 50 yard line tickets, and my neighbors company was footing the bill, so pretty good time.

Side note here: This capped a week where I was not home 4 out of 5 nights with fantasy football, real football, and hanging out with friends. Thanks my love.

Back to this weekend. We went horseback riding on Saturday. Went to a place called River Valley Ranch. I am not a fan of horses, or riding on them for an hour down a trail.

Side note here: My wife said we could do anything I wanted to as it was our date day. I knew she liked horseback riding, so I set it all up. You're welcome my love :)

Horseback riding, a little shopping, and we test drove a mini-van. Let me just put it this way: with the 4 million automakers out there, can't they invent something that is not a mini-van? Or can't they market it as a SMV (Suburban Mobility Vehicle)? Just give me something so I don't have to drive one of those around...and I don't want one of those cars that looks like it is confused as to whether or not it should be a station wagon or an SUV....those vehicles look dumber than a mini-van and people would make fun of them if they knew what they were called...

So, Saturday night was a bonfire night, kids had smores, etc... it was great.

Sunday we spent the majority of the day at my folks place...out on the boat and eating lasagna. The boat was great, the lasagna was better...and mom makes this bread that I think I could eat 9 or 10 loaves of. Good to see the family, all siblings and their families looked tot be doing well, although Riley didn't want any part of dinner...we assumed she was just avoiding carbs.

Today was the best though as I got a lot of things done around the house.

Side note here: Wife took the kids to Target for a couple hours. Out of my hair = things accomplished. Thank you my love.

Then we got to hang out with the kids, had dinner, went for a walk and even learned a few things....Katelyn gave me an education today on animals:

I tried to explain to her that bats were nocturnal. They slept in the day and woke up at night, so that meant they were nocturnal. She didn't believe me, but did ask why they called it "Knock Knock Turtle"....

Then she told me that you should never touch a "Poke U Pine" (porcupine) because they just poke poke poke unless you have gloves on...

So the great weekend ended with Poke U Pines and Knock Knock Turtle animals. Couldn't think of a better conclusion.

Because the littlest is talking a mile a minute, and the oldest spends time teaching me a myriad of things, and I can't understand either of them.....I love my girls.