Lost on the Roundabout

Arizona grand kids

2009-11-08T18:32:00.003-08:00

Halloween ward party.....Macy.

Porter, holding Sadie, Marlee, and Addison

Baby Sawyer (Jordan and Chelsea's little one.)

The whole family!!

Arizona landscape

2009-11-08T18:24:00.003-08:00

Jason and Marlee

Yup, Jason let me drive the rhino!! So fun..

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Monument Valley

2009-11-08T18:14:00.003-08:00

Colorado Colors

2009-11-08T18:08:00.001-08:00

Another Utah mountain shot..

Trip to Utah

2009-11-08T18:00:00.003-08:00

This isn't the greatest picture, but for my friends in Portugal, this is the first snow in the mountains, and some remaining fall colors.

We are home!!

2009-11-08T17:11:00.000-08:00

Just before leaving Portugal we finished the quilt project. The Sisters seem to really enjoy this activity. Thanks to my RMOA friends that bought and sent the fabric. We couldn't have found such cute material in Portugal.
Our last day in Lisbon. It is tradition that the missionaries meet at the mission office, have an exit interview with the Mission President, go to the mission home for dinner and testimony meeting, and bed early for early flights home. It took some doing to get our bags under 50 pounds.
Home in Colorado with the Colorado Monument in the background.

Another view of the Monument and the last farm land in the area. Often we see deer in these hay fields.

to the Spain boarder on the way to Marvão Castle

2009-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

You aren't seeing double, but I can't figure out how to delete this picture.
Portugal has so many many rocks!! I think that is why they have cobblestone sidewalks. It view so beautiful for us as the Algarve (area where we live) is getting dry.

One foot is Portugal and one in Spain!! All looked the same, but we were in Espanha!!

Marvão Castle

2009-05-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

Marvão Castle

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Gardens at the castle in Marvão, a city on the hill near the boarder of Spain. It was a quaint little city and the hills were green and beautiful.
More pictures of the garden, I don't know if you can see the sculptured baskets.
The lookout cove, but the poppies and purple flowers caught my eye.

Ultimate Secret Garden

2009-05-14T15:15:00.001-07:00

The home and follows is the adventure of the Ultimate Secret Garden!!
Behind us is the main house which looked like a palace. It was first bought by Baroness da Regaleira in 1840. The house was actually built in 1697 and changed hands several times before sold to Baroness. It was transformed into an elegant summer retreat. In 1893 it was sold in a public auction to Carvalha Monteiro and he bought land around the house to create this back yard for his children. This was started in 1898 under the direction of a set-designer and architect Luigi Manini. My brochure said that Monteiro was of Portuguese descent and celebrated capitalist born in Rio de Janeiro. He graduated in Law and was a distinguished bibliophile, collector and philanthropist. A man of an enquiring scientific mind and vast culture. He hired Manini to create this garden for his children. It took 14 years to build.
The little chapel that was build with stain glass pictures of Christ. Under this chapel is a passage way to the main house.
This is the front area of the large play area where there must have been activities, theater, and behind that wall are caves and tunnels to explore.
This is a large area for games and gatherings. I love the old tree and notice the look out tower.

Sintra Ultimate Secret Garden (Quinta da Regaleira)

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Another view of a lake with the stepping stones.
This is the lookout tower on the playground that you saw earlier. Wouldn't kids just love climbing this and playing whatever their minds could imagine?
I loved this bench, notice the back rest carved treelike in the stone.

Plants found along the path. I don't know the name of this plant but it looked like wood.

The Ultimate Secret Garden continues

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Stairs leading to somewhere, I can't remember where this went, some cave probably. The garden was full of Cypress, cedar, pine, magnolia, chestnut, lime, and other trees.
Another entry to an underground tunnel going to the opposite side of the garden. This garden is about 13 acres, taking 14 years to create and build.
The brochure called this the Ibis Fountain, but it looks like a children's playhouse to me, including a drinking fountain, behind the flowers.
Another path to explore I love the green, I am not sure my camera captures the real beauty.
Taking a little rest on a stone bench. With us is President and Sister Terry. They told us that they have been to this Garden 3 times with their grand children. The young missionaries love this as they can export and run around, climb, and be together.

Ultimate Secret Garden

2009-05-14T14:33:00.003-07:00

This was a little rock cove with a table and bench. I can imagine the little grand daughters having such fun playing house here.
This little lake was covered with algae and to get from the tunnel to ground level you had to use these stepping stones. Although the water wasn't very deep it was a bit frightening thinking about falling into the algae. Of course Gene wasn't nervous, he went back and posed for this picture.
This a view of the little lake and we were in an underground tunnel looking out. It was so beautiful, but we did need flashlights in the tunnels so as to not hit our heads on the rocks, or step into puddles of water.
All along the way were stone benches carved out of the rock.
There are lots of little paths and choices you could make to get to different parts of the yard. With a huge fence around this back yard I suppose the owner didn't need to worry about his children.

The Ultimate Secret Garden continues

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Notice the flowers and plants, so colorful and peaceful.
The grounds were full of little coves and structures to hide and play and stimulate you imagination.
We are having too much fun dreaming of what a perfect place for a Family Reunion!!

This is the Terrace of the gods (classical gods, some being Fortune,Orpheus, Venus Flora, etc.) They showed age with the moss growing on them, but elegant.

Now that you have toured Quinta da Regaleira (our name of it Ultimate Secret Garden) this path through the structure you see here leads you to the Home of Carvalho Monteiro.

Moorish Castle in Sintra

2009-05-14T13:54:00.001-07:00

Walk way to the top--little info about Moorish Castle -- was a military fort believed to date back to the 9th century and the period of the Arab occupation. It served as an excellent observation post for monitoring the coast-line.
10th to 7th Centuries B.C. the first huna traces confirmed by archaeology. In the 8th century the Arab conquest, 9th and 10th centuries were the earlies stage of the construction of the castle by the Moors.
In 1093 Afonso VI, King of Leon, conquered Sintra and the casle from the Moors.

In 1147 the casle, which had in the meantime been recaptured by the Moors, surrendered voluntarily and definitively to Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal.
In the 15th century the site of the castle was only inhabited by some jews who were segregated from the rest of the community by the king's orders. Then in 1839 Fernando II leased the Moorish Castle and undertook its complete restoration. As we walked the paths of this castle it was serene and peaceful. It was green with lots of trees, moss, and flowers. It was an amazing structure and one would wonder what happened there.
I loved this view of the wall as the sun was shining on it in a particularly beautiful way.

Sintra's Moorish Castle

2009-05-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

View of the Pena Palace from the top of the Castle. We weren't able to see this palace as it wasn't open on Wednesday.
View walking along the path to the top (lookout) of the castle,
President Terry definitely needed a break!! We are sad that they will be leaving in July when the new mission president from Brazil comes and will take his place. President Terry and Sister Terry have been so good to us, inviting us to visit and showing us around this beautiful city.
Boy, this mission life is tiring!! This castle is interesting as all along the hike up to the top were little places to sit and rest (maybe watch for the enemy).

Cabbage anyone?

2009-05-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

It is transfer time again. Our tradition in this zone is to have a barbeque before missionaries leave and new ones come in. Elder Nelson (Gene) grills the hamburgers and everyone pitches in with food or money. They love to get together and we love them!!

We were at the Market last week getting a few fresh fruits and vegetables. As we were leaving this man sitting on his green crate was selling these cabbages. Take a look at these 10 pounders!! They looked really freshly picked, but we would need only one to feed a ton of people. We asked him if we could take a picture. When we showed him the picture he smiled. When we offered him a passalong card to receive a free DVD about Jesus Christ he didn't smile!! Maybe next time he will accept....

Carnival

2009-03-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

So this is what Loule looks like at carnival. The city goes all out in decorating the main street. This particular carnival lasted 3 days, had activities for the kids during the afternoon, and drinking and music at night. At least that is what we heard.. The kids dress up in costumes for a parade, there are races of all kinds, and the adults party at night. It took a week to put up these decorations and the city street was so colorful.

sites in Lisbon

2009-03-23T15:13:00.000-07:00

This was taken going up a steep hill in the city. We were trying to find the castle at the top of the hill. Unfortunately with all the construction we got there after it was closed. I thought this picture of the painted apartments was cool. It is so Portugal, and notice the grated windows.
Along this street is this colorful tiles. We took this in the car as we were traveling along. The next two pictures are a continuation of this wall.

The little rolling suitcase the women on the left has is typical for the shoppers. They use these to grocery shop at the outdoor markets. These little flower stores are everywhere too. Notice the sidewalks or the plaza. Portugal are known for their beautiful designed sidewalks.

Scenes of Sagres

2009-03-22T15:06:00.001-07:00

You might have to click on this picture to see this tree better. It is very interesting as it is yellow fluffly balls. Kind of reminds you of Pom Poms. I haven't had a chance to find out the name of it yet. These trees are in bloom all over now.
One of the cannon used many years ago as this fort was coveted by many nations as they tried to claim Portugal. Sagres was also a place where there was a navigation school.

Just another picture of the beautiful water and waves. This was interesting to us as we hadn't seen the water so fierce.

Hard to believe we get to serve our mission in this area and then go see beautiful sites on Wednesday, our p-day. The next picture is on the opposite side of the fort. We love this place, it looks different every time we come here.

More of my favorite things in Portugal

2009-03-22T14:46:00.001-07:00

We took the Sister from Portimao to Sagres. The wind was so strong, and you an see that the waves in the background are coming with whitecaps.
The flowers are starting to bloom there, there will be no sign of green when summer comes. I want to go again in a week or two as it should be very beautiful.
Just trying to not get blown away.

This beach is closer to home and Gene and I went there for an hour just to get out of the house on P-day. We soon found out why the Elders aren't allowed on the beaches in the summer!!

The picture below is the chapel in Faro. We have our district meetings here, have several students, and watch general conference here as well. It is a nice chapel and well taken care of.

My favorite things

2009-03-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

More Castle sites

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The stairs are quite primitive and rough. Never pass inspections with EPA.

Here's our group, Gene is using is new camera..

Entry to the castle.. I know I know, this should have been the first picture!!
This door was so old and interesting. Gene snapped this picture as he said to stop there!!
This is my favorite picture. This old tree and older remains behind it.

Villa Real Castle

2009-01-14T09:55:00.001-08:00

Come on Gene, I am sure there was romance in the Castle!!
Interesting stone and rock work many hundreds of years ago.

A little church on the way, I loved the Nativity on the side of the church..

Not the best picture of the bridge to Spain, which is suppose to be the dividing line.

Building within the Castle, lots of restoring going on here.

Going to the Spain Boarder

2009-01-14T09:34:00.000-08:00

This is the Castle near the Spanish boarder. At war times the people would gather here with their families and livestock. There rice fields and orchards in the distance.

Walking upto the Castle entrance, one has to look down so you don't catch your shoe on the cobble stone path.

A view of Spain in the distance. Not the best picture, more to come!

There is Spain, with the fields and Elder Nelson trying to say warm.

Behind Gene is a huge fort where the military protected the land and enemies to Portugal

Before Christmas

2008-12-26T12:33:00.000-08:00

One of our favorite Elders, Elder Welch. We call him the Dried Cereal Guru!! Taken at our Christmas Zone conference in Lisbon

Visiting the Gomes family. She insisted on a Christmas message. We had to scramble to find our favorite Scripture in the Book of Mormon in Portuguese. We had only planned to spend a few minutes there delivering our Christmas bread.

The students from Faro coming to wish us a Merry Christmas. I had just finished a call from Karma and Frank in Ghana. The phone ran again from a member that we had been trying to get in touch with. They were patient to wait to sing to us.

Odilia, I was on the phone with her in the picture above. She is the women that is taking lessons and she also is my olive oil source!! She had just given us a fresh jar of honey from her father's farm.

Our landmark to our house on the round about where we turn up to our apartment. It must have a jillian lights on it..

Christmas Eve

2008-12-26T12:16:00.000-08:00

Here is Gene's stocking. It is really cleverly made. Even has our name tags!!

Do you see that it is cold here? Nice view of long johns!!
Elders around the food table, the center Elder next to the Elder with the red tie is President Marriott's son that serves here in the Algarve. (Pres. Marriott was our mission pres. in Brazil)
The Rocha family, we caroled at their house. They seem receptive to our important message we share here in the mission. Isabel is the little girl that use to live below us. They are a wonderful family.
Caroling with the Elders and Ana Paula and her son Paulo. Gene is loving his camera, won't let me use it to take a picture of him!!

Christmas Day 2008

2008-12-26T12:01:00.000-08:00

A shot in front of a white Christmas tree just down the road from us. There must be 1000's of lights on this tree. It is quite beautiful at night.
Stockings that Santa brought via Kellene. Gene wouldn't take a picture of him and his. It was a white shirt and tie. It was very cute.

At the home of Carmen's looking a little puny, I was getting sick, with what they call the "Gripe" Elder Price and Elder Dimick there too.

This is our friend Julia, she has just been baptized about a month. She is fitting in really well in Primary and just loves going and participating. She is 11 and the life of the party.
Julia's sisters and friends, all having a good time. There were about 15 people at this small apartment. They stayed up all night and were pretty giggly by the time we arrived.

2008-12-13T16:01:00.000-08:00

The Stars in this picture opened and closed, it was cool!
After 3 years with the camera I have I finally figured out how to take a picture with the timer!!

More lights!
Reflection in the water... The stars again,, oops.

More Christmas lights!!

2008-12-13T15:44:00.000-08:00

These next pictures are lights in Portimao. We are told that the Cities have a contest to see who has the most beautiful display. This tree was huge and unusual wouldn't you say?
Most of the Cities have a plaza with shops. In the center the sidewalks are beautiful and at Christmas you can see how they decorate it, (sort of). This same design is repeated the whole length of the plaza.
Merry Christmas from the Nelsons!
This is in Loulé where we live, I love this Street. Below is the street that leads to the Castle where there is a huge Santa climbing up the wall. Couldn't get a picture of him at night.

Evidence of Christmas 2

2008-12-13T15:37:00.001-08:00

Family Home Evening In Albufeira

2008-12-04T15:16:00.001-08:00

Walking to our car after the Family Home Evening I looked back and this walkway was so quaint and festive. If you could look the other direction you would see the ocean.
Here is a street in Albufeira with Christmas lights. It was so beautiful!!
This pictures isn't the greatest, but these lights were so elegant.. They went on and on up the street.
Another Street with lights.
More Lights!!
Oscar, he is always making us laugh!!
Matilda playing her Christmas duet at FHE. She and her daughter will not be playing in the recital as they will be in Spain with her husband.
Nusta is 11 years old and loves to play. She is very talented and she and her mother work together learning music.
More Ecuadorian children. They have such beautiful eyes and hair!
Matilda, Gladys and Blanco... such nice people.

2008-12-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

This is a comment site down the center of the city!! Notice their hats!!

This is the Roundabout near the airport in Faro. I love these chunky people looking

up!!

Here is Hollie in front of some of our best graffiti.

Trip to Ponte de Piedade

2008-11-29T15:50:00.000-08:00

Portugal is famous for their beautiful sidewalks, stone designs.
     This is a rock found with seashell fossils.
     Having a good time!!
Yup Gene is telling stories!!
   Lovin' life and wishing you all were here!!
The sun on these cliffs were so beautiful, I wish you could be here to see

this area of the world.
Here is a handsome guy that met us here and just sitting a looking quite cool above

the cliffs. Because of the breeze, the water was a bit choppy today.
Here he is again waiting so patiently as always while Hollie and I were taking

pictures. Look at that blue water!! I wish you were here.
Old and Young!!

I don't have my pictures in order, I guess I will learn how to change this. Here is Hollie at the bottom of the stairs going down to the water.
Here is the walkway then stairs, it is quite a trip!!
No that isn't Gene or I at the stop of that cliff!! Hollie said she got some good pictures up there though.
Notice the dry ground and rocks and jagged coast line.
Using our French Opal touring car for our little trip to Lagos.
Now you have seen our favorite spot in the Algarve.

Evidence of Christmas 2

2008-11-26T12:21:00.000-08:00

Here are few more pictures. Hollie and I went out tonight and took pictures. I am surprised at how some of these pictures came out. Hope you enjoy them.

Christmas evidences in Loule

2008-11-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

Some Christmas lights in our little town. I used some special effects with my camera, but I doubt I will remember how I did it. I am getting in the mood now for the season. It is fun to walk down our little main street. It is beautiful!

Turkey Day in Portugal and a night tour

2008-11-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

Today we had Thanksgiving dinner for the Elders and Sisters from our zone. It was funny to hear them be excited to eat. I guess it reminded them of home. With Hollie's help we were able to pull of a pretty good dinner. Here are a few candid photos.

After we ate we all took turns telling each other what we were most thankful for in the mission. It was a sweet time.

Branch Talent Show

2008-11-26T11:55:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos from our branch talent show last week. You might enjoy seeing the Ecuadorians play and dance. We had a good time watching their talent.

2008-11-25T14:25:00.000-08:00

Help, we're lost on the roundabout....anybody have a Tom Tom?