OK, this is embarrassing. The last thing we wrote said something about updates every week, not (gulp) every 3 months... we apologize for the typo! But seriously, we're hoping you, our avid fans, will excuse our tardiness - especially after you see what we've been up to...

And we'll promise yet again to try and be more prompt. After all, the next 3 months couldn't be ANYTHING like the last 3. We only have to finish up Derek's internship and interactive display for the Mystic Aquarium, finish 3 more of Jen's journal articles and prepare 2 new syllabi, learn several hundred new words (Sam's day job), and pack all of our worldly possessions to move cross-country. Oh, and buy a house in Tucson, Arizona. And find Sam a new preschool. And host our 10-year college reunion party. And Sam's second birthday party... please feel free to call if you fear you'll never hear from us again!

But before we get to that, here's what we've been up to in 2004. So much travel, that Sam has learned to pack his own suitcase. Check out all of his "must haves" ...

Where were we off to in 3 short months? Take your pick: Tucson, Los Angeles, Miami, Brazil and New York! Fortunately, Sam loves airplanes (he also loves NAPPING in airplanes). Every time he asks about airplanes, we're able to honestly respond that we'll be on one soon!

We'll start with some of our favorite pics from our trip to Brazil:


They'll be talking about those crazy Americans for years... Brazilians don't even believe in using car seats in regular cars, much less dune buggies! But we found a way to get that seat to stay, and the three of us went on a fun ride! Sam loved it - up until he fell asleep! Not your typical Graco carseat ad...


We took a great boat ride up into the mangroves, where sea horses grow naturally. Our guide dove down to give us some one-on-one time with this guy. It was so cool!


Riding horses on the beach was a definite high point of our trip. Sam loved being up on the horse, petting the horse's mane and saying "neigh."


All of these fun excursions were during a side trip we took up to the northeast of Brazil - our favorite place on earth! The beaches in Porto de Galinhas, a town south of Recife, are just beautiful. They're full of reefs which create great tidepools when the tide is out. Sam was in ectasy feeding the fish and having dozens of fish nipping at his hands.


Relaxation Brazil-with-a-baby style! Sam enjoyed bottled water from his sippy cup, and daddy enjoyed coconut water from his!


We're a little worried that there's something wrong when a two-year-old thinks a pool bar is just a normal part of life! But we love it, so we'll have to take the risk. Chocolate shake, anyone?


Sam's first ocean kayaking adventure! This is the way to learn "Row, row, row your boat!"


We got horribly lost getting to historic Olinda (just outside of Recife), but as you can see from the views, it was well worth it!


Sam had a blast with "Dre" and Marta. He immediately walked into their apartment and claimed the place as his own! Every day he walked up and down the stairs at least ten or twenty times! He even learned to count to 12!


Sam had fun playing with friends Wagner and Adriene...


But he slept through a visit with Sammy, Marcia, and Evandro!


Sam visited Wagner's mother, Lica at the beach.


Getting in some pool time with Nana.


Lots and lots of "blue wa wa!" Sam even learned to jump in and put his head underwater by the end of the trip. Here he swims with dad, Alexandre, Guilherme, Gustavo, and Arnaldo.


Now this is a winter get away! We forgot what it was like to wear socks!

Sam in LA!

In February, Jen and Sam headed out to LA. Here's Sam playing with Uncle Brian, aka "Buddy".


Sam cuddling up with Aunt Jill.


Rachel exhibiting some of her professional babysitting skills with Sam.


Sam had a playdate with cousins Talia and Arielle.

The Grandparents visit Providence

Sam, Mima and Pipa catch the latest episode of Elmo's World.


Sam takes the Gordons to the Providence Children's Museum

Sam heads to Florida

Hanging out with the GGs (Great Grandparents)


Sam's first love... a pony named Pokey!


A ride on a Sam-sized train!

A Visit to Tucson, Arizona

Sam takes a visit to the Airplane Museum with Daddy.


Sam poses with some javelina, a sort of desert pig he visited at the zoo, but we hope won't be living with us when we move there!