New Year's Eve in Florianopolis

Brazil is full of traditions and superstitions.  New Year's Eve has its share.  Here are the traditions we followed this year:

bulletWearing white
bulletJumping 7 waves (and making a wish for each wave)
bulletThrowing flowers for the Goddess of the ocean to bring her beauty
bulletLadies wear brand-new underwear, and the colors represent their wishes for the year
bulletWhite = Peace
bulletYellow = Confidence and Prosperity
bulletRed = Courage and Passion
bulletPink = Love

Viv and Dave - dressed in traditional white on New Year's Eve

Cris and Chip

Mom with her daughters and sons-in-law

Viv, Lauren, and Cris

Ringle and Bennett ladies

Brazilian President Lula paid a visit

Mom got to talk to Lula about the problems she sees in Brazil

Lula gets some action from Lorena

A tan Dave! Ok, maybe a little red.

Edu and Neco

Evan, Viv, and Lauren

Bia and Pedro

The gang!

Dave and our lovely garrafa, Marcia

We all agreed Chip looked best in the hat.

A Brazilian tradition - jumping waves. 7 wishes for 7 waves.

Throwing flowers into the ocean.

The girls enjoy a moment.

Another pic of the girls

The guys

Chip and Evan discussing the meaning of life