Peru Tour

The boys and I took an 8 day trip to Peru for my cousin Isabel's wedding. Joe wasn't able to go due to work and although we missed him, we had a WONDERFUL time! This was the boys 3rd trip to Peru. We got to see my sweet Grandma and all of my aunts, uncles and most of my cousins. We spent the first 3 days in Lima, then headed to Ica (country side) for 3 days. We all stayed at Hacienda San Jose, built in 1688, where Isabel got married. WOW.  One of the most beautiful outdoor wedding receptions I've ever attended and of course, Isabel looked gorgeous! Close family stayed there, but there were a little over 500 guests at the wedding.  The boys swam and played on the acreage. We then headed to the coast where we stayed for 2 days. We stayed at the Hotel Paracas and visited the Ballesta Islands (boys' favorite part of the trip). We rode bikes with the boys along the seawall, swam, ate the BEST, most fresh seafood and just enjoyed the company of our family.  We spent the last part of our trip back in Lima. The boys acclimated quickly to the kiss culture (kisses every time, all the time),  loved the extra attention, getting spoiled and were speaking some Spanish by the end of the trip. 

I am so grateful for my family and the opportunity for all of us to spend time together in such a beautiful place!!! 

We flew together on the way to Lima. :) 

Love these 4. :)

"Como Mamina, no hay ninguna".  "Like Mamina, there is no other!" My second mom with my babies.

Navigating! :)

with Jules, Fiore and my sister. Love these girls!! Such a great time!

Dining with the Clarke side of my beautiful family!!

Somewhere off the coast of Lima.

Church where Isa got married on the hacienda grounds.

The woodwork was incredible!! 

Isa and Benjamin during their first dance. Isabel looked like she was floating as they Waltzed. 

I stole these next 3 pics from the professional photographer that photographed their wedding. 

Beautiful! (stolen picture)

Everything was perfectly placed. The weather couldn't have been better for an outdoor reception. (stolen picture) 

With my Mamama! Such a funny and witty lady!

My 2 little lovies.

Paracas. Perfect.

The sunsets....

My beautiful parents!!!

On the boat to the Ballesta Islands. This boy falls asleep as soon as we get on a boat. He sleeps for 15 minutes and then wakes up. Happened on every boat trip we took in Peru!

Sister and Marice. :)

Love this one!

Boys playing with Mamama's wheelchair. :) 

Reid's Birthday and a Pool!

Our Reido turned 7. But he was just this little the other day?!

We had a mini slumber party at our house with his closest buds. After a water balloon fight, jumping on the trampoline filled with 75 balloons, eating KRAFT mac and cheese (yes, you read that correctly. He specifically requested Sponge Bob Kraft Mac n Cheese. Gross, I know but it was his birthday after all...) They built their own sundae's and then we took them to Build-A-Bear. The kid is 7 and still LOVES stuffed animals. In fact, he asks for one wherever we go. I figured this may be the last time he actually enjoys a birthday party that involves stuffed animals. Of course, he may want one for his 17th birthday at which point I'll gladly make it happen. I will baby him for as long as he lets me! Afterwards, they slumber partied until they crashed around 11pm.  All the kids were so good!  I love him more each day that goes by... He keeps us on our toes with his mischievousness but is the sweetest, most caring boy I know. 

Having fun

     

That must have been some sort of super hero move. I love his face!

Reid, Matt, Cole, Coop, Will and Parker

Mamma and Papi came over to give him gifts and his 3rd cake to sing Happy Birthday to!

We are building a pool and couldn't be more excited. The HOA took longer to approve than we would have liked but the digging has begun!!!

DAY 1 (Happy Cinco de Mayo to us!)

DAY 1

DAY 1

Hiatus

 My last post was back in October just before the craziness intensified in the Rentfro household.  Just before the holidays, we found out we were getting transferred back to Houston.  So, the packing began and Joe moved to Houston on December 1st. I stayed behind to let the boys finish the school semester while I wrapped up some projects at work.  Let's see....what has happened since?

1). Christmas was wonderful! As usual, Christmas Eve was spent with my parents and Christmas Day with Joe's parents. It's so great to be back close to family and friends!

1). We decided not to buy the house we were going to buy, ONE week prior to closing. The builder was not very cooperative and although we **loved** the house, we are happy things worked out the way they did. The house was gorgeous and on 1 acre but we are so thankful with the way things ended up. As I always say, "everything happens for a reason".

2). We were able to find a house BEFORE the boys went back to school from Christmas break.

3). The house is 7 houses down from my parents and I love it! The boys ride their bikes to their house all of the time! The memories they will have, make me incredibly happy!

4). The boys seem to be very very happy in school and love their new-found freedom. These boys are ridding bikes, rolling on scooters, Y-flickers, skateboards or rollerblading every second of their free day. Our street is filled with kiddos their age!

5). Cole is playing baseball (and is loving pitching!!) and Reid is playing soccer.  Happy they were blessed with their Daddy's athleticism. :)


6). I'm unable to find any of our Christmas pictures! :(

7). The best thing that has happened since I posted last, is my temporary retirement!!! I love being able to drop them off at school. I love being able to walk home from school every single day (rain or shine!).  I am lucky enough to get to have lunch with Reid every single time he asks me, which is usually 2-3 times a week. Cole and his girlfriend are a little too cool for me these days. :) I can help their Teachers and attend every single class event and/or Program.  Taking the boys to their many practices is easy peasy! I love having the time to cook my family a balanced meal. I love being able to go to the gym without feeling guilty about taking time away from family or work. I am so happy and so thankful that I'm able to do what I'm doing now.  I am loving every single second of my Mommy/Wife life!

Granny's Birthday dinner at our house.

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Cole and Brianna (the girlfriend that he won't 100% admit to...)

Cole at the school carnival!

Reido at Granny's Birthday dinner

At one of Reid's Soccer games with my Coley. I had to post it to prove that I'm around (always behind the camera!!!). 

Willamus and Reido slithering down the stairs!

My Birthday gift from Joe (100 little puzzle pieces created by him).

My Valentine's Day gift from Joe revealed a MAC laptop. :)

Reid and Jenny in Comfort, Texas for Spring Break 2015.

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Beginning of Spring Break in Woodville, Tx (3 nights).

Cole and Jenny.

Monkey CHILAXING... at the San Antonio Zoo. Spring Break 2015.

Cole holding a butterfly at the Butterfly Exhibit. 

Hiking in Comfort.

The most amazing sunset on our last night in Comfort.

Sunset view from our backyard.

Our toothless wonder. He is now missing 4 teeth!!

Drafts. Because that's all I've got lately!

I just found this entry in my drafts. It is from 2011. Gosh, why does time fly?

Cole (#10) running as fast as he can after the ball.

Reid and Cherize chasing each other during the game. These 2 are adorable!

Cole's games are SO exciting to watch! I am constantly jumping, yelling and clapping. So glad, he doesn't get embarrassed yet... :)

Reid and Papi practicing soccer.

I hope that next Fall, he will be ready to play with a team because he LOVES it and is SO good!

 Everyday after bath,they both still ask me to "hold me like a baby". So, I wrap them up in their towels and hold them like I did when they were newborns.

Reido - Lots of Firsts!

Reido lost his first tooth, after his first week of first grade! :)

He lost it at Jason's Deli while eating an ice cream only SECONDS after I said "you are going to lose it right now".

My toothless wonder. 

The Tooth Fairy