Cartegena, Columbia

Lets get dirty! Totumo Columbia is where to go. A couple of weekends ago we had the opportunity to go to Cartagena, Columbia as a family with some friends. We mainly hung out by the pool and the beach, but one day we took a trip to see this famous volcano, Totumo, that is filled with this goo that you see Zander in. It is really deep, but you just float. Zander loved it, Brock would not get in, and Cooper screamed while inside with Chris. When they got out a man helped Chris out, but then proceeded to take Cooper down the long flight of stairs much faster then I could catch him, and when I got to the bottom I could not find him. Talk about panic! Carlos, one of our friends that was with us, handed me his daughter and went to search for him, oh yeah I forgot to tell you that at this moment we were in a down pour of rain. Turns out that after you bathe in the mud they take down to the river to clean you, and that is where he had whisked my son off to. Whew!! It was a fun trip, and great to spend some time together as a family.

Oh and talk about treatment, I got a massage while sitting on the beach watching my boys play in the sand!

Us on top of the volcano waiting in line! Look how sunburned my poor brother-in-law was!!

Brock to chicken to get in!!! He told me he was thinking about it, and then it started pooring down rain. His daddy got him though, Chris picked him up and rubbed mud all over him.

The line to get up the Volcano, it was a pretty steep climb.

The view from the moro, wall surrounding Cartagena.

My three angels!!!!!

Zander is my dare devil, he found this high rock that to him looked just perfect to climb up, or to give his mom a heart attack. Here he is safely at the top.

Brock posing on one of the cannons! It made me miss Puerto Rico and how green everything is everywhere.

Cooper climbing his way up the big giant hill! We did not take a stroller and this guy is weighing in at 35lbs at 18 months, so he had to walk!!

Some brotherly love.

Sorry made it in 2x.

Chris, Carlos, and Josh all went out scuba diving one morning!!!

Dinner in the plaza of old Cartagena one night!!

Carlos, Brock, Nico, and Zander walking through the plaza.

Dancers in the center of one of the plaza´s.

Empresa Peruano Del Año

In July Chris won this really cool award for bussines of the year, one of the most prestigious awards given in Peru. He has worked so hard for the past few years, so he really deserves it and we are so proud.

At the awards ceremony! They are super long and boring, but anything for my hubby! We also came out in a magazine here as well, the equivalent of people magazine in the states, kind of fun!!

More Vacation!!!!

My Dad Mark and my brother Taft were able to come down for a quick visit, which was so fun. My boys love spending time with their family that they don't often get to see, especially their really cool uncles, and super fun grandpa!

Out to dinner for my brother Taft´s bday! Chris had just flown in, so we met up in LA to have lunch before they headed back home. It was so fun to have everyone together even for a minute!

While my dad was down we kept it pretty low key, we just hung out at the beach and played. My dad brought these heavy duty shovels to build sand castles and dig holes with, that the boys thought were so cool. Here is Brock getting buried alive!

Cooper loves the beach, at the end of the day he was covered from head to toe in sand, super fun to clean off a baby!

Zander buried alive!

The boys building a volcano.

We also spent a couple days playing at my kids favorite place, Sea World. Here is Zander playing in the water area that they have in Elmo´s world.

Cooper thought this was the best place ever.

More Disney!

Getting everyone to look at the camera at the end of the day, what a feat!

Go Brock go!!!!

5 very naughty boys!

Winter/Summer 2011

During our winter break, summer break in the states, we took a little trip back stateside. We took the kids to Disney, Cooper´s first time, and we had a blast. Here is the little chunker making a go at lifting this weight!

Dad and Zander sharing a sucker. Anyone who knows Zander knows he has got a major sweet tooth like his mommy, so I am amazed he shared with his dad.

Cooper trying to figure out how the piano keeps making noise by itself. Take a look at his hands, I think a career as a pianst is out!

Grandpa Marv and Brock having a rest, man walking around all day is tough work.

Zander so happy with his giant Sucker, it does not take much to make this boy happy!

Mothers Day!

Zander performing for us mommys, what a fun day. I am so glad to share such special days with each of my boys.

My silly guy and I at his mothers day celebration. We had a class together with their theatre teacher and then they sand us a couple of songs. Super sweet. Gotta love his face in this picture.

Mothers Day at Brock's school, we had sucha great time doing a project together. He is growing up so fast, and is such a sweetheart.

Making his project, they made little baskets for us to put by our bedside to put jewelry in. Very cute.

Yep this was my big present for mothers day this year, not really a gift that I would ask for next year that is for sure. The day before mothers day I was walking down the stairs with Cooper in my arms and Zander was going down head first when he began to fall he grabbed my leg and I tried not to fall face first on Cooper so I threw my body back and my leg bent wrong underneath me and yep broken. To make it even more exciting Chris left for Malaysia for two weeks the next day. Thank heavens for the girls that work in my home, they were life savers. At least I can say that life is never boring or dull right????

Fashion Show!

Fashion Show!!!! A couple of weeks ago my sis in law and I had the opportunity to go to a fashion show that was put on for charity by two very big designers her in Peru, and can I just say how beautiful the clothes were. We had a great time and had fun dreaming of having a closet full of these gorgeous clothes.

My good friend Lis and I.

My sis in law Christina and I after the show.

The gang of expats here in Peru closing down the party. Free gift bags, dinner, show and a night out with the girls, what more can you ask for right???

Easter 2011

This year for easter we spent it the beach house with some great friends and family. Chris's brother and his family are here staying with us before they make their move to Columbia, so they were there as well as two other family friends. Benjamin and Mariela and their baby, and Jessica and her husband and 3 boys. Yes thats right, 16 people plus two employees. It was a blast, lots of food and laughs. It was a great Easter.

Cutest Easter bunny ever!

Everybody hop! We had an egg hunt, and the Easter bunny even found us at the beach. It was fun to share some traditions with the peruvian families here.

Beach fun!!! Alejandro, Brock and Zander.

Chris and Benjamin!

We turned puruvian!!!!

In March Gano Excel, the company Chris works for, had a big event where we were asked to dress up in Peruvian garb. We walked the cat walk and the boys actually loved it. Cooper started dancing and the boys felt like super stars. I have never worn a dress that weighed so much in my entire life. Oh the things we do for our husbands. The boys look cute though.

Zander's 1st day of school 2011

My big man Z on his first day of school. He is the big man on campus now and can not wait to go to big boy school next year. In Peru you have to take an exam to get into your school of choice, so he is getting ready for his on May 21. It is like trying to get your child into college, but luckily we have the advantage because Brock already goes to the school, so hopefully all will go well.

Zander is my comic relief. He is always making me laugh and the kids at school gravitate to him. He is super energetic and learns so quickly. He loves his Nido, preschool, which makes each and every day easy as we get everyone off to school for the day.