NY!

Thank you Santi and Karen! We had an AWESOME time! We love you guys! see you soon!

Little Joe

We landed in Houston, and got to spend a couple days there visiting with family and friends. BIG THANK YOU to Jer for picking us up at the airport! It was nice to get to see Mila and the kids (they're getting so big) and be able to visit with little Joe, Ambie, and Jude!  Little Joe had a great time getting to play with his little cuz, Connor (also just 1), Uncle Jason, Auntie Lori, and Auntie Rosie. We took about a million pictures of all the fun, so instead of posting the "top 20", just made a slide-show. ENJOY!!

Sonia and Jamie's Wedding

We were happily able to attend the union of Joe's good friend, Sonia, with long-time novio, Jamie. Though just "la firma" part of the ceremony, there was nothing mundane about this gathering; elegant and extravagant, is more what comes to mind. Starting with entree's and pisco sours, guests enjoyed the live entertainment from Marinera dancers and caballo's del paso (dancing horses). After the speeches, ceremony, and toasts, we were all surprised with the bride's personal performance of the traditional Trullian dance, Marinera, and went on to feast on some of Peru's best dishes-THANK YOU Aunt Mary and crew! The servers started making whisky rounds, and then, it was all madness! It's fun watching EVERYONE pile onto the dance floor, tables shift, friends catch up and make some new ones, before finally calling it a night. Felicitaciones Sonia and Jamie! 

Surfing in Huanchaco!

"Huanchaco is a beach and summer vacation spot in the northern city of Trujillo, Peru. Huanchaco is famous for a few things but in particular for being a surfer's dream spot and its caballitos de totora. The most famous food there is the ceviche (which we LOVE!!!). Huanchaco is nearby the very famous ruins of Chan Chan" - From Wikipedia

Yesterday we went to the nearby surfer's beach of Huanchaco, and we were finally able to catch some surfing on camera. Rough as the pictures look, I was having a blast!

Sam's Haircut!

2 min mohawk

Reef Bikini Competition in Mar de Plata

Day of Arrival, this happened, but we weren't able to get any photos or footage-personally. Gentlemen, what a little research on You Tube can do for you;)

P.S. From Joe: "Chris, you asked 'How is South America', and here's your answer, little brother." Wish you were here!

Mar de Plata

WOW! Imagine a land that's got miles of beautiful coastline, more beautiful bodies than coast filling it, live with sports in and out of the water, everyone and their Grandma sipping on that Yerba buzz...and that's just the toe-dipping into the "small city" world of Mar de Plata. We've just found our new home! I know we landed at peak-summer season, and all the locals were talking down the cold winter-winds and empty streets, but Mar de Plata is more than just the beach attraction. True, with 15 plus hours of sun-fun, you have to wonder, "What does one do in those other 9 months out of the year WITHOUT it??" Sun-out, night life-on! I first thought 9:30PM was a little late for a big dinner and a slow sun-down, but not with so much to do after dark. From Tango-class, to taking in live-entertainment on the street, or simply enjoying the good company of the friends we stayed with there at home, bedtime was rarely before 4AM. Life is refreshingly basic in Mar de Plata, Argentina. No one's dressed-out, made-up, or engrossed in their latest gadget. People here seem too busy being and expressing themselves to be concerned with popular opinion, and that's the crazy thing about it. With so much individuality, the popular opinion is your opinion, your conviction. It's you wanting more from yourself than the people around you, and that's an inspiring find in the rat-racing, selfish world of today. We are still putting together our team, and exactly what we want from it, but I'm excited to see what the Lord's going to do here! Of course I can't finish this post without including due praise and appreciation of the wonderful time we had with our friends here in Mar de Plata! It wouldn't have been the same without Clara and Esther's cooking, oh, ENDLESS portions of Argentine's best "carne" (changed my religion on meat!), John Michael's genius take on films and musical talent, Javier's crawling futbol-scoring skills in the sand, Danny's helpful tips on how NOT to make Mate-soup, and sweet Almendra and her equally charming kids, Fiera and Arcos! THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!! So sad that we just missed seeing Luchi, Jess, Jo, and little Rapheal this time around, but here's looking forward to our return!  Three days and too long before I get to come back to this little piece of paradise!

Enjoying a Veal Milanesa

Having a coffee 

Casino-said to be the biggest casino in the world!

oh happy day!

Mate break at the Shell

...and more Mate

Daniel

$US - 1 

lost in the crowds

We miss "Arcitos" (adopted son for the day)

bussing into town