Meneses Family Visit

Sea World---Shamu Show

The Meneses family came to visit us last week!  What a treat it was for us all.  Jose was Matt's college roommate at ACU and a dear friend to us both.  He was Matt's best man in our wedding. He's a great guy and so much fun.  His wife, Angie, we both knew in college but hung in different crowds.  It's been fun getting to know her better.  They have 2 kids:  Hannah (3 1/2) and Caleb (2).  They are so precious.  It has been 3 years since we last saw them, so needless to say it was time and we had such a wonderful time catching up.  They live in Guatemala and only make it back to Texas a few times a year to visit Angie's family.  It was such a treat that they got away for a few days to come visit San Antonio.  It was sort of a 'family vacation' for them, so we did our best to show them the sights.  Jose (and his kids) had never been to SA before so we were thrilled to show them around.  Jose's family from Guatemala also came.  They stayed in a hotel by La Cantera/Fiesta Texas.  It was wonderful to see them and show them around SA too.

 

The Oh-so-handsome Caleb Matias

Harper and Hannah--instant friends

 Jose, Angie, and the kids arrived in the early afternoon on Tuesday.  The kids kids instantly hit it off and played so well together.  They were so cute and had such a great time.  I don't think Angie and I could get a word in with Matt and Jose.  It was like 2 long lost friends finally reconnected.  HA.  After the kids played for a few hours we all loaded up in the suburban with 3 car seats, 2 booster seats, 2 dads in the very back, and 2 mama's in the front and drove down town to the River walk.  First stop was to see the Alamo.  I have to say something about Hudson here.  My son loves history.  He loves museums.  He is fascinated by it all.  He asks a million questions, looks at every detail, and walks VERY slowly.  He wants everything read to him and nothing skipped.  Of course we were not on our own schedule there, so we did not have time to do it all.  There is this area in the Alamo where there is a wall of ALL the heroes of the Alamo listed.  Hundreds of names.  We went over there and I was reading a few names and then ready to move on.  He wanted me to stop and read every single name and not to skip a one.  To see his little face listening so intently and caring so deeply about the names of the hero's of the Alamo really blew me away.  I feel like most 6 year olds could care less or would get bored, but he wanted to know their names and it really did matter to him.  I had a moment there with him.  There is something special about that little boy, that's for sure.

The Meneses Family---Jose's older brother Oscar and his wife Paola (and baby boy Ian in her belly),  & Jose's parents in the middle.

 After the Alamo we went and had dinner on the River Walk at Casa Rio....my opinion the only place you should eat Mexican food (on the river).  While we were sitting outside waiting for our table I saw SUNNI FROM THE BIGGEST LOSER!!!  She walked right by me and I just grabbed her arm (not even thinking there).  She was so nice.  I told her what an inspiration she was and how she looked great....I really wanted to know where she ate dinner and what she ate, but I thought that would be rude.  She was so kind and didn't seemed the least bit bothered by me.  If you aren't up on The Biggest Loser she was one of the final 5 contestants.  And her story was so inspiring.  She is from Frisco and Bob Harper was her trainer.  I really liked her a lot!

Our wild bunch heading back to the car.

Sweet little friends.

Hudson and Harper introducing Caleb and Hannah to Tangled Wii.

Wednesday we spent the morning playing and then loaded up our crew and went to SEA WORLD!!  It had been over a year since we had been last.  We bought our passes for 2012 and had a ball.  It was Holty's first SW experience and he was a trooper.  He loved it and was so engaged.  He watched every show and would just squeal with excitement.  It was great fun.  The weather was gorgeous.  I love going to SW this time of year.  It is my favorite time.  I can do crowds all day long as long as it's nice out.  You also leave at the end of the day not near as exhausted.  Of course Hudson and Harper had a blast.  Their favorite parts of the day when asked would be Hudson: riding the Steel Eel---hands down his scariest roller coaster to date (I could not believe he rode it).  Harper: feeding the dolphins and the Walrus show.  

He would not take his eyes off of the show for a minute.

They thought it was pretty cool they got to ride this roller coaster all by themselves.  SO BIG!

LOOK-AT-HIM----so cute it hurts!!

The crew who rode the Steel Eel together (I did too, but I was taking the picture).  It was fun!

Steel Eel---Real bravery right there!

Oh how this boy is so much fun!

The Meneses babies.

My 3 all in a row.

Huddy even was able to pet a few!

The child was in dolphin Heaven!

Time to go!  What a great day!

We were so thankful for The Meneses Family visit.  It's always so good to see old friends.  I love when it is like no time has passed and you can bend over laughing over old times like they just happened.  We hope to head to visit them in Guatemala in 2013.  It is our turn and far long overdue.  What a fun experience that will be.  Jose and Angie bought their Sea World passes too, so we are banking on another visit in 2012!!  They sure know they are welcome any time.  God's greatest blessings in our life next to family are good friends....and we sure are blessed.