Renovate My Family, The Sentenos

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Renovate My Family had returned to the Fox lineup! After what I thought was the finale last month, I figured we'd seen the last of Jay McGraw and the gang. But, just when I had started enjoying having my Friday nights free, they return for more. So, at least for now, I am resigned to spending Fridays with Fox once again!

This week, we travel to Oceanside CA, to the home of the Senteno family. The camera zooms in on Jay McGraw, who, in case you have forgotten, is the son of famous psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw. Jay is standing in front of a small ranch-style home and tells us that there are nine people living in this little house. It's so tight, in fact, that Mom and Dad have to sleep on an air mattress in the living room every night. Since they are a "recently merged" family, adjusting to these new living arrangements has been tough for them emotionally and physically.

We meet the family. Steven, who is 11, tells us that he has two brothers and a sister. His mother, Carmen, died six years ago while giving birth to daughter Christina. Dad, Patrick, tells us that he loved his late wife more than anything and never thought she would die. Steven, who was only five when his mother died, still has trouble talking about her. 14-year-old Derek tells us that his mother was really caring. Although it was hard, Dad says that eventually they had to move on. While the family members are talking, we see snapshots of the boys with their mother.

Moving on for Dad meant a new relationship. He met Marianne four years after his wife died. They met when he was coaching her sons' basketball league . Marianne, a perky redhead, had been divorced for three and a half years when she started dating Patrick. She had been raising three sons of her own.

In July, Patrick and Marianne got married and they all moved into Patrick's little house. Steven says it is crazy! We see scenes of all these people trying to get up the stairs or use the bathroom. True to Jay's word, Patrick and Marianne are shown blowing up their air mattress. Steven tells us that when his mom passed away, his Dad really didn't talk about it. Marianne understands that this is an issue for the boys. Steven tells us that they want to be "one big happy family."

No problem. Jay comes to the rescue. He tells us that his team is going to give them the help that they need. He moves on to the bowling alley where the family is expected momentarily. Everyone in the place knows what's going on. The Sentenos arrive and start bowling. Jay grabs the microphone and announces that they have been chosen to be on Renovate My Family and they all go nuts. There sure are a lot of them!

After making the announcement, Jay asks them how they are doing and, obviously, they are beside themselves. As usual, they must race back to the house where they are given two hours to pack up their stuff. Dad has them grabbing trash bags, and they all scramble around packing.

The design team arrives. Glad to see that the Dahm triplets are still on the job. Stylist Jude Alcala realizes that this house was only designed for a family of four, not nine. Everyone jumps around on the air mattress in an attempt to "pop that sucker." Jude tries to help Marianne find some "date clothes," but she doesn't have any. He is not impressed with Patrick's apparel either. Scott McCray and Patrick explore the attic where Patrick has stored all of his first wife's clothes. In a closet, Jay finds a box of photos of the boys with their mother. This disturbs him. He has noticed that there are no reminders of her anywhere in sight. This strikes him as odd and he offers to find something "cool" to do with these photos.

The house is empty, and the family emerges to the cheers of the construction crew and neighbors. Jay tells them that they are going to grow as a family, and the first thing they have to do is tear the house down. They are excited by the challenge and the mad dash to start this project begins. As usual, everyone smashes the entire house up with sledgehammers. Why don't they just let the crane do the work? I guess that doesn't make for good television.

Once the interior demolition is complete, the giant crane begins tearing up the roof. Marianne is sad, thinking about Pat's kids and the memories that were held in that house. We see a fast-forward of the entire process, and then the family is off on their next adventure.

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