Rodriguez Reunion

Every year on the 24 of July we meet in Oakley Idaho for a little family reunion. We do the goose creek run (10K) and enjoy the pioneer celebration. Everyone camps out in the backyard. Beth's family and I stayed at a hotel this year. I didn't relish the idea of sleeping in a tent with a 5 month old baby. I didn't take really any pictures because I was always holding the baby. This is the picture of the kids in the parade. It didn't turn out because the kids decided to spray us and I didn't want buy a new camera.
I need to say that I did the 10K and I have never been so sore! I could barely walk the next day and to go down a flight of stairs was just pure torture! After a couple of day so healing Dan, Beth, and I went to go get massages to help us recover! It was sorely needed.

They had a LOT of Fun

My kids love Idaho. They get a sense of freedom they don't get in Texas. They love the outdoors activities. The first thing they do when they wake up and the last thing they do before bed is play outside. On this perticulary morning I got up and looked outside to find these two and their two younger cousins covered with mud. My kids had the worst of it!But how can you get mad at that! It was too funny. Every kid has to get covered in mud every once in a while. I know I certainly did.Hyrum was riding a scooter and had an accident. Luckily Don was there for that. If I had seen all that blood I know I would've freaked out. Don took him to the emergency room and it was all better. Now he just has to live with the scars. :(

Rafting Trip

Us girls decided to do a rafting trip. Amy gets everything all arraigned. Dad was the only man there. And it was a GOOD thing he came!!!! Man are definitely a plus when it come to water and kids! This was the biggest highlight of the trip for me! Beth, mom and I were in a boat together with our kids. Amy was with her kids and the older ones. Dad was with Amy's sister and Daisy (James's wife). Our boat was the worst one of the group! We pretty much just zigzagged from one side of the river to the other! I couldn't help, because I was holding Lulu and boy she was not happy about the life jacket. One time I was at the front of the boat looking at everyone trying to maneuver the raft and all of the sudden "BAM". Everyone at once goes flying backwards and lands on their back. Beth had steered us into some big old boulders! We were laughing so hard, I couldn't breath! I had to mentally tell myself to breath! Along the way we kept on losing paddles. Finally, after Sonnet loses one she gets told to get in and retrieve it. She goes in and we were unable to stop and get her back in. She is screaming and crying like she is going to die! Mom thought she had broken a leg because of how she is screaming. So this scares mom and she reacts by going to try and save Sonnet! Mom is not a swimmer! We end up hitting some more boulders and trying to stop for Sonnet. Mom tries to get out to stop the boat but then we just keep on going! So here is mom in the water and she can't get back in! She tries to stand and can't! This terrifies her because for a second she can't feel the bottom of the river. She hangs on to the raft with thoughts of her drowning to death. So here we are with 2 people overboard, Hardly any paddles, me holding a infant and a whole lot of little kids! I end up putting Leslie on the bottom of the boat and Beth and I pull the raft to the edge of the river. Mom didn't realize that the river was only about 3 to 4 feet of water most of the time! What highs and lows we had on this rafting trip. This was true of the whole Idaho vacation!

Marlowe Reunion

After the soccer tournament I left Utah late at night to get back for the Marlowe reunion. On the way back I got lost in Brigham City. I was so grateful for Don's and I's new iphones. I was able to find my way without stopping to ask for directions. It's a little scary to stop at a gas station by yourself with little kids at midnight.
At the reunion the fire department was spraying their big water hose. And even though we were just about to go swimming. Who could resist such fun?! The kids loved this!










You will notice Dad in the back ground HELPING. He was always doing what he could to make others more comfortable.

Since Don didn't come for the reunion. I was by myself. Lulu was not happy. So in order for me to take some pictures of the reunion, my dad would hold her for me.
The kids were really intent on hearing mom for the pinata.
John's little girl Whitney aka tinkerbell.
Beth's littlest girl Lanea.
Look at that FACE! Hehe
The Amy Marlowes.
Then we had the talent show.


Here is Dad doing his all time favorite "the barnyard stomp".

I have to say that at this reunion I remember looking at my dad and seeing pure joy on his face. At the time I just filed it away in my head without to much thought. I had to much to do with the kids and seeing everyone. I regret not spending more time with him there. I regret not hugging him more. Why didn't I push for more pictures of MY family? He loved that his kids and his family were together. Family was everything to him. This was the last time I saw him so happy and the LAST. It took me months to be able to look back at these photos.

Idaho

This trip was the best of times and the worst of times. With that said we started it off by driving a rental from SLC to Rexburg. I am SOOOO glad I changed my mind about driving from Texas! I about died from all the crying from just Utah to Idaho!And no Hyrum is not flipping anyone off! But I have not clue what he is trying to do.We stayed in Idaho for a night and then off to Utah again for a soccer camp. The girls were able to play on a little team of their own. I was the coach! Dan's real team ended up winning the tournament in their bracket. My team not so much. !)But I had the best treats ever after every game. This is what the requirement was for Adelyn to play! REALLY!
Hyrum found his own entertainment on the side lines
At least this didn't happen during our games!

Summer School?!

This year I decided to keep the kids so busy so that they wouldn't keep telling me how bored they were. So we ended up taking 2 sessions of swimming lessons,of course gymnastics 2x a week, and various art classes. The kids loved it! And we even made it to the pool enough that Hyrum was starting to look like a FULL blown Mexican instead of just a quarter! This is some of their artwork. I didn't take a lot of pictures this summer from all their events. It was enough just to keep up with everything and everyone (Lulu).

Summer Fun

Elena had her friend Darrin come over to play. All the kids had a fashion show. Elena had her first sleep over this summer at her friend Emma's house and her first sleepover with Darrin sleeping over here. Summer is truly here.Even Hyrum joined in the fun! Boys do like dress up too.
She is just such a doll!