Merry Christmas!

The Fabulously Fantastic Five

I have been blessed with some great friends! I am so lucky to have these women in my life. They are a great influence on me and my little family. I love you Niki, Angela, Becky and LeAnn!

saftey first

This is how I find Isabella when I am not paying attention. She is a little monkey! She is also a little biter! Lauren had bite marks on her arm for a few days after Isabella bit her because she had taken something away from her. Crazy kid! Does this start earlier with each child? That is what I am thinking.
She is not even eleven months!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Cesar's work puts on an awesome Christmas party for the kids! This is the best Santa and Mrs. Claus I have ever seen! They come every year, and this year Samuel is convinced that this isn't the really Mr. and Mrs. Claus, because Mrs. Claus is wearing a watch, and the real Mrs. Claus doesn't wear a watch. I told him that she needs to wear a watch in order to keep Santa on time. He still isn't convinced. Samuel asked for "Lego Star Wars video game E for everyone." (we currently don't have any type of gaming system, nor will we for a long time. Never if I have my way.) Lauren asked for a "counting thing". I have since discovered that this is a cash register. And Sweet Baby Bella wasn't too sure about the whole thing. I am sure that she would love her own baby to hold and kiss instead of one of Lauren's. But, that is just a guess. :)

We had a great time decorating cookies, putting together a Christmas count-down chain, making ornaments, and playing games. This tradition marks the beginning of the Christmas season for our family. Ho, Ho, Ho!

Halloween

The scary witch, batman and the little chicken all had a great Halloween. The Batman became Luke Skywalker who then became the Tin Man. But the Witch and the Little Chick stayed the same. We love Halloween! Every year it becomes more
fun as the kids get older.

First Recital

Lauren stated violin lessons 2 months ago from an amazing teacher in our neighborhood. She approached me about 2 years ago asking if she could teach Lauren to play the violin. I feel a bit intimidated because this teacher is so good and I know nothing about the violin. Really, I know nothing! I have to learn to play the violin a bit, and I am so embarrassed that I have to ask the mom next to me which is the E string...I now can remember, the E string is the etty beety string. That is how I remember. :) Lauren has been so excited and she LOVES to play the violin...so far. :) It is so much fun that she likes to practice on her own terms. We often get into heated discussions about how she is supposed to be playing and what Ramona told her in lessons. :) So much fun! We are working on bowing and finger positioning and for her first recital, Lauren played "Pop Goes the Weasel" on her little violin. She did an awesome job! I am so proud of her! She wasn't afraid or nervous or anything! She has been looking forward to playing her little song in front of everyone for the past month. We are working on the beginnings of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and hopefully she will be ready to play some of it for the Christmas Concert.


Due to an unfortunate experimental activity last week, we are having a hard time keeping the violin tuned...so, even though it was tuned about 10 minutes before she played, it was out of tune. Nonetheless, I am so proud of my little violinist! She is very serious about playing and really enjoys it.

Keeping Pace

So, my Sam loves to go running with his dad.
They did the 5k race again this year with Cesar's work.
Sam did a great job!

He was the youngest racer and he was so excited to get a
medal and some prizes! Way to go Sam!

Bath time is so much fun!

My Sweet Baby Bella!

Eight Years!

Eight reasons why I love Cesar Rafael Rodriguez Mejia
1. He has given me the 'other' love's of my life...Samuel, Lauren and Isabella.
2. Thinking about how we met, dated and survived our first year of marriage reminds me that our love can withstand a lot. We love to reminisce about those days! It seems like yesterday, but then again, like a lifetime ago. Why would you ever date someone you met dancing in a club? Why would you ever date someone when you couldn't speak their language? Let me just say...he is a sexy, hot Peruvian Latin Lover! Irresistible!
3. I love that we are so different! I truly believe that we are a better couple because we are so different. Embrace the difference!
4. He really does give me anything that I want. :)
5. He took me on a dream trip to Italy in 2007. It was a wonderful experience and it made our marriage stronger.
6. He is a wonderful, caring, loving and trusted husband and father.
7. I still get butterflies when he looks at me from across a room. :)
8. He is my true love!

Family Vacation 2009

We took the kids to stay in a hotel for the first time this past summer! Can you believe they have never stayed in a hotel? We just went up to Park City for the weekend and had a blast! We swam a lot and spent the day on the Alpine Slide. It was so much fun! Our hotel room was teeny tiny, but we made the most of it and had a great time. I didn't even make the kids go to bed at 7! They got to stay up past ten! I know, I am a wild and crazy mom! Next summer, we may venture a bit farther from home, or we
may not. :) I love making these fun memories with the kids!

We invited Heidi up for a day of swimming and sliding.

Crazy Sam! He wanted to go full speed the whole way! He was mad that I was too scared to let him have complete control. :)

Sam is checking to make sure that they won. He liked to ride with Cesar because he wasn't scared and would let him do the brakes.

Happy Birthday Sam!

Top 6 favorite things about
Samuel Thomas Rodriguez...

1. August 30, 2003 at 6:22 pm, weighing 6 pounds 7 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long, Samuel came into this world. I remember laying in the hospital room, waiting for him to come, looking out the window. We had a great view of the Utah mountains and of the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. As I looked at the beautiful surroundings outside, the very distinct thought came to my mind and my heart, that as I had one mother saying good bye to my sweet little boy, I was lucky enough to have another mother present to welcome this baby into our family. It was such a peaceful and incredible experience. I will never forget the day Samuel came! So small and sweet. The perfect little lips and big, bright eyes. He has been on the go since day one and I love him!

2. Going to the emergency room 5 days before Christmas in 2007 for stitches. Sam somehow hit his face on the coffee table and needed 4 stitches. He is hallarious when he has had Versed. It is a wonder drug. :)

3. On a cold March afternoon, I found Samuel outside, covered from head to toe in mud...with no clothes on ! It was really cold outside! I asked him what he was doing, and he responded that he was Shrek. Shrek plays in the mud without any clothes on. Makes sense. :)

4. The many faces of Sam...cowboy, spider man, batman, pirate, Jedi Knight, Mr. Brown (Nanny McFee), Elliot (E.T.) and many, many, many more!

5. First day of school. Is he really old enough to be starting school? Time has gone by so fast! Samuel was so excited to finally go to 'big' school with his friends from the neighborhood.

6. Finally, one of my favorite things about Sam is that he is so goofy! The older he gets, the more it comes out. He has a great sense of humor and is just plain goofy! He is really funny and makes me laugh daily!

I Wanna Be A Cowboy!

I think that Samuel was born in the wrong time and wrong place. He seriously should have been born 100 years ago on a farm. He absolutely loves to dress up like a cowboy and ride his pretend horse all around the house and yard. He even ropes cows and rounds up the sheep. He has a few guns to shoot the bad guys, although he says he doesn't kill them, he just leaves them for the sheriff. At times, he will only eat beans and buns because that is the only thing that cowboys eat out in the west. How did he come up with that? Buns, not rolls or bread...buns. We go to the Spanish Fork Rodeo every year, and that is the highlight of the year! There are cowboys everywhere! He is in heaven! It is so much fun to go, just to watch him! Such a fun time of life! So much imagination! I love my little cowboy!

Just in case you were wondering...cowboys do eat a hot dog from time to time.

He is so proud of his new hat! He worked really hard and saved him money so he could buy a hat for the rodeo. He had a hat that mysteriously disappeared...not sure why it would disappear...it is not like it was stepped on by some horses or cows or the cowboy more than once. It is such a mystery where it went one day when no one was looking...

Lauren even had a good time watching the horses and cowboys. She does make a cute cowgirl!

Summer Memories

We have had a whirl-wind of a summer! Here are a few memories....

Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house
We had a great time talking with the kids about the importance of the temple and of how we are together as a family FOREVER. It was a wonderful experience, one that I hope created a memory that Sam and Lauren will always remember. Maybe not the details... but of how they felt when they were inside.

Isabella hanging with Aunt Heidi and Chino
We love Aunt Heidi! I am so glad she is so close and so much apart of the kids lives! What would we ever do without her?! I keep telling her that someday when she has kids, she will understand how much she helps me. I can't wait to repay her!

Crazy Aunt Heidi!
We loved watching fireworks with my dad and Heidi. Never a dull moment!

Playing in the fountain at the Gateway
We did this a few times this past summer, and the kids love it! The first time we went it wasn't really planned, so they were with their clothes. When we went again, we remembered the swim suits. So much fun! Great hot summer day activity!

Cousin Time
We have loved spending so much time with my brother's kids! Here is Kaylee, Cameron, Jenna and Lauren (L-R) at Discovery Gateway.

Sleep-Overs
Seriously, who but Heidi would take on 8 crazy kids for a sleep-over? They all loved it! Good thing her apartment is small...less space to clean-up. :) I think she was probably happy when her time was up and the kids went back to the parents. Where did they all sleep? Did everyone sleep? Good questions...glad I wasn't there. :)

Stranger Danger!

So you always teach your children 'stranger danger' but never really think they get it because they are always wondering off or.., you know..., talking to strangers. Today Samuel was up the street (too far by our rules) so I was started to call him back. But, as I was trying to call him, I could see off in the distance, at the end of the street, his bike laying on its side in the gutter. I could also hear him screaming at the top of his lungs. I couldn't make out what he was saying and thought for sure he had been hit by a car and was bleeding or something aweful like that. As he got closer, I could make out that he was saying "Stranger! Stranger! A stranger is after me!!!" He was beyond hysterical! Seriously over the edge upset. All he could get out was that a stranger was after him and was going to take him. In the meantime, our friendly neighbor, had picked up Samuel's bike and was walking toward us in an attempt to return it. Samuel was completely beside himself and completely hysterical. He was so worried that this man was going to take him and me. I sent him home so I could get the bike and explain to our neighbor what was happening. All the while, I could hear Sam screaming as he was running like a bandit to our house. When I got home less than a minute later, I could still hear him screaming in the house, but now, it was accompanied with Lauren's scream that a stranger was outside and was going to take him. Cesar was trying to feed Isabella and when I walked in, he asked what was going on and why was Samuel on the phone. What? On the phone? Well, take it away from him! He doesn't need to be on the phone. Sure enough, who was Samuel calling? 911! Yup, my little Sam dialed 911 because a stranger was up the street. Cesar had him hang up the phone, not realizing until after who it was. Then I had to explain to the dispatch lady when she called back that my 5 year old son had made a mistake and was afraid of a stranger and that I needed to do a bit more education with him. She asked me two or three times how old he was. I was trying SO hard not to laugh! All the while, Sam and Lauren are screaming like crazy! After Cesar reminded me not to laugh about this, we had a little heart to heart about the proper way to use 911 and that the man up the street was his friends dad and that he really wasn't a stranger. He wasn't following him, he lived there. Don't worry, I reassured him a hundred times that he did the right thing, but next time, ask mom or dad for help in calling 911. He said he didn't know the number for 911, so he just counted the numbers out for the 9, then the 1 and again for another 1. Can you believe this kid? I am still laughing. I know I shouldn't, but I am.

Questions to ponder

A great question...
Sam: Mom, who is the king and queen for the pool?
Mom: What do you mean, a king and a queen?
Sam: You know, a king and queen. They have life guards, so I was wondering who the king and queen were. They have the guards there.

Another great question...
Sam: Have you ever had a moon burn?
Mom: A moon burn?
Sam: Ya, a moon burn. You know, like a sun burn, but from the moon.
Mom: No, Sam, I have never had a moon burn.

Sunday's with Grandpa

The kid's favorite day of the week is Sunday! This is the day that my dad comes for dinner. If he goes anywhere else for Sunday dinner, the kids are mad. :) They don't like to share their Grandpa on Sunday's. Sometimes he stays for a while, and sometimes he needs to rush home for something, but we love that he comes! It is a special treat to have him for dinner each Sunday. I am sure that the kids will always remember their grandpa coming for dinner after church. They love to play with him and have him watch and laugh at their silly tricks. Sometime he is even their own personal jungle gym. The best thing about Grandpa is his laugh!
We love you Grandpa!

Little Miss Stubborn

Doesn't she look just like "Little Miss Stubborn"? She definitely fits the character in the book. Aside from being stubborn, Lauren is also very sweet and kind. She made up a song the other day about Jesus and our dog Bruno. Bruno died almost a year ago, and she talks about him often. Well, this sweet song talked about Jesus coming alive and Bruno being alive again and about how much she loves Jesus and that she knows that Jesus loves her too. It was sweet and brought tears to my eye's as well as some suppressed laughter. Right after she finished singing her song, she wanted to say a prayer to tell Jesus that she loves him too. Where does she come up with these thing? My sweet, sensitive Lauren.
I love her so!

Mr. Dress Up

Can I just tell you how awesome this boy is?!? He wanted a batman mask to go with his batman costume (jammies), so he made is own! He is so cute! So creative and smart! I just love this little man! He changes his clothes and dresses up at least 3 or 4 times a day.
So inventive and creative.

When the Ants Go Marching One by One...

A few weeks ago, while Cesar was extremely busy with work, I decided to take my little family on a hike up the canyon to cool off and to use up some energy. It had been a long week as a single parent, and I needed a bit of a break from the norm. So, we grabbed some subs, and headed up the canyon. At the last minute, I decided to do a hike I haven't done before, that came recommended from a good friend. (Word to the wise...don't do a hike with little kids...by yourself... that you have never done!) Anyhow, so off we went to hike up to Bell's Canyon Reservoir. IT WAS HARD! I seriously almost turned back! It took us over an hour! Rocky, steep terrain with a boy running ahead, totally oblivious and having a grand ol' time! A little girl, crying and complaining LOUDLY the entire way, and falling, stumbling and crying and complaining and crying and complaining and crying and complaining. A baby strapped to my back in my favorite Kelty (everyone needs one of these!). And last, but not least, me in my STUPID FLIP FLOPS!!!! I totally forgot my own footwear! Lauren asked repeatedly if we could turn back and go home, but me, the persevering mother, said, no, that the lake is so beautiful and will be totally worth the journey. I really almost did turn around. I was trying to catch up to Sam to tell him that we were going to start back down, and lo and behold a beautiful lake! It was so calm and still and perfect! We sat and eat our sandwiches and played a bit it the water. Then I was beyond ready to go home. It took us a good hour up and about a half hour home. I am so glad I didn't turn around! But this is what I learned...

1. Don't do any hikes by yourself that you aren't familiar with, especially with little kids.
2. Don't hike in flip flops!
3. Don't fall...it's a long way down! (I was really nervous, but I didn't fall. Sam did, but he was ok, even though he thought he was going to bleed to death.)
4. Come prepared (with extra formula, or a bottle at least!)
5. Hiking is funner singing "when the ants go marching" and making up the words that you can't remember....
6. Hiking really wears out the kids! (easy bed time)
7. Hiking is almost always worth the journey!

Good times, that Bell's Canyon. Maybe I will do it again when I forget how stupid I was and when I have Cesar with me. :) You don't need to remind me about hiking prepared. I know, I know, I know! But, I learned some valuable lessons.

Suzuki Violin

I am so excited for Lauren to start violin lesson's this fall! And she is so excited! She reminds me almost daily that she will have her violin to play at Halloween. We have an incredible Suzuki Violin teacher in our neighborhood who asked me last year if I wanted Lauren to take violin lessons. Cesar and I attended a few of her concerts and we were totally impressed! It is amazing! She only takes new students that are three or four years old and she plans on teaching them until they are through high school. It is a little intense and quite a bit intimidating! but I love classical music and I really want my children to play something. No one in my family has played the violin. We are a piano family, but Lauren has talked about playing the violin since before this teacher approached me. Anyhow, Lauren and I took a Pre-twinkle music class at the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute last week and it was so incredible! I am so excited about this whole decision we have made. It is going to totally be a sacrifice for our family in order for this to happen, but I really feel good about it. I know that this is a big commitment, but we are ready! (I hope) :)

Seriously?

Really? In our neigborhood? We do live kind of close to the mountains (being in Utah), but not that close. You would think we were in Waterton where the deer roam the streets. Random! I seriously thought I was seeing things when I saw them out my window. They walked by our house and down the street, then jumped into a neighbor's back yard.

Remembering Audrey

It has been 5 years since Audrey passed away. Every year, I take my little family to Audrey's grave to pay tribute to her life. My kids know who their grandma Audrey and grandma Linda are. I talk about them often, hoping I can pass along the legacy of these great women to my children.

We take Audrey's favorite pink flowers to her grave and sing some primary songs. It isn't much, but it is something.

Audrey was the true meaning of service. In watching her serve throughout her life and in various calling in the church and in her family, she always did her best. I never once remember her complaining about what she needed to do. She went about doing her quiet acts of service.

It has been one of the greatest blessing of my life to serve her when she got sick. She had served me and everyone around her, her entire life, and to be able to return that service was very humbling for me. She was not afraid to die. She was not upset. All she was worried about was the love of her life, my dad. The quiet moments that I spent with her those last two years I will always be grateful for. I love her very much. She was a good friend. I miss her and I think about her often. She has been a great influence in my life and still is. I cannot wait to see her again.

Lauren' B-day

Happy Birthday Sweetie! Lauren turned 4 this past Sunday. She was so excited and has been looking forward to this day for months! We had a nice family party for her on Sunday. We were glad that the sun came out so we could do the pinata outside.

Zoila made Lauren a princess cape to match her princess gown. She loves it!

A nice relative, (I won't name names...Luis) gave her a pallet of make-up. You can see how pretty Lauren looks with the purple eye shadow, blush and lip stick. So pretty! Thanks Luis! Can you see that Lauren is holding her hands carefully so that the nail polish can dry? That also came in the set. Thanks again! :)

Lauren also had her first friend birthday party. She invited four girls from the neighborhood and had a princess party. We are so blessed to have such good neighbors and friends! Do they look like they are having fun? I'm not sure...

Lauren got this super-cool scooter from her good friend Ellie. Such a generous friend. Thanks Ellie!