TEN YEARS!!!

Has it really been ten whole years?

I love you Mi Amor!

Scout in the House

If you know any old ladies that need help crossing the road, let us know...
we have a SCOUT IN THE HOUSE!!!!!
He is taking his job of being a cub scout very seriously,
so don't hesitate to ask.

Samuel's Baptism

Samuel was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on September 3, 2011. It is an awesome day! Much more emotional than I imagined and soooo, sooo good! We had family and friends that were able to come enjoy this day with us, and all I can say is that it was one of those great days that I will always remember. Zoila gave a talk on Baptism (in Spanish) and the Tanner gave the talk on the Holy Ghost. Cesar baptized and confirmed him in Spanish. There is something about Cesar doing those special ordinances in his own language. It is very humbling to hear him speak with emotion and to promise and say things that I know are coming from our Heavenly Father. Even though I may not have understood word for word the confirmation, I know what he said and I know that what was said was true. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful, loving husband to teach my wonderful, loving son.

The morning of the baptism, we were all hurrying to get ready, and Cesar asked Samuel to get in the shower. Samuel replied that he didn't need too, he was going to "be washed clean when I get baptized."

The next day was Fast Sunday, and as people were bearing their testimonies, Samuel leaned over to me and said, "I can bear my testimony in church, now?" I replied that yes, he was always able to bear his testimony in church, but now he is officially a member of the church and if he wants to, he can. He spent the next 10 minutes trying to figure out what he was going to say. He tried to write it down like he has done before, but was too nervous with that and finally just sat still. He then turned to me and said that he was ready and that he wanted his dad to go with him. They went up together bore their testimonies. This little man has an old spirit and I am so humbled to be his mother.

Great to be Eight!

Eight Great things about Samuel Thomas Rodriguez....

1. He is a GREAT big brother!

2. He is GREAT at soccer. He is right handed, but is left footed.
Cesar is super excited about that! He says all the great soccer players are left footed. :)

3. He is GREAT at making other people laugh and love him.

4. He is GREAT at skiing.

5. He is GREAT at dressing up and pretending.

6. He is GREAT at building with lego's. We found him a big rubbermaid of vintage lego's that he loves and spends hours and hours and hours building things.

7. He is GREAT at playing the Wii. (He wanted to make sure I added this one.) :)

8. He is GREAT by just being himself! I love him more than I ever imagined and I am so proud of the good son that I have been blessed with.

First Day of School 2011

After a VERY long summer, school has started again. Samuel returned to Silver Mesa for second grade of the Dual Immersion Spanish program and Lauren started her first year in the same program. Lauren has been looking forward to going to school all day for about 3 years. It has been a LONG three years!

Cecret Lake 2011

Totally LOVE Cecret Lake! When the Houston Smith's came up this past summer, they requested to do this hike again with us. There was still so much snow. Such a nice hike and so beautiful!

Samuel and Chandler.

Most of the Crew.

She did it without complaining!!!
(she doesn't really like hiking)

My brother Lee and Cesar.

Yellowstone 2011

We had a great time this past summer in Yellowstone. This is the first official Smith Family Reunion and boy was it fun!!! We are already planning the next one...even though it may be years away. :) We had 8 adults and 11 kids in an Island Park cabin. Here is a photo journey of the trip...

The garage was HUGE and had two big swings that the kids all loved!

Grandpa, Jake, Samuel and Preston waiting...waiting...waiting...
it takes time to get us all ready at the same time. :)

What big horns you have.

Overheard...
Preston: I love you Samuel.
Samuel: I love you Preston.
These two went everywhere together and did everything together.

Faithfully waiting for Old Faithful...waiting...waiting...waiting...

Two of a kind.

Overall it was a great trip. I hadn't been to Yellowstone since I was Lauren's age. It was a long way to go, but definitely worth it. I love my brothers and sister and I am so glad that we all get along well enough to spend 5 days together. I especially love that my kids get to know their cousins better.