Summer Vacation to Mexico

We had a pretty short summer this year since Roderick is on year around school so we only had 3 weeks for summer. The week after Roderick got out of school we headed to our home away from home...... Guadalajara Mexico. We go once a year to see our family and friends. We usually stay for 2-3 weeks depending on how we can work it out. The flight was a little crazy this year. We found a great deal on tickets but it meant that we had to drive to Las Vegas then fly back to Salt Lake and then to Mexico. It was crazy but it worked out o.k. We rented a car here and drove down to Las Vegas on Friday the kids did great in the car. We stayed at Circus Circus for the night woke up early Saturday morning to get to the airport and then flew to Salt Lake City for a hour layover. It was nice to have a layover in a airport that we knew but kind of annoying at the same time thinking our home was only 10 min away from there. We finally arrived in Mexico around 6:00 that night and were greeted by our family. It is always so fun to see them come running and screaming to give us the best hugs and kisses ever. We headed home to get settled for the next 2 weeks of the best vacation ever.

On Sunday we went to see Rodrigos Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt. All the cousins were there to play with the kids. After we went there we headed to Lake Chapala. This lake is so beautiful. They have the best ice cream there and the kids had fun playing in the water in there clothes. I would love to retire and live at this lake.

Monday we woke up and went to visit Rodrigos Grandma Sanchez. She has been pretty sick. They don't know how much longer she will be here so we were glad that we were able to go visit her. We got some great pictures of her. After the visit we went to a water park that is close to her house called Agua Caliente. The water is actually warm and it feels so good to swim in. The kids love going here. They have the best place for kids to play. It was so fun.

Tuesday we went downtown and did some shopping. Roderick always looks forward to getting a few new soccer uniforms when we go to Mexico. The girls had there mind set on getting some umbrellas. Don't ask me why this is what they wanted to get from Mexico but we found some cute ones for them. Shopping is Mexico is the best. That is one thing I look forward to every year. Rodrigos best friend Ramones parents had a party for us that night at there house. It was fun to see them and get caught up. We also went the the California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate Rodrigos friends birthday.

Wednesday we had to get our bags packed so we could leave early the next morning for the beach. Oh and did I mention that it rained every day. It rained so hard that the streets were literally flooding. Roderick kept saying "Dad lets get a tube and tie it to the back of the car" it was so funny.

Thursday we woke up early and headed to the beach. It was about a 3 hour drive. It was not bad at all. When we got to the hotel the kids immediately put their swimming suits on and we headed for the water. We were awake every day at 6:15 and on the beach at 6:30 swimming and building sand castles. That is what we did every day until the following Wed when it was time to drive back to the city. It seriously is the most ideal vacation. One day we drove to Puerta Vallarta and had the amazing ice cream they sale there on the beach. But it was way to hot there so we didn't stay long. Lexi got her hair braided by some of the locals there. She thought that was the best. The kids loved snorkeling and riding on the big waves. One day we took a boat ride to watch the dolphins that was amazing.

We got back to the city on Wed and for the rest of the week we did some last minute shopping and visiting and of course ate at our favorite taco stands one last time. We have a dear friend in Mexico and her name is Lupe. She sales fruit and candy from her home. The kids adore her and she adores them. She cries everytime we arrive and when we leave. We love her so much. It is always so hard to say goodbye and now that the kids are getting older it is harder for them to leave. I am so lucky to have such a great family and mother in law and I forgot to mention my sister in law who is 8 years old. She sure takes great care of my kids. I love them so much. We miss them dearly and can't wait until we go back next year. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Fun at the Lake

Back in June we decided to go with some friends from Simmons and head to the lake. We went to Lake Scofield. It is up by Price. It is so beautiful there. I have never been to this Lake before and I will for sure go back. The weather was perfect. The kids had a blast. They love playing on the beach and in the water. The guys made some great Authentic Mexican Food for us. There were also some serious volley ball and soccer games going on throughout the day. It was so nice to get away and relax and enjoy each others company for the day.

4th of July

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. I always get so excited for this time of year. We have a lot of traditions that have been in the family for years. The kids always get to be in the Children's parade the night before the 4th. After the parade the kids are treated with Popsicles and then they have a concert in the park and we are lucky enough that my Grandpas house is located right next door to the park so we can enjoy everything right from his yard. After the concert there are fireworks and they go off right in front of my Grandpa Porks house. They are so close that we can feel the ashes land on our faces. The kids love it. I get a little nervous sometimes but it is a lot of fun. The next day we go to the park for breakfast then to the parade. After the parade we go back to Grandpas and enjoy each others company for the day. This year my mom and her sisters purchased a water toy so the kids would have something fun to do. It was a little cold this year but the kids didn't care they loved it. Rodrigo got a piece of plastic from Simmons and made it into a slip and slide. It was so much fun. We also celebrated my Dads birthday and Michael and JDs birthdays. They all come the week after the 4th. Happy Birthday Guys!!!

For dinner we headed up to my moms for a BBQ did some of our own fireworks and then watched the Davis High fireworks from my moms house.

Kindergarten Graduation

Roderick graduated from Kindergarten on July 26th. He had Ms. Yorke for his teacher. We couldn't of asked for a better teacher. She is so involved with what is going on with the kids and does everything that they do. I hope that my girls get her when they start school. Roderick really enjoyed having her. Roderick did really well in kindergarten and received 2 awards. One for great citizenship and one for academics. I can't believe how much Roderick has learned this last year. I love listening to him read. He has made some really great friends at school and I am so grateful for this. I have made some really great friends myself the moms of his friends. We love them so much. Not being from around here I was really worried about my kids and having good friends. Congratulations Roderick.

Sleep Over

My adorable niece Aubrey came and stayed over with us while my brother and his wife went house hunting in Las Vegas. We had so much fun with her while she stayed with us. We played in the water, did bubbles, played in the sand, went to the park and had lunch. We love her so much and loved having her stay.

My Cameron

I have to post this one just for Lexi. She is in love with my cousin Cameron. She is always talking about him, singing about him and taking him pretend with us on our trips and every time we are in the car. She loves sending him letters in the mail. This is her song. I love my Cameron I love my Cameron. Cameron, Cameron, I love him. She is always asking if he can come sleep over. She told me that she is going to marry her Prince Cameron one day. Her heart will be broken when he gets married. =) When she knows we are going to see Cameron at a family party or at his home she has to make sure her hair is pretty and puts a dress on. It is so cute. He is so cute with her and plays and plays with her when they are together. Thanks Cameron for being such a great sport and being a best friend for Lexi. We all love you.

Happy Birthday Alexandra

Alexandra turned 4 in June. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. We had a fun birthday party with family and Friends. We had tamales a pinata and had a good time swimming on the big blue water toy. Every year they have fire works for the city that weekend so Lexi thinks that they do them for her birthday. She loves it. Its a great way to end the day. Lexi will be starting preschool in about a month and she is so excited to go. She wakes up every morning asking if she gets to go to school today. She is filled with so much excitement and love for life. She is the little mother of our family. She is always putting everyone else first. Happy Birthday! We Love You!

Yellowstone

Its time to play catch up on the all the fun things we have done this summer. At the beginning of the summer we headed to Yellowstone. It was the first time all 5 of us ventured there. The kids did great driving there and loved seeing all of the animals. We got lucky this time and found 3 black bears. It was so fun to see them so close. I was a little nervous because when we arrived at the campground the guy told us to be careful because there were bears in the area. We usually stay in a cabin but this time we took my mom and dads pop up trailer. Lets just say I didn't sleep the whole time we were there. Rodrigo told me not to worry but I couldn't help it. The kids had fun going on hikes trying to find different animals.