Anoka Elder's Quorum Summer Activity

I have to admit, I tried to talk Benjy and his counselors out of planning this Lake Activity two days after we got home from vacation. I had an idea that somehow it may end up including me in last minute items to be picked up? The day of the activity, Benjy worked in the morning, we ran to Owatonna to get Charlee and drop off Kaydree, only to get home to head up to Lake George. It was crazy....However......

it was completely worth it! Look at all the fun times that were had by all, inlcuding the wives and children!

Yes, that is Tyler and Travis next to one another, almost holding hands? ... with all their Marine, Army....yada, yada that goes back and forth! John was just the innocent bystander that didn't care: he just wanted to have FUN!

And....they did. But where did Travis go?

He was the Elder behind the boat! Audrey drove for awhile so that all three could tube together...but then Travis took over again!

The other Elders were playing Bocce Ball and

ladder ball.

They also had to harass others with water.

Even a famiy pet got to come and have fun.

Even a High Priest and his family decided to crash our party.

It turned out to be a beautiful night. The early rains cleared just about everyone else out, so we had plenty of space to ourselves.
I was sitting in the empty chair, so I can say it was nice and relaxing being an Elder's wife at this activity. They so kindly brought us chairs to sit in while "we watched the kids"... and the... "Elders played!" ;-)
We had great foodand plenty of it!
It's nice to be able to visit with people you don't always get to see on Sundays when they serve in other Auxiliaries.

Of course the little ones enjoyed the sand.

It is always fun to be able to come together as a Ward Family and enjoy one another!

Wrapping Up our Vacation to Texas...

On our last night after our awesome Bar-b-Que we went back to have cake and ice cream with the kiddos. They bought Benjy a cake with what they called "wrestling shoes" on it, which happen to be ballet slippers! Karsyn was excited to inherit his ballet slippers.

We had such a great time that we hated to leave. I kept asking Benjy if there was anyway he could get out of work for a couple of more days...but of course....someone has to work, right?

I just loved seeing the kids crashed out in the mornings. They played hard and they slept well!

I have to say though, once we got in the car and started driving we couldn't wait to get back home and out of the car!

Some of you have been asking about the comment section. It is turned off in order to help me be more productive. I would find myself checking comments throughout the day, then I would check facebook and email and before I knew it...a lot of time had passed. Right now I have some projects that I need to finish and a little one here without her sister to entertain her, so she needs extra, "Mom Attention." I have a couple more things to blog and then I will be taking a little break in order to slurp our blog into a blurb book.

Benjy's Birthday Bar-B-Q at Rudy's.

After a long day at the Waterpark we were treated to an Adult Birthday dinner. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma!It was a little bittersweet just because it was our last night in San Antonio. :-(

Benjy really wanted "Real Texas Barbecue." So when we walked into Rudy's it reminded him of the places he had seen on the food travel channel. They serve it in baskets and you eat on Waxpaper.
I think we all loved our food. In fact I think some of them went back the next day for lunch? I had a beef brisket....oh... it was the best meat I have ever had! We had loaded baked potatoes, yummy!
Of course Benjy was very carnivorous and loved every ounce of his meal! The only problem??? I am now craving something that I can't have!

San Antonio Temple, New Braunsfel Ward and Mission Buddy..

At just about every Villarreal Family Reunion we attend a temple session. There is always something special about attending the temple together as a family. The temple grounds were still beautiful even with the severe drought San Antonio was experiencing. It is always nice when Keave and Malia offer to watch the girls so that we can have this sacred experience together. It always increases our love and devotion for Heavenly Father, Our Savior and for one another. When you have an eternal perspective of being together forever you want to do all that you can to strengthen those relationships while you are still on this earth.
We also attended the New Braunsfel Ward and it never ceases to amaze me that no matter how far we have traveled, we are welcomed as friends and family and not as strangers. Kaydree and Karsyn loved Primary and it was very humbling to have a member of their Primary Presidency pull me aside to tell me how much they appreciated that our girls participated and that they were very sweet and reverent. At least we know they can be that way when it counts.... ;-)
Don't they look so sweet? They had just gotten done fighting with me over doing their hair, but like I say, "We are grateful that they pull it together when it counts." ;-)
We then had the opportunity to visit one of Benjy's Missionary Friends, Adam Hansen and his wife Megan. They invited us over for dinner. It was soooo good. They made chicken fajitas with homemade guacamole and salsa along with freshly made tortillas. We feel like we know someone famous because Adam was on Deal or No Deal, which we love to watch!
This is their little puppy, Harley. She is so cute. I am sure Charlee would have had a blast with her....she is ALL puppy still. We wanted to pack her up and take her home!

Our Day at Schlitterbahn Waterpark

The whole group with the exception of the pregnant lady... wanted to hit the waterpark. I pleaded with them to go anyway, because the idea of being outside in 106 degree heat and 80% humidity didn't sound like a good idea when the only thing my doctor kept stressing was, "DO NOT GET DEHYDRATED IN TEXAS." After a call to the waterpark to find out that they had observer discounted passes and that someone could leave to bring me back to the timeshare and still get back in... I decided to go. I was glad that I did. I was able to hang out in the kiddy pool and float around in the lazy river. As long as I stayed wet, I was comfortable. It actually turned out to be a relaxing and very fun day, so I am glad they talked me into it.

Karsyn had a blast while Kaydree hit the big rides.

She swam the entire day

except for when she was eating.

Kaydree of course hated to take a break even to eat.

Kaydree and Malia floating down the river on a crocodile.

Benjy enjoyed it as much as the girls.
Even Grandpa and Grandma went on the rides and had a lot of fun! We were all tired after a long fun day in the sun.

We Had Never Been....

to San Antonio or a Family Reunion this LARGE before... It was absolutely breath taking to see that many people all come together all because of the Love between two people...

Benjy's Great Grandparents: Lucia Soza and Eusebio Rodriguez married January 27, 1907. They had 12 children. One of their Daughters, Eloisa Rodriguez Villarreal was Jerry's Mother, Benjy's Grandmother. About 500 Rodriguez decendants. Each of the 12 Childrens families wore coordinating shirts. When we walked in, it gave me chills and it felt so neat to be apart of this event. There was so much excitement in the air.

Each of the descendants of 12 children put together a board that represented their branch of the family. It was fun to see all of the pictures.

Nani put together the one for the Villarreal family and it was amazing. She did such a great job it was very professional looking and it really had people approaching her and asking her questions about Family History.

The families were also asked to make a centerpiece that represented their family. I guess we had apples and cherries to represent the state of Washington...but it didn't quite get put together.

Here was the winning centerpiece. They were fun to look at.

One of Jerry's 1st counins sang some songs for us. You couldn't help but feel apart of the family even if you were a member only by marrying into it. That is the beauty of marriage.
This is their last living daughter of the 12 children. Anita, was a superstar that night. All the families were taking pictures with her.
Grandpa Jerry, Benjy's dad was asked to read off the names during a bell ringing that honored those that have passed on.

Although we were excited for this year's reunion with the Villarreal Family down in Texas with Benjy's Parents and some of his siblings...it was neat to be able to attend the Rodriguez family reunion, as well!

San Antonio Chinese Tea Gardens

Benjy's parents went here a year ago and loved it. We thought it was beautiful but due to their recent drought, which must have ended while we were there, I guess there weren't as many flowers.

This was our third outing of the day and it was between 3-4 in the afternoon and it was HOT! There were a lot of stairs and after walking all morning, I took this picture, walked to the top to overlook the gardens before they began walking them. I took one look and handed the camera over to Benjy and said, "I'll be waiting in the air conditioned car."
My last picture before entrusting Benjy, knowing full well that he hates taking pictures, so I didn't know what we would get.
He did a great job! He was a pretty good sport about it too! I guess it really is the camera and not the operator. Here I thought I had talent....nope...just a great camera. Thanks Mom and Dad, I love my Christmas Present!

Look at the zoom he put on this turtle.

Our little poser!
My happy girl. Kaydree had a blast the entire trip!

They did come back a little wet, which I am sure felt great!

Auntie Valeria splashed around with them. Right after they got back in the car, we had torrential down pours. The temperature dropped almost 30 degrees, it was wonderful!