We made the front page!!

Mysterious lights mystify Sunnyside couple

photo courtesy of Teresa Rodriguez

Jose and Teresa Rodriguez are baffled at what they spotted in the sky last Friday near Allen Road. Their camera captured mystical balls of fire in a zig-zag pattern, but the couple said the lights appeared as fiery orbs to the human eye.

Jennie McGhan

Last Thursday night at around 8:30 p.m. Sunnyside's Jose and Teresa Rodriguez noticed something strange in the air.

The couple looked out the windows of their home and spotted nearly 20 strange lights.

Mr. Rodriguez said he grabbed his binoculars while Mrs. Rodriguez picked up a camera.

The couple said what they saw appeared to be large fireballs.

"We thought they might be airplanes," said Mr. Rodriguez, stating the fiery orbs were moving quickly through the sky.

Mrs. Rodriguez said it appeared as though the balls flying through the sky were flying southeast over the freeway past the Grapevine Inn which sits atop the hill near where the couple lives.

"It was really, really weird," she said.

Mr. Rodriguez concurred, stating he looked through the binoculars and said the orbs appeared in the shape of fiery parachutes. "That's the best way to describe them."

The couple said the mysterious display lasted approximately five minutes.

An attempt to discover whether or not anyone else in the area reported seeing the display was made. Authorities with both the Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Sunnyside Police Department state there were no calls regarding the incident.

Kent and I were dying laughing as we read this. At what point do we need to call in to the paper and let them know what those crazy little fiery orbs really were?

The funniest part is- this same newspaper covered the story of Cannon's birthday last year ~

Our Little Man Turns 2!!!

What a difference a year makes. I am humbled to be posting pictures of another special birthday for our sweet Cannon boy.

I truly never thought we would be blessed enough to have him with us as we celebrated this year. We made sure it was a very HAPPY birthday celebration. We wanted to keep it small since Cannon isn't always in the partying mood. We had a good time with our "Little Man" in grand fashion- complete with ties and mustaches.

After releasing lanterns and singing "Happy Birthday!" we had a great time snapping silly shots in the photo booth!

Erin was so wonderful to record another special song to play as we let the wish lanterns go. this year's choice was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". Our hopes were to release the lanterns in our yard and play the song on our CD player, along with her song from last year "You Are My Sunshine" but the wind had other ideas and we had to walk down to an open field to release the lanterns. I took my laptop with me to play the songs but the speakers just weren't loud enough for anyone to hear it. We played the song once we came back to the house and everyone loved how beautiful it was. Once I can get the file to be the right size I will upload it here for you to listen. All the gifts received were full of thought. Cannon was given his favorite lip balm that keeps his lips oh so kissable and the softest blankets to wrap him up in.

He was given a coupon to Mixbook to make another blog book, which has been one of our most treasured gifts from last year. These scented fresheners were also a great idea for Cannon to enjoy the smell of yummy vanilla sugar.
Uncle Greg sent colorful balloons that kept Cannon's attention and they floated above him throughout the day.

A beautiful bouquet to bright Cannon's day.

A cuddly stuffed bear for Cannon to snuggle with and some generous donations to the Menkes foundation.

As the mother of this beautiful boy, I was given a couple gifts myself. A beautiful white rose and a gorgeous copper handbag. I'm so thankful for everyone in my life that loves my family and rejoices in our successes. Happy Birth Day little man. We couldn't be more lucky to have you in our life.

17 Miracles

Slap me if I ever complain again. After watching "17 Miracles" I am reminded of how weak I am. I have a heritage rich of strength and faith. My ancestors did what they did for my family and me to continue in our trials through faith. I was touched deeply and thankful for those that have laid the foundation of my beliefs and give me an amazing example to follow. I hope I can remember their struggles and courage as I face the things I do and can stand a little taller as I try to be the woman I am meant to be.

In a One Horse Open Sled

Ella had a play date yesterday that she was so excited about, she didn't even whine when she had to wake up for school in the morning. Thank you, Robin, for taking pictures and sending them to me!!

Here is a picture of the poor little mouse as referred to in the movie.

Merry Belated Christmas!

All Kent had on his Christmas list was a getaway trip. Reagran played Santa as she stayed home last weekend with Ethan, Ella and Cannon to help that wish become a reality! I was really nervous to leave Cannon for three days but knew that Kent and I needed a break from the rat race to reconnect and relax. Kent found an amazing deal that allowed us to stay at a beautiful hotel in center of Las Vegas. I didn't take my camera with me and even my cell phone camera stopped working so go ahead and enjoy these pictures.

The views were amazing outside the window and in. Not one detail of this hotel was missed. We had a good time taking mental notes of things we'd like to incorporate in our future home (if and when. . .). The bed was so incredible that we actually looked it up online to order one for our home- we knew waiting 11 years to get a real bed would finally pay off.

Although if we do get the bed, is this seriously what Kent wants to wake up to see every morning? I think not. hahahahaha. Wow, I must be one tired woman!!! Not really the "Sleeping Beauty" type. See how enveloping those pillows are? My hair didn't stand a chance! I almost didn't post this picture (why, you ask?) but for the sake of documentation- here it is.

The first morning of our vacation started out perfectly- sleep in, eat breakfast, go to the spa. I had a hot stone massage, which I had never done before, and absolutely loved it and never wanted it to end.

Like all good things, it did come to an end but luckily the spa allows you to use the amenities for the whole day. This picture below is of the salt infused room that promotes healthy respiratory function. As you listen to the serenity of the music on surround sound, amplified by your own personal headphones as well, the massaging recliners massage to the flow of the music so you literally feel the music throughout your body. Wow!!!! I had some wonderful meditation time in this room.

The lounge was so peaceful and calm, I wish I could recreate a room like this at my house.

The hot stone beds were so helpful to encourage your muscles to relax before and after the massage. The room was very dark with peaceful music playing- once again a great time for meditation.

This room has three hot tubs of varying degrees. The first is a cold tub for rejuvenation, then the middle one for enjoyment and the third- a very hot one to really get your muscles to relax. There was also a eucalyptus steam room and a cedar sauna room.

If you'd rather soak in the hot tub outside, you could come out to the balcony and soak up the sun and enjoy the views of Vegas.

After an incredibly satisfying morning we walked around the hotel to appreciate the architecture and design that went into the construction.

After working up such an appetite we indulged in some delicious food that looked as good as it tasted.

A trip to Vegas is never complete without shopping on the strip.

We finished up our evening meeting up with one of Kent's old mission companions and his wife. We have such a good time with them and are glad that they took the time to meet up with us. After dinner with them, Kent and I went to see the Elvis show in our hotel. We love seeing the different Cirque Du Soleil shows. Although there weren't as many stunts and acrobatics in this one, the choreography and music was very entertaining and we had a great time.

Since it was a little tricky to get a flight home from Vegas on Sunday, we found a flight for $9.99 from Vegas to Mesa and stayed in Arizona for a night so we could get a direct flight home from AZ on Sunday night. This hotel was such a different feel from Vegas and it was a great way to slow down (the spa was just WAY to fast paced for us. haha) before coming home.

Our good friends from dental school, Quin and Joy, live in Arizona now and it was great to have the chance to meet up with them. We haven't seen each other in five years! They are in a Swing band that performed at this restaurant so we were able to eat lunch here and enjoy live music. The ASU swing dance club performed with the band and Kent even said he wants to learn to swing dance!!!!

No, this is NOT our rental car. :)

The band sang out in the cute little "Urban Barn" and every table on the patio and in the barn was full. My heart was so happy when I looked around and saw a lot of little old couples singing along and tapping their feet. It was just such a great feeling and even some couple got up and danced. What a great afternoon (except for the time earlier when I was bent out of shape about leaving my brush at home and not packing warm enough clothes but we won't mention that part of the trip)!!

Joy and Quin picked us up from our hotel later and we all went to this resort for dinner and gondola rides. It was perfect to walk around the hotel grounds and pull a chair up to one of the fire pits and just catch up like old times. It was as if we hadn't missed a beat. Kent and I were both so happy to be able to rekindle this friendship with our dear friends.

Can you believe this picture? The quality is horrible. I had to document anyway because if we don't then it's like it never happened.