L-R: Cowboy Stadium, Alec & little Sophia, Alec takes a swing, brother & sister Alec & Sophia, Ranger Ball FieldEditor's Note: Readers of the The Walker Report are aware that the blog is a family oriented blog and as such we periodically run stories about the adventures of two youngsters named Alec & Sophia Rodriguez. We have previously run the Adventures of Alec & Sophia at the Folklife Fest, the Final Four College Basketball Tournament & Kris Rodriguez's tribute to his daughter who turned seven recently. Today we highlight their Summer adventure.
With a new school year upon them, and the back-to-school madness in full force, the Rodriguez family decided to hit the road again for one last summer trip to visit relatives in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex that they had not seen in years.
The trip would allow them to test out the families latest addition, a Maroon 2007 Nissan Sentra, which with gas prices skyrocketing, could not come at a better time for this this fuel efficient "dream" capable of traveling 464 miles on a 13-gallon tank. So off they traveled up I-35.
The first stop, Texas State University, which at the time their father Kris Rodriguez was there, was called Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. The university has special meaning to the Rodriguez family providing the foundation for the 15-year radio news/public relations career for Alec and Sophia's Dad.
Additionally, the university's "pipeline" teaching education program provided the background for the kids Grandmother, Aunts and Cousins to complete their teaching degrees. The kids were exhausted walking the steps uphill to the university's legendary "Old Main" Mass Communications and and Fine Arts Building where their Dad spent numerous hours, in this home-away from home, honing and learning his craft. Nevertheless, the kids persevered and travelled to Keller, just North of Fort Worth to stay with new cousins continued.
The journey over, the Rodriguez family unpacked their bags to stay with Cousin Cruz Rodriguez, his wife Laurisa Rodriguez, and daughters Savannah, Penelope and Sofia. What a weekend it would be with 7-year-old Sophia Rodriguez and 2-year-old Sofia Rodriguez together in one household.
It was a whirlwind four days with the families enjoying a relaxing time together with various activities including swimming and taking in the Texas Rangers vs. Toronto Blue Jays game at the The Ballpark in Arlington. The Rangers pulled out a 7-4 win.
Both families took advantage of the promotional opportunity that included all you can eat hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and sodas with the purchase of a $29 ticket.
This Hispanic couple, living the "American Dream", balancing career and family, while trying to preserve their culture by speaking both English and Spanish to their children, so they can find future prosperity in a global economy.
The Rodriguez families include uncles and fathers in one family that served in World War II and Korea. In Cruz's three-year-enlistment, he represented the 82nd Airborne Division that captured Dictator Manuel Noriega and bring him to justice. The only drawback of the visit was that the kids did not have a chance to eat at the Los Lupes Restaurants, http://loslupes.com/ one of seven of the finest Mexican food restaurants, in the Metroplex, owned by the kids Aunts and Uncles.
But alas, there will be future visits to the Metroplex and Alec & Sophia Rodriguez will continue to build on those relationships that will strengthen Rodriguez family members to continue to grow and prosper with future generations to come.
What a great recap of our family weekend together. I enjoyed every minute hanging out with Alec and Sophia. I believe in the importance of keeping families connected, and I appreciate that Kris took the time to bring his kids up to the DFW area to meet their relatives. I look forward to more issues in the Alec and Sophia series!
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