The Gonzalez Gang

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve my parents came over and we got ready for the 4pm mass. We left at 3pm thinking that this would be plenty of time to get seats, but I guess everyone else had the same idea this year (because this usually works out perfect). The majority of us had to stand through the mass. I thought it would take forever because of all of the people and the two kids I had tugging at my legs and rummaging through my purse, but it actually only took a little over an hour.
We then came back home, had some cocktails and then left for Texas Land & Cattle to have dinner for my Mom's birthday.
We had some delicious steaks, Mom opened her presents and then we took some photos. We actually had our own "little, private" room with a fireplace, so it was the perfect backdrop for the family photots! :)

Mom reading her "giant" card from Emma.

Ohhh, la la. A new Dooney & Bourke from Dad.

Cutie Pies.

The Grandkids (minus Ashleigh & Sophie).

Me and the sisters.

The Fam! xoxo

Just Because

This just makes me laugh....

Beta Xi Buds!!!!

YEA!!!!! We finally got a chance to meet and catch up!!!! I was so excited! Amy and Melanie are two of my closest pledge sisters (that's where the Beta Xi comes from- for those of you that don't understand- I had to explain it all to Gabe). It had been about 9 years since we last met. Had it really been that long?? Before we met, of course it seemed like it had been that long, but once we were together talking/catching up, it didn't feel like it had been nine years! Does that make sense? :)

Well, anyways... Amy lives in Frisco and came down for Christmas. Melanie just recently moved back to Houston from Austin. So we knew we had to sieze the opportunity. It's not everyday that we are all in the same city! Speaking of... Amy, did you talk to Ryan? Lol!

Love you girls! Thanks for the night out and all of the laughs. Some things never change. Can't wait till next time!

Matagorda House Update

The kids and I travelled to Matagorda with my parents last week. I got to see the progress on the house. The tile is down, sheetrock is done, painting is almost done, cabinets are halfway, and the bathroom is pretty much complete. It looks like a whole new house! Here are a couple of pictures.

Reason I Love The Holidays!!

YUM!! The Sunday before Christmas, my Mom's side of the family had our annual Christmas get together. My Mom has ten brothers & sisters which means that it is hard for all of us to get together. So this is the one time a year that we try to do it! Cousins and all!! Because the family is so large, no one has a house this big for all of us to meet at, so my aunts try to find a place that we can rent out for the day. Sounds pretty funny, doesn't it? :)

We are all asked to bring a dish... can you imagine the food that was there? I swear it felt like Thanksgiving instead of Christmas!! And not to mention all of the desserts. I just had to take a picture. We ran out of dessert plates, so Gabe and I combined what we wanted.

Reasons I love the holidays: the food, the DESSERTS, and of course seeing ALL of the family!
(Don't worry, I didn't even eat half of what is on this plate)! :)

Zach's Christmas Program

On the last day of school before Christmas break, Zach had a party at school. They had a pizza party and they got to decorate Christmas cookies!! It was evident what color frosting he got to sample. When I picked him up he still had some green frosting in his nose!! Lol! :)

That night, he had his Christmas Program. They got to wear their Christmas jammies and brought a toy for Toys for Tots. I thought that he might actually get into it this year, considering that he kind of knew what to expect from last year and since he is a year older. On the other hand, I thought that he might say that he didn't want to go because he knew what was expected of him.

Well, he did want to go. And he was very excited to show off his jammies, but there still wasn't much participation during the program. Here he is, just watching, not singing. His expression is priceless! :)

Once he found us in the audience, he did crack a big 'ol smile and waved at us. Even though he didn't participate much, he still made me very proud!!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Santa's Wonderland

We have always noticed Santa's Wonderland when driving to Grandma & Papa's house, but we have never had the chance to go... until this year! We met the Wittschen's there and piled in the back of Gabe's truck and got to enjoy ALL of the lights and neat scenery. After the tour, you can get out and go to the petting zoo, eat, and play games, but we decided to skip that this year- the kids still seem a little too young for that. We will definitely go back next year though! It was soo pretty with all of the lights- definitely puts you in the Christmas spirit!!

Sophie trying to look inside the cab of the truck to see Daddy.

Dane chillin' with his crackers! :)

Playing "Where's Sophie?"

Being silly!!

Papa & Sophie

I thought this was too cute... Sophie follows Papa wherever he goes. She had already eaten lunch, but when she saw Papa sitting down to eat, she had to be right there eating too! She had her first taste of summer sausage with cheese and crackers (one of my childhood favorites). :)

Friday, December 25, 2009

Anyone Want Some More Smores??

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Mom's Birthday Party

Surprise!!!!! My sisters and I (with the help of Dad, of course) surprised my Mom with a 70th Birthday Party. Her actual birthday isn't until Christmas Eve, but we really wanted to throw her off!! Haha! She thought we were just taking her out to a nice restaurant, so she was a little surprised to see her brother & sisters, family and friends all waiting for her at Becky's house. We had Pappasito's fajitas and a beautiful cake from Estelle. Gabe and I made a slideshow of my Mom's life. It turned out pretty good for a couple of amateurs. :)
I think Mom really enjoyed herself. It was a great party!!