No idea

Carlos had no idea this morning when he planned a quick trip to the city dump, it would end up like this!



He smashed his pinkie finger with a metal barrel he was unloading into a tractor bucket. That is what you call BAD LUCK! And of all places to get a flesh wound. . . the nastiest dirtiest place on earth. . . the dump! It was too jagged to stitch back together, so they ended up gluing it. EWWWWWWWW!

Holiday Update

I have really neglected the blog lately. Sorry Mom! I will try to make it up to you by posting lots and lots of pictures! This year was a Gonzalez Christmas, so we packed up the car, kids, dog and presents and drove down to Orlando. We stayed at Carlos's sister's new house. One of the best features of Cendy and Robb's place was that every night at 9pm we had a clear view of Disney World's fireworks! And once again so sorry that Charlie tried to kill your dog!

On Christmas eve day Mamita and Papa Carlos surprised us with tickets to Sea World.



Here is all the gang before the Shamu show.



The kids LOVED Sea World, and we were able to stay all day because Charlie took a great nap right in his stroller.


Our very cautious Abby somehow talked her dad into taking her on this ride in the kiddie park.

Quickly she changed her mind!




The Merry-Go-Round was much more her speed.

Here is the under 48 inches bunch who could not ride the big roller coaster, and got to go home early for Christmas Eve dinner.


Christmas morning came around, and let's say that these kids must have been VERY good this year, because Santa treated them really well!



Christmas Day we went to Aunt Rina and Uncle Danillo's house for family fun. Here is proof my kids really do love each other. By the time I got around to take a picture from the front the moment was OVER!

Here is most of the gang. We had a great time together. Lots of great food, laughing and catching up! The Latin side of our family is very fun and LOUD!


While in Florida Carlos and I celebrated out 6th anniversary. We took advantage of Mamita and the aunts, and Carlos surprised me with a get-a-way at the Peabody Hotel. It was a great surprise and so nice to sleep-in the next morning!



Before we left town we visited Downtown Disney. With our kids being so young, to them it was as good as Disney World itself (and it's free!)



Here we are taking the Ferry from one side of Downtown Disney to the other.

Notice that these dogs ae made out of legos. Here is Charlie trying to climb on.

Abby got a kid proof digital camera for Christmas. Here she is taking pictures. Abby asked if she can put her pictures on the blog. I think I am going to have to start her own blog to showcase her talents.


The 7 hour drive home took us over 12 hours, we are excited to be home!

We had plans to go to a New Years Eve Party, but Charlie came down with strep throat. He really is the most pathetic creature when sick!


Charlie is on the mend, and we are looking forward to 2009!

How did this happen???????

My brother Rob and his family were in Houston this weekend interviewing for a job. They spent the greater part of Monday and Tuesday in the airport trying to return home to Arkansas. In a last ditch effort to get home they flew to Atlanta hoping to connect here and get home. Well, as fate would have it. . . they got stuck in Atlanta.

Needless to say I was thrilled! This meant that I got to meet my new nephew TJ! They were able to stay and visit most of the day today, and I had so much fun. It was really fun to see my brother as a parent, and also to see how interested Abby was in the baby. Here's hoping you get stuck here again soon!

Abby Grace and TJ

Charlie, TJ and Abby

Nutcracker Birthday Party

When Abby informed us that she wanted a Nutcracker Birthday Party, I got a little excited with the possibilities!

What Nutcracker party would be complete without a bunch of ballerinas? So Abby and I made tutus for all her little girl friends.



Here is Abby waiting at the front door for her friends to arrive.


Once everyone was here we walked through the Nutcracker story, but made it into a scavenger hunt. There was the holiday party where they found a toy with their name on it, next they found their sword (candy cane) to fight off the mouse king. We also visited the enchanted forest, the castle, and were visted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. (We took some major liberties with the story.)








Here are all the ballerinas with their bags of loot from the scavenger hunt.


Next the girls painted their very own nutcracker. It didn't end up too messy. And our little ballerinas were REALLY into it!






Thanks to everyone for helping make Abby's birthday week so fun and memorable!

Charlie ouchie update

I have had several questions about Charlie's eye . It is starting to heal nicely, but he has developed a black eye from the injury. :(

Whenever he looks up and the mantle and sees the stocking hangers, he touches his nose and says, "ouchie!" So sad!

My Abby Grace is 4!

It is the end of an exhausting day, and I don't have the strength to write out a detailed narrative our the birthday festivities. Plus, pictures speak a million words!






So cute of Charlie I had to add it in!



Since Mamita and Papa Carlos drove all the way up from Orlando to be with Abby for her birthday I thought it would be nice to take a photo of them together. Abby didn't think so! On the other hand Charlie was cool with it.

Today

Today started out with so much promise. We woke up early to start our Christmas decorating. The kids were really excited!

Bad picture, but two really happy kids.


Abby wanted to help put the star on top.

And if Abby did it, Charlie wanted to do it also!

Here is the finished product.

But this is where our story takes a turn for the worse. Notice the very beautiful but HEAVY stocking holders on top of the mantle. Well, our Charlie decided to take a tug on the snowman stocking held up with the letter "Y". Of course the stocking holder went tumbling, and hit the bridge of his nose. . . OUCH! :(

He took it like a CHAMP, but it looks aweful! This is about 30 mins after the incident. Yep, that is still a smile.

Doesn't that look ouchie?


Here he is tonight before going to bed. The photos just don't capture how swollen and icky it looks.






And after a tough afternoon, he found his smile for the camera tonight.