October Pics in November

Haili Boosie turned the big 1-2!

Dragon & Spidey...yes, Mason used the same costume 2 years in a row

Leo's brother/cross dresser Freddy

Leo and his pregnant "Sister"

Mason learned how to get out of his crib and now likes to nap in his hamper...dirty clothes and all!

Brandon felt left out by not getting braces

Haili as "Ugly Betty" on Halloween

Me and Macie

P.S. Steph, Liz & Mikey were at their Mom's house...that is why there aren't any pics of them on Halloween.

We love our Twinners!

Liz & Steph

Well, it has been a busy week in the Gonzo house!

This past week we have had the opportunity to move our Twinners up to our house here in South Jordan. It has been an experience mixed with many emotions, but one that we are so thankful and grateful for.

Steph and Liz will be starting Bingham High School on Monday and have spent the week moving things, rearranging their room, watching movies, shopping, reading, reading and more reading.

We took them to get registered for school and the Counselor told them not to worry about going to school this week, it was the end of the quarter...so they got the week off! How often does that happen?

I think they are a little bit nervous, but I dropped them off for lunch yesterday and a couple of their friends showed them around. They even went to Mr. Jensen's math class and took a test. Does it help that Mr. Jensen is a really good friend of ours from the Ward? Heck yes it does...he personally picked out all their teachers to make sure that they would be taken care of.

All I'm going to say is, watch out for the Gonzo Girls....they are going to be the cutest things to set foot into Bingham since it has been around...and that has been 100 years!

We love you Steph and Lizzy.

We are so thankful to be your parents and to have you living with us!

Brace Face & Metal Mouth

Mikey & Dr. G

Mother/Son moment

Metal Mouth

Haili Boo

Brace Face

So...Michael and Haili got braces this week! They were SO funny about it. We gave them the option to get clear brackets on top, but NOPE they wanted the super duper, bright & shiny SILVER! I can't blame them...I remember as a kid making retainers by straightening out big paperclips. I would wear them all day, and they would tear up my mouth. But it was all worth it. Or there were the times I would suck on a Jolly Rancher so it would form to the roof of my mouth like a retainer...if I could pull that off with the paper clip attached, then I was good to go.

Back to the story....they wanted SILVER because they wanted to be sure that everyone noticed that they had braces...which I fully understood given my past history with braces and retainer making.

Before we went to the Ortho (Dr. Ghiz) Michael said a prayer and prayed that him or Haili wouldn't cry during the procedure. It was so cute...and NO neither one of them cried. Although, Michael did have to hold my hand a couple of times when Dr. Ghiz was putting on the back brackets. It took nearly 1 1/2 hours to put Mikey's on and about 45 for Haili's. I told Dr. Ghiz that this is going to be a LONG 2 years for him, so I hope he is prepared to get to know Mikey really well.

After we were done, Michael had this conversation with me in the car:

M: Mom, is this Dr. Ghiz's number? (on the card)

A: Yes, why?

M: I'd like to keep it, just in case I have any questions, then I can call him directly.

A: Mikey, if you have any questions, just ask me. I've had braces...and if I can't answer your question, I'll call him. (Heck, I used to make them! And when Ryan had braces and his wires & brackets came off, he would make me fix them!)

M: No, that's okay...I'll call him.

P.S. Steph & Liz get their braces in 2 weeks! I'm looking for 2 more names I can call them since Brace Face & Metal Mouth are taken...any ideas?

Baby or Big Boy?

This baby boy loves his crib, blankets, binkies and cuddling. And I love them just as much as he does because he is my baby...the last of our litter, the caboose and end of our choo-choo train. If there was a shot out there to stunt his growth and keep him little, I would be the 1st in line for it.

I love my Mason!

End of Summer Pics

Our cute little Rosie...we love you and will never forget you. Watch over us from heaven our little hopping bunny-doggie!

Cousins chilling in the jeep

Chuck & Rosie sippin their juice

Lulu and her puppies

Gonzo's at Homestead

Cousins swimming

Punking John on the phone! I haven't laughed that hard in YEARS!

Haili, Rosie & Emmett

Cousins at Homestead

Rosie, Chuck & Ethan Pethan

Brothers

Leo being Surpirsed

1st Annual Aces of Spades Road Trip

So, the "Aces of Spades" set out on their 1st Annual Wild Hog Reunion a couple weeks back. The journey was a 10 hour ride down to Mesquite (back roads ofcourse)...and a weekend full of eating, riding and whatever 4 grown men do when they are all together in one, tiny, little hotel room.

The Group members are: Leo Gonzalez, Corey Naegle, Dave Patterson & their notorious leader, Mike Bloxham who made them all skull t-shirts and a Aces of Spades cd full of heavy metal to listen to on their ride.

Aces of Spades

Posing at one of their many stops

Corey & Leo

An appropriate picture in front of the Manti Temple

I just threw this cute one in of Leo coaching Haili's game

Am I really married to a 40 year old?

Leo back in the day....WAY back in the day!

So, this past week our family celebrated a huge milestone...Leo turned the big 4-0!

To celebrate Cheechers and I planned an elaborate surprise party....we came up with the whole thing while the Tuna's were staying with us this last month. I broke into Leo's phone and computer to find some of his contacts and we sent out the invitation below. I was worried the whole time that he would catch on to our scheming...but he didn't.

We had a great coverup that night...Leo had been asked to Karaoke sing a song at the good old Ward Ho-down. So, while we were there, Cheech and some other great family and friends set up all the decorations and food in the back yard. I told Haili to pretend she was sick at the Ward party...she did a great job, and Leo finally said, "Let's just take Haili home." Great acting Haili Boo!

When we got home, everyone was waiting in the backyard...it was a total surprise. We ate some great food and then many of his friends took turns coming up to the microphone to tell their funniest story of Leo. It was really great to see all our friends and family that care so much about Leo come out and support him and also to see what a crackup of a husband I have! So many of the stories were hilarious!

He isn't taking it too hard that he has hit 40...I think I am having a harder time dealing with it! 40 seems so freaking old!

Ask me where he is right now? He is on a "Wild Hogs" motorcycle trip with some of his friends to celebrate the joyous occassion. Believe you me, there will be plenty of pictures to come of his Harley get-up, tight leather chaps and skull shirts!

Gonzo's Visit Puerto Rico!

A month late....

So, Leo and I travelled to the PR a couple of years back...we didn't like it at all. Come to find out AFTER our return, we stayed at the wrong end of the island (San Juan). So when we decided to venture back, along with our 15 year old twins, we took some advice from Leo's Mom and stayed in Fajardo (Eastern side of the island).

We were all BLOWN away how beautiful it was! We stayed at a resort on a cliff overlooking the Carribean Sea and loved every minute of it. From our private island, to the water park, to hiking in the rainforest, to shopping downtown and just chilling in our room watching DVD's...we had an absolute blast! Leo was in heaven with the food...it is very much like Colombian food. I had heard that PR was more beautiful than Hawaii, and after the first time I couldn't believe that comparison...but after this trip, I think PR is definately in 1st place with Hawaii in my book.

The reason for our little getaway was for Steph & Liz. In Leo's Latino culture once the girls turn 15, they have what is called a Quincenara (sp?). We had planned to go down to South America and show the girls where Leo grew up in Colombia...but the passports didn't get to us in time. So, the PR was the concellation prize.

We just love our Twinnies so much! I don't know what I would do without them. I am so lucky to have the wonderful daughters I have!

View from our room

Stephie reading as we waited for our car

Coqui Waterpark

Hike to the Rainforest

Another view from our room

Private Island

Before our Hike...the after picture is all sweaty and gross!

Twins with the Jeep Dad rented for them

Twins in the Carribean

I forgot...we had a competition to see who could ask the most locals their names and ask in Spanish/English and remember them in order. I think I totally won...I had like 12 names....Orlando, Jesus, Rafael, Brenda, Milagros...

Family Update

It's been awhile since I've updated this bloggity-blog. Here is what we have been up to:

Steph & Liz turn 15!

We had a BBQ with family and they received lots of cute clothes from everyone. And from Dad & Mom? We are taking them to Puerto Rico in 2 weeks! We've all been working on our tans at the pool!

Amber gets a BLACK EYE!

No, Leo didn't beat me...although it was fun to tell people he did! I injured myself at the gym while raising a bar...the swingy thing hit me as I pushed the pin in. Yes, I felt totally stupid...and No, I didn't run out of the gym. Leo and I competed in our neighborhood PHAT CLUB and I needed to get my workout in for the day. So, I excersised while holding an ice pack up to my eye.

Lulu had PUPPIES!

After much anticipation and after 36 hours of labor, Lulu delivered 7 beautiful puppies on June 27th. All the girls helped me deliver the puppies at 2am! We have 3 girls and 4 boys. Since this is Lulu's last litter, we have decided to keep one of the little girls.

Beezer graduates AGAIN!

Beezer ended his 2nd year with Miss Marla. He will be turning 5 at the end of August, but we have decided not to start Kindergarten until next year.


There you have it...that was the first 1/2 of our Summer. More to come when we get home from Puerto Rico!

Chicago Preview

We are having such a blast in Chicago with the Mini-Twinnies!

The deal was that Michael & Haili would each get a "buddy" to take care of. Haili chose Holland and Michael chose Ethan. They are doing awesome taking care of them and even change all their diapers!

We have been keeping busy everyday trying to get the kids out by planning an activity each day.

So far we've been to the Beach, the Zoo, a swimming park, the Mall, a yummy Bakery, and a few parks.

Here are some preview pictures of the trip:

BFF's Mason and Holland


Kids riding the Choo-choo at the Zoo





Our outing to Costco...thank goodness for the double carts!



Holland, Mason & Ethan playing with buggies at the park





Ethan & Mason heading out for the day


H & H walking to the park

Kids playing at the Mall

Husband - Father's Day

I rarely answer these, but since it comes from one of my favorite sisters, I will. Along with that I'll throw in a shout out for upcoming Father's Day since I will be in Chicago for the next couple of weeks.

What is his Name?
Rafael Leonardo (yes he has 2 of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle names) We call him Leo, Tio Leo, Bunny and the kids latest name for him is Fabio.

Who eats More?
For sure Leo

Who said I love you First?
For sure Leo...he said that the moment he saw me he told his friend, "She is going to be the Mother of my kids."


Who is Taller?
This would be an ongoing battle between the both of us. I think we are the same, but he thinks he is 5'11 and 1/2" I need to solve this once and for all and measure him.

Who is Smarter?
Street smart=Me
Business smart=Him

Who is more Sensitive?
For sure him. He loves his Chick Flicks!

Who does the Laundry?
Me and Mr. DryCleaners

Who sleeps in the right side of the bed?
Leo, just incase we have an intruder so he can protect me with his fireplace stick under the bed.

Who pays the Bills?
Ugh! Me...and I HATE it! He took it over for a weekend and gave it back to me.

Who cooks More?
Probably me...which isn't very often. My poor family!

Who is more Stubborn?
Me...I hope he doesn't read this because I've NEVER admitted that I'm stubborn to ANYONE!

Who is first to admit they are Wrong?
Him, even if he's not.

Who is Cleaner?
Both of us.

Who wears the pants in the Family?
I used to, but he for sure does now and I kind of like that.

What do you like to do Together?
We love to play games, watch our Reality T.V. shows, The Office, Jazz Games and hang out with our kids and friends.

Who eats more Sweets?
Me for sure. Leo is more concious about what he eats, unless it's the weekend, then he'll pig out wit me.

How did you Meet?
At work, he was actually my Supervisor. Even though I didn't really like him at the time, I totally took advantage of the situation. I would always ask him questions and talk to him so I wouldn't have to do my job. He totally fell for it! Although the first time I saw him was my 1st day back to work after having Haili...I got one glimpse at him and I thought for sure...how do I say it...that he liked men. He dressed way too nice back in the day when he was single, plus every man we worked with at SouthWest like men. Today you throw 6 kids into the mix and now his wardrobe consists of Old Navy and Target.

Who Proposed?
Long story...he did. I broke it off after a month or so and 6 months later we got back together and he didn't believe that I was for real this time. So, I called the Temple and made a tentative date in front of him so he would believe I was serious. The rest is history!

What are his best Features?
His accent, his love, his joke-telling skills, his cute nosey, his biceps, when he speaks to me in Spanish....need I say more?

I love my Leo so much! I am so happy that I married him and that he chose me to be his wife. He helps me in so many ways...He is such a good friend, a good brother, son, husband, dad and BFF to his friends. He is such a great example to others and always tries a little harder to be that much better. I'm very proud of all he has accomplished in his 39 1/2 years!

I Love You Conejo!

Weekend Update

I had a great Mother's Day weekend...isn't it always a "weekend" affair, or just in my house? Leo and the kids woke me up with kisses and presents...Brandon made a cute bookmark in Preschool that says: "I love my Mom because..." and he filled in the rest " she takes me to the gym." So cute! He also gave me what seems to be a large dishcloth with his handprints, but he told me it was a blanky and to make sure I kept it away from Mason.

Haili made me a cute card at school and her and Leo gave me some new running shoes!

We didn't go to church because we got to call Erik on his mission with Babs. So, we (Leo mainly) were able to talke to him for about 30 minutes. It's so cute to see how much CLB loves Leo...he said that he shows everyone pictures of Leo (I don't think they have ever seen a Hispanic) and all the people ask if Leo is his Dad.

Later that afternoon Leo and I went to the Jazz playoff game (I know...it was Sunday) and they won so it was pretty fun. Afterwards we headed home to a BBQ with Babs, Alysia, Steph & Liz and all their cute little brothers and sisters. The Girls and Mikey (along with Alysia) gave me some much needed yummy lotion. We ended the evening by playing Settlers and teaching Alysia the next level of the game...it is so fun to hang out with everyone together. We are very blessed that we all get a long so well. It's so fun to have Alysia over to help me tease Leo!

P.S. Regarding the previous post about the Goodyear Tire Blowout...I am happy to report that Goodyear cut us a check for $1900 to cover the damages to our car and a replacement tire!