Gonzalez Turkey Day

So Thursday was Thanksgiving at the Gonzalez home and this year more than any other I noticed how completely boy-centric this family is. In total there are 8 cousins (including Mateo). Only 2 are girls and one of the girls is only 1 year old which pretty much leaves the other girl to fend for herself. This year more than last all of the boys are mobil which basically means that there were a lot of raucous footsteps up and down the stairs, balls being thrown, people being chased, people being knocked over, jumping on couches, jumping on chairs crawling under and around furniture, yelling, laughing, and occasional crying. Whew...it was no wonder I saw my mother-in-law reach for a very large glass of red wine and look up to the heavens. I know exactly what she was thinking "next year we are eating out."

Some of the cousins playing in Abuelo's office.

Group HUG!!! Note all of the cousins are not pictured as it is virtually impossible to get them all in one place. We will try again on New Year's.

Mateo, Papi and Padrino are wiped out after a big meal. Nothing like a big dose of tryptophan to put you in a sleepy mood.

What's Happened Since Election Day

I know it has been a while since our last posting, but it has been a busy couple of weeks. Birthdays in D.C. dancing, cleaning, piano playing, wedding...these things take up a lot of time, but we are back on track until the next event (wait is tomorrow Thanksgiving?).

The happy couple, Tio Irv and Tia Astrid, leaving the church on a perfectly sunny crisp Autumn day.

The boys are back in town....Eddie, Orlando, Irv and Leo reunite for the big day. My how things have changed since CMU.

The trio - Tio Leo stayed with us all weekend and accompanied Eddie and I to Irv's wedding.

Dress change - Eddie, Astrid, Irv and I strike a pose at their reception.

Mateo takes his cues  a la Tom Hanks in the movie Big. He had fun running up and down the keyboard at FAO when he went to visit Tio Cesar.

So Mateo has a new favorite "chore" before it was laundry and now it is washing dishes, but only when thick suds are involved.

He tries to use his bubble wand to cultivate the clouds of soap.

For some reason Mateo has taken to putting things (pots, pans, chalk boards, spoons, crates, pencils) on his head and calling them "hat"....maybe he will be a fashion designer.

VICTORY!

So I took this picture on my camera phone in June of this year when we went to go see Obama speak in New York. I really didn't believe at the time that I was taking a picture of the next President of the United States of America. I was moved then when I heard him speak, but tonight I can't grasp the words to express how I feel. I just know that it's a feeling that I don't want to forget.

Election Day

So I just put Mateo to bed and of course he has no idea how incredibly important today is, but as you can see from his shirt we made sure that since he can't really articulate what today means at least he can be a walking advertisement. I would be a liar if I said I don't care how it turns out, but what I am equally excited about is that so many people are voting and getting involved. There is an exciting and nervous energy in the air which I have never felt. Either way I know this is a night we will never forget.

Who's Afraid of the Lollipop Kid

So Mateo didn't take too kindly to me eating a Blow Pop (Halloween candy) and felt it was his duty to take it away from me by any means necessary. Let the battle begin! There was a video, but due to upload limitations the pix below will have to do.

One of many blows to my head.

Now he attempts to push my head back while he yanks at the lollipop stick.

Finally a compromise. I get to keep my Blow Pop and Papi gave Mateo his own lollipop...whew, lucky for me because I was probably going to lose the fight.