A lesson from Spike

On one of our shopping trips to Target, Samuel spotted and coveted a larger than life remote control Dino named Spike. This massive Pre-historic creature came fully loaded along with a hefty price tag of $150.00.

"Sorry Sammy, I don't think Santa has room in his bag for something THAT big", I said. "But I'm sure he'll get you another one that's just as fun."

Santa looked and looked. The boy already owns every dinosaur Target sells with the exception of "Spike". Santa settled on a dragon that roars, stomps and breaths fire, well, not really. While continuing my search at the Children Museum a nice YOUNG lady at the counter showed me a giant egg that when dissolved in water, fizzles and grows "into a really big dinosaur" she said. "It's way cool", she promised. I pulled out my 15% off coupon, handed her 5 bucks and headed out with the magical egg in hopes that my dino loving 4 year old would think it was "way cool" too.

Christmas morning came and all the children shouted with glee as they pulled the big blanket off of their Santa toys that sat unwrapped next to the fireplace. (Santa would never have sufficient time to wrap every good boy and girls one special gift. At least not at our house!)Samuel examined his purple magic egg and waited patiently while all of the family gifts were opened.

Finally, the moment came and we pulled out a big bucket from the basement and filled it with warm water just like the directions said. We watched and waited. Nothing. No sparks, no fizz, nothing. We both got distracted and went on to do other things. I came back an hour later and still NOTHING. While Samuel wasn't watching I pulled out a hammer a gave the blasted egg a big whack. "Look Samuel. It hatched!" I shouted. He ran in and examined it. "WOW, I just know it will grow big into a remote control dinosaur!" he said.

My heart sank. "Well, I don't think it will do that but let's watch it grow." We watched and waited some more. Still nothing. He spent most of his day telling me how he could tell it was growing.


He had fun getting his hands wet and swimming it around the bottom of the bucket. "Santa got a DUD!", I thought to myself. I had every intention of marching into that Museum and demanding a full refund (my whole $5 worth). As the days have gone by, Samuel is still enjoying playing with his microscopic stegosaurus. He has added lizards, insects and all kinds of things to his bucket of water and has been as happy as can be. Lessons learned: You don't always get what you want; You don't always get what you think your getting; Looking at life through the eyes and imagination of a child is priceless. I think it turned out okay after all.

Christmas memories

Most Christmas Eve's are spent at Brett's parents home where we are treated to fancy china, good company, delicious food, a nativity put on by the children and their silly uncles, and our traditional viewing of Luke 2.





I stole this rare picture off of Grandma's blog. It's small and sweet and show's us actually sitting down for a few minutes before the whirlwind of wrapping and baking and chaos unfolds back at our house in preparation for the next morning.I always think I'll be more prepared. Never happens. Truly draining.


The big girls showing off the bling they received from their secret and not so secret admirers.





later that evening...

as the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads... Mamma did anything BUT settle down for a long winters nap...



but it was worth it!




Our little clothes lover.

Tennis clothes are always at the top of her list

Miss Kate is always happy with anything!

Happy Dance!

You've heard of a tree lover? Matthew is a globe/geography/fact/trivia lover. He's still trying to figure out why people would want to take over little ole' Israel.

Our Ninja turns spy.

He really did like his toy even though his smile looks forced.

The kids work hard to earn money throughout the year by dog sitting, teaching, babysitting, playing in quartets. It's so fun to see them want to buy and make things for each other. They get such joy out of it.

They make Christmas wonderful!

Violin Favorites

The last of the Christmas music videos, promise. I couldn't forget about my sweetie pie Kate and her trusty side-kick Matthew playing a few of our favorite's on their violins. Sad to say, the clip of Joseph playing on his guitar didn't turn out. And Samuel, our self taught harmonica playing 4 year old, well, we'll save that for next year. Merry Christmas to you all!

In Dulci Jubilo


Joy to the World


Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabelle


The First Noel

another little medley

A few weeks ago Analisa and her friend Hanna played this happy little tune at the piano Christmas recital. Matthew's performance is featured on Brett's blog. "Share the love", he says, "put something on my blog!" So I did. Enjoy!

It's a marshmallow world in the winter...

Over the summer Sarah auditioned to be a part of a singing group at Skyline High.  She made it into the "Barbershop" group called Highlights.  These girls harmonize so beautifully.  It's been fun accompanying them on their many visits to care-centers.  Typically, by the end of these type of visits, most of the girls are so teared up they can't even sing.  Music has been a powerful, positive thing in Sarah's young life as well as the rest of my kids. I hope it will always be so.

Peace, peace

Here are a few little clips of Analisa playing her viola with the school orchestra. She is just to the right of the conductor, behind the cellos. This was their very first concert in the brand new Wasatch auditorium. Even though it was not quite finished, everyone was thrilled to have a place to call home.


A Charlie Brown Christmas


Silent Night


Nutcracker Suite

Fa la la la la ...la la la la

We have been celebrating Christmas all month around here. Preparing for recitals usually begins in early November, by the time December rolls around we are full swing into visiting care centers, hospitals, recital halls and churches. No wonder it took me a while to put up the tree. Music has always been a great way to fill our hearts with the Christmas spirit and hopefully share some of that cheer with others. I will try to share some snippets of the kids making music over the following days. Here is a one second clip of cutie-pie Samuel, dressed as a cow, sporting his favorite dinosaur shirt at our ward nativity (and yes Mom, he has had a haircut since then).





Kate as the innkeepers older wife


Matthew- our somber little wise man


Joseph- a good shepherd


Sammy- a cow dressed as a dinosaur

East Millcreek 4th Ward Nativity 

Family Photo Shoot

While most of you, my dear friends and family, will be receiving a Christmas card with some of the pictures found on this link, I thought you might enjoy viewing the whole bunch that my dear friend Michelle took of our crazy crew. I wish there was a video clip to go along with how truly crazy getting this to happen really was. We borrowed the big, black wrought iron bench which we shoved into the back of our mini-van. Lugging that giant, heavy thing across a field and an orchard made me perspire just a tad. Sarah and Brett sang duets to Aida and West Side Story while Analisa and Katherine posed. Joseph and Matthew could be heard punching each other while Samuel kept screaming, "Hey, he stepped on me!" Lets not get into the coordinating of the outfits. Oh the joys of photographing 8 people! Poor Michelle! I kept telling her that all we needed was just one. So, after spending hours switching heads, and playing with color to get these just right, the results speak for themselves. I am so grateful that she would be willing to take the time to do this for us. I am looking forward to framing some of these to display in our home. So Grandparents, now is the time to put in your requests for Christmas. We won't be doing this again for a good long time, so get' em while they're hot.

Thanksgiving 2008

As I think back over past Thanksgivings, memories go back to reunions at 323 Exchange Street in Houston where we would gather with the Gonzales side of the family and eat a combination of traditional American food along side Mom's famous Mexican cuisine. We hung out with our cousins, played games and ate to our hearts content.

We now find ourselves so far from the little barrio in Houston but continue many of the same traditions. As I'm sure all of my sisters can testify, we not only miss our mothers cooking but miss her company as well. Seventeen cousins played happily together in Moni's cozy house as we played games and ate 'til we dropped. Wonder what it will be like 20 years from now?

Mexico Lindo

As part of my sister Moni's job, she is sent to lush hotels to do site inspections and scope out possible places to hold sales events and incentive trips. Since her husband Jody had spent his allotted vacation time on a recent cruise, she asked me to accompany her. Leaving 6 children and a husband behind for 5 days was not an easy thing to pull off, but they survived and we are all the better for it.

Moni worked most of the time which gave me a chance to catch up on some much needed sleep and visit faraway places through the pages of books. I visited the big, hot pink house in South Carolina home to a bee-keeper named Lily and the enchanted lands of Kildenree where a goose girl named Ani talked to the wind. It was heavenly.

When we weren't with the other V.I.P's at fancy dinners we relaxed and talked about the funny things our husbands do, the joys of raising large families and how fun it will be when we can bring all of our family back with us someday. Mainly we just goofed off and had fun being together.

Here's a sample of how some our conversations went:

Moni (in a whispered tone): "Check out the girl in the two piece on your left."

Me (sun glasses pushed down to the tip of my nose): " WOWZA!"

Moni: "If you ever see me looking like that, SHOOT ME!"

While sipping limonadas catching a few rays by the pool before our check out time on Sunday, you might have heard this.

Moni (viewing conference on her video I-Pod) : "Do you think it's sac-religious to be laying out by a pool on Sunday while listening to conference?"

Me (engrossed in a book): "Well, I guess if you were sipping a Bud-Light in your bikini, maybe."

We just laughed.

This is the view from the balcony of our room. So beautiful!


Love you sis!

Care Center

I have been feeling down lately about all of the negative protests towards our church. Anti- Mormon preaching and talk of hate leave me feeling like we are truly living in the last days. I worry about my children and what the future holds for them as we define who we are and what we stand for. As I had an opportunity this past week to serve in a tiny way, I felt buoyed up and strengthened by the examples of those around me.

Every couple of months our ward is asked to provide church services to our local Care Center. Last Wednesday Sammy and I went over before preschool with some dear sisters and their little ones and held Relief Society. There were about 6 sisters in attendance from the center along with a Presidency that has been called to minister to them. Three of the 6 sisters were sound asleep. One was in some sort of daze and the other 2 sat on the front row alert and responsive. One of them was particularly happy the children had come to sing to her. As I conducted the meeting, Sammy jumped around from chair to chair and circled around my legs. The little old lady on the front row kept telling him, "It's okay. Mama is right there." My friend Kristin's daughter, who wouldn't leave her mothers side, kept asking if they were dead. After the talks, the children stood up in front and sang, I am a Child of God. As I knelt down by Samuel's side to help him with the words, the spirit bore witness to my heart that every single person present, young and old, was indeed a literal child of a Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us individually.

Yesterday my two oldest girls had a chance to participate at the center with the Young Men/ Young Women. Analisa played the piano as Sarah conducted the hymns. Talks were given and testimonies shared as the spirit once again filled the little room. These sweet, yet strong teenagers went around and visited with the dear people . We were all enriched in the process. Sarah asked if she could work there on Saturdays ;)

I still feel discouraged once in a while, but as I look at the faces pictured below, I am hopeful. The Lord is mindful of us and as we serve him and draw near he blesses us with his Spirit.

funny girl

Here is a little glimpse of an e-mail I received from Katherine's school teacher. What? Doesn't everyone get long e-mails from their child's teacher telling you how amazing your child is? I know. We are extremely fortunate. This was so Katherine, I had to share.


As I told you this afternoon, Katherine’s is extremely witty and has perfect comic timing. She makes me laugh on a daily basis. Let me give you an example:

One day the students were working on an art project. The kids at her group were comparing the cars that their parents drive. This is how the conversation went:

Student 1: My dad has a really nice car. He drives a BMW.

Student 2: My dad has a Trans Am!

Student 3: Really? My dad drives a Lexis!

Katherine: Oh yeah? My dad drives a minivan!

She had no idea I was listening in, but I don’t think I have ever laughed so hard at a student comment. The way she said it was perfect. She knows exactly what to say in every situation. She’s never rude or disrespectful, but she has impeccable timing!





That's my Kate. You can always count on her for a smile. Gotta love that girl.



p.s. my studly, minivan driving hubby drives dance carpool too. love you babe!

Concertino in CM, III -Vandall

It is wet, cold and snowy here in Utah. I thought I'd share this little concerto to brighten up our day. We are so proud of Matthew and his love and passion for music. His confidence makes us laugh. I don't think he knows the meaning of the word nervous. Sometimes when he plays he gets so into the music you think he might fall right off the bench. Other times it comes so natural his eyes wander around aimlessly. Props to his big sis Analisa for accompanying him and sacrificing a little bit of her social life to practice and perform with him. They are so cute together. I love these kids!

Election Day

I love my country. I love voting day. I love that I can go out and cast a ballot reflecting my convictions. I have neighbors on both sides of me that have opposing views. Only in America can we have meaningful, lasting friendships that aren't threatened by political preferences.

Regardless of how things turn out I know that the everyday choices I make and the values I teach my children will be a reflection of what I know to to be right and true.

I pray for all those who are elected that they can make good decisions that will benefit the citizens of this great country.


God Bless America!

halloween collage

I am having way to much fun playing in photobucket. Can you tell? Not bad for my first attempt, if I do say so myself.

a few more of Sammy

I had to include this cute little clip I took at the preschool program. His cute little neighbor cracks me up.