Novedades

Happy New Year from the Gomez Boys!

2012-01-18T22:41:00.000-06:00

My heroes

Maybe it's been a while since new year's day, maybe it's been around 18 days but we're here to say Happy New Year anyway. Its been a crazy few months that I haven't blogged but now I'm back and I really do hope this year will have more blogposts than ever.

Almost ready to send up their letters to los reyes magos.

Santi's Party at School

2011-09-02T12:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Santi!

2011-08-26T09:07:00.000-05:00

Santi hermoso, you are five. You who were my baby just a short time ago. Now you are officially a big, kindergarten boy who loves to run and play and do handstands in the grass. I love you so much. Happy Birthday sweet boy.

Cancun

2011-08-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

2011-08-04T01:21:00.002-05:00

Seven

2011-07-19T12:24:00.000-05:00

I love your smile, I love your jokes and laughter. I love that lizards and bugs you chase after. I love how you read. I love your big hugs. I love that you're starting a club for friends who love bugs. I love your gappy smile and those giant teeth coming in. I love that you're amazing and always have been. I love you Alex, my precious boy. I'm so happy you're in my life. You are such a joy.

Happy 7th Birthday.

A day at the park.

2011-06-27T12:51:00.001-05:00

These pictures are from the spring. I finally got them off of my phone and onto the computer. They are probably from April. That's why Alex's tooth has magically reappeared in his mouth.

Santi didn't want them pecking at his shoes, so he stood on the bench of a picnic table.

Alex B-day Party At School

2011-06-25T10:37:00.001-05:00

Alex had his birthday party early so it could be at school. His birthday isn't until July 19th. I can't believe he'll be 7 already. Wow. His friends were so cute. They all practiced their English with me.

Dino Cupcakes

With his buddies

A sweet birthday hug

Santi skipped out of his class to come to the party.

With Miss Darling their teacher

Boys Table

Girls Table

The enormous T-REX piñata!

Santi hit it hard!

Waiting for their turn.

Father's Day

2011-06-20T10:13:00.001-05:00

Sharing some coffee. Alex doesn't love it, but Santi asks for some everyday!

Santi said he knew the best Father's Day present for Papi. A hug and a kiss!

The best Papi ever!

Boys

2011-06-15T10:29:00.000-05:00

It would have been longer but the battery on my camera ran out.

Life Goes On

2011-06-13T21:55:00.003-05:00

We are counting the days until school is out. Only 13 more. I used to take Alex to school at 8 a.m. then drive Santi there by 9 a.m. but there is a huge construction project going on between home and school, so now I take Santi with me early and we hang out for a while in the car. He finds things to do, like wear my sunglasses.

Dreaming of you

2011-06-04T09:06:00.001-05:00

My beautiful grandmother, Marian Alta Truesdle Griffin, passed away last night. She was surrounded by her children, husband and a few friends who sang hymns to her until her very last breath. I know it is no coincidence that when she died they were singing a hymn called Blessed Assurance. There is a line in it that says: Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight. Angels descending bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love. That is when she left, during the angels part. That is not coincidence, it was a gift. And now she's in heaven, surely hugging her brothers and father and mother and dear friends.

The last time I was able to visit was when Alex was one. I know she didn't hold it against me. Once I came to Mexico it just got a lot harder to get there. And now with two children it is almost impossible. We wanted to go this past winter since we were in Georgia, but made the decision not to, foreseeing the very long car ride with a very whiney four year old.

I don't have any regrets. I spent every childhood summer with her and many Christmases as well. I'm so glad I knew her. Her gentleness taught me so many lessons over the years that I didn't even know I was being taught. Everytime I woke up before dawn to go to the bathroom or because of a nightmare, there she was, reading her Bible and writing in her notebook. I guess when you raise six children you learn to wake up very early for those few quiet moments. If I wanted to make something she would help me figure it out, whether it was a craft project, some cookies or something sewn. She was so patient with me, and all her grandchildren.

Last night I dreamed about her. All night long I dreamed about her quiet gentleness and considerate kindness. I dreamed of her laughing about something funny one of her grandchildren did or said. I dreamed of her in her kitchen canning vegetables and baking cookies. I dreamed of her in her garden and hanging clothes on the line. I dreamed of her whistling a song. The words quiet, gentle spirit come to mind. All night long I dreamed of her and I awoke thinking how much I want to be like her.

My uncle wrote yesterday that she graduated from life. I would like to say that she graduated summa cum laude; with the highest honors. She leaves behind a legacy of love. Someday if I even resemble her a little bit, maybe I'll graduate with honors too.

Mother's Day

2011-05-12T14:50:00.000-05:00

Santi and Alex had a festival at school for all the moms. This is the poem Santi said with his classmates. He was obviously the leader and counted to three to start them off. He was also the most enthusiastic :) Alex sang a really cool song and got to sing into the microphone with another boy. I didn't get it on video because I wanted to enjoy the moment.

Abuelita's birthday

2011-05-08T20:22:00.000-05:00

He finally lost his top tooth today.

Best buddies with the same tooth missing!

Santi's domino tower

We made a rainbow cake for Abuelita's birthday today.

Alex added the sprinkles.

They were waiting for Abuelita to come so they could yell suprise.

Santi helped her blow out the candles.

Dia del Niño

2011-05-04T11:12:00.000-05:00

Children's Day was on April 30th so at church on Sunday all the children got to swim. It's fun to have church at a hotel sometimes, like when we get to use the pool. Alex and Santi had lots of fun and Alex even swam without using floaties. The water came almost up to his chin when he was on tiptoes but he managed. I had a ton of pictures but accidentally erased them. Both my boys swam all day. I think they would've stayed even longer if a thunderstorm hadn't started!

Towards the end of the time we were there only a few kids were still swimming. One small boy started drowning in the deeper end. Alex was close to him and when he was alerted by an adult, he grabbed the boy and brought him to the side of the pool. I was standing right there and didn't even notice until other parents started yelling and Alex grabbed him. Alex was so calm. I am so proud of him. The night before we prayed that God would protect everyone swimming and that no one would be hurt. I am so glad nobody was and that Alex got to be a part of keeping someone safe.

Egg Hunt

2011-04-29T15:32:00.000-05:00

Parque Loro

2011-04-23T08:47:00.001-05:00

Parque Loro is a small zoo that houses many endangered species. Their mission is to help these animals reproduce and keep them from becoming extinct. They have many types of exotic birds, lots of monkeys and a few wild cats.

Feeding a Guacamaya (macaw) sunflower seeds.

Alex is holding a quill from a porcupine that an animal keeper gave him.

Waiting for the bird show to start.

Here Santi and some other boys had to close their eyes and guess
which animal was being rubbed on their necks. It was a small iguana!

Alex is waiting for his turn nervously.

The park has four crocodiles.

This baby lion is one month old. We paid to have pictures taken with her.

This boy loves animals.

2011-04-14T19:34:00.000-05:00

Alex Fish

Santi Fish

Brothers!

This is from our trip home in January but I thought I'd add it anyway!

I want to post a ton of pictures but...

2011-04-12T22:55:00.000-05:00

Santi lost the cord that connects my phone to the computer to download pics. That boy! I love him but he sure gets into my schtuff. As soon as I find it or more likely buy a new one....there will be pictures of us feeding ducks and all sorts of other fun activities :)

2011-03-08T09:51:00.000-06:00

Playing with my broken sunglasses.

Santi too.

We went to Mexico City to see a soccer game-

With a fan of Cruz Azul.

Finding our seats.

It was too hot!

So we switched to the other side of the stadium.

Boys

2011-03-02T15:43:00.000-06:00

Here's Santi practicing for a job in the circus... as a plate balancing acrobat. Love that boy! He and Alex restarted swimming classes yesterday and did really well after having skipped out for four months. Poor Santi, he was complaining of tummy troubles on the way home and I just figured he was tired. He ended up getting sick and throwing up more than once. He stayed home from school and seems better now

Alex has had a fun week. On Monday I gave him some money for a snack at school and he came home with a rock his classmate had sold him. He told me she also sells concert tickets too, in case he wanted to buy one. I tried to explain to him that he probably shouldn't buy things from that girl anymore but he is really happy with his purchase :) I talked to the girl's mom who is also a friend and we had a good laugh about it. She told me, "Give the rock back and we'll give you your money back." But I told her that Alex was really happy with his rock.

Sunday with the Family

2011-02-10T16:34:00.000-06:00

2011-01-09T17:11:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year from the Gomez Boys

2011-01-01T10:14:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T21:37:00.000-06:00

Pijama buddies

2010-11-05T11:13:00.000-06:00

They are so sweet together. In the car the other day I heard them from the backseat.
Alex: Santi, I love you.
Santi: And me too.
Of course they also fight like cats and dogs :) But if anybody else tries to do something to one of them, they defend each other fiercely.

Santi, the musician

2010-11-05T11:09:00.000-06:00

He has on his game face!

we still love to dance!

2010-10-28T13:20:00.000-05:00

Getting Bigger

2010-10-28T13:10:00.000-05:00

The days are flying by and I can't keep up! I am amazed at my friends who update their blogs weekly, and while I love reading theirs...I have a hard time keeping mine up to date.
But life goes on and my boys get bigger and here we are. I will try to do better!

Mañanita Mexicana

2010-09-14T08:23:00.004-05:00

2010-09-01T13:12:00.002-05:00

One day I found Santi playing this little game by himself. He started with one car and counted it and then he would say 1 won, and they say Ya ah ah, then he would add another car and do the whole routine again.

Lovin' that boy!

2010-09-01T12:46:00.003-05:00

My Boys.

2010-08-27T15:51:00.000-05:00

Santi is FOUR!

2010-08-26T09:26:00.006-05:00

Santi turned four years old yesterday, August 25th. He is so excited to be four. Today he woke up and asked me if he was still four. I guess he was worried it might wear off over night.

Santi,
We love you and are so happy to have you in our lives. You are a hip-hoppin', fast-runnin', loud-laughin', no-stoppin' kiddo and you are awesome! Happy fourth b-day to you!
Love,
Your Family

Happy Birthday Alex!

2010-07-20T09:01:00.005-05:00

Happy Birthday Alex! You are SIX! I'm so proud of you. You are growing up so fast. I love you!

2010-06-24T13:07:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day Festival at Preschool

2010-06-24T12:35:00.006-05:00

Alex and Santi's classes both did dances for the moms on mother's day. They were awesome!

Marriage

2010-04-30T16:14:00.000-05:00

At Alex's school the little girls are always saying which boys they are going to marry. Alex came home few weeks ago and told me that Mariana says she is going to marry him. I asked him if that was ok with him and he said "yes, I definitely want to marry her!" So, then Santi spoke up and told us he was never getting married. Alex told him, "But Santi, if you don't get married, you can't have a family." Then he proceeded to explain to Santi how you get a family: "This is what you have to do, Santi, You find a really pretty girl who is pregnant and you marry her. And that's how you have a family."

Santi's artwork

2010-04-30T16:08:00.004-05:00

He said he was a superhero. I gave him markers and literally was out of the room for two minutes. By that time he had gotten bored with paper. This boy is my limit pusher...what I never had to tell Alex twice, I have to tell him ten times (don't color the walls, don't rub a rock on the car, don't put your hands in your milk). But he's just so darn cute!

Spring Break Part 2

2010-04-30T15:47:00.012-05:00

During the second half of Spring Break we had an Easter egg hunt with lots of friends. We also decorated eggs. Josue (Uzzi and Cami's baby brother) was called Shrek most of that day since he had been holding a green egg in his hand before it dried. They had a great time.

Spring Break part 1

2010-04-30T15:25:00.014-05:00

Yes, I know it's almost summer vacation! I just havent taken the time to post pictures. So now I am! These go in reverse order: The first pictures of the rocks are from Piedras Encimadas (in Zacatlan) it's a national park that we visited on the way back from Chicontla. Daniel was invited to speak at a youth conference at the base of the Sierra Norte in a small town called Chicontla. The pictures of cliffs are from the trip down the mountain. I literally had to hold my camera out the window. The drop off was amazingly dangerous and there was NO Shoulder at most points. Alex was practically leaning out of his window screeching about how cool the view was! I was petrified. Once we got to the base of the mountain I really didn't take many pictures. Next to the very country-ish church (roof but no walls) was a family that had goats. Alex and Santi fed them the whole day were there, that was about all they could do! They wanted to go explore but we weren't familiar with the town and Daniel was teaching, so we stayed close by. The last picture is of Alex and Santi in their "rocket ship" just before blastoff.

Is it March already?

2010-03-09T18:00:00.002-06:00

2010-02-13T20:34:00.004-06:00

No more snoring!

2010-01-27T21:25:00.000-06:00

Santi had his tonsils and adenoids removed yesterday. Poor little guy. He had suffered from sleep apnea for most of his life, though we didn't even know it until last week. He did very well in the surgery and I got to be there and hold him as he began waking up. I can't even put into words the relief I felt holding him in the recovery room and knowing that he was o.k. I am so thankful that we could have things done so quickly. He is recovering very well. He has been eating and drinking almost normally and hasn't really complained about pain. He is having to learn to breathe through his nose. The doctor said it is a wonder he was able to breathe before, his tonsils were huge! Again, I am so thankful....beyond words.

some pics from alex and santi's new cameras

2010-01-05T19:43:00.000-06:00

Balloons!

2010-01-05T19:24:00.002-06:00

Alex and Santi launching their balloons

Queridos Reyes Magos...

2010-01-05T17:22:00.000-06:00

This morning, Alex and Santi let their helium balloons up in the air with their letters to the Three Wise Men (Reyes Magos). It's like a letter to Santa asking for a bike or toy, etc. Kids release the balloon attached to the letter and watch them float away. Tomorrow is the day when children wait for the Reyes Magos to bring them presents. It's like Christmas all over again but only for children.

Happy New Year from the Gomez Boys

2010-01-02T09:13:00.000-06:00

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-31T11:48:00.000-06:00

Christmas programs

2009-12-14T14:30:00.001-06:00

We had a Christmas concert at church last night and Alex and Santi sang. They also had their school play on Friday and they sang and danced and recited poems. I wish we had a better video of it. They were great.

2009-12-14T14:08:00.001-06:00

Singing

2009-11-04T12:05:00.001-06:00

Here's a video of Alex and Santi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzYEALiDLiw&feature=channel

2009-11-04T10:08:00.000-06:00

2009-10-16T17:37:00.000-05:00

He lost his tooth at school today! He was so excited to show it to me when I picked him up. He is very excited to put it under his pillow..not for the tooth fairy though, she is not in Mexico. Here we have El Ratón Pérez. He takes the teeth and makes them into pearls :) He still leaves a coin though.

2009-10-15T21:06:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics of: Alex's first loose tooth! My two superheroes. Alex and Santi after Alex had dressed them both for school (out of a give away bag of too-small clothes!) I didn't want to tell him after the fact to change again after he had gone to all that trouble! Santi's shirt was 12-18 mos. today haha, and both of their pants were a little short. And finally Santi with his brace-thingy for his collarbone. He will get another x-ray next week to see if it has completely healed.

Santi

2009-09-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

Well, we have had a lot going on these past few weeks. (haha I say that as if I update every two weeks or something...) Anyway, Santi fractured his collarbone last Tuesday. I was sitting on Alex's bed with him having a very philosophical conversation for a five year old (I'll post about it later) and wasn't paying much attention to Santi behind me on the bed. Anyway, I heard him say "BlastOFF" and then a huge thud. I thought he had hit his head so I cradled him and he yelled at me to put him down. He cried all night long so in the morning we got it x-rayed and sure enough it was fractured. He is wearing a brace on his shoulders for the next few weeks to keep them back. He doesn't mind it too much since we told him it was part of his super hero costume. It's his power pack. I'll try to get a picture of him with it soon. Then, to add insult to injury he got a stomach bug that started bothering him Sunday..he was up all night long with diarrhea and stomach cramps, vomiting, etc. Poor guy. On Monday we got him medicine and it seems like he is over it now. He went back to preschool today and told me he was just fine, and he is really better now but I know he would've said he was fine anyway just to go to school. He always wants to go. I ask him what he does and he always has the same answer: "play play-doh".

Viva Mexico!

2009-09-15T09:44:00.000-05:00

Celebrating Birthdays!

2009-09-05T12:05:00.002-05:00

In July we celebrated Alex's Birthday with the Del Valle gang and in July we also celebrated Josue's b-day. Last Tuesday (the 25th of August) was Santi's b-day and we celebrated with friends.

Santi is THREE!

2009-09-03T18:18:00.002-05:00

Happy 5th Birthday Alex!

2009-07-19T12:55:00.006-05:00

Brothers

2009-07-19T12:34:00.006-05:00

2009-06-22T16:21:00.003-05:00

Santi HERMOSO!

2009-05-16T21:40:00.003-05:00

This boy is so adorable. Here is his smiley happy Mickey Mouse adoring face!

party

2009-05-16T21:16:00.004-05:00

Today we went to a classmates of Alex's b-day party. There was a show with Mickey Mouse and Santi got SO excited. He was smiling so wide. I wish it showed up better on the video. He had this excited, ecstatic smile on his face for about 10 minutes! He sighed and almost cried he was so happy to see Mickey Mouse. It was the CUTEST thing.

Big Boy Pants

2009-05-01T20:33:00.003-05:00

"Yeah I really did it, and now I know I can. I can go in my potty and I will do it again. No more diapers now, I'm as happy as can be. I get to wear big boy pants. I'm so proud of ME!"

what we've been up to lately...

2009-05-01T12:31:00.012-05:00

Enjoying a visit from cousin Ely and tia Elizabeth, playing, bouncing, swimming, posing in front of cactuses, riding pretend cars and reading.

Vaqueros

2009-03-23T15:08:00.003-06:00

Santi

2009-03-01T16:57:00.004-06:00

The other day I was rocking him before bedtime and I asked him if he wanted to pray. Here is his prayer: "Jesus, You love me so much. I love you too. I want to go downstairs and eat and play...and eat. I go to sleep now, I'm tired."

Before another month goes by...

2009-02-22T16:40:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year from the Go-Ro's

2009-01-01T08:36:00.007-06:00

ho ho ho

2008-12-31T18:02:00.001-06:00

Feliz Navidad

2008-12-31T17:32:00.012-06:00

Santi's block tower

2008-11-16T12:45:00.002-06:00

he built it all by himself!

Patita de Perro concert

2008-11-16T10:24:00.002-06:00

2008-11-16T10:16:00.002-06:00

This week we got to go to a concert at the new performing arts complex at the college. We saw Patita de Perro. They're a rock group that sings songs for kids. It was really fun. They let the kids run all over the place during the concert.

Crazy Week

2008-11-16T10:06:00.008-06:00

These are pictures from crazy week at Alex's school. It was the week of Halloween and since they really don't celebrate the holiday here but wanted to let the kids have some fun dressing up, they did a whole week of things. They had camoflage day, which Santi really wanted to take part in...they had favorite soccer team jersey day and crazy hat and glasses day as well. The kids had so much fun and of course Santi keeps begging me to let him go to school with Alex. I may let him start going a few days a week starting in the spring but I have to get him potty trained first which he is not too interested in yet!

Santi Sings

2008-10-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

Santi is singing "The pirates who don't do anything" Here is the translation: We are the pirates who don't do anything, we just stay at home and lay around. And if you ask us if we do anything, we just tell you, we don't do anything.

2008-10-05T10:20:00.004-05:00

Angeles de Puebla Basketball Game

2008-10-05T10:01:00.006-05:00

We went with the AguiMendez Clan to a pro basketball game last night. The Angeles de Puebla team beat the Cordoba team by ten points and we had front row seats. It was a lot of fun. Alex and Uzziel have no trouble entertaining each other. They really do well together. Camila and Santi also have fun together but Santi got fed up with the noise (it was extremely loud) and Dany had to take him up to the upper level. I think out of all the players on the team, one didn't speak English and maybe half were Americans. It was a fun time.
The first picture is with one of the star players. When the team wins, they let people onto the court to get pics and autographs with the players.

mañanita mexicana

2008-09-12T15:21:00.002-05:00

Santi is TWO!

2008-08-26T16:40:00.005-05:00

Santi turned two yesterday. It's gone by SO fast. He is talking so much more now. He says I love you now, which makes me melt everytime I hear it! He loves HI-5, it's his favorite show. We celebrated his b-day on Saturday with oreo cake and a hi-5 piñata.

mud puddle

2008-08-18T16:45:00.004-05:00

2008-08-18T16:11:00.003-05:00

Alex is FOUR

2008-08-05T23:09:00.005-05:00

He turned four on July 19th...but we've had a kind of crazy time lately and it's just taken a long time to post anything. So, Alex is now a "big boy" in his own terms. He is "not a little kid anymore". In the past year he started preschool, learned to write his name and use scissors, became completely fluent in Spanish (since we speak mostly English at home), and made lots of new friends. Overall, I think he had a great year. He is very excited to start preschool again in a week and a half. I think he's mostly excited to be in a new class and be with the "older" kids.
The day before his birthday we went to Africam Safari with friends and had cupcakes and the actual day of his birthday we took him and Santi out for pizza and back to play at Piccolo Mundo. I think he had a good time.

Beauty and The Beast...Presented by Alex's school

2008-06-27T10:07:00.004-05:00

These are two scenes from the play Beauty and the Beast Alex was a part of with his school on Wednesday. It was very very cute. The videos are long but Alex is SO adorable, and his friends too.

blowing out the candle

2008-06-22T15:04:00.003-05:00

Alex's Birthday Party

2008-06-22T14:42:00.006-05:00

Alex wanted to have a birthday party with his friends at school, but since his birthday is in July and school is almost out, we had it last Friday. He and his classmates had lots of fun eating cupcakes and hotdogs and breaking the piñata. Grandma and Abuelita got to come too.

the piñata

2008-06-21T18:00:00.011-05:00

waiting their turn to hit the piñata
scrambling for dulces
Alex and Geraldo grabbing candy.
Santi got candy out of the piñata when I had filled it!
(the hole was in Buzz Lightyear's back)

2008-06-06T09:34:00.003-05:00

We went back to Valle Fantastico with Linda, Uzziel and Camila last Saturday. Alex and Uzziel had SO much fun. They rode one roller coaster (a small one!) 8 times in a row! We kept thinking they would get off but they kept on riding.

Swim Party at Asher's House

2008-06-06T09:26:00.004-05:00

2008-06-06T09:22:00.002-05:00

third year in a row!

2008-06-06T09:20:00.000-05:00

2008-05-19T15:59:00.001-05:00

Sheep

2008-05-19T15:35:00.002-05:00

2008-05-17T18:36:00.003-05:00

Santi wanted to join in on the fun at Alex's school presentation...

Alex at school

2008-05-17T18:30:00.003-05:00

Decorating Cookies with Alvin

2008-05-17T17:46:00.003-05:00

Alex and his buddy from school, Alvin, decorated cookies together. I think more frosting went in their mouths than on the cookies!

new pijamas

2008-05-17T17:43:00.002-05:00

hi 5 "concert" in piccolo mundo

2008-05-17T17:35:00.004-05:00

2008-05-17T17:22:00.006-05:00