Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas Eve! I finally got all my cards sent out a couple days ago, but didn't include a Christmas letter - mostly just because I was not that organized. So, I thought I'd type one up here for my friends and family to read. So, see? You still get one. :)
2008 was a pretty eventful year for our family. At the end of the year, we are appreciating our many blessings including health, home and friends and family. The year started with ice and snow. The kids had a lot of fun going sledding and making snowmen, a snow dog, and snow angels. Shannon began her new calling in church as the secretary for the Young Women. In Feb. and March, Damian had some serious tummy issues. We were very concerned for a while, and even went to see a specialist at the St. Louis Children's Hospital, but were relieved to find out that it was just a bad virus, and he's been fine ever since. Yay! :) Angel got glasses in March. She wears them for reading, writing and computer/TV viewing. She loves her Princess glasses. :)
Spring brought a whirl of activity as Frank and I were busy planning bachelor and bachelorette parties and showers, and finally attending the wedding of our friends Max and Megan. Frank was given the honor of being the best man, and Angel was a flower girl (and soloist! - she sang the National Anthem at the reception when she got a hold of the karaoke mic!). Of course we also had our April Birthday Bash for the many birthdays in our family around March/April. Lots of partying for us!
Summer brought the whole (Harris) family together for Memorial Day. We were able to get some rare photos of everyone together. :) In June, the kid's had their dance recital. They have also been involved in other sports this year including BMX and soccer for Damian and gymnastics, and cheerleading for Angel. At the end of the year awards banquet for BMX, Damian won the Daredevil Award, and Angel got a "Female Vocalist of the Year" plaque for singing the National Anthem every week at the track.
Frank and a business partner began a new venture when they bought the inventory of 3 motorcycle shops that went out of business. That has kept him busy, along with working hard to get our "new house" ready for us to move into (hopefully soon). He also continued racing motorcycles this year, and his team finished 4th for the year.
The kids' Grandma and Grandpa Gonzales took them on a great vacation to South Dakota for a week over the summer, and Frank and Shannon were able to get away for a weekend, too. Just before school started, Frank and Shannon also took a trip to CA for another wedding. This time Shannon was honored with being asked to be a bridesmaid. We were also able to visit some family and more friends while in CA. We fell in love with San Diego and hope to go visit again.
On our way home from CA, we found out that Shannon had a brother and sister both in the hospital. Sean had crashed his motorcycle and several injuries. He spent a week in the hospital, another month on another sister's couch, and ended up moving in with our family. Frank was able to give him some work to do, and Shannon takes care of his kids. He will be moving into the duplex ajoining ours after Christmas.
Julie had gone to visit Sean in the hospital, passed out, and cracked her skull and had bleeding in her brain. She spent 35 days in the hospital, and is making a good recovery. She's still has some lingering effects from the head trauma, but has been cleared by her doctors to go back to school next month. She's very excited about that!
The beginning of school was very important this year, as Angel started kindergarten! She was very excited to start school, and has been doing extremely well. She was chosen as Student of the Month for the first month of school! Unfortunately, Damian was sick on the first day of school, but has been going strong since then. He aces almost every spelling, science and math test, and was chosen as this month's Student of the Month.
Damian turned 8 in October. He's growing up way too fast for me! He's lost several teeth this year, started scouts, and got baptized by his Grandpa Harris in November. November was also exciting because we got to go to Disney World! It was a perfect dream of a vacation. We spent a week in Orlando, got to visit with more family, went to the 4 main Disney parks, and Wet'n'Wild. It's hard to come home and back to reality after a trip like that!
This holiday season has been nice, with a lot of family time together. We're looking forward to more visiting and good times with family this coming week. I hope you all have a blessed and happy Christmas, too.
Love,
Gonzales Family

My little cheerleader

has been busy this past week. She was in the Christmas parade on Sat. We all went to watch. D met up w/ a friend, and my niece kept me warm by sitting on my lap. Tonight was her last class/ parent presentation tonight. She recieved a certificate and a trophy for perfect attendance for 3 semesters.
D (son) must've done well this past month at school. I was just told yesterday that he's been chosen as student of the month for Dec. The character ed. word of the month was honesty, and that's what the teachers and other students go by. They try to choose the student who best displays that trait. I'm so proud of him. Honesty is so important, and he makes very mature decisions when he chooses honesty - even when it's not always easy. I'm a proud mom!
Of course, this time of year I've been busy, too. Monday was Angel's Christmas party at dance class (she's got another one coming up Sat.). Tues. was D's first pack mtg. for cub scouts. As the newest scout in the pack, he got to lead the opening ceremony where they call out directions for the color guard, etc. That was pretty cool! I was supposed to go caroling w/ the YW from church, but had no voice due to this extremely annoying cough I've had, so I stayed at pack mtg and helped w/ the activity. Wed. was my Dad's school Christmas concert. He's a high school/middle school band director. The concert was great. I hate to admit that I dozed off for a couple of songs, but I think I was awake for the mostof it. :) Sorry Dad! It was a great performance by all involved - including some dancers from my step-moms studio who performed during the Nutcracker songs. Of course I've also been busy w/ the normal shopping, wrapping, organizing class parties, taking care of sick kids (and self, and hubby), trying to keep up w/ house cleaning (and failing), etc. I still have cards to send and treats to make. Those are my weekend goals.
I'll try to be back before Christmas, but if not - here's my Christmas blogger card to you:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
May you have a wonderful Christmas filled with making beautiful memories and enjoying many blessings.
Love,
Shannon and family. :)

Santa Pics

It's late, so I'm not going to post much, but here's a quick update and the Santa pics I promised. :) Tonight we had our PTA Christmas party at the Pres.'s house. It's a fun and very nice bunch of people. Our school is so blessed. Of course we had a good time, and my bro kept the kids. Angel fell asleep coloring at the dining room table - so cute! :)
Yesterday, my bro started moving into the duplex next door. He and his kids got to sleep in their beds for the first time since Sept.!!! I'm sure they're so much more comfy now.
Angel's going to be in the Christmas parade tomorrow, so I'll try to get some good pics to post later.
Enjoy the Santa photos:

Awesome Day

Today was a really fun day! Yay! I love days like today. First I took Angel to dance class and picked up donuts to take home for brunch. In the afternoon, we went to see Santa at the Bass Pro Shop. Their winter wonderland area was great. The kids wrote their letters to Santa and mailed them in Santa's mailbox, and we got a free photo of the kids w/ Santa and one with all of us with Santa. We even saw some friends there, which is always nice, and he took some family pics of us, too. I don't have those yet to post, though. While we were there, Damian practiced his archery - a hobby he enjoys.
This evening, I went with a friend to a local chocolate factory for a tour and to watch the movie Chocolat. It was really fun, and it's a very unique factory. The chocolate is a very pure, rich, dark chocolate. They use only cocoa and organic sugar. We sampled some of the chocolate, and even got to eat the cocoa nibs (peeled cocoa seed). It tastes a little nutty. I bought "sipping cocoa" - different from hot chocolate. The sipping cocoa is just cocoa powder and hot milk - once again, very dark and rich - and not very sweet. I brought some home to try w/ cayenne pepper on it - like in the movie. I did add more milk and sugar, too, so it wasn't quite as thick. I also bought some of their cocoa powder to try in my baking. I wonder if I'll be able to tell any difference.
When I got home tonight - I played cards w/ the family, then the kids watched The Santa Clause 2. Overall, a very enjoyable day. :) I hope yours was just as wonderful. :)

Santa Sighting!

Look out Springfield! Santa's in town! I saw him today - out walking his dog. He had his red jogging suit on, a red cap, and a red and white striped cane. I could see his white hair under his cap and of course his long white beard. I told my kids they better be good - Santa's here checking on them before Christmas. :)
Here are some Thanksgiving photos: Angel helping her Great Grandma make whole wheat rolls.

Two of my beautiful sisters. Julie did not want to give up the baby, and ate Thanksgiving dinner holding her.
Julie finally had to hand over the baby. Her's Alyssa w/ our newest niece (actually great-niece), Jaidyn. Isn't she beautiful? (of course I meant they're BOTH beautiful!) :)
The guys after dinner. What else did you expect?