McDonald "Jan." Birthdays

We celebrated all the McDonald Family January Birthdays last Saturday at Mom & Dad McDonald's house. Mama once again planned & came up with fun games for all ages. I think it was 2 years ago now she started coming up with themes, games & prizes. Her goal, I believe, was to have something fun for the "little girls" to do, and bring us all together through competition, activity, games, whatever you want to call it. This month we had to stack 3 golf balls up & have them stand for at least 3 seconds. Us ladies had to stack 5 dice on a popsicle stick held by our teeth and transfer it across the room to our spouse, at which point he had to take it with his teeth. Let's see....what else... There were a couple games involving ping pong balls... Oh, and the last game involved stacking 5 empty water or milk jugs up. We had LOTS of laughs & made fun memories.

The little girls received pajamas as their prize/party favor. They were too cute! The adults got Valentine Kitchen towels, a magnet & chip clip. :)

Thank you to the McDonald family for honoring Aspen & I on our birthdays! Your card, gifts & love are such a blessing! :)

McDonald "Jan." Birthday - 2

The Microwave Cart

When my Grandfather passed away, we were given several things. The Microwave Cart is one of those things...I realize we don't have a microwave on it, but that's what PawPaw used the cart for, thus it's name. :) I've been placing some Books and small toys on the lower shelf for Aspen; it's on her level, so I might as well make it something she can enjoy while "helping" Mommy in the kitchen. :) She discovered two or three mornings ago she can climb up and sit to read her books. It took her a little while to get down, but she figured it out. Big girl.... (I'm waiting for her to either drop her books or fall into the dog's water bowl... Lol :))

Aspen's Birthday - Part 2

Okay...here are the rest of the pictures. After the party we let Aspen get a nap, then we headed to dinner with some friends from North Houston area. On Sunday, we were able to pick up our mail from Saturday...and, as I suspected, there were birthday cards for Aspen. I read each one to her, then it was fun to watch her read them too!

Aspen's Birthday - Part 2 (con't)

Aspen's 1st Birthday!!!

It's official!!!! Aspen is 1 year old!!! I can't believe it. Time really has just flown this past year. So many things happened; she grew SO much. Wow... There's absolutely no way I can sum up the entire year, but being a mom is awesome, and truly special. It's definitely hard work!!! And, it takes time to adjust to life with a little one. I'm pretty sure there's not much "adjusting" it's more "changing"...at least on some things. ;D But worth every bit! I'm so very thank to our Lord for my little girl. She is so precious to me, and truly our little sunshine.

On Saturday morning I was busy attempting to decorate for Aspen's little party we were having for her. I really need to take party decor 101 from my cousin... Her decorating puts mine WAY to shame...I kept thinking as I was attempting at mine, "I should get M to help me...she would know just what to do!" Unfortunately, she doesn't live in my area.... Lol My conclusion = this is my first child, and 1st party...so, with each one I'll get better. :D Practice makes perfect. So, I just kept trying...it turn out cute, and I was happy because Brian came in at looked around and comment on how nice it was. That was pretty big to me. :) Aspen enjoyed watching me blow up the 15 balloons...I'd give her one, and she'd be happy with it until she realized I was working on another. Then she's hurry to me and squeal until I gave it to her too. She also enjoyed helping me with the crepe paper.... I really did have more decor than you see in most the pics, although, it was pretty simple.

We decided not to do a big Birthday Bash, but rather a small party inviting only Grandparent figures to Aspen, and a handful of Brian & My dear friends. It was a sweet time of fellowship & celebration. Aspen was pretty adorable. I tried to get her to open the door with me as much as possible. But, there were times she didn't...nevertheless, she usually welcomed each guest SUPER excited, walking to them, waving both hands, squealing as she went.

Aspen didn't quite know what to think of the candle on her cake, but certainly knew about the cake. She completely cleaned her plate. I gave her about a fourth of her "funfetti" cake, and she enjoyed every crumb. So, she officially had sugar now. Doesn't mean she can have it all the time, but I won't have cardiac arrest any more when someone tries to sneak it to her...mainly because a sweet friend gave her a toothbrush & toothpaste... Lol ;) I made punch, and Upside-down German Chocolate cake for the adults. Mmmmmm...I was happy with my piece! (and the leftovers...)

Everyone was so generous & thoughtful, and showered Aspen with gifts... So many sweet, thoughtful gifts too! Books!, little stuff animals, a ball, the toothbrush/paste, picture frame... We got Aspen a early reading book set, a movie for when she's older, hairbows, and cheerios... The Lord really provided it all! I was SO excited how He worked! One "set of Grandparents" is building Aspen something...I'm very curious to see what it is..... :D

I hope you enjoy all the pictures & videos... My parents gave Aspen a sing-a-ma-jig that sings Happy Birthday...the videos are of that. (there's a running story of sing-a-ma-jigs in my family...)

I'll wrap up Aspen's birthday I guess later...I realized I posted some pictures out of order, so I'll save those... You'll have to come back! :)

Thank you to everyone for all the sweet cards & texts for Aspen on her birthday! You made it such a special day.

Aspen's 1st Birthday Party (continued))

Aspen's 1st Birthday Party (continued))

Aspen Birthday Video 1

Aspen Birthday Video 2

Daddy's Birthday

My Daddy's birthday was on Tuesday. Happy Birthday! It was fun to take him a donut (which the lady pretty much gave me since I only had 40¢ instead of the 65¢ it cost... Lol typical! I was SO grateful for the sweet lady!) at his office. Then Aspen & I ate lunch with he & Mom. Went home for a nap, then were back to help Mom throw together a last minute dinner to which we were all able to get together. Mom's apple pie was delicious!!! Mmmmm!

We're so thankful for you Daddy! We love you!

"Ahhh...what's up Doc?!"

The Birthday Tutu

Rebekah, (my sister...technically s-i-L, but whatever to that...) has officially gotten me out of my comfort zone, and I love it. For Aspen's birthday, Rebekah wants to take Aspen to get her picture taken. So, Rebekah is having fun planning out Aspen's little outfit. Rebekah has made this cute little onesie and found hairbows to match. In addition, we made a tutu to go with it all. It's something I'd never get out of my comfort zone to do myself, but think its fun and just need some spunk to get me there...so, thank you Rebekah for helping me. Now, we're going to have to do this with all the little girls the Lord may bless us with. Hmmm...maybe we shouldn't of out Aspen's name on the onesie after all.... ;-)

Today, as a last minute thing, we got together to work on it and another little project. It was fun getting the supplies, and seeing the Lord provide & answer other prayers! (I've been praying & shopping for "BOB Books" for A for her birthday... *Goodwill had the first set for $1.99!!) Anyway, after picking everything up we came home ate some yummy soup & fresh bread, and got busy on Little Miss' outfit. The Tutu turned our pretty cute... :) Just had to share some preview pictures.

Tutu Video

Cousin Time

On Wednesday, I kept Alyssa so Rebekah could have some time out, and run some errands with her sister, Suze. We met back at Mom's so she could fit Suze & Rebekah in their bridesmaid dresses for one of their sisters wedding next month. After lunch, Mama too A & A for a ride in the wagon. It was Aspen's first, and I hear she loved it.

Rain!!!

Yay for the rain! Praise the Lord! We got somewhere around 4 1/2 inches in a couple hours on Tuesday. Our streets haven't flooded since our house was built, so it was a fun new thing for me here. At my parents home the street flooded ALL THE TIME, so I'm used it. When we were little sometimes we were allowed to play in the street water when the sun came back out...now, I can't believe we would do that! But, it was fun, and a great memory...especially after TS Allison. Fun times... lol Anyway, our home was no where near to flooding, but after that, I think if Galveston or anywhere slightly south gets a hurricane with lots of rain we might would flood... Just something to keep in mind. So thankful "they" make flood insurance..........

And, yes, I know...I need to take down my Christmas flag. I did, after it stopped raining. :) Hopefully I'll remember to put my valentines one out soon...

(The first two pictures are from the front door, and the last is from the garage.)

Cute Clip

We had some sweet family time Saturday evening too, after the leaves experience. :) Aspen has discovered the remote to the tv & DVD/blu-ray/radio player. We rearranged our living room and I have reset all our radio stations or anything for that matter. In the video, she turns on the radio, and thought I'd stick a disclaimer that we don't typically have this music playing in the house...Brian will in the car or when we're being silly sometimes, but it's not the norm around here. (lol mainly because I can't understand very much of it. :)) And, the comment I make in the joke is one of our "inside family" jokes... Lol

"Playin" in the Leaves

So....for most people, you play in the leaves sometime between September & November. That's my guess. :) But, not us!! My parents tree in their backyard has finally lost most of it's leaves. On Christmas, the yard looked so pretty with the blanket of fall colors. (no white Christmas here!) Anyway, Aspen kept looking out the window at Mom & Dad's, so I decided we needed to play in the leaves. On Saturday we finally got around to it; she wasn't super thrilled, but it was fun. Paw Paw was get lifesaver as he "held her hand" and was close by for it all. :)