Cookies!!!

Warning!!!! Not a great picture! :) Bad lighting & all kinds of stuff. But, it was a pictured. :D

So...it's almost time for vacation, and today was my cookie baking day! A sweet friend reminded me today that I blogged about the cookies last year...thus, I thought I'd keep it going. I decided not to bake a ton of cookies this year... 1 batch of chocolate chip, and 1/2 a batch of Persimmon. We typically have persimmon cookies at Thanksgiving, but I had dough in my freezer & thought I'd bake them for the trip. Our persimmon cookies are pretty much oatmeal raisin with persimmon pulp in it. :) Mmmm! Super yummy!

Things are lining up, and we're ready to escape the Texas heat! We went shopping last night and purchased the snacks and food for the trip. Most of them fit nicely in my new Thirty-One bag(s). I'll pack the thermal bag on top when we actually head out! :D Yay! Vacation 2012!!!!!!!!!!

Getting Ready...

Many of you have probably wondered in the past few weeks if my family is going on the annual trip to Colorado. Well, I can officially say "Yes"! The Lord has again provided for us to go on vacation this year...He even threw in an added bonus!!! Lower gas prices!!! I prayed months ago that He'd provide the gas money, and maybe even lower the price. I must confess it was with little faith I asked for the lower prices, but we did nonetheless. When I heard unleaded was around $3.07 a gallon, I was reminded of the Lord's love & provision, even in the small things. (For those of you in the oil business....I really am sorry for y'all that it went down...) :)

Anyway...we are going this year, and at super excited. This year will be different...I've never taken a little one up there myself...it'll be a fun adventure. So, since we still plan to do some hiking, Joshua & Rebekah were sweet to share their backpack/kid-carrier with us. :) Aspen & I tried it on for size. She seemed to really like it. We wore it walking that night, and it was great! I was glad to take it off by the time we finished, but I think Aspen would've "hung out" longer if needed. :) I don't have pictures, but this morning I wore Aspen on my back in our BabyHawk for our walk. (The Babyhawk is a very cool baby carrier, that can be worn various ways.) I definitely enjoyed carrying her in it, way more than the backpack. It was lighter, and not near as heavy or bulky. We'll probably be taking both with us, as Aspen didn't seem to enjoy it as much...it was as roomy...I'm hoping it was the heat & humidity that won't be an issue in CO. ;D

Cracker Barrel

Last Monday I think it was...now it feels like forever go... Mom Moreno invited Aspen & I to join her and "the boys" for lunch at Cracker Barrel. We had a great time together. Aspen loves her cousins!!! Especially Jerea! Thank you Nanny for lunch & a fun outing!

Sweet & Sassy

Last week was Annabel & Alyssa's birthday party. It was at Sweet & Sassy which is a fun place for little girls. It is has hair stuff, make up, nail polish etc...a little manicure/pedicure area, then a place where these sweet girls can get their hair done too. As far as the party goes...you arrive and are taken to the back to find a special costume to put on. Next you get your hair, nails & make up done. After that you there is a Fashion Show, and the girls get to walk the little runway as their name is called. Finally, everyone gathered on stage for dancing & a picture. The party was wrapped up by pizza, cake & gifts.

Happy Birthday Annabel & Alyssa!!!

June 6th

June 6th is the anniversary date that my PawPaw Strait went home to be with the Lord. This isn't the grandpa who passed way last year, but rather my Mom's dad, who passed away in 1998, I believe. June 6th will always be etched in my mind, and heart, just as Sept. 23rd, and other special days. Because it is, I usually try to do something special for Mom on this day so it's not quite as sad or long. Usually is a shopping excursion, but this year, we made it a bit low-key. We did do some shopping locally, then we headed back to Mom McDonald's for a fun lunch, consisting of delicious Chicken Salad Sandwiches, garden fresh tomatoes & cucumber (not our garden! Lol), and chips. :) Aunt Laura was in the area, so she popped by and added a extra dose of "specialness". The original plan was for the granddaughters to have a water day, and make homemade ice cream. The water day didn't quite happen, but the ice cream did! :D

Aspen LOVES ice. I know, not the safest thing for her to enjoy. We do watch yer closely though, so please don't worry. :) After the ice cream had "frozen", I gave in and let Aspen had the leftovers off the ice cream maker paddle. Mmmmmmmm! Hope you enjoy the pictures, as much as she did the ice cream!

May Birthday Party

The Saturday before Memorial Day we had the McDonald May Birthday Party. It was Mom McDonald, Rebekah, and Alyssa's birthday! Mom planned a "under the sea" theme, so everything was water related. She did such a great job planning & decorating. It was a wonderful time of being all together. Caleb & Becky were able to join us, which was as added bonus!

This birthday post is bittersweet...it was the last birthday party I'll get to post this year! Annabel's will be celebrated in Colorado, and we come home before that party. :( Guess I'll have to come up with other exciting things to tell y'all about! I'm going to miss all the fun & laughter we have at those parties!

TCHS Band Banquet Cake

As promised, and requested...here are pictures of last weeks cake. The Lord definitely blest, and pulled it all together. I was SO thankful. Everyone was pleased! PTL! :D

Pool Time!

Last Thursday/Friday I (with the Lord's help) made TCHS Band Banquet cake. That morning Rebekah texted me and asked if she could come over because they were getting a new roof & needed somewhere to spend the day. So Rebekah & Alyssa came over. Mom McDonald was already planning to swing by at some point to check on me & see if I needed any help with Aspen or the cakes. So, when Mom came by, she brought a little blow up pool for the girls to play in. Aspen had SO much fun in it! I can't wait to take her to a "real" pool this summer.

The Refridgerator

Which ever night last week that we didn't go to Galveston (Mon or Tues) I cleaned my refrigerator. I started with the very bottom drawer which had green apples in it. I took it out, set in on the floor, and began cleaning the space where the drawer was. :) The next thing I heard was, "Mmmmmmm." So, I turned around to see Aspen chopping down on a green apple. She made a cute sour face, but was enjoying it too much to not eat it. She'd eat the fruit part, and spit the peel out....

Dinner with Nanny & Popo

Last Monday...I think...maybe Tuesday...it was over a week ago, and I've slept since then.... :) But, Aspen & I went down to Galveston and had a wonderful evening with Nanny & Popo. Brian had to work late, so after naptime, Aspen & I headed down. It was so fun enjoying the sunshine & watching the birds again. Aspen has gotten quite good at climbing up & down their semi-tall porch, to the porch swing, up that, then back down again. :) Dad treated us to the new Nopalara for dinner...which was so yummy. I finally got my "restaurant" chips fix I think! :) Thank you Dad! It was just a really nice evening! After dinner we stopped by Big Lots to look around...and Dad bought Aspen these animal crackers. Too cute! Again, wish I had a better picture...