Officially 2!!!

Aspen turned 2 YEARS OLD this month! I can't believe we have a 2 year old....time is just flying by. It's so exciting to see. Each day she blows me away with what she is learning. Aspen chose to have a "E-I-E-I-O" birthday this year. We did our best to make that happen for her...Daddy insisted she have some cute little overalls to go along with her theme. On the day of her party, he wished we'd gotten a straw hat for her too! I didn't think of that in time, and figured it best since she probably wouldn't have worn it very long. On the day of her outside party, a sweet friend from church picked Aspen up so we could get things together for the party, AND so she could take 2 yr portraits of Aspen for me. Our precious friend also photographed the entire party for us, thus the pictures today are the few I snapped - I'm sure much better ones will be coming soon. :)

Aspen's Cake

Brian helped me with the cake - his extra special touch was the 'mud' on the pig - it really did make the cake. I was proud of him.

Blowing Bubbles

After the party...

I loved how she kept putting her hands into her overalls! Just like a farmer in the pockets! 

The three (technically 4) of us went to dinner as a quiet family outing after the party...Aspen was SO tired, but we had a nice time together for sure.

Happy Birthday Aspen! We truly praise our Lord for you!

Hopefully, I'll have LOTS more pictures and can really share her party with each of you soon.

McDonald January Birthday Party

Mom McDonald always goes way out for our birthdays. She has always made them special, but the last three years, she's put SO much time and energy into each party month for each special person. I think each of us 'kids' can say we have incredible birthday party memories. Thank you Mom! In 2012, Mom's theme for each party was a movie - she studied each person, and found out a kids movie that fit their personality. Last year, Brian's was Megamind (his fav at the time), Caleb & Becky's was UP, etc...  Because my birthday is at the VERY beginning of the year, I typically wrap up the year of themes instead of starting them out. SO....with it being my birthday, Aspen's & Daddy's, Mama did Lady & the Tramp...I think mainly because Aspen loves dogs so much. Mom was incredibly creative, and I was thoroughly impressed!!! She recreated Tony's Italian Restaurant, even to the point of having the theme music playing as we walked in. 

Preparing the Yummy Spread

The perfectly decorated table - complete with restaurant style olive oil & spices to dip our bread sticks in. 

Remember in the movie how Lady & Tramp make their paw prints in the cement? Mom McDonald thought of everything.

Adorable Lady & Tramp table decorations, along with pretty flowers.

The Birthday People

My delicious looking (and tasting) plate

 Playing fun games...

The 'rat' from the movie

Our delicious Hummingbird Cake - it's like Italian Cream

Okay - these cupcakes really impressed me. They don't look like the most delicious thing to eat, BUT, that's not the point. Mom made them for decoration, and I think she did and incredible job. They're supposed to be 'meatballs & spaghetti'! She did cake decorating that I just am too lazy to do, and I'm SO proud of her! She even found chocolate covered jElly bElly's for the meatballs...and she hand rolled the fondant for the noodle.. Yeah, I was really impressed! PLUS, the strawberry jam or preserves she used for the red sauce. They smelled delicious. I snuck a bite of Aspen's...they were pretty good too.

Trying to get Aspen to blow the candles... And Rebekah, the baby snatcher in the background - when she's around I hardly ever get to hold a little boy...usually a parent has one, then Rebekah has the other!

More impressive cupcakes...

PawPaw with Hudson I think....hard for me to tell at this angle...

"Is this spaghetti or cake?!" :)

Thank you again Mom & Dad McDonald for making the January birthdays so very special!

January Luncheon

In the McDonald family, Mom takes the birthday girl to lunch as part of her birthday celebration, and the sisters are invited to come along too. We generally have lunch together on our special day, but this year, it just didn't quite work with everyones schedules, so my birthday got stretched out all month. AND! Dad McDonald was able to come along too since - making it even better, because his birthday was the next day. 

I chose to go to Chili's for lunch...and I thought I got more pictures!!! Mom & Dad McDonald, Rebekah, Suze, Becky, Hudson & Peter were all able to join Aspen & I. It was SUCH a sweet time of fellowship. Thank you Mom & Dad! Because there were a few birthday people at the table, and because Suze works at a Chili's, we had 3 different, yummy desserts to all share. It was such fun!

After lunch, we headed back to the McDonald homestead to visit. Aspen insisted on holding baby Peter! It was too funny! She bossed Aunt Bekah around, even making her get up off the couch...then had her place Peter in Aspen's lap. 

Sandie Love...

Last week sometime, Brian & Aspen sat down on the couch...we don't let Aspen watch alot of movies/videos, but Brian really wanted to watch something this particular night, and it wasn't quite Aspen's bed time....so, we all splurged. In the process, Sandie decided to get in on the snuggles too...

I think this is my favorite...

We love our Sandie Dog!

Aspen's 'Christmas' Hat

My Christmas decorations got the best of me. After being up for about 6 weeks, I just couldn't take them any longer. Down they came - obviously, not soon enough. :) As I packed up the tree ornaments, Aspen enjoyed unloading the tote that contained empty tins & boxes for all the decorations. This particular little container, quickly became the favorite.