Snickers Popcorn

I haven't done alot of Christmas baking yet this year...I'm still hoping to get some done before Christmas...or at least before the season is completely over. Nevertheless, I did make Snickers Popcorn for Brian's staff and the leaders in our church. I've done caramel  popcorn, and this was a spin on that. Thought'd post some pictures for ya'll...

Ever wondered how much 4 cups popcorn kernels popped equals??? Well...this much! Let's just say ALOT!!! More than I expected. 

I missed the middle steps...but, who cares anyway, right? ;)

I was good...I only had a couple bites...trying to be good for baby. I hear it was pretty good though...might have to make more for just Brian, Aspen & I. Aspen was pretty excited about all the popcorn, and LOVED helping Mommy pop it in Granny's Air Popper.

(I might be delayed on posting for a while...Christmas is super close. If I don't make it back before Christmas, then...Merry Christmas!!!!)

Christmas Concert

We went to Brian's Christmas Concert...poor guy was running a temperature, and felt awful. Nevertheless, he persevered and the concert was wonderful! Everything was so pretty & festive. His band, along with the others did a wonderful job. 

I fixed Aspen's hair all pretty and fancy, but by the time I got the camera out, her hair was falling down. So much for the french twist. Aspen was getting pretty tired by the time I took these 2 pictures, and they're the only ones I have from the whole evening... Not great, but cute.

We can't figure out who she looks like in the first picture....Obviously, Aspen...but, between Brian & I, we're not sure. :) Great balance of us both! God's creativity and perfection never ceases to amaze me.

Continually Growing & Learning...

Aspen is continually learning more and more each day. I am amazed at what she picks up and how much she  understands. She seems to learn a new word or more each day, and even apply it properly. Her creativity in using the words is so precious. For instance, when she goes to bed or is tired, we reference her going "mimi's" - that's a Moreno term for going night-night/to bed. Our neighbors have a few "blow up" Christmas decorations in their yard; at night, Aspen is intrigued by them, during the day, she points and says "mimi's" - meaning they've gone to sleep. 

As we drive around, look at books, or anywhere, Aspen has discovered flags. I don't remember what caused me to first point a flag out to her, but she is very consistent in finding one, and making sure we all know it. One day last week I was busy in the kitchen, when I noticed Aspen had come inside, walked to my newly organize pantry, then walked back out... After glancing out trying to figure out what was going on, she came asking for help. "Help. Flag. Help. Flag" She had discovered some leftover Happy Birthday napkins in the pantry, and somehow thought it would make the perfect flag on her play place!!! I was shocked, and thought it was too cute. Off to the draw to get some tape for her flag... 

I'm sure there was an airplane...or a bird. Most likely, "hear, airplane." 

Now this really impressed me. Aspen has learned she must have her shoes on to go outside. Now that it's cold (in spurts), she has to have shoes and socks. When she is wants to go outside, she grabs her shoes and we get ready to go out. The other day, she comes up to me and goes, "Yay! I so proud you! Yay! I so proud of-you!". I've been trying to praise her when she does really big girl things, or just make a bigger deal when I am proud of her. I began trying to figure out why she was letting me know that I was so proud of her...then I realized! She had gone, found her shoes & socks (which she had neatly placed in her room with the socks inside each shoe), and put them on. ALL BY HER SELF!!! AND!, the shoes are on the proper feet too. Now, aren't you so proud of her too?! She's not even two yet. I was quite impressed. Praise the Lord! This was the first time she has been able to get her socks on alone.

Thank you Lord for Aspen and her learning ability! 

Happy Anniversary!!

Happy Anniversary My Love! Can't believe it's already been 3 whole years. Thank you for choosing me to be your wife. It's truly an honor! 

Thank you to everyone who loves, prays and supports us! We appreciate you so very, very much. I look forward to posting our special celebration plans with you sometime soon. Just had to have a little post today. 

Special Band Performance

The Texas City High School Sting band was asked to come perform Christmas songs for UTBM Galveston Christmas lighting. Aspen and I weren't quite sure we were going to make it on time, but the Lord worked it all out, and we were there to support Brian & the band. 

Happy to see handsome Daddy...but shy in-front of the whole band

After the band played, and the lighting countdown, the festive Christmas lights were switched on!!! Aspen was quite impressed with the 'pretty lights'. The lights circling around on the ground were more than her little brain could comprehend. She kept trying & trying to figure them out. It was so precious. 

The band waiting to be dismissed

 Pretending to direct like Daddy...and Paw Paw, and Paw Paw's Paw!

Precious Child

How grateful I am for my precious daughter! I absolutely love watching her grow, and learn each day. These pictures are some of my favorite snapshots of our every day life...

Aspen has such a sweet spirit. Brian laid down for a nap, and Aspen went to her room to get her blanket, teddy, & tags that she always sleeps with. She draped the blanket over Daddy so carefully, then laid her favorite things on top...

I think this is my favorite picture right now...I need to print & frame it I think. Aspen went outside with her cheerios... Two best friends. 

Then, of course, she found some dirt and ate it.

This was too precious. I walked to the living room, and found Aspen had taken her shoes & socks off, then set them so perfectly next to Daddy's...he had left them there the night before. 

Christmas Time is here!!!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Brian treated me to a special date day in Galveston & Mom Moreno watched Aspen for us. It was a fun, relaxing day. When we returned home, we got all the Christmas decorations down. As tradition would have it, we watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Charlie Brown's Christmas" while we did the tree...and, went to walmart. Last year it was for lights, this year, a new Christmas tree stand. The hot cocoa was delayed, but we still had some that night. 

Helping Daddy bring the tree in....

Determined to help Daddy bring stuff down from the attic...

Watching a Christmas Movie

The beginning of a mess... ;)

Giving Daddy & Mommy branches to add to the trunk...

Hanging ornaments

This is for all you who want to see my 'cute' belly...I thought this was a better picture than it is...I'll have to get Brian to take a 'baby belly' picture of me for ya'll soon

Happy, sleepy girl with her Christmas book from 'Grandma Teri' & wild hair

Thanksgiving

We are continually amazed by God's abundant goodness to us...in the fun, good times, and the sad, hard times too! He is ever faithful and present!!! This Thanksgiving we were able to spend time with both our families...the Moreno's for lunch and the McDonald's for dinner. I failed to get pictures at lunch. I'm so so sorry! It's not that I didn't want too...it was kinda crazy. :( The day started off crazy at our house...I had to be thankful for the little jar of orange nail polish Aspen found and somehow opened on our carpet in the closet while I was getting ready. I must say, I was far more thankful the Lord allowed most of it to come up!! Thank you Lord! :)

Doesn't Becky look great! This was just a week or so after the boys were born! We missed the boys being there for sure! In the picture, they were comparing pictures of Peter & Hudson to Caleb.

Aspen & Granny, with the yummy desserts!

   

Styling her fancy, fluffy bow! Thank you Mrs. Elizabeth!

Sitting alone on the little stool

Eating her Persimmon Cookie

Helping Mommy enjoy her Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie...

The Zoo!!

The week of Thanksgiving Break we were able to go to the Zoo as a family! It was Aspen's first time,and our first time as a couple & family. Aspen loved seeing all the animals...even the lizards in the reptile house. We started off to see the birds, we told her we were headed over to the birds and she points and says, "BIRD!!!!" She saw & was pointing to a  black bird hopping around on the sidewalk...made us laugh!

The Elephants

A bear napping on the roof of it's 'house'

We think Aspen was pointing to a monkey...

This is for cousin Ross...I thought of he & Liz at this hoofed animal area... ;)

Big Girl

The Giraffes