Firsts...

Aspen & Eliana had their 'firsts' the very beginning of July...

Aspen had her first pedicure -- well, at home pedicure. Red w/ Stars & Stripes for the 4th!

And Eliana had her first babysitter!! Anya was a trooper!!! 

Aspen's Pool Noodle

July was crazy, CRAZY busy for us! It started off pretty slow, but picked up speed super fast. We haven't been able to go to the pool alot this summer, but we picked up Aspen a pool noodle, thinking that might help her some... She loves it --- out of the pool at least...

Hopefully, we'll actually making it to the pool soon... :) 

Precious Girl....

Precious is our nickname of sorts for Eliana. I was able to get some cute snapshots of her as she slept the other day... 

This is how I most often find her sleeping. Face planted into her mattress. Makes me kinda nervous, but she is strong enough to move herself if needed. (to those of you who are paranoid about baby mattresses like I am -- we have a brand new one for Eliana.)

Funny....

You know it's time to move the changing table to the baby's room, when the big sister can do this to it (and her room) during naptime! 

The joys of being a mommy -- made me laugh when I saw this. 

Polanco (Moreno/Garcia) Graduation Party - Part 3

So...after the graduation party, we followed Mom & Dad Moreno, Kilyn, Abby & Brayden to M00dy GArdens for their summer fireworks. It was such a great 'show'! What wonderful memories we have of that day! During the fireworks, we began discussing possibly going to get something to eat..it was 9:20 or so in the evening. Kinda late for us with church the next day, but we were SO enjoying being all together, we decided to just keep it going. It was determined we'd go to MArio's for some yummy pizza. We all unloaded, and began walking in...Bear lead the way to be the gentleman to open the door, and us mama's followed up the rear, with Dad Moreno & the grandkids in the middle. Mom & I  were just a chatting - she was really talking to Eliana, commenting how beautiful she is, and that she was sleeping. Well...we were about 6 feet from the door, when we were chatting, and I began stepping over the cement parking block thingy, when I realized Mom hadn't seen it. :.( Poor Mom tripped over the crazy thing SO hard, it knocked both her shoes off...and the cement was no soft landing. Oh, I felt SOOO bad. I hate moments in time when you see something happening, and there's absolutely nothing one can do to help...there was no way I could catch or even break Mom's fall. (Deep Sigh....hated it!) Mom is so strong, and brave, and tough. It was along night, and continues to require recovery time, but she took the fall pretty good! In her words, and the doctor's, "she's a tough 'ole bird" and I would have to agree. I told Bear, I hope I can be as tough as Mom is... She hit that concrete SO hard - knees, arm, head -- and yet, she walked into her house later that night. The Lord was looking out, and protected the fall from being SO much worse. I hate to say 'only', because it's still major, and hard - but, Mom 'only' has a broken radius/arm/elbow. We suspect possible rib damage - bruised or broken, but nothing diagnosed. She has been very sore, and has some bruising...but she's smiling, and still her incredible self. (and by the time you read this, she'll be WAY better!!) After seeing another doctor - outside of the ER, we learned her arm has a hairline fracture and that she can being using it gradually already. She has a removable split, vs. a hard cast. (yay!) Praise God for not needing surgery!! This is definitely not an easy thing, and poor Mom (!), she having to cope with SO much right now....I am just so thankful it wasn't worse - and I know she is too. 

By now, we all know Aspen has a way of getting my camera and taking pictures. Well...this time, I saw it, almost stopped it, and decided to just leave her alone. I felt like it wasn't the time or place, but it was part of the day. I'm posting these pictures so you can see things from Aspen's perspective -- I feel bad posting them, because it wasn't Mom's 'finest moment', and she's sweet to allow me to share it with you. Just remember -- these are from Aspen. 

I would appreciate your continued prayer for Mom Moreno as she recovers. I know she would too.

Mom, I love you, and am so very thankful for you...and thankful 'you're a tough 'ole bird'... Thanks for being so strong for all of us -- in so many various ways. You continually teach me so very much... Keep getting all better...and thanks for letting me help out here & there. I've sincerely enjoyed each minute of it! 

Polanco (Moreno/Garcia) Graduation Party - Part 2

It was such a nice day for the graduation party. A bit warm, yes, but being in Galveston, and the location of the house, there was a gentle breeze...

Popo with Eliana...He was probably singing 'pumpum-d-lee-lum"...that's my guess on pronunciation & spelling. It's wrong, and I know it, but it's a guess. :) (it's a song he sings/plays with the grandkids -- and it's in spanish. Shows you how much I know about spanish...hahaha!) 

The little cousins play so well together... Bear was great overseeing it for me.

There was a seemingly stray cat that appeared...and after some attention given, it jumped the fence and joined the party too. Aspen couldn't have been more thrilled...

Anyone think she's teething?! 

Special snuggles with Nanny

I absolutely LOVE this picture...I think it is my favorite of the whole day.

Sweet Cousins!! 

Polanco (Moreno/Garcia) Graduation Party - Part 1

We had a two 2nd cousins graduate high school this year on the Moreno, technically Garcia, side of the family. We weren't able to make it to the first party, but did to the second. Mom Moreno asked in passing if we were going to go, and happened to mention she wanted to show off the grand-babies to her side of the family. We really wanted to go to see the family, but knowing it'd make Mom's day for us to be there, became our biggest motivation. We are SOOO very thankful we went, for lots of reasons, but it was such a special, very fun day together. I really, really enjoyed it.

1st Cousins were finally able to meet! Marisa got married last fall, and hadn't been able to meet Eliana yet!

Outside Sunshine

Adam, the graduate was definitely the spot light of the party, but Aspen tried stealing it all afternoon.

There were a few times Aspen got bit by ants...she'd come running to me, and I'd pour some of my water over her foot to help with the sting. She then decided she liked getting her foot rinsed, and would act like she got bit so I would rinse her foot. I caught on to her little game, and began refusing her what she wanted. We then realized she went and got ice from the ice chest, and put it on her food -- smart girl.

The graduate with Eliana.........and another graduate who was a friend. 

Aunt Doris' door got stuck, and no one could open it. Bear decided he could fix it, and he did!!! I was so very proud of him. Great initiative & handiwork my love!

I thought this was a neat picture...most of the sisters all crowding around the computer... 

Then Aspen joined them.

Stay tuned for part 2...

On the Counter

Growing up, we were never allowed to sit on the kitchen counter. That was a very bad 'no no'. I don't exactly disagree with that rule, and it will most likely be incorporated into our training relatively soon. But, for now...when sister gets to sit on the counter, and Mommy is mixing something yummy up....it just seems like the fun, and fair thing to do.

So cute...

Summer Evenings

Until our grass dies, and we can't water it due to the grass, we get to water & cut it! :) Brian always does a great job when he mows the grass. Aspen has discovered she can move from various windows in the house and watch her Daddy as he works. They often wave at each other as he passes by. This particular evening, our nephew Jerea, came and helped Brian/Bear out.

Waiting patiently in her room.

Jerea's coming!

There's Daddy!

In the evening we've also been going to see the ducks... The ducks pictured here are the 'teenager' duckies... :)