Winter Joys

This winter we have fun playing inside, going for walks outside in nice weather, I try to do a project or two, we go to (and have here) play dates and lunch dates, singing time with Mr. Greg at FSN once a month, and more:

Here we ventured out on a long hike near our home.

Lovely Ladies

Sewing project: Get rid of the bell-bottoms! (This is after one leg was done)

Play dates

Winter walks

Mint Chocolate Chip

I like ice cream (you could probably guess by the length of this blog)! Since the first time I picked my favorite ice cream, it has been so ever since: Mint chocolate chip. Furthermore, when I discovered Breyer's mint chocolate chip, no other brand has hit it the way Breyer's did. I then became an ice cream snob and can hardly waste my money and sugar intake on cheap ice cream; it's just not worth it.

There have been other ice cream flavors along the way that have certainly tickled my fancy, but there's something about a classic and your first love. Cookies-n-cream has come very close; I actually prefer the chocolate cookie over the chocolate chip. Plus, I've been surprised to note that cheaper brands can pull off cookies-n-cream rather well. It's an all around great flavor - another classic - but nothing cuts me to the bone like my mint...

About that, I was horrified recently to have a batch of Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip that did not nail it the way it has before. What happened?? I'm lost without it!! I decided to try making my favorite ice cream flavor at home (feeling I was setting myself up for disappointment). And, yes, I was disappointed the first night - fresh out of the maker - it was super fluffy/airy and I couldn't stand it. But the next night, WOW! KABOOM! My love has returned to me! I guess it's the texture that I'm so finicky about. It's gotta be smooth, kind of icy, and dense. I am so pleased, I just hope I can replicate it! Here's a picture (and yes, it's pink thanks to Avery because that's the best part about making your own - maybe next time blue!)

Perfect Day for sledding

We got dumped on with snow last night (barely made it home from a church activity!). Today it was nice and sunny with all that powdery snow (I'm sure the ski lift was packed today!!). We have a great sledding spot by the roundabout and ventured there today for our first time.

That happens to be Brian with Nala (our pup)!

I'm surprised how long Aspen was content sitting in the snow... and eating it.

In the end, Avery felt safer scooching down the hill on her bum. My first run with her she got buried in snow!

I love it when these girls can entertain themselves together. Avery often climbs into Aspen's crib just after baby's nap to play with her. Today they were trying on hats in there and Avery was "king". Love em. Avery can also pick up baby properly (under the arms) and move her around the room (sometimes to Aspen's chagrin).

These days, we have to feed Aspen her baby food whenever we're not eating because she will not settle for baby food over what's on our plates. She's great at self feeding with her hands and is becoming more interested in using a utensil. Today she didn't want to eat her baby food until she could hold the jar and spoon it out herself. You should have seen her face light up when I allowed this. Though it was rather messy and obviously not a productive way to get food down, it made me smile too. :)

Community Affairs

I love my community. I didn't see myself as an activist, but on this particular issue, I have seen the value in letting my voice be heard...

The History on the "Trinity Site Project": The county & school board have worked together to clear some valuable land they owned in town for better development. This actually happened years ago. All devised plans for the land have never made it past the county council's vote. It's been years trying to get something started, many years. Time and opportunity wasted. Perhaps those past plans truly weren't good enough, but perhaps we didn't let our voices heard well enough to move forward and we let the minority in this town have the bigger say.

Regardless, there is a new plan now, an outstanding plan, and we're here to fight for it. Incredible amounts of thought and planning have gone into it. I am 100% convinced by the experts that this is nothing but the best usage for this land, producing the greatest income for our schools and county, and the greatest asset we could use in this small community. We are lucky that these developers and Kroger want to invest in our town...

The meeting to vote: So, at a 5+ hour county meeting last night where the vote took place by county council and school board, I and my friends made it our duty to be heard. We were recognized as the passionate crowd of moms there, representing the many moms who could not be there to concur. Us moms were not the only ones in favor. 90% of the people there were in favor, not to mention 95% of the experts (roughly). Honestly, I don't know how some of the county council members voted no. It was a no brainer. Alas, the vote was passed!!!! (And I got home past midnight).

Coming to our town: A new, state-of-the-art Smith's Marketplace (like Super Target) with accompanying buildings for other businesses. This picture is an example, but they have plans to make ours even more modern and luxurious (to accommodate all the hooty-tootys in our town ;-) I'm so excited!!!!!

Happy Birthday little darling

My baby girl is 1 year old! :) And she is just now receiving 2 bottom teeth for her birthday. Aspen is so happy with life and her biggest thing is to mimic the words (to her best) and sounds that we make. She is excellent. The other day I muttered "ehn!" to the dog and Aspen turned around and made the exact same noise toward our pup.... it was to die for! She has many grunts and squeals and jabbers.

I love her breathy 'da-da', her sing-songy talk, how she throws herself against my arm and squeezes and laughs when she's being played with, how she pumps her legs when held in the air or when she's plain excited and flails her arms too, how she tenses her limbs and jaw and trembles slightly when she's gotta have something, how she raises her eyebrows with each swig of milk...

Aspen went to the doc and is doing absolutely perfect. Still 5th % for height and weight (16 lbs 8 oz now, 27.5 in) and 75th % for head (18 in). She has not had any sicknesses and is doing just peachy.

I love how this looks like a gasp, though this is her classic jabber mouth pose.

hum dee dum, just taking care of my delicious birthday cake

"uh-oh, baby need a na'kin..."

I think she's getting the hang of things. This is a leap frog magnet letter set.

Meet Nala!

Surprise, Everyone! We got ourselves a puppy yesterday. Brian sure needs a buddy and we decided it was time. Down at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter we found a 3 month old pit bull / retriever type of mix. She will be a good nanny dog (as pit bulls are). The girls LOVE her and we are sure excited!

Christmas 2011

Prepare to behold 50 million pictures of our fantastic vacation. HoHoHo!

Because our flight to SLC left on Christmas Eve, Santa came to our house a night early. For our "Christmas Eve" at home (1 day in advance), we had pizza, opened presents, & watched a movie.

The next morning, before leaving to Albuquerque for our flight, Santa had brought...

Waiting in the airport

Avery's first flight. During take off, she clasped her hands over her mouth and giggled!

We spent a few days in Idaho with Brian's family, including grandparents. Then spent a few days in Utah with my brothers' families and parents/brother/sister who flew out as well. We were gone almost 2 weeks from Dec. 24-Jan. 4.

After opening this from Grandma Great, she didn't want to open any more gifts!

Make-up girls. Cousin Briley!

Our christmas feast on the ping pong table ;-)

Just Dance 3 was at every house on every Wii! I LOVED IT! We actually got Brian and my dad to test it out too.

Mi mami with Aspen

Cousins

Cousin Jared :) How sweet!

And off we go! Like our 4-suitcase caravan?