Hot!

It has been hot!  Yesterday they recorded the highest temperature ever at the San Diego Airport.  I'm not talking about the highest temperature this month or even this year, I'm talking about the highest temperature ever recorded since the beginning of recording temperatures.  It was 98 degrees!  That's so dang hot.  The average temperature for this time of year is about 71, so most people agree, it's too hot.  We've been doing all we can to stay cool.  I haven't been opening the blinds, and have been running the a/c.  For the most part we've been staying inside, the heat makes us tired!  But, we ventured out to the pool yesterday afternoon.  Emron loved it!  He was able to blow bubbles and wasn't afraid to get his tummy wet.  Last year the water was too cold and kind of freaked him out, but not anymore, especially in the midst of a heat-wave.  While swimming a duck joined us.  Now some people might think it's gross to swim in the same water as a duck, but we liked it.  The duck was a tame little guy and Emron liked watching him paddle and then stand by the side of the pool to dry off.  It was a great little adventure!

It's supposed to be hot again today but they expect a cool off tomorrow and the high is only 75.  I can hardly wait, but we'll miss the pool until the next heat-wave.

That's all for now,

XOXO,

Aspen 

Busy

It's been a busy run for the Streetman clan.  Between travel and house hunting, holidays and birthdays, play dates and the daily grind, I haven't had much time to update our blog.

First things first.  Emron and I traveled to Delta and Gunnison about a month ago.  We had a wonderful time visiting family and relaxing.  My mom threw Emron a birthday party, too.  We were able to include family from all over the west.  Murry's folks were able to attend as was the Rynearson crew, all five of them.  My step-sister and her husband and dogs drove over from Albuquerque, and my dad came up from Gunnison, too.  Emron loved the attention but I think his favorite part of the day was when he was unleashed on a piece of chocolate cake!  He loved the cake so much that he would not sacrifice the smallest crumb and ended up eating (or at least trying to eat) the plate!  It was a lot of fun.  I still have a hard time believing a year has gone by since Emron entered into our lives (see previous post)!

It starts...

And continues...

Might as well eat the plate!

Upon our arrival home Murry and I decided to seriously consider purchasing a home in Temecula.  The past two weekends we've spent all day Saturday looking at homes and going on model tours.  I think we are narrowing down our options but we haven't made any decisions as of yet.  We plan on taking this weekend off but will be back at it after that.  We certainly enjoy spending the time together and we are excited about the prospect of owning our own home, but house hunting is very time consuming and tiring.  But, I need to add Emron does so well with all the in and out of the car and the drive.  He is so cute sitting in his car seat reading books and singing songs.  I wanted to brag a little about my little guy.

Last Tuesday we celebrated Murry's 32nd birthday.  Murry was able to get off work a little early and came home to balloons, streamers, gifts and a homemade carrot cake.  I had a great time preparing for the party.  We went out for dinner and ate mexican.  Emron ordered a cheese quesadilla, I ordered a combo with a tamale and enchilada and Murry ate a spicy, kind of creamy enchilada plate.  The food was pretty dang good.  When we came home Emron headed up to bed and Murry opened his presents.  He got a new iPod, iPod sports band, holster thing and a polo shirt.  Emron picked out the shirt!  We then had cake!  We weren't nearly as messy as Emron was at his party but it tasted just as good, I think.

Yesterday was Easter.  We went to a nice church service, though Murr and I were walking the halls for the majority of the time so I can't write much about the talks.  It was also my first Sunday back in Primary.  I am teaching the 7 to 8 year olds with another gal.  The class was alright but amazingly I ended spending most of the time in the hall again.  One of my kids hurt his ankle and decided to tough it out and not get his mom but he needed his rest so we sat in the hallway and talked.  He told me about his siblings after I explained that siblings are brothers and sisters.  He has a brother and two sisters though he forgot their names.  By the end of the hour he remembered most of their names but called one sister Mary then Maria.  He was adorable.  I think I will enjoy teaching the class but I need to get over the fact that I am missing two hours with my family.  

After church we headed home and starting rolling out Murry's Mom's rolls (I had prepared the dough on Friday).  Murry helped me roll the rolls into crescent shapes and we let them rise for two hours.  While they were rising I remembered I needed to make stuffing!  I got to work on that and everything came together in time for us to head over to a friends house for a nice Easter dinner.  We had turkey, cranberries, stuffing, carrots, potatoes, rolls and homemade gravy.  For dessert we had a bunny shaped carrot cake.  It was a great meal with fun friends!

Today is Monday and I have chores to do.  I hope everyone is well and that you each had a wonderful Easter.

XOXO,

Aspen

What a Difference a Year Makes

Emron: 5 days old.

Emron: 1 year 2 weeks old.

Recently we celebrated Emron's first birthday, photos of the party are forthcoming, and in the weeks following Emron's party I've looked back on the last year; Emron first year of life, my first year as a mom.

I remember the red and purple little guy who came out crying and how his tears elicited tears of my own, tears of joy filled with nerves as the knowledge set in that his well being was my responsibility.  We were so happy to bring Emron home and so ready to be out of the hospital, but when we arrived home we were uncertain what to do with ourselves or the baby.  Our first night home Emron slept in our bed in between Murry and me on his curved changing table pad.  We were so worried about rolling over and squishing our barely six pound, 18 inch long, little guy that he had over half the bed while we barely managed to stay on our respective sides.

I remember Murry's first Father's Day.  We went to the East Lake Mall.  I remember using the family restroom to nurse Emron while Murry guarded the doors, and pushing the stroller, taking in the sights and enjoying the attention our handsome little one attracted.  That afternoon when we were home Emron laughed for the first time.  Tears streamed down my face as I laughed and cried at the same time.  Emron's laughter was the most beautiful music I had ever heard.  

We took several trips to Colorado during Emron's first year.  Emron loved playing with Grandma's dog and looking at the flowers in her garden.  We loved taking him to Denver to meet his great grandfather and all of his other family members.  I remember my little buddy with his american flag doo-rag as he and Murry walked in the neighborhood 4th of July parade.  They were so dang cute.

A lot of my memories of the past  year revolve around events or memorable firsts, but one day in December sticks out, too.  I decided I was going to clean out the refrigerator while Emron napped.  I had scrubbed and Windexed and I was almost finished, but when I took out the  last shelf and, it broke...  Into a million tiny pieces.  Oh, what if my baby had ben playing on the floor when this happened, oh what a mess!  I was in tears (lots of tears for me).  I cleaned up the mess and reassembled the fridge the best I could though it lacked a shelf.  I researched the price of a new shelf: $120!!!  More tears came.  Then I heard Emron crying, he was up from his nap.  I got him out of his crib and I cried some more.  My sweet Emron rested his little head on my shoulder and stared patting my back.  So amazing.  

We've had quite a journey this year.  Murry, Emron and I.  We're a great little team.  We definitely had rough patches but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  We have so much love in our little family.

XOXO,

Aspen