Goodbye, Mrs. Natasha

One of Stephen's teachers, Mrs. Natasha, celebrated her last day at Stevie's school. I am not too sure that Stephen understands that when he comes back to school that she will not be here. I am glad I was able to capture a few snapshots of the two. Good-bye, Mrs. Natasha!

The Moody Chiperno Family Tree

We are leaving our home and our tree behind to venture to Saratoga Springs, New York this Christmas. I said this year that I wasn't going to decorate for Christmas since we will not be here anyhow, but then I asked myself where I was going to put the presents!

Anyhow, (of course!) we put up a tree. Here are some of our favorite ornaments:


We got this ornament this year; I feel like we have some roots here in Killeen!


This is in honor of us "gettin' hitched"


This one was hung last Christmas, while daddy Josh was deployed


Mommy's ornament....Speaks for itself!


This ornament was bought for our first Texas Christmas, two full years ago when we said "Goodbye, Alaska!"


I thought he was too adorable NOT to include in this blog :)


This is a color-it-yourself ornament, colored by Stevie just a few days ago.

Our First Gingerbread House

Last year I heard of what I thought would be the coolest event....And when I called to sign Stephen and I up (Josh was deployed!) we were too late. Well, this year Shawna gave me an earlier heads-up and we got on the list to the Temple Library's "Make Your Own Gingerbread House" event!

Shawna and her family, Bonnie, the Stanfords and the Henke's were all there, too!





Shawna & her daughter, Summer



Allyson Stanford, being adorable



The infamous and ever so charming William Stanford






This is their house. Allyson was big on making patterns!



Loggie and Cynthia building their Gingerbread Home



Jordyn kicking back. She just wanted the cookies and marshmellows and she was set!



Catarina came with an empty tummy!



Daddy & Stephen working away!



Stephen CHOMPING away! When else does he get the opportunity to feast on candy like this?!

Santa is Watching

Saturday was our last opportunity to go out with Dan Powell since he is moving to El Paso Monday morning. In our absence at home, Sonya decided it was time for a photo-op at home and I wanted to share the results!

New Family Tradition

Since being here in Texas I have heard that many of our friends each year go to the "Ryno Glass" gallery and blow their own glass ornaments. I have never seen this done and thought that perhaps Stephen was old enough to enjoy this. Daddy Josh was a little skeptical, until we made it to the studio where it was being done!





We met the Stanfords and followed them to the studio. First, Allyson was up. This is her third year, so she was a pro! :)



I was impressed at how well behaved Stephen was. This just about the first time since toddlers that William and Stephen did not argue or tease each other about one thing or another. Instead of being crazy, Stephen watched patiently and waited for his turn!







Next up was William!






Now it was Stephen's turn. He was very calm, but I think also pretty excited. He looked interested in everything that was happening.




The man takes that long metal pole and dips it in to a big batch of melting glass. He then pulls out a glob of it, rubs it with a non-flammable cloth and constantly twirls the pole to give the ornament it's round shape. Then you can see him dip it into the glass shards; Stephen chose the colors red, alvocado green, and red.



Then Stephen and daddy use that plastic piece to blow into the pipe which blows the air into Stephen's ornament.





The artist brought it a few steps away where he put it on another cloth. This is when he works on the loop at the top of the ornament so it can hang onto the tree.