Whoa Baby thats a lot of growth!!!

6 Weeks

    Baby Pena has grown like crazy over the last couple months! I had my second ultrasound last week and it was completely different! No more gummy bear, there are long skinny limbs and everything! We are starting our second trimester this week and I am so excited to be in the part of the pregnancy so many of my friends have told me is the best. Our baby is about 3 inches and almost the size of an avocado. She/he was kicking like crazy during the ultrasound. Thankfully I haven't felt them yet, but I am ready to feel something. I've gained 4 pounds now but the doctor said that will change a lot in this trimester. All the health screens all came out negative which means our little one is good and healthy :) We find out the sex on December 5th at 20 weeks. 

13 Weeks

Godparent Reveal

Marco and I have been discussing who our baby's Godparents would be for most of the pregnancy. It was something that meant a lot to us. It was not an easy decision for us as we both wanted it to be people we know would be in our child's life for the long haul, there for the child and us if something were to happen to one of us, a part of their religious life, and a consistent positive influence throughout their life. Marco had wanted his cousin Miguel to be the Godfather for a long time and he's always been one of the most welcoming and warm people to me ever since I first became a part of the Pena family when we got engaged in 2009. He was an obvious choice for both of us. The Godmother part was very special to me because I'm very close to my mother and as a child had some wonderful women in my life that made my childhood so much richer. When I first got pregnant I asked my friend Paula to be my back-up birthing coach if for some reason Marco was unable to make it (gotta be prepared when you're a cop wife). She was so supportive and amazingly thankful just to be involved. My pregnancy has not been 100% raindrops and lollipops and she has really stepped up and been there for me through it all even when she was on her trip of the year. After talking with Marco, she was our easiest choice of all. We are so grateful to have these great people in our lives and feel so blessed that they both already love our baby so much. Yay for Godparents!

History Vacation

   My first big trip of the year was to Colonial Williamsburg, VA. I enjoyed the week and then found out I would be using it even more than I thought because I will now be teaching 8th grade U.S. History. Before my trip I had never enjoyed what historians call micro-history, when you study the lives of everyday individuals in a certain time period. This trip changed all that! I found out that the original Colonial Williamsburg was entirely created through the accounts of micro-history found in journals, letters, gazettes, and ledgers. Meeting the "characters" brought history to life in a way I had never experienced before. I am so excited to take my experiences back to the classroom next week!

California, here we come . . .

My adorable Godson and me :)

 I took a few great trips this summer. By far my favorite was my first ever trip to California. My best friend, her husband, and their handsome little boy moved there earlier this year. She and I are very much used to seeing each other multiple times a year so I had been missing her lots and had to get out there to see them. It was a trip of a lifetime!! We saw the oldest wharf in California, the famous Cannery Row, and Carmel Beach. It was amazing, complete with some of the best food I've ever eaten in my life. Best of all was getting to spend time with them and their awesome baby. Absolutely can not wait to see them again!! Here are just a few of the fantastic pictures I got from the trip :)

Sea Lions at Fisherman's Wharf

Crepes from France in Monterey. By far one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life

Fisherman's Wharf

Toes in the sand with my bestie at Carmel Beach

FREEZING Pacific Ocean

Gorgeous California Views

One of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen

Love this cutie!! Had so much fun with him!

Margarita Pie Time :)

Margarita Pie

This dessert is yummy but not too sweet. Perfect for the summer! 

 The crust is key make sure you get that done right! 

Crust 

1 1/2 cup crushed pretzels

1/2 cup melted butter

5 tbs sugar 

Mix together in a pie plate and press up sides and in bottom 

Filling 

1 can sweetened condensed milk (eagle brand was my choice) 

1/3 cup lime juice 

1 tbs fresh squeezed orange juice

1 tbs tequila

1 tbs liquid margarita mix

green food coloring to color

1 cup whipped cream (can make your own or use cool whip) 

Combine first 5 ingredients, then fold in cool whip, pour in shell, and freeze for several hours or overnight

Use remainder of whipped cream or cool whip to pipe on top in desired pattern. 

When ready to eat take out and thaw for about 10-15 minutes or sit pie  plate in bath of cold water for 5 minutes and then ENJOY!!

End of My First Year

  Last week marked the end of my first year of teaching. I started really wanting to go into the teaching profession as a way to use my major that I loved, history. I researched what programs to get into and chose and was accepted into Region XIII. It was a long and intense year even before I could apply. Then I applied to over 20 districts for nearly 60 positions and didn't even get a call. When August hit last year Marco was my rock to keep me positive and going. Two week before school started I got a call that I had an interview at the first school I had ever walked into to observe a teacher. It was my number one choice of district in a fantastic school. I couldn't even begin to go into how much I wanted this job. I went in and felt nervous and so unsure of how I did. Later I received a call that I had the job but they were waiting on a few things (cue more nerves). Thankfully I got the job and started in the next few weeks. I loved every second of it! I've never been more exhausted because of a job or worked longer hours or harder but I never had a day where I questioned my decision. Every day of this job there are students that make the day worth it. I was heartbroken to see some of them leave my class the last day but also so proud to know that they are moving on to the next grade of their education. Thank you to my friends and family that were there for me in the year before and during this year as well as my fellow cohorts. It has been an amazing couple of years and I can't wait for next year to get started (well I can wait a little bit lol).

Cookie Dough Cupcakes

These turned out perfect!! They are amazing with the cupcake baked but the cookie dough doughy! The dough does not have eggs so the fact that it is uncooked is okay!

For the cookie dough:

The dough recipe I got from this terrific site where I first saw these creations. It is simple and should be made at least an hour beforehand as you scoop the dough and freeze before baking. * special note here is that next time I would half the recipe as I had enough dough to make 48 cupcakes at least (remaining dough is in the freezer)!!

Recipe
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips - I used 12 oz (one bag) regular and they came out fine :)

Directions:
Combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 mins. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a 1.5 tbsp scoop, shape the dough into balls or tubes. Freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet overnight.

For the cupcakes:

For the cupcakes you can use any white or vanilla recipe you like, if you have a favorite. It is not the important part so you could even use a box. I used the one I love from the Better Homes & Gardens Cook Book from the early fifties with my grandmother and mother's writings everywhere

Recipe:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 cups sifted flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup of milk
6 egg whites or 3 eggs
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:
Cream butter and shortening. Add 1 cup sugar and cream together. Add vanilla and almond. Sigt flower, baking powder and salt together; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Beat till smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy and gradually add remaining sugar until soft peaks form. Fold mixture into batter. Fill cups about 1/2 way full and put one frozen cookie dough scoop per cupcake. Bake 15-20 minutes for cupcakes

Icing

The recipe called for a buttercream frosting, I used regular chocolate frosting and I think they turned out perfect. Once again this can be store bought but if you want to go all out here is a great chocolate frosting recipe I love!!

Recipe
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbs hot water
3-4 oz chocolate, melted
1 egg slightly beaten
4 tbs softened butter

Directions:
Blend sugar and hot water into chocolate slowly. Beat egg into chocolate. Beat in butter one tbs at a time. Place bowl in pan of ice water and beat until consistency desired.


Pictures will soon follow! I can not find the cord from the camera to the computer (ugh). Happy

12 Things Happy People Do Differently

http://www.marcandangel.com/2011/08/30/12-things-happy-people-do-differently/

This article is perfect! Thank you to my friend Paula who is such a happy, positive person in everyone's life she meets!!

Blue Pig Pens

I have been waiting for a while to post the christmas gifts I was most proud of this year! We are lucky to be friends with the owner and craftsman of Blue Pig Pens. He creates heirloom-quality made-to-order pens, pencils, letter openers, backscratchers, wine bottle stoppers and specialty items from wood, acrylics, antlers and more. He is in narcotics at APD and Marco has gotten to know him really well over the last couple years. Last summer we had him make a pen for my dad's 60th birthday. He asked us a few questions about him (he's a preacher for example) and made him a pen from wood taken from elm trees in Bethlehem. My dad absolutely loved it. This christmas I got together with him and brainstormed for my husband and father in law. For my husband he made this custom mesquite cigar ashtray for Marco. For my father in law he made a bullet pen. The top and bottom are made from a real bullet and for the middle we chose antler to represent his hometown of Alpine in west Texas. He got it last week (finally!) and loved it!! My favorite joy from Christmas is always finding those few gifts you know are absolutely perfect for the people you love :)

First Recipe! Artichoke Green Chili Dip

By request of a co-worker, Stephanie, my first recipe to share is the Artichoke Green Chili Dip I absolutely love!!

1 brick of pepperjack cheese
1 small jar of marinated artichoke hearts (chopped)
2/3 small can of diced mild-medium green chilies
1 package of cream cheese
4-6 tbs hellmann's real mayonnaise

chop or grate the cheese and melt in the microwave with the cream cheese. add all other ingredients until smooth and creamy and eat with crackers or chips or pita chips!
Takes approximately 10 minutes to prepare and is terrific for potlucks or parties. Enjoy!!

2012 - Season of Change

2012 is the year of change for so many of my friends and family! Babies being born, jobs changing, moves, and travels are just the beginning!
In the spirit of change as the positive, exciting venture that I know it will be for many loved ones I decided to finally start the blog I have had the url for now nearly a year. The way my best friend has used her blog to keep in touch and communicate her new journey inspired me! This blog will be dedicated to the amazing experiences of myself, family and friends. It will be dedicated to the joie de vivre in every way from adventures in life and places to those in the kitchen and classroom. :) I sincerely hope it serves as an exciting and blissful way to appreciate all the wonderful undertakings 2012 has in store for us all!!