Your First Christmas and Daddy's Birthday

Hazel,
Merry Christmas! This year we spent Christmas in John Day. We had a ton of fun relaxing and playing with family and friends. You did a great job on the drive, we were so excited.

The first day we were there we went up to the ranch our friends Justin, Lisa, and baby Paige live on. It was so fun to see them and meet Paige! She is so sweet, and you loved her!! It will be so fun to watch the two of you grow and play together. Justin says you should be ready to ride a horse next spring...mommy's not so sure about that!

 We enjoyed hanging out at Grandma and Grandpa's house. We played lots of games with the family, while you watched or played with your cousins! You loved playing with the girls, and they loved making you laugh and smile.

We decided to start a tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve. So, after we ate a big dinner (and you took a nap) you opened your first present.

You shook it a little.

Then you chewed on it a bit.

Then you tore it open!

New Christmas jammies...how fun!

You woke up extra early on Christmas morning, and since it was Daddy's birthday, you and Mommy decided to let him sleep. But we decided we couldn't wait anymore at about 7am! So, we got up and let you open some presents! We got you a Radio Flyer walker, which you loved! We are so excited to watch you learn to walk with your fun new toy. You are already getting more stable with the walker, and laugh and smile while walking around!

It was hard to tell if you like walking around or being pushed by Daddy more! You laughed and laughed while he pushed you around the room!

Grandma and Grandpa got you a really fun activity table that you love playing with!

You and Grandma played with your activity table a lot on Christmas!

Daddy got you a talking Cookie Monster! Your favorite part are his eyes!!

Christmas smooches for baby!

Your Christmas Dinner! I think it was carrots (or maybe sweet potatoes)!

You eating while Daddy plays with his birthday present, a new microscope!

We had such fun watching you open presents and play with your new toys. What fun to celebrate such a special day with family. We love you so much, you are definitely our favorite Christmas present of all!

Love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Hazel and our Christmas Tree

Hazel,
We did, eventually, get our tree decorated! Such a cute little tree, and a cuter baby girl!

Such a stylish outfit you've got on Hazel!

Just a little tongue...

A whole lot of tongue! You do love your tongue lately!

Your version of clapping!

Happy Christmas tree!
We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Eight Months

Hazel,

You are eight months old! Such a big girl. You really are getting more fun every day. You move all over the place, getter braver by the minute. In the past when crawling, you would pretty much stay where you could see us, but lately you have been venturing out around the couch and into the kitchen. You still love following the animals, but I think Junie B. has figured you out and runs when you get close. You have also started to stand up while leaning against the ottoman. Such a mover.

 

You are talking a ton. Daddy is pretty sure that your official first word is "Dada." He does have a point, since you say it all the time, and yeah, maybe you look right at him (or a picture of him) when you say it! You are eating a ton of new things: sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, pears, apples, cantaloupe, prunes, green beans, rice cereal and oatmeal...to be exact!

 

You are still such a happy baby girl! You smile and laugh all the time. You have really developed an opinion of your own. You have realized that when you screech or growl we get you what you want, mostly food or a binky!

I'm a big girl and can climb up on my chair! Oh yeah, and I have such long eyelashes you can see them in my shadow on the wall!

I finally got a great picture of you doing your plank position. So stinkin' cute!

 

Happy eight months...in fact, it's been the happiest eight months!

We love you!!

Mommy and Daddy

O Christmas Tree

Hazel,
We got our Christmas tree today! We actually tried to get it last weekend, but the farm was closed. Last year we found a great little farm just down the road with great trees, so we went back this year. We got all bundled up, packed up the car, and headed out for the perfect tree! 

Mommy and Hazel getting ready for the hunt

Kisses for baby

Pretty girl

Our little family

Cheese!

Yep Daddy, that's the tree we picked

Hi Mama

Watching Dada

Daddy and Baby with our tree

We were a little squished, but we all fit. If you look close, we are all in this picture!

We'll have to take pictures of our tree in our house when it's all set up!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Snow Day

Hazel,
Last Tuesday you had your first snow day! Mommy didn't even have to work, so we got to play all day! Daddy stayed home with us for a little while, and we played and took pictures in the snow. I'm not sure you even touched the snow, but you thought your snow suit was pretty fun! We all laughed a lot, and Henry ran around like it was his favorite day ever. 

Mommy, this is funny

Our little birdy

You are our little present under our tree

Here's to many more super fun filled snow days!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

The park, the pool, and a whole lot of fun.

Hazel,
A little over a week ago Mommy and Daddy both had the day off of work, so we decided to take our first family trip to the pool! We went to the Kroc Center and played in the super fun pool. You sat and splashed, Daddy and Mommy both went down the slide, and we pulled you around in a life-jacket while you kicked, watched other people play, and tried to suck on the strap! You loved playing in the pool, and we all had such a great time! Hopefully we will get to play in the pool lots more.

The weather was beautiful the next day, so we decided to go to Bush Park for a walk and some pictures. You are so stinkin' cute, we can't get enough!

I'm so excited, I can't even stand it!

Daddy, look what I found! Henry wants to play too.

Daddy, I don't know about this thing on my head...

No, you are not in the middle of the road, it's a soap box derby track.

You really liked patting the ground.

Your partial plank position

Ooh, what's that girl doing? That looks fun.

Our attempt at a family self portrait!

 Trees and leaves are fun

Daddy's angle

Just after Daddy took this last pictures, you got really excited, leaned back a little too far, and fell ...oops! Daddy had to pick you up and make sure you were okay. You were more interested in this leaf!

We had such a fun family weekend! We have so many more to come.

Love you!
Mommy and Daddy