Easter

Hazel,
We spent Easter at Nana and Papa's this year with all of Nana's family. So many people to play with you! It was great to spend the day together. We went to church and then headed up to Nana and Papa's to celebrate the wonderful day!

The high school girls set up an Easter egg hunt for you, and you definitely were more into it than at the zoo. You crawled around and found four eggs on the floor! Then you had fun on the rocking horse that Papa made for Mommy when she was little.

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

Easter Egg Hunt and the Zoo

Hazel,
You got to complete your first Easter egg hunt at the zoo this year! The weather was gorgeous so we couldn't resist. Daddy and I have loved the zoo for a long time, and it was so fun to watch you start to love it too! You definitely noticed the animals walking around. The giraffe's eating, the elephants playing, the lions lazing around, and the sea lions swimming all around. You even got to pet a bunny and a chicken (you definitely liked the bunny better) and we got to sit really close to some sheep (you weren't quite in to petting them yet).

The Easter egg hunt was great! There were tons of people there including mommy's friend Johanna, and her little girl Lulu. You and Lu had a great time! You saw a bright yellow egg right by your feet when it started and pointed at it. I picked it up for you and you smiled so big! You shook shook shook it, and I couldn't convince you to put it in your bag. I guess you only wanted one egg!

You were so tired you slept the whole way home and even stayed asleep when we got home!

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

One Year

Hazel,
Happy First Birthday sweet girl! This has been such an incredible year. People are right when they say that it goes fast. Oh man, this year went fast. We have so much to be thankful for, and you are on the top of that list. This year has been so full. Full of amazing memories, full of firsts, full of learning for Mommy and Daddy about how to raise you, full of new adventures, and full of family time! It has been so fun to think back on this year and how big you have become, and how much you have learned. It's amazing that you are walking...yes, walking, and talking, and eating big girl food, and telling us what you want (by screeching, pointing, or just general grunts). You are such a sweet and easy going baby still - for the most part. You have definitely developed an opinion of your own, and really don't like it when we tell you no.

The biggest news around here is the walking. Over the past couple of weeks you have been taking a couple of steps here and there, but nothing major. But....over the past few days, you have decided to explore more on your own. You will start at the ottoman, let go, and take 4-5 steps over to the couch! Or you will take a bunch of steps between Mommy to Daddy. It's been really hard to get a picture of the walking since it pretty much takes two hands to supervise you, but we finally got a couple of videos to prove it!

We took you to Red Robin for your birthday lunch, and even had a surprise visit from Aunt Alison! You loved looking around at all the people, eating bits of our french fries, and just hanging out. They sang Happy Birthday to you, and even gave you a balloon and ice cream sundae. Good thing Mommy, Daddy, and Aunt Alison were there to help eat the sundae! You weren't quite sure what to think about the singing. At first you were a little nervous, then you got a little more nervous, and when they were done you were on the verge of tears. But...when we all clapped and said "yay" you smiled and clapped too. You LOVED the balloon. You kept giving it kisses, and then looking up at it! Aunt Al let you try some whip cream, and I'm pretty sure it was love at first taste.

We are so proud of you, and what a big girl you have become. Happy first birthday big girl!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Party Time

Hazel,
The day after your birthday we got to celebrate you with a party! We (mommy) had so much fun decorating and getting everything ready. Daddy helped to make everything great. Even Nana and Grandma helped set stuff up. Papa and Grandpa helped by licking frosting from the beaters! We had so much fun celebrating your first birthday!

Mommy made chicken chili, since you usually love eating the beans and chicken (of course you didn't love it at your party!) and we had lots of other yummy food and cupcakes too! You loved playing with the kids, and they loved playing with you (and your new toys). You got such fun new presents. A baby doll, a bike, a trike, a cool learning book, a tea set, a fun bus, and lots of other fun stuff!

 

We love you so much big girl!
Mommy and Daddy