Trick or Treat 2011

Hazel,
We took you trick or treating for the first time this year! Aunt Al and Ashlee were here too. We started the night with a Jack-O-Lantern pizza...so cute and yummy (and a great way to pack in tons of fun on Halloween night)! Then we got you all dressed and headed over to start the trick or treating fun at Caden and Jorie's house. You were all smiles until we took you out of your pink plastic car to take pictures - rookie mistake. Once we put you back you were ready to roll. When we got to the Emmert's house, Shane and Caden opened the door and Shane held out the bowl of candy and you just kinda looked at him. He put a candy in your basket and you looked and looked at it. Then Daddy told Shane that he wanted a Kit Kat so Shane put one of those in your basket too. The best part was that as soon as he put that one in your picked it right out and put it back in their bowl! You then proceeded to take like four candies, it was great! We ended up hanging out with them and walking around with them too. We are lucky to have such fun friends so close!

Such a fun night to spend with friends and family!
We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

Halloween With Nana, Papa, and Aunt Al

Hazel,
We celebrated Halloween (by dressing you in your cow costume and carving pumpkins) with Nana, Papa, and Aunt Al on Sunday before Halloween. We had such a great time carving pumpkins. Nana said she hadn't carved a pumpkin since Aunt Al was little. Papa found an old tape with scary Halloween music that we used to listen to, so we played that! You had tons of fun watching Daddy carve pumpkins, doing "down dog" with Nana, trying on Aunt Al's shoes, playing with new duck toys with Papa, and "moo-ing" on command. We had so much fun, hopefully it's a new tradition!

We think you made a pretty cute cow!
Love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Pumpkin Patch

Hazel,
Last year we had quite a pumpkin patch adventure (went to three different pumpkin patches before finding the fourth that was open and free)! This year we took advice from others and went to Bauman Farms. It was a great find. So many fun things to do, and so many things to look forward to for when you are bigger.

Today we found some trucks, swings, a slide, ate some yummy donuts, walked on hay, and played in the pumpkin patch. You also pointed to every pumpkin you saw and said, "pumkin, pumkin, pumkin," over and over! The funniest part is that we didn't even buy pumpkins there. You were getting really tired, so we just walked around, checked everything out, and then came home for naps. Fun family time!

Happy pumpkin patching!
We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Zoo

Hazel,
We had a family fun day at the zoo today! Nana and Papa had you for a sleep over last night, which you all loved! We picked you up today and headed to the zoo. It was such a great day at the zoo. Tons of animals out playing, a great African style band playing while we ate lunch on the lawn, and beautiful weather! Every time we go to the zoo you notice more and more, and this trip was no different. You jumped up and down (well, more like bobbed up and down) for the penguins, you squealed at the giraffe, and you "neighed" at the zebra! Your hands down favorite though, was dancing to the band! You wouldn't even walk with us to find a spot to sit, you just stood, watched, listened, and danced. Daddy ran around and played with you too! You also stole Daddy's peach when he tried to give you a bite, and you proceeded to suck up every last drop of the peach! Both Daddy and I agree that the overalls make you look like such a big girl (who kind of needs a haircut).

You are so sweet, funny, and wonderful!
We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

Eating At The Table

Hazel,
You have been less and less interested in your high chair, and more and more interested in sitting in the big girl chairs. We got you a booster seat, and so far, you love being able to eat at the table with us! The light was great this night, so I tried to capture a typical dinner. You playing with Daddy, you eating with a coy little look on your face, and a very interested onlooker named Henry sitting by!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy

August

Hazel,
We have not done a great job of taking pictures lately. Turns out it's a lot harder to hold a camera and chase you then it was to take pictures of you when you just laid on a blanket! Well, we were playing outside the other night (okay, more like a night three or four weeks ago) and Daddy went and grabbed the camera. We can't believe how big you are getting, and how much you can do! This may sound silly, but it always surprises me how many different facial expressions you show. You definitely make us smile!

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

Hazel's First Horse...Ride

Hazel,
We went to John Day over Labor Day weekend this year. We played with family lots, and had a great time at the lake! Tons of great food, too. We also got to hang out with Justin, Lisa, and Paige! Justin has been wanting to get you on a horse for awhile now, and I finally said okay! You were more than a little hesitant at first. Granted, you had just woken up from a nap (they didn't even let me change you into the cute cowgirl-ish outfit I brought). At first you didn't really even want to be close to the horse. We decided that maybe you'd be happier if Daddy got on Duke, the horse. Well, Daddy was happier, but you, not so much.

We decided maybe Justin, the Horse Whisperer, could do a better job introducing you to the whole horse world. It worked...a little. You still just wanted to play in the dirt.

While you played in the dirt, Daddy walked Duke around a little bit. You warmed up to the idea a little and let me hand you to Daddy (such a cranky face). But...you ended up giving Duke some really nice pets and helped Daddy hold the reins.

Mommy got to ride with you a little too!

I'm sure that someday you'll be out there with Paige riding horses all over the place. But not for awhile!

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy