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

Spring Break in KC

Hazel,
You and I (Mommy) got to spend Spring Break with Aunt Hannah and Uncle Tyler (oh, and Cannella and Gabby too) this year. While Daddy was hard at working, working all sorts of crazy hours we got to go on a fun trip. We had so much fun going out and about, and staying inside hanging out while it tried to snow this year. I know, snow in March, crazy. Even crazier since the week before I went out and bought you summer clothes since it was 80 degrees there! Oh well, shorts are cute with leg warmers!

You were so good on your first flight! You loved playing at the airport before we boarded the plane. Once in the air, you made lots and lots of new friends, and talked with them until you crashed for about an hour.

Thursday it was so sunny. Not so warm, but sunny is good! You and Uncle Tyler played with Cannella in the back yard while Aunt Hannah worked and Mommy got ready for the day. There is a park right down the street that we walked to in the morning. You sure do love swinging, and even got to slide for the first time. Such fun!

You and Cannella became quite good friends! She quickly learned where to sit while you were eating so she could get all the food you were willing to share.

Thursday afternoon we went for a drive around town, making a stop at a local and very cool bookstore, Reading Reptile. You crawled around, dragging books along with you. Uncle Tyler and Aunt Hannah both bought you a book. They had such fun picking out special books for you. After the book shop we found a frozen custard shop, and all got a yummy treat.

After the book store we went for a walk through Loose Park. It is a huge park right in the middle of the city. We walked all around the lake, stopping for some Hazel photo shoot moments!

When we got home from our outing Aunt Hannah had to do more work, and you wanted to hang out with her. You were such a good helper! Look how hard you ladies were working.

On Friday we went shopping at some fun shops Aunt Hannah and Uncle Tyler like. There was a whole shop full of flavored olive oils, Mommy really liked that one! And there was a spice shop with some cool spices. We decided that gelato would be the perfect end to our shopping, so found a cute shop and took it home. So yummy! Friday night we went out to dinner at BRGR. You loved the fries and tator tots!

On the way home from dinner we passed a really pretty church so we stopped to take some pictures! Mommy is so excited to get some family pictures taken this spring. Aunt Hannah and Uncle Tyler agreed to pose as mommy and daddy so we could try out some shots. I like the way they turned out!

Mommy and baby needed a shot too!

I don't know what it was about this window, but you loved looking out. You would stand on the chair and bob your head while pointing out things you saw out the window! Saturday was really cold, and even snowed some, so we decided to stay inside where it was warm. Such a fun and lazy day. You had so much fun playing with the animals, and just hanging out!

You found the spice cabinet, and sat there shaking spice bottles while we made appetizers and dinner.

I am so thankful we were able to spend some fun time with Aunt Hannah and Uncle Tyler! I'm so thankful that you are such a good baby, and so easy to travel with. And I'm so thankful that I am your mommy! What a fun way to spend Spring Break. Maybe we'll have to think about making it a tradition!!

We love you,
Mommy and Daddy