My Favorite Ladies

Marlene, Hazel, Dayna, Jackie, Marilyn

Our reunion was a long time coming. Jackie's birthday was in July, so her daughters planned a fun outing for her in SLC for lunch and to see Wicked. Jackie moved to Richfield several years ago (I forget how many--but it has been TOO long!) and we don't see each other too often anymore. Especially when Conor whisked me away to Houston.

These are seriously some of my favorite ladies on the planet! Oh how I miss them and our "meetings" full of laughter and tears. We all served together in the Stk. YW Presidency in Magna. Since then three of us have moved away. With the help of Jesse (Jackie's husband) and Marlene we planned a surprise reunion at lunch with Jackie. It was wonderful to see all of them again! Plus they were finally able to meet Hazel! Lets not wait so long before our next rendezvous, ladies!!!

I think she's happy since she's all dolled up.  Plus, who can resist me and my smile?!

Swim Time!

We took Hazel swimming for the first time in July at 7 months old. Her cute swimming suit I bought before she was born barely fit. But I loved it so I was determined to stuff her into it! : ) Overall she really liked it and enjoyed splashing and floating with Conor holding her.

July through August I did parent/tot swim lessons with Hazel. She was by far the youngest kid there. Surprisingly, she handled it quite well. She disliked floating on her back, showing off her amazing neck muscles to everyone. The teacher was totally impressed. Hazel already is sucking up to her teachers. She did great on her stomach and would kick her legs as she floated around. We had fun but will wait until she's old enough (age 3) to take lessons on her own. In the meantime we'll work with her so she's comfortable in the water.

First Flight

July 15th (Hazel was 7 months old) we flew to Denver, Colorado. It was Hazel's first time on an airplane and she did awesome! Conor had to go for work, so we tagged along. We stayed in Golden, home to Colorado School of Mines, a.k.a. Conor's old stomping grounds.

Such a charming little town and Hazel and I took walks, wandered around campus, looked at shops, etc. Brenna, Otto, & Maddie live in nearby Parker and came to visit for a day–with a trip to Woody's for all-you-can-eat pizza, of course. No trip to the Denver area is complete without Woody's!!! Our friends from Houston–Josh, Jessica, & Booker–were so kind to pick up Hazel and I and let us spend the day with them in Denver. They recently moved there so it was great to see them! Unfortunately I didn't take any pics of them. Boo!!! Next time.

We had a great little getaway and enjoyed our travels to the mile-high city!

Hazel was a champ on the plane!

Waiting for our ride to Golden

Me & Hazel touring Golden

Mines Bookstore. Picked up some overpriced clothes for the kids--Conor & Hazel

Another shot of Hazel & I on campus. I love the older buildings.

Hazel and Maddie. Maddie wanted Hazel's hat.

And she succeeded. Then was scolded by her mom, standing above.

Hazel & Brenna

Conor said we had to get a picture with Blaster. We weren't so sure this was it, but was the only bronze donkey we could find on campus!!! Note: that is not what the plaque called him.

Conor had to get one that evening with all of us. 

At hotel in Denver our last night. Hazel was cracking me up with her smiles and playing.

Chow Time

We went to dinner and Hazel was imitating our chewing apparently. Cracked us up! Check out the video clip!!! We just started giving her the fruit puffs and yogurt bites. Sometimes she uses her two bottom teeth to chomp on them. Photos were taken July 13-14th. Hazel was almost 7 months old.

Yummy apricots from grandma & grandpa's tree!

Our Yard

Just another progress report on the yard. Grass is growing well--yeah! Several plants have died and will need to be replanted. We'll wait until fall or next spring. Amazing it's doing this well with the weather. The "island" area is doing the best. Still need mulch added around the yard, more plants, fine tuning, etc. But I'm thrilled to have grass and a yard out front our first year!

The deer have moved back in this month (August) and have taken a liking to our yard. Yes, it looks that good! The deer are no dummies and gravitate towards it!!! : ) They're eating and sampling a lot of our plants and trees, much to our chagrin. A couple of them we knew they liked so I can deal with that. But a bunch of them were suggested by the nursery--especially since the deer wouldn't like them. Ask us how thrilled we are about that. Looks like we'll need to plant loads of lavendar and guara since they haven't touched those! haha!

I just happened to look out the window a couple weeks ago and saw these 2 bucks lounging!

Conor has started clearing out between the rocks to build our steps. I forgot to take pics of the stages thus far, so here's the progress thus far. Exciting!!!

Monkeying Around

What happens when you don't blog for a month with a baby? You then have over 100 pics to post!!! Honestly, where does the time go?

Brenna and Otto brought up Maddie's exersaucer in June for Hazel to use. She likes it--for about 10 minutes or so. Unfortunately I only put her in it once every week or two. I'm afraid she likes her freedom and doesn't like to feel confined. At least she was enjoying herself here! These were taken July 7th.

UPDATE: I just now grabbed the saucer and placed it by my office door so Hazel could play. : )
UPDATE II: Hazel is now crying to get out. Been about 10 minutes. At least she's consistent.

Conor has been madly scheming and devising ways for us to earn points and travel at amazingly low costs. (We wish we had figured this out over 4 years ago!) Part of this entailed some recent hotel stays nearby. Kinda fun to get away for the evening and watch some cable tv. Hazel seemed to enjoy herself as well! Hazel decided to rub Conor's hair. So sweet of her, don't you think? I passed. She's already ripped out too much of mine!!!!

Just some random pic of us. Hazel was almost 7 months.