Snapshot #735: Merry Christmas Hazel (again)

December 31, 2012.  South Jordan, Utah.  We're finally feeling better (Hazel included...she wasn't lucky enough to escape the flu either) and ready for our Second Christmas.

Snapshot #734: Mom & Dad

December 30, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  Mom & Dad.  The wind beneath my wings.

Snapshot #733: Simerly's

December 29, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  After being cooped up in the house for four days straight (due to illness & freezing weather) we made an outing out of going to thee local grocery store, Simerly's.

Snapshot #732: Roger King, Pencil Artist

 

December 28, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  My father, Roger King, has become a masterful Pencil Artist.  See some of his work at www.rogerkingpencilartist.blogspot.com

Snapshot #731: Puppy Love

December 27, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  Miss Hazel has always loved animals, but getting such an up close and personal experience with my brother's puppies was another experience altogether.  ha!  Good thing she's highly-entertained because I and half my family have come down with the flu and therefore haven't done much for the last several days.  Yeah for puzzles, football, and Halo5.

Snapshot #730: Hazel's First Snowfall

December 26, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  She didn't quite know what to think of the snow and consequentially would not let us put her down.

Snapshot #729: Christmas 2012

 

  

 

 

December 25, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  Merry Christmas to all!  And to Hazel of course.

Before & After: Snapshot #728: Making a Wooden Rocking Horse

December 24, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  Dave and I spent the day with my dad out in his shop making an Oak Rocking Horse for Miss Hazel.  I just love projects like this.  I get an idea; I find a style I like; my dad works out the details; then we make it.  My parents have always been the wind beneath my wings.  I am eternally indebted.  I love you Mom & Dad!!!

Here's the photo progression of the day:

 

 Smile!

Snapshot #727: "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

December 20, 2012.  Bay Area, California.  We made the drive an all-night-er in order to get ahead of a massive snow storm forecasted to envelope Donner Pass at midnight then last for two days (good thing we're not superstitious over some Mayan Calendar termination date.)  We left San Jose, California at 6:15 PM and arrived in Wendell, Idaho at 7:15 AM the following morning. 

Snapshot #726: Kid to Kid

December 19, 2012.  Santa Clara, California.  This store made my day today.  I found Leap Frog's discontinued Fridge Phonics for only $8.  Online it's going for $60 - $100 (yikes!)  Santa's Elves must have put it there for me to find.

Video Snapshot #725: Eyes, Ears, Hair, Tongue & Nose

December 18, 2012.  San Jose, California.  So Darn Cute.  Little Miss Hazel now has six words:  Mommy, Daddy, Baby, Bye, Uh-Oh & Yucky.  She can also Meow like a Cat, Bark like a Dog, Baaa like a Sheep, and Neigh like a Horse.

Exploring California: Snapshot #724: Alviso Marina

Stomping in a puddle.

Running up & down the boardwalk

Can't take her eyes off a trail of ants.

Enjoying the vista.

December 17, 2012.  Alviso, California.  Not far from where we live there is a ghosttown of a village called Alviso.  Hazel and I braved the rain this morning to find out what it's all about and I am so glad we did.  What a fascinating find!  Not even 10 minutes from where we live is the Alviso Marina County Park and Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge.  This may become my new favorite place to go for a run.

Before & After: Snapshot #723: LDS Church Gym

December 15, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I was in charge of decorations this year.  With the lights low and all eyes drawn toward the stage, the entire place seemed to glow.

Snapshot #722: Eyes, Ears, Hair, Tongue & Nose

December 14, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Eyes, Ears, Hair, Tongue & Nose.  Can you guess which is which?  

Snapshot #721: Backyard Play

December 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I am thankful for our backyard.  The recent rains have made it a beautiful green again.

Snapshot #720: Playing in the Dirt

December 12, 2012.  San Jose, California.  This is one of Hazel's favorite spots to play in the backyard (not coincidentally, it is also one of Zazu's favorite spots to lay.)

Video Snapshot #719: Uh-Oh

December 11, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Saturday in Carmel, Hazel learns to say "Uh-Oh" for the first time.  We truly smile more (and say uh-oh more) with Sweet Hazel in our lives. 

Snapshot #718: Pezzini Artichoke Farm

December 10, 2012.  Castroville, California.  Does this picture look familiar?  I took the same one precisely a year ago.  I guess it's becoming birthday tradition.  On Saturday Tracee, Dave, Hazel and I drove down to Monterey to enjoy the World-Class Aquarium and then dinner in Carmel.  On the way down we stopped at Pezzini Farms for their infamous fried artichoke hearts.

Snapshot #717: Cake Batter

December 8, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I'm not the only one who enjoyed birthday cake.

Snapshot #716: Birthday Cake

December 7, 2012.  San Jose, California.  It's my birthday and I'm spending it with my two most favorite people.  And look!  They're making me a cake.

Snapshot #715: Hazel Was Here

December 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel's favorite time to get into things is while I'm working in the kitchen.

Snapshot #714: Back Scratch

December 5, 2012.  San Jose, California.  This morning I discovered a practical need for the all-time favorite back scratch.  At six in the morning, it's the only thing keeping a wiggly baby still after being prematurely woken.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #713: Minestrone Soup

December 4, 2012.  San Jose, California.  More rain calls for more soup.  I thought I'd try out a minestrone recipe today.  I made slight modifications to this recipe and didn't add the heavy cream.

Snapshot #712: Dance Party

December 3, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel loves dance parties!

Snapshot #711: Good Morning

December 1, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Last night Hazel burned her hand on the furnace in the garage.  So sad.  I'm relieved to see that she's doing well this morning...despite the blisters on 4 of her 5 little fingers.