Snapshot #515: Oops

March 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Dyed leather...bad idea for baby.

Snapshot #514: Foot in Mouth

March 12, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Literally.

Exploring California: Snapshot #513: Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve

March 10, 2012.  Los Altos, California.  I was excited to learn that there are a number of Open Space Preserves not far from us.  Dave, Hazel, and I took a hike through Rancho San Antonio today.  Being a Saturday, parking was next to impossible; but after passing Deer Hollow Farm (about 1 mile in) the trails were less crowded and still stroller friendly.  We took the Wildcat Loop Trail up to a vista point with panoramic views of Silicon Valley and were not disappointed by the wildlife we spotted on the way back down.  

Snapshot #512: Staycation Booklet Design

March 9, 2012.  San Jose, California.  All this week I have been working on a design for a Bay Area "Staycation" booklet that I'm creating for members of my local Relief Society.  After three or four drafts, this is what I have come up with.  Does it have, in your opinion, the most helpful information for planning an excursion?  

Snapshot #511: Mountain View Stroller Hike

March 8, 2012.  Mountain View, California.  I met up with a small group of stroller-hikers this morning in Mountain View.  It's been incredibly beautiful outside the last couple days.   I'm trying to get outside more and more with Baby; organizations like Stroller Hikes are a big help.

Snapshot #510: Deer Hollow Farm

March 7, 2012.  Los Altos, California.  I walked with a friend this morning to Deer Hollow Farm through the San Antonio Open Space Preserve in Los Altos, California.  The preserve has beautiful hills with numerous trails.  I can't wait to return and go hiking.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #510: Vegetables, Beef & Barley Soup

March 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Finding inspiration for the kitchen has been a chore as of late; but this Vegetable-Beef-Barley Soup turned out pretty good.  Ingredients include:  Barley, Broccoli, Leek, Carrot, Onion, Diced Tomatoes, Zucchini, Beef, Water, Broth, Salt, Pepper, Cumin & Olive Oil.

Snapshot #509: Park with Daddy

March 5, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  Dave got home from work early today...so we went to the park.  Hazel loves hanging out with her daddy.

Snapshot #508: Hazel's 7 Month Photo Progression

March 3, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I love this little face.

Snapshot #507: Park Swing

March 2, 2012.  San Jose, California.  It's rained most days this week, but we did manage one good day at the park.

Snapshot #506: Hazel's Temple Dress Photo Shoot

March 1, 2012.  San Jose, California.  As promised, here is the photo shoot of Hazel in her darling little temple dress from Yorkshire...the same dress my sister bought and used for the blessing of two of her babies.

Snapshot #505: Wearing Blue

February 29, 2012.  San Jose, California.  The two games the BYU Men's Basketball team came to the Bay Area we were in Utah, of course.  The 2012 West Coast Conference Tournament begins today.  Go Cougs!

Snapshot #504: Recipe Diaries Page

February 28, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I have added a new feature to my blog--a quick reference page featuring my Recipe Diaries.  To view the page click on the tab just under the blog heading that says 'Recipe Diaries' (to the right of 'Home') or click here.  

Snapshot #503: Celebrate The Little Things

February 27, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today I celebrate 503 snapshots of my daily life (taken over the last 21 months.)  I am thankful for this blog because it gives me occasion to pay tribute to the little things of every day life--making sure they don't get forgotten.  This weekend, for example, Hazel transitioned from three daily naps to two.

Recipe Diaries: Snapshot #502: Lemon Tart with Rosemary Crust

February 25, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I made this fabulous lemon tart this afternoon; SO tasty and I love the use of spelt flour and rosemary in the crust!  This is definitely a recipe I will be using again.  AND it used five lemons (there is hope for my loaded lemon tree after all.)

Snapshot #501: The Great Outdoors

February 24, 2012.  San Jose, California.  It's 72 degrees outside...feels like summer, so Hazel and I spent some time enjoying the great outdoors.  Turns out, chewing on grass makes her laugh.

Snapshot #500: The Baby & Toddler Cookbook

February 23, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I've been reading my new cookbook, "The Baby & Toddler Cookbook" (a thoughtful gift from my mother-in-law).  Because I make all of Hazel's baby food from scratch, this will be helpful in expanding my repertoire.  Thanks Debbie!

Snapshot #499: Hazel in a Bonnet

February 22, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Here's a picture of Hazel all dressed in white outside the Twin Falls temple last Saturday.  The photo shoot of her in her little temple dress will come soon.  (This is your sneak peak.)

Snapshot #498: Pencil Portrait of Hazel

February 21, 2012.  San Jose, California.  We flew back to California late last night.  I regret we had to leave behind this most incredible gift from my father--a pencil portrait of Hazel.  The talented artist that he is, he captured her essence in full detail.  Thank you Dad.  The portrait is just too precious to have packed without the proper protection, so we'll get it in a month or two after I talk the in-laws into coming for a visit.  

Snapshot #497: Hazel and Her Grandmas

February 20, 2012.  Salt Lake to San Jose.  We sure love Grandmas.

Snapshot #496: A Sealing and A Blessing

February 19, 2012.  Wendell, Idaho.  For the record, here is a copy of the invitation for Hazel's temple sealing and her blessing, which took place yesterday.

Snapshot #495: Temple Sealing

February 18, 2012.  Twin Fall, Idaho.  On this remarkable day, Dave and I were eternally sealed to our sweet Hazel.

Snapshot #494: Adoption Finalization

February 17, 2012.  Provo, Utah.  Dave and I went to court this morning and finalized the adoption of our little Hazel.  The finalization hearing was more emotional than I had anticipated it would be.