Exploring San Francisco: Snapshot #618: de Young Museum

July 16, 2012.  San Francisco, California.  We spent Saturday roaming through Golden Gate Park and stopped in at the de Young Museum.  (both Hazel's and Tracee's first time in a fine art museum)   The painting that captivated me was "The Glory of the Heavens" 1891, by William Keith.

Exploring San Francisco: Snapshot #617: Conservatory of Flowers

July 14, 2012.  San Francisco, California.  Tracee, Dave, Hazel and I drove up to San Francisco Saturday and spent the day  in Golden Gate Park.  I LOVE that park; I used to live just a few blocks away.  It's one of my most favorite places in all the world to go jogging.  This Saturday we visited the Conservatory of Flowers.  

Snapshot #616: My Muse

July 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I have been working on the re-design of Lela's Master Bedroom.  I got slightly stumped when she requested a new color palette half-way through, but now I'm inspired again...more like intoxicated by this new idea.  Imagine the above down the hall from this.  It's going to be fabulous...

Snapshot #615: Love of Books

July 12, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Miss Hazel loves books...yeah for public libraries!

Video Snapshot #614: Move It, Move It

July 11, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I still can't get over turning around and seeing Miss Hazel walking toward me!  

Snapshot #613: Bedtime Story

July 10, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel's nightly routine...a Bedtime Story, a Prayer, a Bottle, and a Lullaby.

Snapshot #612: Face Off

July 9, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Which one would you put your money on?

Snapshot #611: You Make Me Smile

July 8, 2013.  San Jose, California.  My two sweethearts.

Exploring California: Snapshot #610: Tide Pools at Moss Beach

July 7, 2012.  Half Moon Bay, California.  Raising a baby has given us the opportunity to discover the world again through her eyes; what a gift!  Saturday we drove to Half Moon Bay to check out the tide pools at Moss Beach.  The coast is SO beautiful!  To the delight of the neighboring kids on the beach Dave and Tracee built a sandcastle that was doomed for destruction.  

Snapshot #609: Hazel's 11 Month Photo Shoot

July 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  And I thought she was wiggly before...now she can just get up and walk away!

Snapshot #608: Hazel's 10 Month Photo

July 5, 2012.  San Jose, California.  This is Hazel's 10 Month photo that I neglected to post.

Snapshot #607: Fireworks

July 4, 2012.  Cupertino, California.  Today was a full day of barbecues, friends, and fireworks.  (Also, Hazel turned 11 months...wow)

Snapshot #606: Hazel is Walking!

July 3, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel is walking!  I can hardly believe it.  Today she just let go of the sofa and walked across the room.  

Snapshot #605: Zazu Napping

July 2, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Zazu napping...I'm quite envious.

Video Snapshot #604: Baby Metronome

June 30, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I put together a little video of some of Hazel's reactions to music.  Little things for us to remember...

Snapshot #603: Black Eye

June 29, 2012.  I am thankful that babies are so incredibly resilient.  Learning to walk comes with several bumps, bruises, and even a black eye.

Snapshot #602: Baby Boy Blanket #2

June 28, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Well, the future came sooner rather than later...I decided to make a baby blanket for my new little nephew Daxton.  I hope you like it!

Snapshot #601: Baby Boy Blanket #1

June 27, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I finally finished the baby boy blanket I've been working on for a dear friend.  I sewed the front and back together, then crocheted along the border.  I'll likely be making more of these in the future; it's relatively simple and gives me something to do while watching a movie.

Snapshot #600: Hazel's First Steps

June 26, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Last night Hazel took her first three steps, an hour later she took another five, consecutively; but she hasn't done it since.

Snapshot #599: Pinterest

June 25, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Because I'm overseeing Craft Day this year in my local Relief Society, I set up a Pinterest account to get things rolling...click here to see my virtual pinboard of ideas.  What are your favorite crafts?

Snapshot #598: Little Miss Hazel

June 23, 2012.  San Jose, California.  She brings incredible joy into our lives every day.

Snapshot #597: Tutti Frutti

June 22, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I am happy to report that Tracee has been in San Jose for three weeks now and is already working two jobs.  We are counting our blessings.

Snapshot #596: Baked Vegetables

June 21, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Getting baby-ready veggies into Hazel's diet takes more work than fruits and grains.  I've been experimenting with baked vegetables; these two were a big hit with both the baby and the hubby--Sweet Potato Fries and Baked Zucchini.

Snapshot #595: Cooking for Three

June 20, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Setting a third (adult) place at the table has finally become routine...I hope that Tracee is also starting to feel somewhat at home here.  

Snapshot #594: Using a Spoon

June 19, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel has sworn off all purees in favor of finger foods she can handle with both her hands and her new teeth.  But today I experimented with oatmeal by offering it to her with her own spoon...ah-hah...she's now interested in oatmeal again...although it did end up EVERYWHERE :)

Snapshot #593: The Ultimate Father's Day Basket

June 18, 2012.  San Jose, California.  For Dave's first Father's Day he was given The Ultimate Father's Day Basket...including an M&M Dispenser and 12 Varieties of Root Beer.  You're an incredible father to our little Hazel.  We love you Dave!  (And a shout out to my brother who became a father for the fourth time on Father's Day...Congratulations!)

Snapshot #592: Grocery Shopping

June 16, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Shopping (especially on a Saturday) is one of my least favorite things to do.  But since I've put it off so long (and I'm hosting dinner guests) I was obligated to go today.

Exploring California: Snapshot #591: New Brighton State Beach

June 15, 2012.  Capitola, California.  We loaded up and went to the beach today.  This time we checked out New Brighton State Beach.  It was more crowded than I prefer, but I liked that there were large logs to serve as a back rest, as well as the fact that there were fire pits.  There is also camping at New Brighton...I'd like to go back to camp some day.

Snapshot #590: Sneak Peak

June 14, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  We took some family photos this evening...here is a sneak peak.

Snapshot #589: Babysitting

June 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I found Tracee a babysitting job for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week...then she received a phone call asking if she could start a job on Monday...so guess who's babysitting?  I think it's been fun for Hazel to have playmates...her oh-so-familiar toys are interesting again.

Snapshot #588: Baby Boy Blanket

June 12, 2012.  Dear Jen, this is a sneak peak of a blanket for you and baby boy.

Snapshot #587: Deviled Eggs by Dave

June 11, 2012.  San jose, California.  Dave, the incredible husband, father, brother-in-law that he is volunteered to make some deviled eggs...thanks Dave.

Snapshot #586: Scotland Yard

June 9, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Scotland Yard is my new favorite board game.

Snapshot #585: Keith Merrill

June 8, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  This evening Dave and I attended a special dinner with filmmaker, author Kieth Merrill.  We asked him questions about the creative process as well as discussed concepts from his recent book, "The Evolution of Thomas Hall."  It was an enjoyable evening and I came away with a strong desire to continue to challenge my creative spirit.  

Exploring California: Snapshot #584: Manresa Beach

June 7, 2012.  Rio del Mar, California.  Today we spontaneously upped and drove to the beach.  It was a perfect day for the beach...and Hazel's first ever.  It took her less than five minutes to feel right at home.

Snapshot #583: Little Miss Patient

June 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  More running around with Miss Tracee today; job interview follow-ups, opening bank accounts, chiropractor.  Little Miss Hazel has demonstrated great patience.  At the bank she was so happy to be out of her car seat that she crawled everywhere she possibly could charming many of the bank attendants as she went.

Snapshot #582: Tracee's First Offer

June 5, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Tracee got her first job offer today after an interview.  The hard work is starting to pay off.  I'm sure going to miss having another set of hands around during the day.

Snapshot #581: Running in the Rain

June 4, 2012.  San Jose, California.  There was a light rain during this morning's jog; it felt very refreshing.

Snapshot #580: Pounding the Pavement

 

June 2, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Tracee, Hazel, and I logged eight hours yesterday on the great job hunt for Tracee.  Today she and Dave logged another five. 

Snapshot #579: Tia Tracee

June 1, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Already I can see how lucky Hazel and I are going to be having Tia Tracee around.