Snapshot #676: Backyard

 October 22, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I've always wanted to encourage my children to be creative with nothing more than a stick and some dirt.  So far, all Hazel has needed was a backyard;  she has so much fun out there.  Picking flowers, examining leaves, smelling the growing oranges, picking lemons, banging things against the fence, digging in the dirt, stomping in the puddles, stacking mini planters, putting objects inside and outside of a box.  It makes me happy to see her playing independently out there.

Snapshot #675: Valparaiso Singers

October 20, 2012.  Menlo Park, California.  This evening Dave performed in his first concert with Valparaiso Singers, an elite chamber choir of Menlo Park.  The music was divine!  It filled my soul to see Dave singing again.  My favorite songs were The Road Home, Sleep, and Sure on This Shining Night.

Snapshot #674: Outrageous Outgrowns

October 19, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Outrageous Outgrowns is a semi-annual Bay Area event for the resale of children's clothing, toys, & gear.  Hazel and I spent several hours today combing through the racks to find clothing that will fit her for the next 6-12 months.  I typically don't enjoy shopping (especially this type) but I do enjoy the fruits of our labors.  Wait until you see how cute her new little outfits are! 

Snapshot #673: iPhone 5

October 18, 2012.  San Jose, California.  After four years with the iPhone 3g it was time for an upgrade.  I chased the mailman to the end of the block after I came home today and realized I had just missed signing for the package.  My new phone is so pretty.  

Snapshot #672: Fingernail Polish

October 17, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I swore it would be several more years before I painted her fingernails...well...so much for that.

Video Snapshot #671: Mommy, Mommy

October16, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel's first word is Mommy.  She goes around saying it over and over again.  So precious!

Snapshot #670: Up and Down

October 15, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Miss Hazel had a ball this morning climbing up and down her rocking chair.  It's certainly much easier to get down than it is to get up. 

Snapshot #669: Shredded Wheat

October 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Miss Hazel loves having cereal for breakfast (because that's what her daddy has.)  I tried to sneak in some peaches this morning...she chewed up everything else then spit out just the peaches. 

Snapshot #668: Patterned Canvas

October 12, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I received a package in the mail today...some patterned canvas I ordered so that I can make this.  Receiving worthwhile packages in the mail always brightens my day.

Snapshot #667: Schematic Design

October 11, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  I spent three hours today with my client working out the details of my proposed floor plan for his chiropractic office...now the real work begins.  

Snapshot #665: Mud Puddle

October 10, 2012.  San Jose, California.  It rained for the first time in a long time last night.  Hazel discovered several mud puddles in our backyard.  She's already on her third outfit for the day.

Snapshot #664: Space Planning

October 9, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I've been hired by my chiropractor to re-design his office.  Coming up with a new floor plan has been consuming my time and my thoughts.  One of my favorite things to do in design is Space Planning.

Snapshot #663: Hazel's 14-Month Photo

October 8, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Every step along the way is marvelous to witness.  But she's still moving too fast from Baby to Toddler.

Snapshot #662: Before & After

 October 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  My Labor Day project this year was planting Mums in my front flower garden.  Here is a photo of their progress so far.  I think I could really get into gardening (I could really get into a lot of things.  So many projects...so little time).  

Snapshot #661: Peas for Breakfast

October 5, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Ever since Hazel got sick she's become a picky eater.  Peas are my fall-back food if I can't get her to eat anything else; she will always eat peas.  So, sometimes we have peas for breakfast.

Snapshot #660: Relief Society: Pass It On

October 4, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  As a member of the presidency for my local chapter of Relief Society I have initiated a little advertising campaign called "Pass It On" with the hopes that this little card (front & back) will serve as an easy way for women to invite their friends to participate in our upcoming activities and groups.

Also, we're beginning to plan our schedule for 2013 and I'm interested in hearing from all you women out there who participate in your local Relief Societies:  What activities from your local chapters have been your favorite? most memorable or most meaningful?  

Snapshot #659: Charity Never Faileth

October 3, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  I can't seem to escape the blogosphere.  While I've been getting behind on my own blog I've been busy working on other blogs; including a facelift for my local Relief Society's blog: www.sunnyvalers.blogspot.com

My goals in updating the Relief Society blog were three-fold:
1-Create a primary online source where women of the Sunnyvale Relief Society can go/subscribe to keep abreast of upcoming activities.
2-Make the blog inviting and non-exclusive so that the women of Relief Society will be excited about forwarding the link to friends/family/neighbors and inviting them to participate in the activities mentioned therein.
3-Promote the Sunnyvale Relief Society in the local community...advertising events that Strengthen Families & Homes and Activities that Seek Out and Help Those In Need.

Snapshot #658: I Think, Therefore I Am Not a Monkey

October 2, 2012.  Oakland, California.  According to Dave the greatest difference between baby monkeys and baby humans is the ability of baby humans to point...thus indicating the sophistication of their power to reason and therefore understand that I am here and you are there.  So, here's our picture proof.  Hazel is not a baby monkey.  Although, she has started to devour bananas.  (Oh yeah, we went to the Oakland Zoo on Saturday.)  

Snapshot #657: Hazel's First Up-Do

October 1, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I thank heaven every day for sending me a sweet baby doll.

Snapshot #656: Hazel's 12-Month Photo Shoot

September 30, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  Looking back over our last year together, the blessing that Hazel is in my life is unmeasurable.  Technically, these photos were taken closer to Hazel's 13 month mark, but since I won't be doing official photo shoots on a monthly basis any more we'll call this her Year Photos.  She was mostly miserable throughout the whole ordeal.  She wasn't feeling well, hadn't eaten much all day (see why) and wasn't really in the mood to sit and smile.  She hung in there though. 

Snapshot #655: Fresh Air

September 26, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  Hazel has been sick off-and-on all September long.  It started with a high fever (104, 105, 103, 104) for 3-4 days; then a week later was vomiting and waking up through the nights; then she refused to eat much of anything for nearly 10 days (lost 1-1/2 pounds); and now it's a sore throat and runny nose.  Phew!  It felt good to get outside today and go for a walk in the park.

Snapshot #654: Just for Kids

September 13, 2012.  Cupertino, California.  I brought Hazel clothing shopping today at the mall.  She is very good at identifying those things that are designed just for kids.

Snapshot #653: Whole Fruit

September 4, 2012.  San Jose, California.  One of Hazel's favorite snacks is an apple (frozen peas are her most favorite thing, then comes cheese).  But she refuses to eat the apple pre-cut...she wants the whole fruit.