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.

Snapshot #578: New Beginnings

May 31, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Last week my youngest sister graduated from high school.  This week she got on an airplane and flew to San Jose.  She is now living with us with hopes to find a local job and save money for college.  I'm excited to have her here; she, on the other hand has already expressed how out of her element she feels. 

Snapshot #577: Magic Blanket

May 30, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Our little Hazel has grown attached to a fuzzy little blanket inherited from my sister in Wales.  It is a magic blanket; it quells cries, dispels sadness, and eliminates the feeling of aloneness when being tucked into bed.  She LOVES this blanket and has a terrible time trying to sleep without it.  Unfortunately, we lost the blanket somewhere along our hike last Saturday, and by the time I retraced our steps it was nowhere to be seen.  Miraculously for us...our neighbor and friend happened to have the exact same blanket and graciously gave it to Hazel.  We are so very grateful!

Snapshot #576: Loads of Laundry

May 29, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Camping for three days is really a six day experience.  One day to do the shopping for food and supplies, one day to pack and load the car, three days for camping/hiking, and now one day to unload the car, do the laundry, and put everything away.  It's all worth it though.

Snapshot #575: Hiking with Hazel

May 28, 2012.  Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton, California.  Here are all the photos I took of Hazel during our Saturday hike at Henry Cowell.  I think she loves the great outdoors. 

Exploring California: Snapshot #574: Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

May 26, 2012.  Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton, California.  We met up with some friends and went camping at Henry Cowell this weekend.  I appreciated the accessibility of decent hiking trails starting from the campground, so we never had to leave and yet we still 'got out.'  The campground is a 45-minute to 60-minute drive from San Jose.  Reservations can be made up to six months in advance through reserveamerica.com.  

The following are photos from our hike, starting with The Powder Mill Fire Road which was extremely close to the campsite and (in my opinion) the most scenic of the trails; the above photo says it all.

We then took the steep Buckekye Trail down to the San Lorenzo River.  In the Fall I would like to return and hike the Four Crossings trail which actually has you wading through the river four times for a more scenic experience (not that we were lacking).

We retraced our steps back up the Buckeye Trail and then continued along Pipeline Road to the scenic overlook with a glimpse of Santa Cruz in the distance.

We turned off Pipeline Road to hike Ridge Fire Road which is one of the most unusual trails I've ever encountered; the higher we got the more powdery and sandy the trail, as if we were hiking along a sandy beach...so strange!  Theories claim that the land was once ocean floor.

At the peak of Ridge Fire Road there was beautiful wildflowers and an observation deck.

Finally, we returned to our campsite along Pine Trail.  In all, it was a great walk--the most difficult terrain being Buckeye Trail and it's steep descent to the river.  We accomplished the feat with a baby on our back who slept most the way.