Snapshot #774: Shopping at Lowe's

March 1, 2013.  Boise, Idaho.  My sister and I did some serious shopping at Lowe's today for her house.  Hazel loved being able to run up and down the isles and climb under and on top of all kinds of things.  She even found a toddler-sized cart to fill up and pull around.  I think to her dismay, my sister learned that I am one of those moms that lets her child independently run around in public.  I truly enjoy giving Hazel her freedom to run around and explore things according to her own desires.  Besides that, I have a hard time understanding how I could possibly keep Hazel in one place for more than 5 minutes; especially in interesting places like Lowe's.

Snapshot #773: Leaving on a Jet Plane

February 28, 2013.  Boise, Idaho.  Hazel and I got on an airplane this morning and flew to Boise.  We're going to spend 3 days with my sister in Boise, then 3 days with my parents in Wendell, then 3 days with my brother in Utah.  I love that a flight home is just 1 hour 30 minutes away.

Snapshot #772: Mornings

February 25, 2013.  San Jose, California.  My two favorite people.

Snapshot #771: Clean Garage

February 23, 2013.  San Jose, California.  It was a long day, but our taxes are filed and our garage is clean and organized.  There is more than enough room to park the car again without fear of bumping a stack of boxes.  Hooray for Good Will!

Snapshot #770: Reading Nook

February 22,  2013.  San Jose, California.  Today I created a closet-sized reading nook for Hazel in her room.  I also moved all of her toys from the office into her room.  I really liked having her play toys in the office next to me during the day...but it was getting too cluttered.  We'll see how this new layout works.

Snapshot #769: Sound of Music

February 21, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I think I've said this before, but I'll say it again.  Hazel is mesmerized by The Sound of Music.

Snapshot #768: What is Wrong with this Photo?

February 20, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I heard a very loud noise, looked outside the window and beheld a downed tree blocking my view.  Oops!  Well, now we'll be getting a new fence between us and the neighbors.

Video Snapshot #767: Hazel Explores the Rain

February 19, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Ahhhh!  The beautiful sound of rain.  How often is it that you get to be witness to a person playing in the rain for the very first time.  

Snapshot #766: Going Shopping

February 18, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Hazel is ready for a day of shopping with mommy.

Snapshot #765: The Beach in February

February 16, 2013.  Aptos, California.  I woke up this morning, rolled over, looked at Dave and said, "I think we should go to the beach today."  He started laughing and said he just received a text from a co-worker asking us if we wanted to join them at the beach today.  So...we went to the beach...in February.  (Yes, I'm still putting in a plug for a visit from all you people covered in snow right now)

Snapshot #764: Our Hazel Bug

February 15, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Some random photos of Hazel that haven't made it to the blog yet.  (I can no longer put any cute adornments in her hair because she is adamant about pulling them out)  She has started to walk around the house saying, "Hazel, Hazel, Hazel."  It's the cutest thing ever.  I'm still looking for an opportunity to get it on video.  She also has a few more words:  Noni, binky, patos--short for zapatos (shoes), agua (water), casa (house), cheese, and run. 

Video Snapshot #763: Valentine's Day Walk

February 14, 2013.  Alviso, California.  Hazel and I take a Valentine's Day walk.  (Please note the incredible weather in February.  Yes, I'm talking to all you Utahans and Idahoans that are currently snowed in and haven't come to visit me yet.)

Snapshot #762: Fondue Party

February 13, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I hosted a little fondue lunch party today for my friends in Book Club.  Someone, please, share the secret to truly enjoy hosting rather than just getting stressed out.  (Lindsey, do you recognize this book?)

Snapshot #761: Magic Potion

February 12, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Boy am I happy to see that smile.  Antibiotics are like a magic potion.  Hazel is taking amoxicillin for an ear infection and it has had almost instantaneous effect.

Snapshot #760: Lucky Seven

February 11, 2013.  Sunnyvale, California.  I took Hazel to Urgent Care today (which was a horrible experience and a story for another day).  Tonight Dave and I put all that aside and enjoyed a fine dinner at Rok Bistro to commemorate seven years since our wedding day.  This evening was just what I needed.  It was perfect.  Thank you Dave, for your enduring support of all things that bring me happiness.  (And thank you Paula for babysitting our contagious, sick little baby!)    

Snapshot #759: Still Sick

February 9, 2013.  San Jose, California.  We're still sick over here.  All three of us down with something.  Hazel's sick little eyes make me so sad.

Snapshot #758: Quiet Book Progress: Apple Tree

February 8, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Sick Days are a good excuse to pull out that project I've been procrastinating.  In two days I've figured out three patterns and nearly cut out all the pieces for the Apple Tree page.  Whew...this is going to be a lot of work before I'm done.

Snapshot #757: Sick Day

February 7, 2013.  San Jose, California.  It's raining outside; Miss Hazel has a sore throat, a cough, and a fever over 101.  We're snuggling up and taking a sick day.  Fortunate for me, Hazel has become quite taken with the movie "Sound of Music."  I am now searching for a copy of "Mary Poppins."  Are there any other musicals you would recommend for young children?  (more recent Disney movies tend to have frightening villains that make Hazel cry.)

Snapshot #756: 18 Months

February 6, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Today was Hazel's 18-Month Check-up with her pediatrician.  She is 32.5" Tall, Weighs 25 Pounds, and says at least 14 Words:  Mommy, Daddy, Baby, Uh-Oh, Tracee, Grandpa, Ball, Apple, Bird, Carro (Car), Mas (More), Hi, Bye, and Zazu.  (She is awfully close to saying Hazel & Blueberry)  She also obeys commands in both English & Spanish. 

Snapshot #755: So Glad When Daddy Comes Homes

February 5, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I snapped this photo of Hazel watching and waiting for her Daddy to come home.

Exploring California: Snapshot #754: Bol Park Trail

February 4, 2013.  Palo Alto, California.  Hazel and I went for a walk with Strollerhikes along Bol Park Trail in Palo Alto this morning.  Today is also Hazel's 18-month mark.  She is perhaps the greatest gift that has ever come into our life.  We do our best to cherish each moment.    

Exploring California: Snapshot #753: Palo Alto Duck Pond

February 2, 2013.  Palo Alto, California.  I had heard about a duck pond adjacent the Palo Alto Airport that was great to take the kiddos bird & airplane watching.  We finally found the time to go check it out and were not disappointed that we did.  Hazel found great delight in feeding bread to the birds and also in chasing them.  The Palo Alto Duck Pond is also adjacent the Palo Alto Baylands with great access to the Bay Trail. 

Exploring California: Snapshot #752: Beach Rio Del Mar

February 1, 2013.  Santa Cruz, California.  The weather was forecast to hit 70 degrees in San Francisco today...making it a perfect day to head to the beach and take in a little sun.  I'm so glad we did.  It took Hazel a couple hours to re-acquaint herself with the beach, but once she did she didn't want to leave.

Snapshot #751: Where is Hazel?

January 31, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I was so confused.  I could have sworn I saw her go into the bedroom.  But where did she go...?  Oh!  There she is.  Crawling under the bed is a new discovery for her.  It's the simple things in life. 

Snapshot #750: Pepperplate

January 30, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Pepperplate is changing my life.  I have recently struggled with meal planning.  So, for Christmas Dave found me an app that does it all.  We can electronically store (or download) our recipes, then simply drag and drop recipes into the weekly planner and hit print for a shopping list (either by recipe or by isle--my favorite!!)  It has been wonderful!  Even more so that Dave has also been populating the calendar with recipes.  It has simplified the process of meal-planning and grocery shopping so that now I look forward to it rather than dread it.  I now go grocery shopping on a weekly basis (rather than bi-weekly) and I'm on track to meet our grocery budget two months running.  I love Pepperplate.com.  Thank you Dave.  

Snapshot #749: Strawberry Crepes

January 29, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Giving myself a little fuel before the next six hours of drafting.  I have a client presentation on Thursday and Hazel is with a friend.

Snapshot #748: Walnut Stump

January 28, 2013.  San Jose, California.  I am now the proud owner of a solid walnut stump.  It's been sitting on my neighbor's curb for the last 3 weeks and I finally mustered the courage to ask him about it.  (Evidently, it was sitting in his backyard for two years prior to the curb)  I may be wrong, but I think there's an incredibly artistic coffee table hiding in there somewhere.

Snapshot #747: Alviso Marina

January 25, 2013.  Alviso, California.  The Alviso Marina  is a fabulous little retreat along the Bay Trail.  I finally captured a block of time with enough daylight to introduce Dave.

Snapshot #746: Weee!

January 23, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Arn't Daddy's great!  

Snapshot #745: Nursery Mural

January 21, 2013.  Cupertino, California.  Do you think my landlord would mind if I painted this on the nursery wall?  (just what I need...another project to add to my list!)

Snapshot #744: Daddy's Little Helper

January 19, 2013.  San Jose, California.  And so helpful she is.

Snapshot #743: Science Experiments

January 16, 2013.  San Jose, California.  My mother-in-law said it best, "Don't think of it as dinnertime, but rather a science experiment."

Snapshot #742: First Day in Nursery

January 14, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Yesterday was Hazel's first day in the churches nursery.  Momentous Day.

Snapshot #741: BYU vs. Santa Clara

January 12, 2013.  Santa Clara, California.  Every once in a while BYU comes to the Bay Area.  (Dave went with our friends and I stayed home with the napping kiddos.)

Snapshot #740: Date Night

January 11, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Date Night with our Little Bug.  (She's just too cute to leave at home)

Snapshot #739: Ant Infestation

January 10, 2013.  San Jose, California.  This photo really grosses me out.  But it's what we've been dealing with since we returned from our 17-day holiday.  We came home to find ants marching to and from our honey bucket and after several days of clearing them from one room to the next they're still determined to share our home.

Snapshot #738: Home Again

January 7, 2013.  San Jose, California.  Home again, home again.  Back to pointing at airplanes flying overhead.

Snapshot #737: Bye-Bye Grandpa & Noni

January 5, 2013.  South Jordan, Utah.  Thanks for many laughs and such incredible hospitality!  We love you and hope to see you again soon.