Hazel's visit to the Hall's of Huntington Beach!

Hazel and just got back from an adventure to visit friends in sunny Southern California! Thanks Hall family for your generosity in helping to make our trip happen! Hazel and I flew from Portland to Long Beach last Thursday and returned just yesterday. I was quite nervous to fly 6 months pregnant with an active toddler by myself...but overall, she did very well. I had the diaper bag stocked with all her current favorites:

• bunny cookies
• Good Dog Carl
• 5 Little Monkeys
• juice
• pretzels
• crayons and paper
• mp3 player loaded with her favorite tunes

She did just fine. I was exhausted when we arrived, and little happy girl was delighted to see our friends, Joanne, Kris, Chloe and Lexi. (So was I.)

We spent our visit in the jacuzzi, Hazel climbing up and down and up and down the soft, carpeted stairs, and eating yummy meals and treats. Joanne used her talents as a swimming teacher to get Hazel comfortable with the water...something that came a lot easier than I had suspected. Hazel thoroughly enjoyed playing with 6 (almost 7) year old Chloe and 5 year old Lexi.

Here are some pictures from our time with the Hall family!!

Airplane, where are you?

Waiting for her turn to board the airplane.

Getting out that little last bit of energy (I wish) before we headed to our seats on the airplane.

Hazel checks out the view from the airplane.

My happy traveler.

Upon arriving, Lexi and Chloe got Hazel comfortable with her sleeping arrangements. Pack-n-plays sure are made durable! Three little Monkeys!!

Wish I had this on video - imagine incessant giggles.

Hazel's first swimming lesson from Joanne.

Max Hall - what a spunky little guy!

Hazel and Chloe playing chase.

Dancing!

This grin was present throughout our visit. Hazel LOVES Huntington Beach!

Cutie Chloe

Mischievous Lexi

Hazel tries the big girls' trike.

I had to take a picture of this amazing succulent on our walk around the Island.

The three girls enjoy a quiet breakfast together.

Another swimming lesson!

She got quite comfortable in the water - Lexi and Chloe are literally FISH!

Lexi chills out.

Hi Lexi.

A smooch for her favorite swimming teacher!

So silly!

I love both these expression!

Hazel having a snack - an apple just her size.

Yesterday morning, just before leaving. Cheese for the camera.

Getting out some energy before a day of travel.

An interesting way to wait for our plane to arrive.

Hazel loved climbing these stairs - and playing Peek-A-Boo!

Squeels of happiness at swimming with Joanne.

Happy Daddy Day!

I know...lame that none of these pictures have Beau in them..but we celebrated Daddy Day with him...really, we did!

Beau actually took time to sit and watch a soccer game on TV sipping a beer. He also took Bella for a run in training for the upcoming Butte to Butte race in Eugene. Then, after a few errands in town, we all headed home for a barbeque dinner. RIBS!

It was a relatively quiet day, but aren't those often the nicest ones?

Here are a few pictures of Hazel enjoying the special dinner for her daddy on Daddy's Day. We will be buying a lot more corn as the season progresses and yummy farm fresh corn abounds. We have a corn fanatic!

A very deep and meaningful question arose over our yummy dinner. How do you eat your corn? Lengthwise like a typewriter or do you go round and round the cob end to end?

Our family scored:

Beau - Lengthwise

Donald - Lengthwise

Becky - Round and round

Matt - both (hmm)

Hazel - No noticeable method had been chosen yet, but she manages to gobble each and every kernel.

What about you?

Clean carpets!

We got our carpets cleaned yesterday morning - YAY! Hazel really enjoyed having the living room free of furniture so she could run, run, RUN!

Looks like she may be up to no good?

Free to run!

Here she is enjoying the WIND from the fan we set up to assist the carpet in drying. What a silly girl!

Donald's photos

Donald had fun trying out some photographic skills (with our old camera).

Here is our family through Donald's eyes...

I guess Bella moves too fast for the shutter!

Put-put for Donald's 10th Birthday!

Waking baby...

Here is Hazel just before waking this afternoon. (We had to get to town for Donald's birthday party, so a pre-mature wake was necessary. Sure don't like waking a sleeping Hazel. Especially when she is so content side-by-side with Ernie.

"Cassie-Man"

This was from a few days ago - Beau's lobster lunch. Hazel had a full plate of yams and then enjoyed sharing her little personality. We all really loved hearing how Hazel learned to pronounce Beau's sister's name, Caspian. "CASSIE-MAN"

Oh, and if you listen closely, you might catch the name of her baby brother....

Boo-Boo on tootsie

I caught Hazel attempting to stow away in Matt's suitcase for camp! She was busy inspecting her "boo-boo" on her foot. She made it "all better" with a few kisses, a hug and a good squeeze! Couldn't resist sharing...what a silly little girl.

"30" is Beau's year for LOBSTER!

Beau celebrated the big 30 officially YESTERDAY. Nice to have my husband join me in the same decade.

We were joined for the festivities by his sister, Caspian and her dog Nyla who came to visit this week from Missoula, MT. We have had a nice visit and Hazel has thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her Aunt "Cassie-man". They spent all day Thursday together while Beau and I worked...I definitely think they had a lot more fun than Beau and I!

Here are some pictures from last night - birthday dessert at Sweet Life. Life sure is SWEET there!

Acting every bit his age...

Two happy boys and their sweets.

Today, we headed for the coast (took the day off work) and spent the day enjoying the Pacific and a scrumptious lunch! Beau's birthday wish for the big 3-0 was a meal of LOBSTER. We found it! Yummo. What a fun FAMILY day we had. The two dogs enjoyed the fresh air (STRONG WIND) and Nyla especially loved her first dip in the Ocean. She tore off after some birds in the surf and you should have seen Caspian run to her rescue. (She didn't end up needing the rescue, but Caspian was there if need be.)

Caspian and Nyla head out to enjoy the surf and FRESH air.

Hazel loved walking through the "WATER".

Just before Nyla is set FREE. This dog can RUN!

Go Nyla Go!

Brother and Sister

Nyla in full LEAP.

The two delighted doggies.

Bella doing her favorite thing - FETCH. (again and again and again....)

Love that little face!

Our shell collector

Proud of her find.

Digging to China

Beau digs Hazel a nice big hole...

...that she can stand in!

A ride with Mommy

Is that baby brother in there??

Nyla, wet but content!

Nyla and her mommy

This stump is usually WELL above the sand...crazy how the beach changes.

Dreaming of her pockets full of rocks and shells...

Our stuffed mushroom appetizers - wow!

Hazel and her side of yams. It may take a few baths to get them completely out of her nose.

Beau and his LOBSTER!

Caspian ordered this fish just for the HALIBUT

Our waitress shouldn't give up her day job for photography...she was a great waitress.

When we got back from the coast we swung by Jasper to pick up the boys and give Caspian a tour of our place of work.

Hazel gets a ride from her Auntie.

Freddy the llama

Nice horsey

Know a good llama dentist?

Bye bye horsies