Oodles of Videos

I got an early birthday present a few weeks ago - it was on coupon at Costco - so of course we had to get it early. It is a Flip camera. I love it. It is so simple and easy to use, and the quality of the video and sound is so much better than we had with our other camera. It doesn't upload to the blog very well, but put to DVD's or on our computer the quality is really good.

You may be seeing many more videos now...as it is a new toy and therefore I must use it often! Here are some videos from the last few weeks with the kids...

Above - Hazel lovin' her brother.

Above - Hazel "reading" the baby book. She has heard it so many times she has it almost completely memorized and LOVES pretending to read the story. You can hear from Henley's squeals in the background he is quite fond of her reading skills as well.

Above - Hazel loves talking on the phone, and it doesn't matter if someone is on the other end of the line or not. She cracks us up - herself too!!

Above - Here is a video of Henley being very relaxed and casual in his rolling over technique.

Above - Henley loves being out of those silly clothes!

Surprise...a SUNNY Saturday!

I love it when the weather man is WRONG and instead of RAIN we get SUN!

Beau worked hard in the front yard this morning, clearing out way for our new-to-us play structure. (Thanks to our neighbors!) Hazel and her friend and neighbor Lauren spent a number of hours this afternoon playing in our front yard. Henley even got in the action when Beau brought out his Jumparoo so he could play too. It was so nice to see the girls outside and playing after far too many rainy cold days of winter. We are anxious for even more sunshine and longer days as Spring approaches!

Macey and her mommy, Julie, arrived later and then there were three little girls playing in the front yard. Hazel was over the moon, and is now taking a late but much needed nap. Play hard, nap even harder!!

Here are some photos from a fun Saturday spent outside at home.

Henley rolls over!

Look at what Henley was up to today...

Henley is quite proud of his new skill, as are we! Hazel enjoyed showing him how she rolls over too. Thanks big sister! I hope to get a better video soon (this one is from my phone).

I couldn't resist looking back in the blog archives to see when Hazel first rolled over. Look at the date, funny I thought since we are at a day shy of exactly TWO years from that day. That means that Henley is rolling a little bit earlier age-wise than his sister...not to mention he seems to enjoy the feat a bit more than she did. :)

Adventure @ Lookout Reservoir

Beau has wanted to take the family up behind our home to nearby Lookout Reservoir for awhile now. This time of year, the Reservoir is quite low, and therefore makes for a great place to take a two-year-old on an adventure!! (Not to mention her 30 year old daddy.) We headed out today all decked out in mud friendly clothing and mud stomping shoes. Hazel, especially, looked forward to stomping the "pie muddles" (aka mud puddles). We found sunshine, space for Bella and Hazel to run, and adequate mud puddles for stomping. Mission accomplished!

Proud of a pine cone.

Bella's little piece of heaven.

Henley peeked out into the wind and sunshine for a moment.

Miss Adventurous in her stomping boots.

Beau spotted this bald eagle. We felt rather patriotic!

She began stomping timidly at first, but quickly became brave and stomped and splashed with great enthusiasm!

Ready to head to the next little stream...

Beau wore the backpack as we anticipated Hazel's legs would grow weary. Not so! She walked "by myself" all the way out and back. Quite the little hiker we have.

Henley and I found a nice stump to rest upon. He wanted out for a snack as well as some fresh air. Jan Hase made him this sweater and cap - he blends in so well with the blue water and green trees of Oregon.

Hazel found a nice stump to rest upon as well. I am not sure what the father/daughter duo is looking at?

Cute button nose.

Two-year-olds really should set the trends of fashion. This ensemble is a winner!

Beau made Hazel a lovely chair upon which she sat and sang and chatted. She even pretended it was a train and she could be heard "choo-chooing" across the lake.

Clapping in her chair.

If it weren't for her orange collar, times like this Bella could be mistaken for a stump. Though I have never seen a stump move quite as quickly as our silly dog.

Can you spot Beau's handiwork?

Today reminded us again we truely live in a beautiful place. It is a great environment in which to raise our kids for sure! We do need to get Hazel a new pair of stomping boots soon...puddles keep getting bigger just like her feet!

Our Hazel was a good match for the loud wind...I think she won!

Backpack up Pisgah...

We have been enjoying some beautiful sunshine over the past few days, and took advantage of the sunshine by taking an afternoon hike up Mt. Pisgah with Femeke, Andrin and Andrin's Oma (Grandma) who is visiting from Switzerland. Henley was secured on Femeke's mom in the Ergo, and he settled in quite nicely...he knew she was a well skilled grandmother! I loaded Hazel into the backpack and then - sigh - onto my back! Whew!! Femeke did the same with Andrin, and we were off...

It was a beautiful day...perfect day for huffing and puffing up the mountain. Femeke and her mother were amazing, and I did my best to keep up with two skilled Swiss hikers! It is as if they come from a land of mountains or something??

Here are some photos from the tip top of Pisgah, I am still impressed that I made it all the way with my toddler squirming on my back. Next time, Beau will come along as he has those broad shoulders that are just perfect for hauling our children.

Our group met up with a kind family originally from Germany. (They just moved to Oregon a few weeks ago.) They were nice enough to take a photo of all of us.

I loved watching Andrin's Oma snuggling Henley...he was all smiles!

Andrin, Femeke and Hazel happy to be at the top of the mountain.

There is a sculpture monument on top of the mountain that Hazel loved running around. I think she was eager to use her legs after riding up on my back. I just wanted to sit!

Andrin thoroughly enjoyed watching Hazel race around and around and around!

Imagine wonderful squeals of delight!

Andrin was given a whole apple to munch during the hike. This is all that was left of it when he was finished!

The packs await...the trip down wasn't so bad. This was especially so due to Hazel's insistance on walking by herself about 1/2 way. A few times I even had to tell her to wait for mommy! I look forward to many more hikes in the months to come as the weather continues to turn towards the warm days of spring and then summer.

Henley's 1st "SOLID" food

Henley reminded us Monday night of the value in a good BIB!!

After 15 minutes of rice cereal goodness, we decided he to put up the dish for the night. Most of the cereal ended up on his face and bib, a few dribbles may have made it into his tummy. Our little guy is growing up!

"Happy Valentimes"

Hazel's 1st sleepover (at our house)

Last Sunday, we hosted Hazel's friend Macey for an afternoon, evening and overnight of fun.  Hazel was so excited and eager for Macey to arrive.  It was significant for both girls...Hazel's first time having a friend stay over at our house, and Macey's first time staying over at a friends house.  They both did great.  At times it seemed as though the two were sisters, they argued like that!  But, most of the time they played very well together and enjoyed each other's company.  Night time was a little lengthier than normal...

More water...potty...whispering...more water...potty...whispering....

Eventually, the two girls were sleeping quietly in Hazel's room.  Not a peep was heard all through the night.  (They had played HARD.)  I had to stir them early Monday morning to get us all up and ready to head off for work & school.  Macey certainly wasn't used to rising so early, but she did a great job of going with the flow. 

The girls heading to the park together.

Hazel was delighted to show Macey around our neighborhood playground.

Race to the swingset!!

A big girl in a big girl swing.  Hold on Hazel!!

Another big girl on a big girl swing.  It was hard keeping up with those two.  "Another push please Becky."  I heard that from both girls!  Hazel thought that was funny.

The cute rearview I saw as I pushed her over and over again. 

(Note Bella in the background ready for Beau to throw the tennis ball again.)

Bella took a brief break, brief being the key word.  Near impossible to wear her out...much like our two year old.

This one I took when Beau was taking his turn pushing the girls.  He got more squeals of delight than I did!

At one point,  Macey instructed Hazel to walk like a chicken.  She obliged.  I wish I had a video of this one.

We finished our time at the park with some races by the girls.  They were so funny!

Macey is normally a bit camera shy with me.  Something about racing Hazel made her ham it up like I have never seen before.  They raced up and down and up and down.  Charging me and the camera each time.

The two sleepy-heads at 6:30 Monday morning. 

Hazel shared with Macey how she starts every sleepy morning.  "Vitims" and juice, then she can begin her day.