My little CLOWN!

Hazel: "Mommy can I have some lips?"

Me: "Yes honey, just don't make a mess."

Hazel: "Mommy, can I have these lips please?" (As she holds up the tub of bright pink gooey lip gloss.)

Me: "Yes, if you are careful and don't make a mess."

Hazel: (A big smile on her face.) "Okay Mommy."

I leave to attend to Henley in the other room.

Minutes pass. I realize Hazel has been gone far too long and has been far too quiet. I go and find her...and THIS!

Me: "Hazel, what did you DO?"

Hazel: "I made a big mess Mommy!"

After 4 baby wipes, she was clean again. Hazel quickly asked if she could have more lips. (Her face was shiny from the scrubbing, and not a trace of lips remained.) It was time for a short lesson in consequences. I told her that her consequence for not following Mommy's directions (to not make a mess) was that she couldn't have any more lips today. She frowned a moment, then ran off to get in some other kind of mischief.

Oh what fun.

(Randomly, throughout the rest of the day, she would pause for a moment, come up to me and give me a squeeze. She would look up at me and say, "Sorry for making a mess with your lips Mommy." I would then talk about her consequence, and she would then run off again to play some more.)

Bend Weekend

We headed across the mountains and over to Bend to help Patrick & Bonnie move last weekend. We also had the privilege of being with PAPA on his 60th birthday Sunday. It was a quick trip, but well worth the drive as it is always great to see family. Patrick and Bonnie are starting an exciting new phase in their lives and it was fun to be a part of that. We are the lucky ones in that it is only a little more than two hours for us to drive to them!! We will be using their new guest room soon...we hope!

We all headed to Sisters on Sunday, Papa's birthday, to do some shopping and have a picnic. Happy Birthday Papa! We love you.

Hazel McBasil hanging out while the guys moved heavy furniture.

Richie became fast friends with Bonnie's nephew Austin.

Right this way guys!

Friends take a break. (Thank goodness!)

Nana gets in some squeezes.

A birthday snuggle for Papa. (Note she is wearing her "party dress.")

Papa with his two biggest fans. HAPPY Birthday.

The gang making Hazel's silly face. Well, Henley is too proper to partake in such silliness.

Hazel got a good view of Sisters from her daddy's tall shoulders.

Hazel strolling the town, between two favorites...Nana and Bonnie.

Uncle Patrick pointed out the name of this shop. Seems like it was named for our little guy. Our "Hen" has a tooth. (He really is getting in two teeth, but the first is in about 3/4 of the way in and the other is only in about 1/4 of the way. In total...ONE tooth. Therefore, The Hen's Tooth. HA!

Great Grammy & Great Grandpa's House!

After our Nevada trip we headed across the mountains and over to California to visit Great Grammy & Great Grandpa in Stockton. It was such a treat to be able to stay at their home and spend two days and nights with them. Beau hadn't been to the Stockton house in a number of years, and Richie met my grandparents for the first time. We were well fed and taken care of. Thank you for a great visit Grandma and Grandpa. We love you guys very much!

Henley Roland with John Roland Jr. Henley crawled right on over to his Great Grandpa and enjoyed spending time with him.

Richie and Hazel enjoy their breakfast at the bar. I have eaten MANY yummy breakfasts here over the years.

Hazel enjoyed her Great Grammy's pretty flowers.

Our big boy enjoying the morning sunshine on the patio.

Henley explores while Great Grandpa eats his breakfast in the sunshine.

We took the kids to Micke Grove Zoo to see the animals. This guy was named Modoc and Hazel was very excited to meet her first Bald Eagle up close. Over summer she has had the privilege to see a number of them flying in the sky. We prefer seeing them that way, but seeing Modoc up close was a special treat. He is a rescue and THIRTY EIGHT years old.

Hazel getting a good look at Modoc.

Don't fear, this turtle wasn't moving too fast under the weight of these crazy two.

This tortoise reminded us of our friend Macey's pet Harriet.

Great Grammy and Great Grandpa joined us for lunch at the cafe.

Hazel sure does love her Great Grammy. What a fun hat Grammy.

Grammy headed back into the zoo with us so we could see the Lorikeets. It was a deal to buy the nectar for only $1.

Daddy was brave and the Lorikeets came to him first.

Grammy even had birds on her head. Don't worry...they didn't leave behind anything special!

Richie had a fun experience feeding the birds too.

Hazel was wary at first, then grew braver and braver. She was amazed to see the birds up close like that. What pretty and colorful birds they were!

My cup ran out of nectar, and this friend didn't fly away until the very last bit was licked up.

This one was festive in his University of Oregon DUCK colors!

After our second round in the zoo, we joined Great Grandpa and headed to the small fun center nearby for some kiddie rides. Grammy and Great Grandpa were awfully cute sitting on the shady bench. What a treat to have them join us for our adventures.

A colorful twosome on the carousel. Hazel was delighted to ride with her daddy by her side.

Next they took a trip around the carnival in the train. Hazel made a quick friend and sat by him for the ride.

Richie made a friend too.

Great Grandpa had a nice view from the shady bench.

Then Hazel and her daddy rode the old fashioned car. Hazel did the driving, and she did a very good job!

My two favorite HAMS.

This was how Henley enjoyed the park. Next time he will be begging to ride the train too!

Who is riding on the carousel now?

We left Great Grammy and Great Grandpa's house and headed home. It was sad to have to say goodbye, but we have so many wonderful memories of our quick visit. We look forward to the next time we see Great Grammy and Great Grandpa. On our drive home, we took a pit stop in Redding to stretch our legs and enjoy Turtle Bay Park. The Sundial Bridge is always a great place to walk and eat a picnic lunch.

Hazel was sitting in the shade of the Sundial Bridge. Yep, it was just about 12:45 pm. Just as the marker shows! Very cool.

Walking back towards the car to get going on the second stretch of our drive. Getting home was wonderful, though we always do miss our friends and family that live too far away. Until our next visit...xoxo.

Nevada trip with the Hall family!

Last week we ventured down to Dayton Valley, Nevada to spend four days with our friends the Hall family. Our families have both grown to the size that it is easier for us to meet up at a midway point (they live in Huntington Beach, California). Graciously, Joanne's parents have a beautiful home in Dayton Valley in which we were able to stay. What a perfect fit for ALL of us!!

We had a great time reconnecting with good friends and seeing the children PLAY! Hazel was DELIGHTED to have two big girls (Chloe almost 8 & Lexi 6) to run after and play with. Henley was doted on by two little mommies, and for the most part, he enjoyed the extra love and attention. Richie mixed in well too, and really enjoyed the "cool" hot-tub. (The heating element wasn't working properly, but that made for a great cool spot for the kids to frolic!)

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

Breakfast time.

Lexi all glammed up in her new birthday jewels.

Kris was the baby whisperer. He was great at getting fussy (teething) Henley to sleep. Henley has sprouted a second tooth!

Lexi was kind to share her Popsicle with Henley.

Posing for a pic during a soak in the cool tub.

Hazel is a hoot in the tub when she does her "funny face."

Lexi was so interested in Henley

SMORES!

Lexi showing Henley some love...CHEESE!

Hard to believe that we have come THIS far. Seems like not long ago Joanne and I were college roommates!

Crackin' me up!! Hazel strikes a pose for Joanne at Lake Tahoe.

Daddy takes Hazel out to "swim" in the lake.

Lexi gets a toss from her Daddy.

Henley was content to hang out on the shore.

The girls take a break from the water to eat a picnic lunch.

Me and my girl.

Siblings at play. They got sufficiently sandy!!

I braved the water - really it wasn't that cold. It was fun to swim a bit and then join the group back on shore.

Headed back to the cars after a wonderful afternoon with friends at Lake Tahoe.

We were all a bit weary! Hazel was asleep the moment her car seat buckled!

The perfect ending to our Lake day...dinner at IN-N-OUT of course!

Beau bought Richie a t-shirt, he has wanted to wear it every day since!

Our little In-N-Out fan putting away her cheeseburger rather quickly. Chew Hazel!

Sorry bud, you are too little to climb in the cool tub. (Joanne picked out these swim trunks for the little guy. Sooo cute!)

My little cheese ball. She loved her new suit too - thanks Joanne!

I couldn't resist getting Henley his first pair of "blib blops."

The house is right on a beautiful golf course. Hazel loved waving at passing golfers. I loved walking on the course in the evening. So beautiful!

Cutie couple!

Just before we headed out, another photo op with the kids. We will have to do this again SOON! Such fun!!

Here are the kids doing Hazel's "silly face." Ha ha ha.

J and I with our look-a-like Pacificas. Hers wins the prize for being the cleanest!!

Thanks for a great visit Kris, Joanne, Chloe and Lexi. Love you guys.