Hazel's balloon

The gals in our apartment's office gave Hazel this super huge balloon, so we dressed her up fancy and headed down to the green belt for a photo op. Here are some of her model shots!

Some favorite Hazel pictures

Hazel on the snowy day

We have had a few snows here in Charlotte in the past few months.  It is usually really wet snow that comes after a rain, so it does not have the chance of sticking. We did dress Hazel up one morning to go on a walk in the snow in her beautiful coat and hat. She loved it! In the picture of Keefe and I holding Hazel's hands, she was running down a hill giggling! In the last picture Hazel has her tongue out to try catching a piece of snow. I know the snow does not show in the pictures, but it was snowing :) We love our sweet Hazel!

Hazel Paints

We recently started letting Hazel paint postcards. Here are some pics from her first time painting. She LOVED it! She painted with both right and left hands, and with a brush too!

A Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year!

This was our first Christmas with just our little family. It was so wonderful and relaxing! Hazel woke up around 7 and was sneaked into our room where she drank her morning milk. Then we brought her out to the family room. Hazel was so excited at all that had changed during the night and went investigating straight away. Here are a video and pictures from that morning.

My mommy made me some fun towels.

Keefe made this most perfect fire!

 One sock on, one sock off = Happy Hazel

Annie made this for Keefe.

 Hazel got Dad shaving cream so he can have a face smooth as a baby bottom.

Grandma Corinne made Hazel a beautiful coat!

 Christmas Ribbon Jello, Green Beans, Pomegranate Cornish Game Hens, Rice Pilaf

 Keefe transformed our place from Christmas Fabulous to New Year Fabulous!

We had some friends over for both Christmas dinner and New Year's Eve. It was a fun time. We enjoyed changing up our apartment for the holidays. Now we need to set up for Valentine's Day! We missed all of our family and hope you all had a most enjoyable holiday season!

Hazel's First Birthday

Here are some pictures from our dear Hazel's first birthday party. We are so proud of Hazel and how well she is growing up and learning. She has really led the way for us as parents with everything from eating, to sleeping, to playing. We love our sweet baby and all the joy she brings to our lives! Happy Birthday Hazel!!!

 Annie made this banner! 

Keefe made this gorgeous cake! The flags have "Happy Birthday Hazel" stamped on them, and the flower is a gum paste garden rose. The cake was vanilla with lavender and honey buttercream icing. Yum!

 

Such a sweet smile!

 

We practiced blowing out the candle, but Keefe had to help when it came down to it.

 Hazel made sure everyone was included in the party, even baby Joshua.

Cake ALL OVER!!!

 

Keefe cleaned her up real nice after she finished her cake! 

Hazel got a tamborine, maracas, pajamas, a new outfit with shoes, and books. The thing she loved best though, was having so many friends over to help celebrate!

The Happy Clapper

Hazel recently started clapping. Her friend Cecily helped her learn by setting a good example. Hazel claps when she is happy or when she wants us to be happy about something she did. Hazel has always loved it when people clapped for her, especially her old babysitter Brandy. This is for you Brandy!