Wyoming 2014

We got to go to the Wild Wild West this last June! First stop, Cody Wyoming! We had so much fun with the cousins, aunties, uncles, grandparents, dogs, cat, turkey, horses, birds, and bunnies. Hazel pretty much lived outside the whole time we were there! It was so nice to drive through the mountains of Wyoming in the spring and see how beautifully green it was! I kept telling Keefe we were in Ireland!

Keefe Graduated!

Keefe graduated May 24th, 2014 from Johnson and Wales University with his Associates in Baking and Pastry and his Bachelors in Business!

We are so proud of our hard working Keefe! He overcame so many hard times when he just wanted to quit school. He kept pushing himself because he knew that an education was important and would help him achieve his goals for the future!

Keefe was one of the few to have this handsome medal, recognizing him as one of the associates students who stayed on to earn his bachelors!

For his graduation present I let him keep this viscous stray kitten, "Benjamin." Hazel and Benjamin fought all day, every day for 3 weeks except while watching "Beauty and the Beast" together. We ultimately had to find Benjamin another home because our new home is a pet free place. It is ok, our clawed up chairs remind us it is ok every time we sit in them.

Trip to Cody

This last August we went on a trip to Cody Wyoming where most of Keefe's siblings and their families were also visiting and we had a great time. It was a true vacation that left us feeling relaxed and renewed. Here is some of what we did:

We went to the mountains for some berry picking, s'more eating, fun having times!

Hazel claimed Aunt Abby's water bottle for herself early on.

I  love the way Hazel is looking at Mads blowing bubbles!

Hazel loved running around with the family at Grandparent Fillerup's home.

Hazel and Mees sharing Mees' game machine.

Sparklers with Daddy!

Sand boxing with Uncle Joe!

Kiddie pooling it with cousin Ellie

And cousin bathtub time! These two girls hit it off as if they had never been apart! So special!

Hazel Colors

 Hazel got to color with markers for the first time! She loved it so much she colored all morning and would have colored all afternoon if I did not take the markers away. She has a hard time only coloring on paper; so her clothes, body, and seat cushion also were colored that morning. 

Hazel holds up all her pictures now for praise with a cute, "ta daaa!" I love it!

Pics of Hazel

One of Hazel's favorite things to do is to take pictures and make movies of herself on Daddy's computer and then look at them and laugh at herself.

 Hazel's newest word is, "Hat."

Our talented musician on the egg slicer and vocals!

Hazel's flashlight

Happy Anniversary to Us

It was our 3rd wedding anniversary on the 6th! We were not able to go on a date since Keefe had work, but it was nice to express simple love and gratitude for eachother that day after being married for three years.  It is nice to always have your best friend with you to make you feel loved. Thanks Keefe!

Visit from the Texas Fillerups!

We were so excited to have a visit this last week from Keefe's brother Mel and his family! It was the first time we were able to meet baby Lily; and the last time cousin Mees and Hazel were together Hazel was only a few weeks old so they had a great time getting to know eachother again. Hazel loved spending time with her cousins! Auntie Annie loved holding sweet Lily! We had a lot of fun! Here are some pictures:

We went to the Ritz to visit Keefe at his fancy gelato station! We had Watermelon, Honey Pecan, and Nutella gelato. It was tasty tasty! Mees was very excited about the marshmallows for the fondue. Keefe looks like a giant Pillsbury Dough Boy - sooo handsome!!!

 Hazel loves her Aunt Nynke! When Hazel was just a few weeks old, she loved being held by Nynke, and now that she is bigger she likes snuggling up for a good book. It is so sweet!

Thanks for the visit Mel, Nynke, Mees, and Lily!