Visiting with Grammy and Nellie -- December 29

We stopped by after the Cowgirls game to visit with Grammy and help Nellie with a puzzle.  Hazel is a little more interested in the whole puzzle thing than is good for the puzzle pieces, but she was happy to play with other things and make faces with Grammy.

First Cowgirls Game -- December 29

 

  

We were all outfitted in Game Day Gold.  Poke Pride was in full force. Even the littlest Poke was ready to sing Cowboy Joe, wave goodbye to the girls from the other team who fouled out, dance to Cotton Eyed Joe, encourage free throw success with 'spirit fingers,' and generally clap enthusiastically.

 

Hazel spent the first half of the game watching carefully and chewing on a wooden wrench.

 

Hazel spent the second half sitting in her own seat like a big girl and eating Joe-O's (Trader Joe's brand of Cheerios).  We thought that it was a fitting snack as we cheered on Coach Joe and the Cowgirls.

 

We made it clear to Hazel that while Santa is fictitious, Pistol Pete is *definitely* real.  We even have pictures of him greeting President (then candidate) Obama to prove it someday.

 

The Cowgirls won, beating Loyola Marymount 84 to 68.  It was just exciting enough to be interesting, but not exciting enough to make the Cowgirls fans too nervous about the outcome.

 

Christmas at Grammy's -- December 27

 

The drive home from Ponca was more eventful than we expected, and we ended up staying a night in Sidney, Nebraska because the weather was abysmally bad for driving.  We stopped at 2:30 in the morning, and Hazel really enjoyed the hotel experience.  We made it to Grammy's by late afternoon, though.  Hazel enjoyed opening her fishing basket full of surprises (including some fish, of course).  

Hazel Update -- December 26

 

We noticed on the day after Christmas that Hazel finally cut her first tooth.  She actually got both front bottom teeth all at once, we joked that all she wanted for Christmas was her two front teeth.  Also, she is now standing up all on her own, although she is not above using a little help.  It's impossible to get a picture of her standing though, because she likes to bounce and clap once she gets up, so the above will have to suffice for now!  

Christmas Morning -- December 25

 

Christmas Eve -- December 24

 

We hurried out the door for Christmas Eve service at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca.  It was a lovely Christmas Eve service, with candle lighting and plenty of familiar hymns.  Hazel likes listening to the hymns, and she spent some time watching the organist.

 Erin and Hazel played "rocketship" with empty totes after church.

 

Hazel had fun hanging out with Nana and opening a few presents before bedtime.

 

 

Hazel and her dad read this nifty version of the three little pigs that comes complete with puppets as soon as it was out of the wrapping.  Hazel was fairly absorbed by the story; if she is in the right mood she will happily listen to a whole picture book now.

A Hazel-Eye View of the Missouri -- December 24

 

There is a spectacular view of the Missouri just a short walk up the road from the cabin.  It was very cold, but Hazel was tough and braved a trip out to see the sights.  Unfortunately, Hazel was helping to run the camera, so there are no pictures of her bundled up in her supersuit and blueberry hat.  

Decorating the Tree on Christmas Eve -- December 24

 

Hazel started off her morning by devouring the Laramie Boomerang.  

 

We picked up a Christmas tree from a florist in Ponca, and decorated it with help from the shorter members of the family.

First Night at Ponca -- December 23

 

We drove to Ponca State Park in Ponca, Nebraska for Christmas festivities.  Hazel enjoyed time with Grandad, Nana, Great Grandma and Grandpa Telander, aunt Abbi and uncle Mike, and cousin Erin.  We also had a whole Telander zoo, with dogs Emma and Ginger, and cats Sven, Arwen, and Vixey.

 

Erin had fun helping Nana in the kitchen.

 

Hazel enjoyed playing on the floor by the fire.  All things considered, the cabin was fairly Hazel-proof, until we put the Christmas tree up.

Christmas Tree -- December 18

Hazel was not particularly mobile when the tree first went up, and she expressed very little interest in the tree.  Now, however, it has become quite exciting. 

Noodling in the Morning -- December 20

  

It is impossible to accurately convey just how busy Hazel is these days.  Between the crawling and the standing, she's a whole new baby.  These pictures were taken in the space of about 3 minutes.

 

Hazel was quite pleased with herself for digging Sophie out of the bag, but she quickly abandoned Sophie to come say "hi."

 

Emma was on hand for a quick hug and a kiss.

Up Down -- December 16

Hazel has been enthusiastically practicing standing up.  

She pulls herself up, gets her balance, and enjoys the view for a moment before plopping back down on the floor.

She has gotten much better over the past two or three days at getting down gracefully.  A week or so ago when she first started this, the only way down involved a bump on the head.  Now she plunks down purposefully, and if she gets a little unsteady she puts a hand out to catch herself.

The fun part about this game is that we get to do it over and over again!

Walk in the Neighborhood -- December 15

We had a busy Saturday, taking the truck in for an oil change, Christmas shopping, eating a quick lunch out (Hazel enjoyed the soup of the day), and we had an invitation for supper.  We made sure we had time to go for a walk in the afternoon, because the dog has been missing her walks since it snowed last weekend. 

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 We had to bundle up, because it was chilly and foggy.  It had been raining, and everything was sort of damp.  Hazel was required to wear a hat, which she still does not particularly enjoy.

New Consonant -- December 9

We have yet to get Hazel talking on video, but we wanted to pass along that she has gained a new consonant.  She says "p" now, but only in a whisper.  If you say "mamama" or "bababa" to her, she'll often repeat it, if you give her enough time.  We tend to wander through stores with the three of us babbling at each other.  Anyway, today she added a whisper of a "papapa" for the first time.  She's been busy this week!

Sledding -- December 9

We went out in search of a sled today, and found a mega-boggan at Fleet Farm. It fits all three of us nicely.

 Hazel was a little skeptical of this adventure, but she stayed toasty warm in her supersuit, and she made a happy noise once or twice.  The sledding hills around here are actually pretty nice, and this one was busy with families when we got there in the late afternoon.  Hazel was probably the smallest of the small children, but she was up for it.

We've had about 8 inches of snow, and more is supposed to come.  We're excited about the new sled, and plan to head out to Mount Como again soon.  With any luck, we'll be able to get the cross country skis out this week or next.  And we'll all get to go sledding and skiing in real mountains when we head back to Wyoming in a few weeks!