Charismatic Megaflora--July 29

Hazel's visit to Afton State Park was an occasion to discuss the demise of the tall grass prairie.  It may not be that uncommon to see grass as tall as Hazel, who is roughly 2 feet tall, but grass nearly as tall as her father is pretty exciting.  

Corn fields have their merits, but prairie easily trumps them .

Socializing at Como Park--July 27

We went to Como Park to roast hot dogs with Andrew's classmate from last year, Andrew P. and his family.  Incidentally, we had another acquaintance and his family over on Saturday, and his 2-year old is also an Andrew (although they affectionately call him Drewby). It was a weekend full of Andrews!

Como Park has about a million picnic tables, but the only grill was being used by another family when we got there.  We had our Christmas tree from last year along, and a bag of charcoal, and we made do with a fire pit.  

The complete warning actually says "NO GRILLING ON TABLES".  We didn't quite come to trying to grill on the tables, but we did have a hard time finding a place to roast our hot dogs.

Hazel was pretty happy on her blanket and she enjoyed watching 2-year old Katja run around.  

Reading With Her Papa--July 26

Hazel has been enjoying looking at books and being read to.  Dr. Seuss has been fun, although it's unclear if she appreciates just how hard that Fox in Socks is to follow.

Not Quite So Floppy -- July 26

Miss Hazel still slumps a bit, but she is now prop-able.  

 

Tamarack Nature Center-- July 26

We rediscovered a Christmas gift from Abbi--a Twin Cities hiking guide.  We found this place in there, and it's even pretty close to home.  Hazel got a brief tutorial in grasses before falling asleep.

Hands!--July 24

Hazel has recently discovered her hands.  

Baptism--July 22

Pastor Rohr at Trinity Lutheran Church in Laramie agreed to baptize Hazel while we were in Laramie, even though it was fairly late notice.  Pastor Rohr officiated at our wedding in 2010, and was super excited to see us all this summer.

We were able to catch up with a number of folks from Trinity at Hazel's baptism, including our French teacher from high school who told us that she was moved to tears by the baptism.  

Pastor Rohr used to walk around the church with the babies after their baptisms, while the congregation finished singing the baptismal hymn. He has recently had a number of surgeries that made him nervous about that, so a very excited Nana got to walk Hazel around the church to meet everyone.

Preparing for 4Wheeling--July 16-22

Hazel and her Nana spent some time on the reading bench while the guys prepared to go 4-wheeling.

Hazel also had a number of tours of the new landscaping in the front yard.  Here she enjoys a windchime.  

They also smelled the roses.

Visting Nana and Grandad--July 16-22

Breakfast with Grandad.

Books with Nana.

Hazel met Sven for the first time, and he was actually pretty interested in her.  She wasn't impressed.

Snow in the Snowies--July 16-22

We made sure to get up to the Snowies before we had to leave, and we even found a little snow.

Hazel Visits UW--July 16-22

We were early for a meeting with a friend at Turtle Rock, a coffee shop right across the street from the classroom building, so we took the opportunity to wander around campus.

Hazel enjoyed the warm rocks at Cheney Plaza.  We'll have to go back sometime and find Simpson Plaza, (and maybe even Grammy's Cooper House).

Go Pokes!

Hazel Meets Stella--July 16-22

Grammy Frieda's new(ish) grand piano makes a conveniently elevated changing table.  Great-Grammy Puccio nick-named the piano Stella, and apparently that has stuck. 

Hazel enjoyed Stella quite a bit, Grammy indulged us in a brief tune and Hazel was clearly interested in the noises and the vibrations.

Snuggle time with Grammy is also a good thing, of course.

Home Again (For the 1st Time!)--July 16-22

We spent almost a week back in Laramie, visiting with parents and friends and spending time in some of our favorite places.  We even brought the rollerblades and the jogging stroller with for a trip to the Laramie Green Belt, which wasn't even windy that day.

Blair, near Vedauwoo, is one of those favorite places. We made sure Hazel was sun-blocked up for this trip!     

Emma stayed cool by playing in the water.  

The rest of us cooled off in the shade after a long walk.

A Walk Behind Great Granny Z's House--July 13

Emma approved of this trip a bit more once she met Thor, who came down the road to play.

Checking out wheel lines.

It's hot and dry in Wilsall this year, it's easy to see where the grass was irrigated.

Emma cooled of in Elk Creek, but the rest of us had to wait until we got back to the house for a drink.

Meeting the Zimmermans--July 13-16

Driving to Wilsall was another 16 hour drive.  We did it mostly at night, and Hazel did very well with it.  The best way to travel is when you aren't even awake!

Emma got to come with on this trip, but she was pretty skeptical at first.  She didn't seem to enjoy North Dakota much, and she was happy to get out of the car once we got to Granny's.

We played card games with Great Granny, and Hazel spent some tummy time on the dining room table at her suggestion.

Cousins Caity and Eric were excited to see all of us. 

Hazel enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune with her Great Grandmother.

A very big chair for a very small girl!

Sis and Bubb -- July 6

We wanted to try something new this year, which is why we decided to check out Sis and Bubb lakes.  That and it's fun to say.  Hazel slept through most of it, and made gurgly noises for the rest.