Wall Sits -- June 9

Hazel entertained herself while we were getting supper ready first by sitting on her frog ball, which she was actually pretty good at.  She likes sitting on steps, small chairs, and other appropriately sized items, so it fits in with her interests these days.  After a bit, she started trying out wall sits.

Mountain Biking Preparations -- June 9

We went mountain biking in the evening, in the same place we go cross-country skiing in the winter.  It was a little more intense than we intended, but we all had a good time.  Hazel giggled a fair bit, and the woods were nice.

While Andrew was loading the bikes up, Hazel tried out his helmet.  

Hazel is pretty good at staying out of the street, which is handy, but also kind of curious.  She'll wander up to the edge of the sidewalk, point at the street, and say "no" over and over again.  Some things you can say "no" about over and over again, like playing in the dog's water dish, for example.  But other things we've barely had to tell her "no" about before she starts saying it to herself, and following her own rules.  The other mysterious thing she's good at is treating picture books with real pages gently.  She'll shred a catalog, but she is quite careful with pictures books, and we've never really had to teach her that one. 

Hiking the Headquarters Trail -- June 8

We spent a lovely Saturday afternoon hiking in the Happy Jack area.  We discovered a new trail with great views.  Hazel took a nice long nap in the carrier, and hauled pine cones and rocks around the rest of the time.

Dandelions and Tulips in the Front Yard -- June 8

Hazel likes to play in the front yard, and gets a kick out of picking the dandelions that grow by the front door.  She is also quick to point out the tulips.  

Birthday Dinner -- June 6

Andrew's birthday was on a Thursday, and we went up to Vedauwoo (about 16 miles East of Laramie) for a picnic supper after he got home from work.  We cooked hot dogs over the fire, and had chips, cantaloupe, and a fizzy pomegranate drink.  Hazel liked walking up and down the hill next to the fire, and Emma was happy to do pretty much the same thing.

Andrew found firewood nearby that was perfectly dried out, and we had a fire going very quickly.  

Hazel had her own camp chair to sit and eat her supper in.  When we were ready to eat, we moved a fair bit away from the fire to make it easier to keep her from getting curious about it.

After supper, we packed everything up and went for a short hike near our picnic spot.  It was a perfect Wyoming summer evening. 

Buckling Hazel for a Bike Ride -- June 5

We hadn't been out for a bike ride in a while, but we made it out after supper this evening.  The river has risen so much since the last time we were out that part of the path at the Laramie Greenbelt is now closed for the season.  It was  a very pleasant evening for everyone.

Rocking Chair -- May 31

 

Hazel has been finding all kinds of ways to play with this child size rocking chair.  One obvious thing to do with it is sit in it, but it is also a great thing to tote around the house.

Strickland Place -- May 27

 

We stopped by to visit with Great Aunt Cindy and to go for a walk up the road from the Strickland Place.  Hazel found the dandelions, and sniffed some more lilacs.

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Aunt Cindy taught Hazel how to blow on dandelions. 

 

 

Memorial Day - May 27

 

We went to the cemetery in Wilsall in the morning on Memorial Day to visit Grandpa Z's grave, and to see the flags.  We found the flag that was put up in memory of Hazel's Great Great Grandpa Guth, who was a WWI veteran.

 

 

We went with Grandpa Van to pick up Granny for the Memorial Day activities at the Yellowstone River.  We didn't quite make it in time to hear Uncle Ned play his trumpet, but the river was beautiful.  

 

 We stopped and got some lilacs for Granny, and Hazel practiced sniffing the flowers. 

 

We did a brief tour of Livingston in the Cadillac, and stopped by the cemetery to visit Great Great Grandpa and Grandma Guth's graves, and to share the lilacs with them.  Hazels' Great Great Aunt Evalyn lies next to her great great grandparents as well.  

 

After a long morning in town, Hazel took a well deserved nap in the car.

Eric's Graduation -- May 26

 

Hazel did a great job at Eric's graduation.  Not only was she fairly quiet and patient, but she also managed to clap at the appropriate times and she enjoyed the slideshow with baby pictures of the graduating seniors.  Almost every time a baby picture showed up on the screen, she would chirp "baby" as if it was the neatest thing since sliced bread.  

 

 

 

As patient as she was, Hazel's favorite part of the event came after everyone else was gone.  A few dozen balloons were used to decorate the from of the gym, and Hazel had the chance to discover how much fun balloons can be.  She even got to keep one.

Visiting with Granny Z -- May 25

 

We went to visit Granny Z in Livingston, and Hazel found all kinds of things to play with in her room after sharing ones of her books with Granny.

 

Granny's wheelchair was a hit, for example.

 

We got to see Grandpa Van again on this trip, which was nice.  Hazel's name for Grandpa Van sounds rather like "man."  

 

Opening Granny's mail was pretty much the highlight of Hazel's trip to town.  

Zimmerman Park -- May 24

 

We went to Montana for Memorial Day weekend to see Great Granny Z and to be there for our cousin Eric's high school graduation.  On the way up, we stopped in Billings at Zimmerman Park for a bit of run around time and a light supper.  Hazel was delighted to find pine cones and rocks, and made sure to say hello to all of the dogs that went by.