Our Hazel turning ONE!!!

For Hazel's 1st Birthday we had a little party at my mom and dad's house the day before her actual birthday. Our guests included: The Chris Shaw family, Aunt Gail and Uncle Don, Papa D, The Jammes family, Granny and Papa, and the fabulous Aunt Becky.

We had cupcakes for the guest and a special duck cake for Miss Hazel to eat. "Duck" is the first word (sound) that made any sense, so that is where the theme came from. Well, that and Justin and I just really love ducks. Aunt Becky with the help of Justin created this really cute cake.

I couldn't tell what she thought about all the attention while we sang to her, but I think she liked it.

Before getting all dirty (or not so dirty) eating cake we decided to open presents next.

It seems like she if starting to get the hang of this opening thing.

Now onto the cake part. Justin and I were really expecting a messy little girl, but she was very neat about touching it. She only ate a few bits and then was "All done."

In the last year we have enjoyed.........

Sleepless nights

Learning patience from lots of crying due to reflux and colic

Watching how strong she was and is

Hearing her laugh

Watching her milestones (most of them we got to see together)

Her very toothy smile

Reading books

In the coming year we look forward to........

More time with our families

Mastering walking then running

Finally learning to say "Mama and Dada"

Feeding herself

Potty Training

Lots of Snuggles

Christmas - Part 4

We got to see Justin's dad Michael while we were in Tallahassee. This was the first time that Michael and Hazel meet each other. While we were there we were introduced to a new and very yummy cracker. It was a savory graham cracker. Hazel was quite a fan.

When we got there we were greeted by a nice warm fire. I think it was Hazel's first time ever seeing a fire and as you can see by the picture she just wanted to jump right in there with it. That is a lesson that we will definitely need to work on with her.

Off to Grandmom's house we go. Christmas Part 3

We just love spending time at Grandmom's house. It is very peaceful and quiet there. We spent our days catching up on some play time with Hazel, meeting Santa for the first time, finishing up on some last minute shopping, going on lunch dates, napping and just being together.

Aunt Laurie and Tyler playing with Hazel.

Our little family in front of the Christmas Tree.

Oh, and we also spent quite a bit of time putting this puzzle together. We got it from Grandmommy Donni and Grandpa Gene. It was so much fun! The fact that it was round made it really hard to even get the edge done. Several times we would have given up on certain pieces when we would search the floor in a desperate need to find the missing piece. Hazel really adds a new level of puzzling when she helps.

And we also had a visit from Justin's friend James and then later in the week some more friends, Logan and Kalyn. It is always nice to catch up on each others lives.

James showing us pictures of his little girl, Grace.

This year for Christmas we made Grandmom a plaster of paris of Justin's hand with Hazel's inside of his. It turned out really nice. We failed to get a picture of it, so next time we go we will have to remember to do that.

Hazel checking out Grandmom as she opens the present.

Grandmom and Justin are so cute together. She played a big part in raising him and they love each other so much. I am so lucky to have her as my family now too. We are blessed to have her in our lives.

Grandmom, Justin, and Hazel

Hazel meets Santa

Santa- "Hurry take the picture, she's a wild one."

Hazel- "Who the heck are you, and why did my parents just leave me with you?"

Santa and Hazel- "Please somebody help me!!!"

Merry Christmas - Part 2

Our first stop on the Christmas train was to Dennis and Donni's house. Aunt Terri, Grandmommy Donni, and Grandpa Gene all met up there for an early Christmas. It was so much fun all being together.

Dennis (Grandpa) and Donni (Nana)

Justin and I after we opened up our presents

I had the privilege to meet some new family. Ruth and Gage who are cousins came over one afternoon to visit. Hazel took to Gage immediately. They were so cute together.

Hazel and Gage

The Hazelnator with all her goodies from the Family.

Here Grandpa Gene is trying to teach Miss Hazel her shapes. It was so cute to watch them working together.

Hazel sporting her new winter hat from Aunt Terri

Nana and Grandpa got Hazel this amazing piano that interacts with the TV. She absolutely loves it. There is one particular song (Head, Shoulder, Knees, and Toes) that we will play a hundred times a day and when she gets the song to start she will turn around, look at me, and just start to dance.

Check out that Rocking Frog!! At first Hazel wasn't real sure about it. Notice that us adults are way more interested in it then Hazel. Don't you fear she has come around and has mastered the rock.

Aunt Terri had just had surgery on her elbow like 4 days before she drove up to have Christmas with us. We are so glad she was able to make it.

While with everyone we enjoyed just hanging out and spending time together. We love you guys and can't wait till we can all get together again.

Merry Christmas - Part One

Since we knew that we would be doing a lot of traveling this Christmas we felt like it would nice for us to have our very own Justin, Nancy, and Hazel Christmas. We just picked a night that Justin would be home early and called that our Christmas Eve. We enjoyed a nice Steak dinner and then opened presents from each other. We all had one gift under the tree. It was simple, but very nice!

Then the following morning was our Christmas morning. For the last several years have gone to the Dollar Store with a $5 limit to fill one another's stockings. One really has to use your imagination. My favorite was a scarf that Justin got for Hazel. It is sooo cute!

Hazel didn't really get the concept of opening gifts, but we has her parents sure did have fun!

My apologies for the picture quality. I had forgotten my camera at church the Sunday before and so we had to use my phone.