Cousins, cousins, cousins

Chris and Stacy and kids visited from Colorado for almost a week
(July 14-20thish) and we had a blast. Hazel and Lottie were having FUN 90% of the time (other 10% were naps and brushing their teeth). They played together, ate together, slept together, and loved everything about this small vacation.

When it was time for everyone to go back home, Hazel was truly disappointed.
It was the first time we could tell she felt sad and moody, but didn't really understand why.
She just missed her cousins.

Gram has a HUGE tire she got from Collin and Tiffany that makes a roomy sandbox.

We took the kids to one of Kevin and Vicki's neighbors who offered to let the kids ride one of her beautiful white ponies!

She (Julie) explained the proper care and handling of ponies and then the kids got to brush the pony themselves.

While the kids were at work, the rest of us entertained ourselves in other ways...



Little Hazel Jayne. Love her.



Little Lottie would not get off the pony. She was the last to ride, so we took her for a shorter run and at the end, David reached up to take her helmet off and she grabbed it out of his hands and put it back on her head. She refused to get off! We let her go around one more time and then ride the pony back into the stable area. She loved this!



Covered in dirt and determined to stay on the pony.


Afterwards, the kids found a little play shed that had some dress up clothes. I'm pretty sure this was the first time Hazel ever held a play gun.
(I love that Sam and Hazel are Cowboy/girls and Lottie is a little Indian)

Who says you can't point and shoot with a flower in your hand?



Hazel officially wrote her name perfectly on her first day of preschool (8/16/10)!
She got some good practice on this thank you note to Julie and I wanted to remember it.
She struggles with those Z's.


We had LOTS of good food. David grilled up this monstrous pork loin that fed us for a couple of days.

The kids made dessert kabobs.

Beef, bacon, hot dog turtles. Yummy.


Butterfly snack bags. Found out how to make them here.

My mom gave me these awesome curlers that are easier to put in and sleep on during the night. Kate asked for them every night.



Bug rocks. (soon to be on my toddler blog)


Vicki gave the kids these bug nets to take outside. These two girls caught SO many grasshoppers together.
Hazel still talks about how fun that was.

Watermelon Popsicles; a new favorite.



One of the days we went down to the Hill Aerospace museum.



A morning walk...the camera and little Ellie were heavy enough for me. David took care of the rest.


Vicki made these "Nature Catchers" (also soon to be on the blog) for the kids to take on our morning walks.






I can't get over Hazel's face in this picture.
Thanks for a WONDERFUL family vacation.
We love you guys.

Fourth of July

(Isn't it nice how you can edit the date of these posts and pretend that you actually posted about the 4th of july on the 5th of july? love that.)

It is our tradition to spend the fourth with David's family up in Liberty. We love it.
On the evening of the 3rd, we went to a rodeo at the park and watched the horses.
Charlotte loved it; poor Hazel had a sore throat, so we didn't stay for long.

David and Hazel, with tea for the sore throat. Hazel felt very fancy.


Funny story: On the morning of the 4th, we started with a parade. It was still a little chilly outside so Hazel was wearing this hoodie. As they threw out candy, she stuffed it into her pockets to save for "later." Then an hour or two later, when it really warmed up and the sweatshirt was off, she asked, "Where's my candy?" We told her that it was safe in her sweatshirt but that she couldn't have anymore yet. Suddenly she pretended to shiver (in the 90 degree heat) and said in a pained voice, "I'm cold."
Smarty pants.

This was the first year we signed Hazel up for the "Chicken Catch." They line up all the 3-4 year olds and have them chase a chicken. Whoever catches it, keeps the chicken.

At first she was really excited until she had to walk out there by herself. With some help, she made it into the line with the other kiddos.

After all was said and done, she decided that it was all a little too scary for her. She finally spotted us through the fence and headed towards us, trying really hard not to cry. So cute.


After that we watched the older kids catch greased pigs and ride on wild, bucking sheep (mutton busting). I wonder if Hazel will ever have the nerve.
Dave always wishes they had a 18+ age group.


So Gram brought this bright red scarf with her to add a little red to her attire and Hazel asked to wear it. Then she added my sunglasses and was ready for stardom.

The caterpillar ride. One of our fav's.

Our new neighbors, the Taylors, joined us for the day. So fun.

I don't know that Hazel really understood the game of tug-o-war, but she enjoyed herself nonetheless!

Hazel has a slight fear of big slides, but she took this one like a champ and went twice. I love all of the different events they have at this park! Every year is different. Some years I bring things to sell; this year we tried some homemade root beer and I found a pair of hand-made earrings. And we ate about six snowcones.

Hazel bobbed for apples for the first time in her life. It was so hot outside; I would have totally dunked my head in that bucket if it weren't for my dear bangs. Guys have it so easy.

We entered Hazel into the cake walk and she won a bunch of cupcakes. Lottie thought that was the greatest part of the day.

Watermelon seed spitting contest.

Every year David enters the fish catching contest and catches a fish for our family to grill up that night. Well, we don't actually ever grill them up...last year he left the fish in our hot car for two days. This year he left four fish in his parents' basement sink for three days. His mom realized they were still there when she came home from work to get the house ready for Book Club and it reeked of fish!

This was the first year David signed me up for the fish catch. I got soaked as I reached for every single fish that passed through my little corner. I was about to give up when I finally wrapped my hands around a little trout that was probably pretty close to death already.
I was very proud.

Then we settled in for fireworks. I thought I'd get one last shot of my sweet girls, fighting over who got to sit in the chair. Lottie may be little, but she can sure hold her own.

Happy Fourth!

conversations with the Bean

Hazel: (while I'm talking on the phone) Mom, I have to go potty.
Mom (still talking on the phone, not listening)
Hazel: Mom, I went potty a little bit (holds up thumb and pointer finger to show "little bit") in my chair.
Mom (barely starting to register what she's saying)
Hazel: Mom, I just went potty in my chair. Want to see my pee?
Mom (now off the phone): David!

At the lake:
Hazel: Look mom, I have a tuffle on my swimsuit. (ruffle)

At lunch:
Hazel: I miss daddy.
Mom: me too.
Hazel: He's so handsome. boys are handsome and girls are beautiful.
Mom: yes, he is handsome.
Hazel: He's your prince, isn't he?
MOm: yes he is.
Hazel: Right now my prince is making dresses and shoes and crowns for me.

Mom:what is your favorite color?
Hazel: pink and blue. and white, and green and yellow. and brown. and purple.

in the car:
Hazel: What are we going?

Hazel: can I have it?
Mom & Dad: please ask nicely.
Hazel: "ask nicely?"

We had a FHE at David's parents' house where Kevin showed a clip from the movie A League of their Own where Tom Hanks says, "There's no crying in baseball!" Kevin says it to the grandkids all the time. Afterwards, Hazel offered to give the prayer. The first thing she said was, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for "no crying in baseball."

Hazel:(watching Princess and the Frog) Mom! There's a Charlotte in this movie.
Mom: Yep, she's Tiana's best friend.
Hazel: But she talks.
Mom: well, she's older than your sister Charlotte.
Hazel: No, Charlotte's don't talk.