It's been a long summer

It has been a long, busy, eventful summer. Glenn went to Cedar Point, Megan finished Library School, Megan and Glenn went to St. Louis, and Hazel spent good quality time with Grammy. Some of these things were captured on film (or the digital equivalent), some not. But, let's take a look at what we can share...

Hazel checking out the giraffes at the zoo with Mom.

Dad introduces Hazel to R2D2 at the Children's Museum.

Hazel has the carousel horses mastered!

Hazel reads as much as her mother does, but can't always keep her eyes open.

As many of you likely know, we have also had our share of sadness in the past few weeks. Approximately two weeks ago, Megan's father passed away. In retrospect, his health had been slipping in recent weeks, but it was still quite a shock to the whole family. Fortunately, all the kids and grandchildren were able to come up and remember Papaw and enjoy the family he helped to build.

Hazel and Sarah Kate watching Elmo.

Hazel wearing her beautiful new dress for Papaw's funeral.

Hazel's last visit with Papaw, reading one of her favorite books.

Despite the sadness of the loss, we still have a Hazelnut around to remind us of the joys of life...

When you are this cute, life is good!

Just in case you didn't believe the last caption, a bit more proof.

I have no idea where she got the idea to jump down the stairs, I swear!


Hazel trying to carry Daddy on her shoulders.

A touch of the Ring Around the Rosie.

This is what happens when you have a little too much Ring Around the Rosie.

Wagons East ...

... or "How We Drove 2100 Miles to End Up in Indianapolis."

As is traditional when I'm about 6 months pregnant, we decided to take a ridiculously long road trip to visit the McCain family. This time, we drove to Vermont to visit Grandma and Grandpa Jelly Bean and their candy store. We spent a few days exploring the Green Mountains, and then headed to Meshoppen, PA to visit the Glorious Gustins. We had a blast, and Hazel seemed to realize that she was no longer a baby anymore, and now refuses to be treated like one. She wants to be a big girl and do big girl things.

Glenn and his buddy silk-screened t-shirts for everyone. The cousins model their shirts for us here.

Jacob, the only boy cousin, flexing his muscles and proving he is all boy.

Hazel discovers the joys of the Vermont Confectionery.

And they have ice cream too! Hazelnuts love ice cream.

Daddy and Hazel playing in the formal garden at Hildene, the Lincoln Family ancestral home in Manchester, Vermont.

Mommy and Hazel take a break from the hot weather and all that exploring.

Aunt Kelly has a pool that is just Hazel-sized.

Hazel insisted on joining the cousin-picnic on Pride Rock.

She managed to convince us that she is a big girl.

We spent the day on Thursday at Knoebels Family Fun Park.

Hazel was big enough to go on some of the rides with Jillian and loved every minute.

While Megan is away...

With Megan out of town at a wedding, her Reign of Terror with an Iron Fist of Doom was put on hold for the weekend (as was her strict No Fun policy) . With our new found freedom, Hazel and I spent some time at the park, at the Children's Museum, and generally enjoying our time together.

Hazel surveys the remarkably empty playground

She loves that there is stuff here just her size

Especially the slides!

And she lasted a lot longer on the merry-go-round than Daddy (who barely managed to not barf)

Hazel checking out the water table at the Museum

Here we are coloring. Interesting note: We have pictures of her proving that she is both a righty and a lefty

Hazel really enjoyed riding the carousel

In case you were wondering, Hazel loves chicken nuggets and fries

And, if you are ever at a loss at what to do on a beautiful day, go swinging

The Great Easter Egg Hunt!

This morning, Megan, Hazel, and I decided to head over to Brownsburg for the town Easter Egg Hunt. As instructed, we showed up early so as to begin promptly at 11:00. At 11:05, the natives were getting restless. However, at about 11:10, the countdown began, and eggs were hunted. They had things broken up by age group. Hazel fit it quite nicely with the 2 and unders, but, when you look at the pictures, remember that she was one of five groups going at the same time, and she was on one of the smaller hunting grounds.

Hazel shows off her hunting attire and her egg basket.

Daddy tries to pose for a picture, but Hazel has to plan out her route in the hunting grounds.

The countdown begins...

And here is our leader out of the gate! She didn't know what to do at first, but got the hang of it pretty quickly.


Eggs and candy! What a great way to spend a morning.


Well, spend a morning with a couple thousand of your neighbors. (This was just the 2 and under hunting ground - the ground was clear in about 2 minutes!)


Hazel retreats to take stock of her find.

Someone thought it was a good idea to put out Ring Pops for the little ones. Hazel thanks them.

Hazel's Big Announcement

For those of you who haven't already heard, Hazel has something to say...

We are expecting this happy event to occur in September, within a few days of Hazel's new cousin joining the family as well. Hazel thinks there's a lot to look forward to in September; a new cousin and a new sister!

Ed. Note: We don't know it's going to be a little sister, we just hope so.