Saturday With Daddy - On the bike

Mommy had some silly work stuff to do on Saturday, so today Hazel is hanging with Daddy and rocking her new bike seat. She loves it.

Wedding weekend

After a short 2 days at home, Hazel returned to Seattle for Aunt Ailey's wedding weekend of wackiness. She saw more people in three days than she sees in a typical year and ended the weekend completely exhausted but satisfied. She told Mom and Dad that Aunt Ailey should get married more often, but only once a year.

Hazel has an obsession with coats and hats and her faux-fur lined red coat is no exception. Besides, one needs to look fancy if one is going to a rehearsal dinner.

Red Riding Hood called. She would like her coat back.

Hazel had a big role in the wedding: carry a ring pillow with no rings on it down the aisle.

Here, she contemplates the seriousness of her position.

"Whoa, Mom! I have never seen you look like that before!"

Every bride needs to kiss a bald baby for good luck.

A rare family photo before the ceremony. Hazel is kinda stressed about her job.

Barker girls.

During the ceremony, Hazel performed her duties admirably, running screaming down the aisle towards Mom (the maid of honor) until Dad rescued her at the altar. We are awaiting pictures of the reverential event since both Mom and Dad were both otherwise occupied. We are

also awaiting photos of Hazel dancing, pushing chairs around, and causing havoc at the reception.

The day after the wedding meant it was time for brunch at Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa's house. Hazel exclaimed joyously over the spring-like weather.

Uncle Nate and Aunt Marissa keep chickens in their backyard and Hazel found them quite hilarious.

On the long drive home, Hazel took her mom and dad to the park in downtown Olympia where they admired boats, docks, fountains and playground equipment. Unfortunately, we have no pictures because at some point, it's time to put down the camera and just enjoy being together (aka WE FORGOT THE CAMERA).

To end this lengthy post, Hazel would like to send a big kiss (MMMMMM-WUH!) to Aunt Ailey and Uncle Ritchie and say, "Thanks for a crazy awesome weekend".

Getting ready to help Aunt Ailey get hitched

Aunt Ailey is getting married next week, so Hazel came to Seattle to help her get ready and to make sure that Mom made it to Ailey's bachelorette party safe and sound.

She promptly tried on her ring bearer dress. And then promptly took it off, it being WHITE and all.

After stripping down, Hazel practiced a key part of any after-party: hanging out in your skivvies and relaxing. Uncle Ritchie is obviously jealous of Hazel's new sense of style.

To top it off, Hazel challenged Deborah, Ritchie's sister from England, to a little game on the Wii. We won't tell you who won.

Too Cool

Hazel insisted on wearing her hat and glasses to breakfast this morning.

Hazel Draws

Hazel Does Dishes

On the Mountain

Hazel spent Friday afternoon practicing her driving skills so that she can contribute to the long drives the Barker family endures every weekend. She loves to make truck noises and say "beep, beep."

Hazel and her parents spent the weekend staying in a rented room in Government Camp and exploring the lodges at SkiBowl and Mount Hood Meadows. She had a chance to hang out on her first chair lift (above) although she didn't go for a ride.

She also went sledding with Mommy and Noah while Daddy ski patrolled. Mommy and Daddy then switched patrolling duties and Hazel rode on Daddy's back up the Glade Trail to Timberline before skiing back down.

Hazel is such a regular at the Government Camp coffee shop that all the girls there know her by name. She's also on a first name basis with many of the employees at the Mt Hood Meadows lodge.

Hazel also had a chance to lounge in the sun while Mommy and Daddy skied on Sunday before collapsing in an exhausted heap at home and resting up for next weekend.

18 months...going on 12 years

Our sweet Hazel turns 18 months old today. For her 1/2 birthday, she received a well-baby checkup at the doctor's office. Happy 1/2 Birthday, Hizzle fo' Shizzle!

For those numbers people, here's your info:

23.5 lbs (33%)

31.25 inches tall (46%)

That's all we managed to get from the doc, other than a stern warning to keep that baby in her crib until at least 2 1/2. We were like, well, DUH. Like we want a toddler who can get in and out of her own bed. We'll take peace and quiet and sleeping in until 9am, thank you very much.

Other than that, The Hizz is busy telling everyone she knows every word she knows...everything from "backpack" to "apple". Go figure- she can't quite run yet, but she has over 100 words in her vocabulary. She takes after her mama, this girl. Pretty soon, she'll be saying things like, "Oh. My. God. Mom, you are SOOOOOO annoying!"

Here she is, already practicing "the look":

Growing Up on the Mountain

Hazel spent another Saturday at Mount Hood Meadows. She is very interested in watching the skiers and loves to race around the base area in her sled!